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deejay88 · Jan 6, 2006, 03:52 PM

This is a fairly common problem. Wondering if it is fixable (w/ out having to spend $300+ on parts and another $100 on labor).

In my case we're dealing with a Toshiba Portege 2000. It boots and operates fine, but the display is extremely dim. Could it be loose connections? Or is the display shot? I'm hoping someone w/ experience can just tell me how to fix it. Myself.

I know only enough about CRT's, LCD's, TFT's, and Plasma to pass industry certification exams (which, as I'm sure many can testify, ain't much). So, I'll need explanations on how to dismantle, repair, and restore the equipment.

Thanks.
D.J.

ScottGem · Jan 7, 2006, 07:10 AM

Did you try adjusting the brightness controls? Not sure where they are on that machine, your manual should tell you.

fredg · Jan 7, 2006, 07:15 AM

Hi, deejay,
Here is a link:

http://laptops.home.att.net/lcdcross.htm

It might be worth checking out. You might need a new backlight display bulb, around $37 at this site.
There are other sites also. I am sorry that I don't have experience with installing one of these. But, the site does offer installation suggestions.
Best of luck.

deejay88 · Jan 7, 2006, 11:09 AM

I have tried adjusting the brightness controls (Fn+F4 on my system). No results. It is possible that the proper hotkey drivers are not installed, but I seriously doubt this is the problem.

More than likely it's the display. I'll research the backlight possibility. $40 is a whole lot nicer than $300.

Any other thoughts?

Appreciate it.
D.J.

Curlyben · Jan 7, 2006, 11:15 AM

I had a similar problem with an old Compaq I had and I found it was a probem with the ribbon cable that connects the display to the base. The only way to fix this was a new display as the cable is an integral part.

You could always try Ebay and see if you can find a similar system at a cheap price and canablise it for parts.

klmgb · Jan 7, 2006, 12:43 PM

Is it really really dim, to where you can barely make out the desktop? I had the same problem and had to send it in to change the inverter. The real problem was the backlighting didn't work and that made the whole display dark. Don't know how hard that is to change, but personally I usually end up paying someone to fix my mistakes than the original problem. If you don't try, you ain't going to learn.

klmgb · Jan 7, 2006, 12:45 PM

[QUOTE=Curlyben]I had a similar problem with an old Compaq I had and I found it was a probem with the ribbon cable that connects the display to the base. The only way to fix this was a new display as the cable is an integral part.[QUOTE]
I have a problem with my ribbon cable in a COMPAQ Presario 1260. Took it apart and ran jumper wires through the flex cable. Has worked good for a while, but is now starting to go again if I don't put the display in just the right position.

klmgb · Jan 7, 2006, 12:52 PM

By the way, if your going to work on it yourself, might want to go here

http://computerdoc.homestead.com/ToshibaPortege.html