Originally Posted by ScottC
Sounds indeed like the backlight may have died. Backlighing is usually just a flourescent tube, just like you use at home but much smaller. They don't have an endless lifespan...
They CAN be replaced, but you really need to know what you are doing:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...rclo=&saprchi=
The tube is very very fragile, andrequires you removing the screen cover, usually removing the entire panel, and disassembling the panel back. I've done this repair before, and it is usually a 30 minute job. One word of warning though; always always remove the battery and AC before doing this, and discharge the backlight power supply as they produce 1000's of volts to power the tube.
Thanks, ScottC. I knew I would find the answer here...
The part is not too expensive, but I am not sure how much someone would charge to do the repair, or if it is worth it on a computer which I might consider retiring soon... I suppose another option is to put a new LCD on it.
I never realized that they were lit by a fluorescent bulb.
I tried to take some of the computer apart, but very cautiously, and with it unplugged and with the battery out. It's not that easy! But I will work on it for a little while. I'm glad that it works with an external display, so I can back up everything as needed.
Thanks.
fuzz