Dark Screen on Laptop

Hi,
I am trying to find out why a Gateway Laptop screen remains so dark you can barely see the screen. I have done the following;
(1) Removed Spyware (180 solutions-new.net-webrebates-msbb-bargains-gator-wintools).
(2) Tried changing the pixels.
(3) Ran Norton Virus scan and it found 57 files at risk in safe mode.
(4) Hooked up the laptop to a desktop computer montior and did the above steps in safe mode, rebooted and the screen was excellent and normal.
(5) Unhooked the desktop monitor, rebooted and when the laptop booted up the same problem with the screen, dark and can barely see anything.

The Laptop is a Windows Xp Pro edition...Any assistance will be greatly appreciated...Thank you

 

Hi Master Green,
From a web page:
" (Dark Screen / Dim Screen / Faint LCD Screen Problem / Black Screen). Do you think purchasing new Inverter will solve the problem? Buying New Inverter might solve the problem, might not. Dim Screen / Faint LCD Screen problem could be CCFL Related, Could Be Motherboard Related, Could be Inverter Cable Related, Could be Toggle Switch Related, Toggle switch board related, Could be heat related. You must have professional diagnosis of the problem. "

 

Master Green, first right click empty space in desktop, right click properties, click on appearance tab,click on advanced and check the color that is selected for the desktop. Have you selected a very dark color? If so, select blue and see what happens. Hope this fixes your problem. Happy New Year.

 

Hi,
Thank you for the reply's...For the last hour or so I have been doing alot of spyware removal. Currently doing a virus scan by TrendMicro...I did check the desktop screen colors and at the time it did not appear to be the problem. In a little while I will report back. As for the Inverter suggestion, to my knowledge that has not been considered by the family. The laptop belongs to a college student, presently on school vacation. You can make out images on the screen but it's dark and difficult to see the images. As soon as I can get the spy scans and virus scans done, I will look deeper and report back. Originally when I posted I was not sure if the screen issue was an LCD issue and as time went on, I discovered the spyware stuff and realized there's more than a screen problem here.

 

I guess you have tried the obvious, adjusted the brightness? Not sure about your machine, but my Toshiba is adjusted by holding down the function key an one of the F keys with a picture of the "sun" and an upwards pointing arrow. I run mine a couple of stops off maximum. Sorry to ask the obvious, but you haven't said you've adjusted this.

Check you power saving settings. different power saving settings can have different screen illumination settings. These should be bypassed when powered from mains power but could be mis-adjusted.

Finally, the backlight flourescent tube illuminating the LCD panel could be faulty?

 

Hi,
Thank you...I don't remember if I checked the things you mentioned but will do so and post back as soon as I can. It never hurts to mention the obvious because many of times I have looked beyond the obvious, so a little reminder never hurts. I have downloaded Spybot, AdwareSE and AVG virus protection. All have found numerous uninvited guests. Now that I have better computer protection, I will journey on and report back when the mission has been accomplished...

 

The obvious is often the first thing we overlook, and can also be the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... we over look. Been there done that, and still capable of doing it.

 

Hi,
The biggest problem I have is, right now I have the laptop connected to my desktop monitor but when it's not, the laptop screen is so dark I can barely see what's on the screen. On the desktop, the laptop screen is excellent. So I am kind of at a lost, meaning how does one make changes when the desktop shows none is needed. That's kind of why I was and still am wondering if it has anything to do with the LCD screen ???

 

It appears the backlight (CCFL) is out for some reason.

See this page for more info.

 

Hi,
Thank you...I'm pretty sure that's the problem. Everything else is in good working order now and all settings appear fine. Once again, I thank everyone for their assistance...