m11x R1 black screen on initial powerup

Hey all,

First time poster in the M11x forums. I've had the R1 for about a year since last May, and I've had so many problems with it that my friends think I am a bad luck to be around when it comes to computers. I've had to have the hard drive replaced, the graphics card/motherboard replaced, and do a complete fresh install of Windows 7 over the entire year. Unfortunately I guess I should have extended the warranty due to all these problems, but it made me too mad to think about paying Alienware another $200 for an extended year.

Anyway, now of course that my warranty has run out a couple weeks ago, I've been having a screen issue. On initial power up of the laptop, the screen is almost completely black. It is still functional, and goes into Windows (if I type in my windows password and hit enter, or if it recognizes my face). Sometimes I can see a VERY very dim outline of the desktop. It's like this whether or not it's on battery power or AC power. After about half an hour or so, it finally brightens up and stays functional even after a restart of the computer. It only repeats this problem when the computer has been off for several hours.

It seems like the screen needs to be "powered" or something since it only works after some continued use, and does not fade back to black again until the computer has been off for a while. It does connect to an external monitor, which is how I would use it until the laptop screen would turn on.

I described this problem to a computer repair company and they said they have a flat rate of $400! That's insane I haven't called Dell yet because I've probably literally spent days of my life on the phone with them over the past year.

Any advice for on how this could possibly be fixed or at least confirm that I may need a replacement screen? Thank you very much for any thoughts or help I can get.

 

Sounds like your backlight for the LCD screen is failing...

You Could find one on ebay.

Edit: $400 to repair!!! F-that! you can buy the whole LCD assembly for $200 on ebay. it would take about 30min or less to swap out.

 

hmm yeah it is probably the backlight issue, but it seems like it's way beyond my capability to replace it myself I guess I can call Dell and complain, and see what their charge might be.

 

Idk how that works when stuff is out if waranty. post back with info about the call if you can please.

 

sure thing I will report back, although I doubt it will be good news.

quick and possibly dumb question, if I replaced the entire screen, that would fix the problem right?

I found this: Alienware M11X replacement Laptop LCD Screen from $59.99 Brand-new screens (never used).

For only $60-75 with shipping, it seems like replacing an entire screen would be easier than taking it apart to put in a backlight. Any thoughts?