Dell laptop display question - any help welcome

My daughter has a Dell Insprion 1525. Her display quit working. An external monitor will work just fine.

The other day she was doing something and noticed that if she looked just right, it looked like there was an image on the laptop screen. She discovered that if she shines a flashlight at the screen, everything is there and it looks just fine.

My guess would be that the back-light has gone out ... any thoughts on this?

Also, since this laptop is looooong since out of warranty, is this something we can replace?

 

It may be that a cable has just become loose, I had a simalar problem with the laptop I am using now, went a very costly way around in resolving it only for it to need a new Inverterboard power cable replacing (£2.95/$4.00). It had been getting trapped in the hinge and eventually snapping a wire inside the cable housing, very simple to replace. Though if it is a backlight issue you are best off getting a replacement screen rather than trying to fix the backlight, you can pick up screens quite cheeply if you search around .
Here is the link to the service manual for the laptop....... http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1525/en/SM/index.htm scroll to Display and it shows/explains how to dissemble the screen.

iain.t :major

 

iain,

Your diagnosis seems spot on.

The only caveat I'd like to add is that dissembling a notebook PC (even to change out a cable) can be a very tricky process, even for someone who is familiar with replacing or upgrading parts in a full size (desktop) PC.

It's important to label where every screw came out of and goes back into. There are between four and five different sizes/types of screws holding a typical notebook together; if you dump them all in one bag during disassembly you'll be pulling your hair out trying to match up what goes where while reassembling it. Although Dell's service manuals are better than most, they often leave this part out.

For those not comfortable with such a project, it might be a good idea to call around to your local mom-and-pop PC repair shops for estimates. In a best possible case, the labor portion of the repair may be as little as $50-$60 USD.

 

@ gman863...
Thanks !! I should of pointed out the fact that taking apart a laptop is no easy feat unless you are fully prepared before hand. I usually use a Medicine dosage box that is labled ready for the dismantle then I document using a digital camera better safe than sorry. If the OP is not at all sure about how to procede with this task then it would, as you have suggested, be best taken to a repair shop as it could end up costing more if unsure of how to deal with the issue.

iain.t :major

 

Great minds think alike. I picked up a few medicine boxes at the dollar store a few years ago for exactly the same purpose.

 

Wax paper cupcake liners also work. Don't tell Tim W.:-D

 

Tim's would be Used Wax paper cupcake liners :-D.

 

Hi All,

Best thing I have found is a Muffin Pan. First guy I ever worked for (age 16) gave me one and said "Save the parts. You might need them when you put it together again".

Jim