Computer Posts, boots no errors, but LCD is black, does not turn on. HELP!!

Ok so here;s the issue. I purchased an m15x last December, it's only a year old. Warranty was done in December of 11, about two days ago. I went to do my usual routine check email and the screen went blank.

So I contacted customer service who convinced me I needed to send it into service and sign up for extended warranty at the tune of 340 dollars.

Long story short, I tried getting information out of them as to what they figured the problem might be, and was essentially told that I would have to shell out money for said information. Dell Support is LOVELY.

Anyway here's what I'm personally thinking. The screen flickered a couple of times before fading out and eventually turning completely black.

It posts with no errors, caps numlock and scroll lock remain off. I am currently using the laptop via the HDMI input on the side of the computer hooked up to an external monitor, and running an MMORPG at max settings. So I don't feel it could be the GPU.

So I guess what I'm wondering is whether or not this is a hardware issue strictly pertaining to the LCD screen itself, or is it a switch in the screen, the one where it turns the screen off when you close the lid.

What makes me suspect this is that I was able to move the screen back a bit and get picture, until that eventually stopped working altogether.

If it's the LCD screen I can replace it easily, It's vastly cheaper, and I have the service manual for it. I just need a bit of convincing I guess.. pls help?

Oh specs.

Intel I7 quad core 2.3ghz
Ati Radeon HD 5850
4gig Ram DDR3

I don't know if this is related or not as I assume the webcam is integrated into the LCD, but this is not working at the moment either. The system detects it and says everything is fine in Devices and Drivers portion of windows, any help is appreciated thanks!

 

Can't really come as a surprise that they want to sell those fancy support contracts. Anyway... It sounds like maybe it's the LCD cable being broken or is just loose. If it's the latter you can try to re-seat it your self. If it's broken then you'll likely need to replace then entire LCD assembly - and then you'll need the service contract to cover it.

 

there is a stand alone cable for the LCD however you have to yank just about everything apart to install it. One thing you can try is take a flashlight and shine it at the screen, if you can't see any picture then it's a problem with something between the back of the screen and the computer. If you can the backlights are out.

 

This is what I'm attempting to figure out, we can effectively rule out any issues with the GPU at this point right?

I placed a flashlight directly up to the screen and although I could not see anything that was significantly dark when I moved the flashlight around I was able to see the windows notification and the taskbar, the notification appeared white and I could make out the letters. I just assumed the flashlight wasn't efficient enough to light up the whole screen?

I have not yet ordered a replacement LCD but have found one for relatively reasonable price, roughly $100.

I have the service manual and have some experience with tear down, any thoughts given the flashlight shows a picture?

 

thats certainly the backlights are out. New screen perhaps.

 

Try connecting a second screen if that works than youre sure say it isn't the GPU. mine had the same but on the sec screen i saw also corruption so it was the GPU/Mem.

Greets Mike.

 

Thanks to everyone for helping me narrow this down.

Mike, I am currently using it on Toshiba 55" screen via the HDMI port. Running perfectly and also playing Uncharted 2 on it, no crashes or anything.

So is it safe to say it is indeed the backlight? Is it as simple as buying a new backlight and replacing that? Or should I check the inverter board along with a new backlight? Or just outright buy a new screen/inverter board?

 

if it is youre lcd than the following link might be usefull

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/606919-guide-swapping-stock-m15x-900p-1080p-lcd-b-rgled-1080p-lcd.html

 

It was the backlight once you lit it with a flashlight and could see stuff.