Dell Vostro Laptop Screen Goes Blank

[eric517]

I have a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop.  My screen will go blank every five minutes.  I can still barely see what is on the screen, but it is so dim it is unusable.  This will only happen when the power cord is plugged in.  As long as I am running on battery power there has been no problem.  Where is the problem?  What can be done about it?

Thanks!

[Ironman]

Could be a problem with the LCD bulb or inverter? Have tried contacting Dell support?

[eric517]

I'm waiting on an email response.  I've had this laptop long enough now that the warranty is up.

[neelchauhan]

Try sending it to warranty. If you plan to get a new notebook from Dell, use a Inspiron istead of a Vostro.

[Broni]

Same in Safe Mode?

[patio]

Try sending it to warranty. If you plan to get a new notebook from Dell, use a Inspiron istead of a Vostro.

Ummm...he stated it was out of Warranty...

[truenorth]

eric517, Do you have access to another compatible adapter that you can try? truenorth

[interested]

hello friend,use the new plug of the laptop ,adjust the laptop display settings or install the new operating system to your laptop.thanks

[squall_01]

I think I got this guys.  It seems to be a battery setting, if its plugged in its okay but when the battery depletes it goes that way cause it dont have the power to keep it running like that other wise it drains more power.  I have mine setup that way.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I can still barely see what is on the screen, but it is so dim it is unusable. 

Screen inverter. The hardware must be replaced.

Not sure what you said Squall, but it's not a battery setting.

[squall_01]

not so I have it setup too go dark after so long then it shuts off completely.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

not so I have it setup too go dark after so long then it shuts off completely.

This is not a feature built into Windows, is it?

[squall_01]

Its seperate software distrubted by the maker.  Not sure if he has it since mine is a Toshiba.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Does it go so dim that you cannot see what's on the screen?

[eric517]

Does it go so dim that you cannot see what's on the screen?

Well, if I look closely enough I can see what is on the screen.  At first glance you would think there is nothing there, but, yes you barely see what's on the screen.

[eric517]

Screen inverter. The hardware must be replaced.

Why does it only happen with it plugged in and not on battery power?

[eric517]

Broni - I have not tried it in safe mode yet.  I will try that later today.

Truenorth - Good idea with a compatible adapter.  I will see if I can come up with one.

Thanks for your responses on this.  My warranty is out and all support options with Dell are fee-based, so I am looking to try to solve this one on my own.  With the help of others of course!

[squall_01]

It dims an blanks then its off all together, I think its so that if your doing something you can continue instead of waiting.