Older m15x backlight/inverter issues with a twist.

Hi guys, okay, so here's the problem.

My m15x screen has begun failing at frequent intervals. The display always remains active, merely unlit. Classically, the screen can work fine for hours on end, then fail to work at all through two days use. External monitor continues to work a treat though, so after a quick nosy around here I concluded that it was hopefully an inverter problem.

(Further annoyance from the fact that my keyboard ceases to function correctly every time my notebook display goes dark. A problem I understand comes from using exclusively an external display with the m15x.)

BUT THEN, I switched to integrated graphics, and suddenly my screen is working fine again. Full on M. Night Shyamalan stuff going on here. Anywhom, it leaves me wondering if maybe there is some kind of software fix for this problem? Seems unlikely given that the screen goes dark long before windows kicks in on discreet graphics.... I don't imagine there can be a separate inverter or back light for each GPU?

Any help with this would be super-appreciated as here in wee England no-one seems prepared to just send me a new inverter so I can investigate thoroughly myself. Exorbitant fees (~£150) for just looking at the problem, never mind fixing it, is apparently a common way of extorting Alienware owners who they must presume to be moneyed up to our eye-balls.

Thanks,
Sam

 

might be your gfx card then. Once you are 100% sure its your gfx card, you can try baking it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=385973&highlight=bake+gfx

 

Thanks for the tip man. I guess I'm off to do some cooking then : (

 

Same exact problem, except my 8800m GTX is beginning to show graphical artifacts and cause BSODs, even at low-ish (~65 C) temps. I see from your signature that your 8800m GTX is dead, and I hope that cooking mine doesn't completely bork it.

 

My 8800m GTX went back about 4 months ago, I replaced it with a 9800m GT and has been working great until recently. I am hoping it is just an inverter issue (because it seems like a cheaper fix than replacing the gpu again).

My symptoms are similar. The integrated card works fine, but when I go to the discreet graphics, the screen is ultra dim and nothing I change fixes it. If I go to an external display via HDMI, everything is perfect.

Does that sound like an inverter issue or gpu issue? Please help!! At this point I just want to get it working to the point where I can just use it as a system for the little kids and I'll buy a new m15x that is under warranty again hehe

 

No one has any input?

 

Want a new inverter? pay me a dollar and I can send on to you, I have a for sale add somewhere where I'm selling that part for free.