Shoutbox

Today I was just browsing firefox on my laptop. And I went to create a network bridge for my connection for PS2 online, and my laptop just shut off, and when I turn it back on, i cant see the screen! I can see something from the side, but its like mostly black. I managed to look through the side enough to enable S-VIDEO and im typing right now while looking at my TV. if anyone knows how to fix this please tell me! IT will be hard since i can hardly see anything.

Press: fn and f6 but sometime it changes, it looks like a display with a star

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Originally posted by Napbree
Press: fn and f6 but sometime it changes, it looks like a display with a star

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That extremely depends on the model of the laptop (eg: with me Fn+F6 is turning the screen off!).

And you need to have the driver/software installed for the FN key to work.

But, yes, on most laptops (with the proper software/drivers installed) you can alter the brightness of the screen by using the FN key in combination with another key (which depends on the laptop brand and model).

I did. I exited super video mode, and did what you told me to do, but i did not notice anything different and am still at a black but not completly black screen

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I dont htink its the brightness cookie, because its like very very dark, and
I know my laptops maximum dark level for brightness, and this exeeds it by far

Ok, it looks like you've turned down your brightness try looking for a up arrow for the brightness

Hmm, maybe you have turned the screen on, but havnt turned the backlight on.

My first thought was that you may have accidentally switched to external display only mode -- another of the brand-dependent key combinations, usually Fn + some function key.  You should try to find this key combination for your laptop (the function key involved is typically marked with a symbol that looks like two screens) and press it a few times, just in case.

However, my second thought was that's probably not it: when the built-in screen is switched off, it is off -- there is no display on it.  You had display, just no backlight.

You should rule out the external display switch and also reboot the laptop and observe, in case the screen lights up initially and only goes dark after Windows boots, which would point to some software problem. 

Lacking either of those, it'd seem that you have a backlight or backlight inverter failure, which would have to be repaired at a shop.  I hope the laptop is still under warranty -- otherwise, you may be looking at a pretty expensive repair.

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Originally posted by Steven
I dont htink its the brightness cookie, because its like very very dark, and
I know my laptops maximum dark level for brightness, and this exeeds it by far

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I was more commenting on the use of the FN key...

Anyways, brightness = 'backlight'

On many laptops you also have dedicated apps and stuff to further decrease/increase the brightness level. eg: I can go so far using the FN key (in combination with another Function Key) on my laptop. Yet, I have a dedicated 'power saving' tool which let me set the brighness from 10% to 100% (where 10% is extremely dark)...

Also, it ight be the contrast level which is set too low...

Thanks cookie. In response to adeptus about depends on which laptop you have, I have an old HP pavilion ze4000 or ze4540. I will post a screenshot of my S-video settings. Since im  using my tv for the monintor.