Windows 7: Dim Screen on Laptop (Win 7 HP)

Sony Vaio, 4 yrs old, 3GB RAM, Intel Dual Core 5800, 2GHZ



My screen is becoming more dim. I have the screen brightness on high, have tried high performance power setting. Majority of time laptop is operated with adapter plugged (no battery).

Any adjustments that can be made ? Feasible to repair or best to replace ?

(No problems in past, system meets my needs)

Advice appreciated !

Sounds like a hardware issue. Typically this is a failure of the backlight or the inverter which powers it.

Here is a primer; Laptop Repair Help » Screen inverter replacement. Fixing laptop backlight problem.

Thanks for the article, Roger.

My laptop is not as severe as in the article, never goes out, but may be going in that direction. Mine appears like a thin piece of wax paper is on the screen - still legible, but that bright and sharp.

Will do some research on the inverter/backlight.

My dilemma is to decide whether to upgrade to Win8 with this computer. I am currently running Win8 Enterprise Trial w/ IE10. Problem is the same on Windows 7.

Given that its likely a hardware issue, 8 won't be any better than 7. I personally wouldn't pay a tech to repair a 4 yr old lappy, but I might read up and consider replacing it myself. If it is the inverter, they are somewhat universal (you can buy the appropriate generic unit), but you have to be willing to pry your laptop apart.

You could always hook up a remote monitor to it on your desktop, but that's not a portable solution.