The back light(screen)has stopped working on my laptop?

Question: Even if the backlight isn't on, can you see, if you get the lighting right, any kind of display?

The backlight is a cold-cathide flourescent tube, which is driven by an inverter, which provides the high voltages for the backlight.

The inverter is usually a long, thin circuit board inside the display part of the laptop case.

If you can see a faint, unlit picture on the screen when the laptop is on, it's probably the inverter that has failed, though there's an outside chance it is the cold cathode tube itself.

The good-ish news is tha tome Toshiba laptops were recognised by Toshiba as having a problem with the inverter and Toshiba did replace many inverters free of charge, even if the laptop was out of warranty.

The bad news is I can't find the reference so you'll need to do some in-depth and patient Googling.

Repairing yourself isn't too difficult, so long as you are patient, methodical and careful. Check this site as typical of the process:

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/01/31/replace-screen-inverter-fix-backlight/comment-page-16/

I'll post again if I do find any reference to the Toshiba program.

John
May 2008

If the backlight has gone this can be very expensive to fix. However if you are in the UK.

If there was a fault earlier, then you have proof that it was there when you bought the box and therefore Under the Sale of Goods and Services Act you are entitled to have it fixed - free. The fact that year has passed, in law, is neither here not there. It had a fault at time of purchase.

I suggest that you go back to the retailer, speak the Manager (floor staff may not understand the law) and tell him/her that as there was a fault at the time of sale the PC was 'not fit for purpose' and therefore, under the Supply of Goods and Services Act, you would like it fixed or replaced for free. If they baulk at this, threaten them with the Small Claims Court. If you still do not get it fixed go to your local Small Claims Court - you WILL win.

t
April 2008