Inspiron 1420 A way to manually turn off LCD?

Hi,

I have an Inspiron 1420 and I was wondering if there is a way I could switch off my screen with a shortcut FN key or any other keys i could assign. FN-D does not work. And i can set some settings to make it turn off like after 1 minute or something but I was looking to just instantly turn on or off my LCD screen. I looked everywhere and still no luck. I am running Vista 32 on here.

I know there is some software I can download that will allow me to do that but I was wondering if there is an easier way like assigning shortcut keys?

Thanks for your help!

 

When you say turn off the lcd are you talking about just the lcd or the whole system. If you want you can just let your system go to sleep or hybernation. Its just a few clicks on your mouse.

 

thanks for quick reply,

sorry I did not specify that more clearly,

I would like to keep my system running and just power down the LCD backlight.

 

as far as i know there's no function for that in Dell's BIOS - just download a software solution that allows you to set hotkeys for that function.

 

I dont think there's an FN key that we can hit on that to turn off the lcd only. IF you want just close the LCD and then that will automatically turn off the lcd then if your going to use the system just open it back and it should turn on directly.

 

i don't think there is a way to manually turn off the LCD by pressing any keys. you must close the lid which triggers the reed switch to an on position, thus turning off the LCD while the system is still on (not yet in standy, hibernate, or sleep). Try checking in the control panel>power options, you might have some options there.

You may also try downloading a black screensaver. j/k...

 

Download LCD Saver from http://www.gate2.net/ and bind it to a hotkey if you like

I've been using that app for more than 5 years

 

Thanks frazell, i guess i will have to go with that.

I like to keep my system running at night to scan for viruses, de frag, keep it as a server and many other things...unfortunatelly my roommate can't sleep with any light in the room and shutting off the screen is the only choice i have. Thanks for your help!

 

why not just close the lid and leave the system on then? why does the lid have to remain open?

 

Not all laptops turn the LCD off when it is closed... I can't confirm what the 1420 does as I don't own it...

 

you can set it so it does. it is just within power management settings.

 

Well right, I could just do that, but then I am forced to change my settings back and forth all the time, and i do not like wasting energy with my screen on as the lid is closed, it just seems like there has to be an easy way to just turn on the LCD, i know a lot of laptops have shortcut keys, I am dissapointed Dell does not.