HiJack Log

[Dias de verano]

So I did your suggestion...I took my desklamp and shined it to the black screen and guess what.....I saw the screen...the windows...the desktop...but faintly...hardly enough to do work on there...but enough to see.

What do you think the issue and resolution is?

The issue that is you have a display problem. The LCD screen is working but the backlight is not shining. It may be the lamp tube or possibly the circuit that drives it. You need to take your laptop to a repair shop.
 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

It may be the lamp tube or possibly the circuit that drives it.

Screen Inverter. 

These things can be replaced but they can get a bit pricey.

[bluecountry]

Thanks.

Would this have occured independent of what evilfantasy was helping me with...and how much dough are we talking?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

A screen inverter can be as much as $5 USD to maybe $40 USD (from what I have heard) but I cannot 100% garuntee it is the Screen Inverter but I think it is.

Also, I don't think Evilfantasy contributed to this problem. Sometimes it just fails without warning.

[evilfantasy]

Agreed. I had a video card go out a few months back. The symptoms leading up to it were puzzling to say the least. Without taking it to someone who had the proper tools to check for problems I could have never figured it out on my own

It sucks I know but sometimes a professional (licensed) repair shop is the easiest and safest rout to take.

[bluecountry]

I wasn't suggesting in my last post that evil was to blame.

Rather...I am wondering....is the screen problem likely related to what evil was trying to help me with in these 5+ pages...OR is this a seperate problem...meaning once fixed I still have more work?

How can I find a repair shop...never done this before.

[Dias de verano]

It may be the lamp tube or possibly the circuit that drives it.

Screen Inverter. 

These things can be replaced but they can get a bit pricey.

There's no need to get all sarcastic with the rolling-eyes emoticon because, for the benefit of clarity, I used a non-technical term to describe the possible fault. I knew what I was doing when I wrote that. Unlss you know what an inverter does (do you?) there is no point in using the term.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Rather...I am wondering....is the screen problem likely related to what evil was trying to help me with in these 5+ pages...OR is this a seperate problem...meaning once fixed I still have more work?

I doubt it. You were working on an Inside-Windows problem and this is most likely a hardware issue.
Oh Dias, didn't say your description was bad. I meant no offense....

How can I find a repair shop...never done this before.

You should be able to drop it off at any Computer Store and ask them to take a look at it (preferably a well-known shop with good reviews).

[Dias de verano]

Oh Dias, didn't say your description was bad. I meant no offense....

LIsten, Carbo, I'm the guy who rolls his eyes around here, OK?

 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Oh Dias, didn't say your description was bad. I meant no offense....

LIsten, Carbo, I'm the guy who rolls his eyes around here, OK?

 

                   

[bluecountry]

Would BestBuy GeekSquad be good...if not..any other ideas on places or where to search?

[stevejohnson1958]

Why not try eBay?  You're bound to get the part cheap there...if you have the ability to replace it yourself.

LCD Inverter board for Dell Inspiron 5150

[bluecountry]

I have no clue how to and if this even is the problem...just wondering if bestbuy geeksquad is any good or a rip.

[bluecountry]

Thanks guys for your help.
You properly diagnosed the problem.

I am up and running!
I went ahead and purchased a warranty from Dell and got it repaired...it would have cost 400 bucks otherwise!

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Was it the Screen Inverter?