From what I've seen this is probably a problem with the inverter, the screen itself, the backlight, or possibly something else. I have not tried to connect an external monitor yet but have procured one that I will try tonight (I suspect it will work, I don't know why). One interesting phenomena is that if I close the laptop while it is on and then open it up I can see the monitor just fine, but only for a second or so, which leads me to believe that the monitor itself works. There doesn't seem to be any heat issues, and I've tried several methods found on other forums to no avail.
When I start in diagnostic mode (holding down fn and power button) I can barely see movement on the screen and then a minute later a long series of tones of differing pitch.
It is strange that the screen will display normally when I close and reopen laptop but only for a second. I wondered if it had to do with perhaps the switch but I can't find the switch which I suspect is magnetically triggered?
Anyway just trying to get to the bottom of the issue and find out whether this is a hardware issue or if there is a virus or something that would cause this behavior. I have taken off the bezel around the monitor and the cover over the LEDs above the keyboard and can find nothing loose or disconnected.
I am very far from being a tech so mainly wondering how to track down the source of the problem and then whether it is something I can fix or needs to be repaired by a pro.
Oh- I've tried getting to start in safe mode but no luck--or at least I think no luck as I can't see what is going on on the screen well enough to see what's going on. Once windows is running I can barely see anything only if I use a flashlight shining at an angle.
Thanks for any help!
Mark
PS I also have noticed that if I let machine boot up and sit alone for awhile, a mouse shake will bring the screen back--but only for a second or two then back to black. Thanks
Edited by mwothe, 26 February 2010 - 11:13 AM.