Just got a new HP laptop. Fired it up and I can barely see the Windows licensing agreement and what not but the screen is so dark I can't make anything out. Is there a control to jack the screen brightness up?
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What model is it? Some of them have what is called a "function" key type key combination that is used to control the brightness of the screen. What you want to look for is some graphics over certain keys (possibly the right and left arrow keys) that indicate increasing and decreasing. It will either be the volume or the brightness settings.
Also, it could be that your backlight is defective. I had one like that a few years ago (IBM Thinkpad) and I had to send it back.Ted Kitch -
HP Support says defective back light. What a bunch of crap.Comment
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Kinda sounds like the backlight is out. It may be in some odd power-saving mode and have turned it off intentionally (believing, for example, that an external monitor is connected).
Is it always dim? Or is it brighter at power-on and then dim subsequently? And dry all the Fn key combinations. There should be a brightness up/down, and External/Internal LCD toggle (with three choices, both on, or internal on/external off, or internal off/external on).
But I think the backlight is out.Comment
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Always dim. External monitor works fine. I can see the dim display when I switch between monitors. I have brightness jacked up. Got to be the backlight. Way to go HP. What a piece of ****.
Thanks!
JeffComment
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HP lost me business after buying me a HP Pavilion series laptop and experienced a bunch of issues with it. I am also in the market for a new laptop but seriously considering a Sony Vaio FE or AR series, Lenovo Thinkpad T60 , or a Macbook but CFO does not want me to pull the trigger on a Macbook. I currently have two laptops Thinkpad T40 series and an HP Pavilion and the HP is about to die on me because the port that you connect the power adapter is acting funny so it is annoying to use because the screen goes dark and bright all of a sudden. No problems with the Thinkpad T40 laptop as it is still going strong and love the battery life on these babies.Chris
"The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth." -Pierre Abelard 11th Century philosopher.Comment
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If it is new, return it. Personally I'd go with a different brand. I used to fix PCs and laptops for a living. The company I worked for had HPs, IBMs and Compaqs (back when HP and Compaq were different companies) HPs were the ones I had the most problems with. Their laptops were the only ones we sent out for repair - they took too much of our time.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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I'd recommend Sony because of the experience I had with them. I bought a Sony monitor, and immediately had problems with it. Called Sony, and somehow got to talk with a supervisor. She was very friendly and helpful. They sent another monitor, and a return shipping label. Guess what......same problem (can't even remember what it was now). Called her again, and we went over a ton of things that could have caused the problem. No dice. She sent yet another one, and a return label. Third monitor was the same as the first two. Apparently there was something with my system that made the monitor incompatible (?), but whatever it was, we never found out. She sent another return shipping label, and within a very short time after sending it back, I received a check for the full amount of purchase, since I didn't want another one. That's what I call excellent PR. Although I bought a Viewsonic, and had no problems, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Sony.
EdDo you know about kickback? Ray has a good writeup here... https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...mare-explained
For a kickback demonstration video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910584...demonstration/Comment
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Jeff, it's the inverter, it's roughly a 20 to 40 dollar part from HP, cheap on ebay. IT's not the screen it's self. My wife's old HP laptop did that on the second day. HP replaced it. It went out again 4 years later. Jumped on ebay, bought the part myself and snapped it in.
Here is what one looks like
BrentComment
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I have an older dell laptop model 8200 that despite some weird view angle irregularities has been and still is rock solid. I highly recommend dell laptops and servers. Just stay away from the consumer desktop line. Dell's flat panel monitors are also great.Comment
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Sorry to hear you got a defective new computer, I’ve always had good luck with Hp’s products.
In preparing to go back to college, I just barely replaced my old Hp laptop (which was five years old and used hard) with a new and it’s a nice machine, so far !
Your next challenge and if it applies to you...
Windows Vista and software compatibility issues!
Good luckLast edited by rg32; 03-14-2007, 06:02 AM.Comment
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No matter how cheap it is on ebay, and no matter how forthcoming HP is in replacing it, it kinda does not matter when you are on a business trip and need your notebook to work NOW.
Several of my friends have IBM notebooks (they are nowdays branded as 'Lenovo'), and I got a company-issued IBM as well. I never heard of any failures of any sort, and mine also works 100% after years of use. Also, I've heard good things about Toshiba, and although I won't ever consider a desktop from them, Dell has good notebooks. I suggest you return your HP for a full refund and get a Lenovo/Toshiba/Dell.Comment
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Look into the Panasonic Toughbooks.
With a sub 2% failure rate, its reliability is by far superior to any competitive notebook.
Not a liability to keep it around the shop...Comment
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To me, Sony Vayo and Panasonic Toughbook are overpriced. With Sony, you are paying a premium for the stylishness, and in some areas, image is VERY important. Toughbook, you pay a premium for ruggedness you probably don't need.
For workshop use, I'd probably prefer a desktop PC which main case is stowed out of harm's way and equipped with good filters over the fans, and monitor is wall-mounted and behind a sheet of Lexan. A $20 keyboard with severe case of dust contamination is a lot cheaper to replace than a laptop keyboard.Comment
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