New Screen in Vostro 1400 -- Why So Dim?

I just replaced the old matte LCD in my Vostro 1400 with a new glossy LCD. It works, but it is quite dim compared to my older screen. I'm able to use the laptop as usual although it's really irritating. It merely looks like the brightness level needs to be increased.

I've tried all the basic fixes:
*Fn + the cursor keys -- it goes up and down one shade of brightness.
*Brightness control in BIOS mode -- it's maxed.
*The battery power control panel -- it's the same when set to battery and electric power.

In sum, none of the conventional brightness tuning solutions have worked. Someone suggested that I flash/reinstall the BIOS. To do this, I would need to buy a new battery because mine is dead (I'm just running it off the power cable). Before I go through the expense of a new battery, does anyone know if flashing the BIOS would somehow reset the brightness level of the new screen? Is flashing the BIOS something that must be done after installing a new screen?

Thanks for any advice!

Jubal

 

I would not flash the BIOS. By any chance, does your Vostro 1400 have the Nvidia chip. I've had numerous ones where the 8400 chip caused the LCD to be dim. Have you tried replacing the inverter?

 

I think it does have the Nvidia chip. It's the standard Vostro 1400, so I'm just making the assumption. I installed a new inverter when I replaced the screen. The Nvidia chip is soldered onto the motherboard, isn't it? Ug -- this doesn't sound like good news!

 

Hi again! I finally discovered that the video controller on my Vostro is an Intel Crestline Graphics controller, with a video bios of 1588 and 8MB of video memory. Considering this info, is there anything I can do to brighten the screen short of replacing the motherboard?

 

Get a new screen. I think you got the wrong screen and that's why it doesn't respond to the brightness controls in BIOS. Have definitely seen it before putting TP screens and HP screens in Dells, etc. Make sure you got a screen that came from another 1400/1420 or other 945/965 Dell. Some of these eBay/parts guys list stuff as compatible, and they have no idea what they are doing.

 

Thanks for the great advice, CW. I just managed to acquire a screen from an non-working Vostro 1400, swapped the screens, and it worked! The newer screen is nice and bright. I was really worried that it was a motherboard problem. Thanks again!