Computer GEEKS!! Laptop screen "on" for just 2 Sec

[SumpChump]

I have aDell Inspiron 2600 laptop XP. Used once every 6 months. Stored in a computer briefcase upright with rear spine of computer at base of briefcase, warm dehumidified living space. No children on it, near it, or using it, ever. It has not been connected to the internet for 8 years. I use it for Toyota Techstream software so please don't upsell me when you see it's XP, I'm looking for advice on a simple problem.

The display turns on during start up but once the desktop appears the screen backlight turns off. The lcd screen STILL projects an image and I can even see it by flashlight. So THE SCREEN WORKS. Then if I close the screen lid and open it again , it comes back on perfectly lit for exactly 2 seconds. I can do this again and again and again. Almost like it "thinks" it has been closed but... isn't.

(The lcd works perfectly, No weird screen colors, no dim spots when the backlight is on, no cracks, never dropped, no dead pixels, no smells , no flickers, no color hues, no viruses, runs programs perfectly, outputs to a corded monitor perfectly)

I've done the "take the battery out, press power button to drain the energy" , etc. reboot. It didn't help.

I don't wan't to have to keep opening and closing a lid to see the screen for two seconds. LOL

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Backlight bulb is bad. It happens, and it's repairable, but this may be Xenu's way of telling you it's time for a new laptop.

Looks like you can get bulbs from eBay for under $10. And it also looks like you can get another whole 2600 for $10.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Backlight bulb is bad. It happens, and it's repairable, but this may be Xenu's way of telling you it's time for a new laptop.

Looks like you can get bulbs from eBay for under $10. And it also looks like you can get another whole 2600 for $10.

how could the backlight bulb be bad if it works fine until you boot into windows?

Seems more like windows thinks the screen is closed for some reason. Does this computer have to be portal? You could try hooking up an external monitor if it has an external VGA port (I assume it would be VGA for this laptop).

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
how could the backlight bulb be bad if it works fine until you boot into windows?

That's not what he said. Read it again.

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Backlight bulb is bad. It happens, and it's repairable, but this may be Xenu's way of telling you it's time for a new laptop.

Looks like you can get bulbs from eBay for under $10. And it also looks like you can get another whole 2600 for $10.

how could the backlight bulb be bad if it works fine until you boot into windows?

Seems more like windows thinks the screen is closed for some reason. Does this computer have to be portal? You could try hooking up an external monitor if it has an external VGA port (I assume it would be VGA for this laptop).


It has a vga monitor port but unfortunately needs to be portable...so I can record data in the car, such as temp rises, actuating this selenoid that thingymagig, etc. while mobile.

It sure does seem like it THINKS it is closed... hmmm. I'm wondering. I don't see a port for a magnetic "closed" sensor but maybe?

 

[bullwinkle]

Could be the inverter, that powers the backlight bulb, I've had one go bad on my work laptop, screen went dark-but was still visible in sunlight or with a bright flashlight.

 

[Matinicus]

What happens when you plug an external monitor into it?

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: Matinicus
What happens when you plug an external monitor into it?


It works with external monitor.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: SumpChump
Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Backlight bulb is bad. It happens, and it's repairable, but this may be Xenu's way of telling you it's time for a new laptop.

Looks like you can get bulbs from eBay for under $10. And it also looks like you can get another whole 2600 for $10.

how could the backlight bulb be bad if it works fine until you boot into windows?

Seems more like windows thinks the screen is closed for some reason. Does this computer have to be portal? You could try hooking up an external monitor if it has an external VGA port (I assume it would be VGA for this laptop).


It has a vga monitor port but unfortunately needs to be portable...so I can record data in the car, such as temp rises, actuating this selenoid that thingymagig, etc. while mobile.

It sure does seem like it THINKS it is closed... hmmm. I'm wondering. I don't see a port for a magnetic "closed" sensor but maybe?

As Bottom_Feeder politely pointed out (then didn't explain how he was seeing it), I might be wrong, but I was interpreting "The display turns on during start up but once the desktop appears the screen backlight turns off." to mean that it works when the system is booting into windows, like on the DELL screen, but once it gets to a desktop (in windows) it stops working again. Is this correct?

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
[
As Bottom_Feeder politely pointed out (then didn't explain how he was seeing it), I might be wrong, but I was interpreting "The display turns on during start up but once the desktop appears the screen backlight turns off." to mean that it works when the system is booting into windows, like on the DELL screen, but once it gets to a desktop (in windows) it stops working again. Is this correct?


This morning I started it up and the screen backlight bright clear and pure all the way until it has reached rest at the desktop. About an hour ago I tried again and it lit for about 5 seconds of startup and then I hear the desktop sound so I closed and opened it again and it lit bright pure and clear for two seconds. And two seconds exactly every time after that opening and closing.

In summary, on e the first start in a while ( a month) she stays backlit bright pure and clear until about two seconds after desktop comes up and on every start after that she stays on for exactly two seconds each time the lid is closed and opened.

throughout all of this the computer programs load perfectly, and the lcd is projecting perfectly (can be seen with a spotlight or bright sun)


?? Either some power supply thingy has a fault whcich is INCREDIBLY repeatable and perfectly accurate (2 seconds of bulb on).... or it thinks it is actually lid closed and two seconds is the Dell default to shut off backlight when lid closes... just thinking aloud there.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Actually, reading it again a few times, I admit I might be wrong as to when the blackout happens, but I still firmly believe it's the bulb or possibly the inverter.

Sorry, I didn't mean that to come off as rude if that's how you took it.

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Actually, reading it again a few times, I admit I might be wrong as to when the blackout happens, but I still firmly believe it's the bulb or possibly the inverter.

Sorry, I didn't mean that to come off as rude if that's how you took it.


No offense taken at all , thanks for the continued help thinking about the power inverter thingy versus the "lid closed" mis-sensing.

 

[camrydriver111]

I would boot from Linux live CD to see what happens to the LCD.

That way you know if it's hardware or software problem.

 

[irad]

There is a switch to detect when the cover is closed. I do not know where it is on your model. Older dells had a little prong sticking up a 1/4 inch above the keyboard. Newer models used a magnet in the cover and a magnetic switch in the body of the laptop. Try turning the laptop over with the keyboard facing the ground. If it stays on then it is the switch.

 

[SrDriver]

My vote goes for the back light being defective.

 

[Kawiguy454]

Backlight or inverter ....try going into bios F2 on startup. Does it stay lit up? if it goes out same way it is hardware.

Dells usually have a HW diagnostics menu accessed from BIOS as well.

 

[bullwinkle]

Like I said, I had this exact same issue with my old Dell work laptop (not sure of the model, have to see if I still have it), the inverter is a little skinny circuit board in the base by where the display attaches, just plugs into the motherboard & the lamp plugs into it. Believe the part was under $10, wasn't too hard to install, either.

 

[SumpChump]

Now today I open it up, start it, same thing.

Close it restart it , open lid and it stays on. So it looks like there's a "sweet spot " in the malfunctioning switch sensing the lid. Now where the heck is it and how to get it sensing lid open reliably again.


Hmmm. Lid switch - dell Inspiron 2600