Hello,
I apologize for the bother, but I hope one of you will be able to help me. Three days ago, my laptop (Inspiron 1521) screen began flickering slightly and finally went black. After a moment, I noticed that the images were still there, but dim. I rebooted the computer and the visual was fine as long as I waited a short while before plugging the charging cable in (although occasionally I would notice flickering, and every time flickering occurred, a "black out" would eventually happen).
Tonight, the computer blacked out and I haven't been able to recover it. I drove to Geek Squad and was told that I would need to replace the screen or buy a new laptop.
The computer has been telling me for awhile that I should purchase a new battery - I doubt that the two events are related, but is there any way that they could be?
Also, now when I turn the computer on, I can dimly see "Your computer was unmable to start. Startup repair is checking your system for problems." I can dimly see the Startup box below that, but cannot tell what it says.
I apologize for my lack of knowledge about the situation, but any and all advice would be so much appreciated (particularly as it is finals week for me -- even being able to recover my information (thus far I haven't had luck using a different monitor) would be fantastic.
Thank you so much!
Hi, SW0805:
Geek Squad was not especially helpful, huh?
The blank screen problem is pretty easy to fix, but there are two possible problems. This is most likely to be the backlight, which is cheap and very easy to replace. The second possibility is the inverter. This provides the power for the screen. The part is a little more expensive but the replacement is also very easy. The instructions for taking your screen apart are here. Note that you DO NOT need to take the screen assembly off the laptop. You only need to remove the bezel to replace the inverter, and remove the LCD panel to replace the backlight. Since the backlight is cheap, try replacing that first. Just Google the part (Inspiron 1521 backlight).
As you can see, Geek Squad should have been able to fix this.
Now, in the meantime, you are also having startup problems. To work on this, you need to connect an external monitor to your VGA port. Just go to your manual for instructions. Then you can fix the startup issue.
Please post back and let me know if you need more help!
Please post back and let me know if you need more help. If my suggestions have helped you solve your problem, you can click Accepted Solution next to my post to tell other forum users where they can find help. Feel free to send me a PM if you like, but I will post suggestions in the forum, not by private message.
Osprey
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Thank you so much, osprey! I've already hooked it up to an external monitor, and it's starting up fine, but it's VERY relieving to know that I can fix the backlight, and that link is really helpful. I'll let you know if I could use any more help -- again, I REALLY appreciate this!
I too am having sudden black screen disease! It started a few weeks ago, when I would unplug the charger cord from the laptop. I would go to brighten the screen (using fn + the brighten key), then it would suddenly turn black. It's gotten progressively worse to now I can't even have the charger cord plugged in. If you plug the power cord in at any time the laptop is on, the screen goes black. I also have noticed flickering occurs even as I type this. Go figure.... the warranty ran out 2 months ago. Does this sound like the same issue? Should I start with replacing the back light as well? I have my fingers up in a cross to "the geek squad" too. They ripped my aunt off something horrible therefore I have a grudge.
I am also having inspiron1521battery issues. the battery light is blinking alternatively orange and blue which in the manual says it means the battery is overheating - turn it off. but it does that even after it has been off for a while immediately on my turning it on. I seem to remember that there were some issues with laptops exploding. Help!! what is the answer?