Resolved Laptop screen brightness

My 6-year-old Acer Extensa's screen has been gradually dimming over the last few years. By that I mean getting less bright. Is this caused by some sort of deterioration of the screen itself or is it the backlight tube?

I'd be grateful if you only respond if you actually know the answer. I've been researching this matter online and it seems that there are a lot of folks out there with opinions on the subject, rather than hard facts.

Someone who's actually pulled one apart would be an ideal reporter. Is this you?

Cheers

 

What model Acer Extensa is it(4420,5420 etc.)?

 

lj50: It's an Extensa. But I would assume that most laptops have the same construction.

Arie: As a 20+ year computer builder and tech, I'm familiar with the way that older laptop screens tend to dim. My question was: What causes the dimming?

TonyT: Thanks but that's not an issue here.

Later: Okay, I've answered my own question. Older laptop screens (like my Acer 5220 and anything older than about 4 years) are illuminated by a long pencil-sized lamp called a CCFL tube that sits at the bottom of the screen (or bottom and top, in some cases).

These lamps are powered through a small circuit board called an 'inverter' which cranks up the voltage to a higher than normal level.

Displays that flicker, are intermittently light and dark, or suddenly lose all brightness can usually be fixed by installing a new inverter, but screens with no other fault but a loss of brightness probably need a new CCFL tube.

Changing inverters is simple, but fitting a new CCFL tube, although a relatively cheap option, is quite a bit trickier. Most repair shops would probably just fit a complete new screen unit, which also contains a new lamp.

Newer laptop screens have a different lighting system altogether - something like a string of LED Christmas lights.

 

Some models you have to take the machine apart in order to access the screws for the screen bezel. Other models you can access the screen bezel screws without having to take the machine apart. I have special screw drivers that allow me access the screen bezel screws at an angle so I don't have to take the whole machine apart. That's the reason why I asked what model Acer Extensa you are referring to.

 

The Extensa 5220 screen comes apart without any other disassembly being necessary.

 

Just watched a video. Wow! Acer makes it very easy to replace a screen. Not like other manufacturers.