Sony SZ laptop problem

[Tribal]

My Sony SZ's screen turned black, and remains black even if I restart the computer (computer is working, the screen is not, and connecting to an external monitor does not work). I called tech support, and they couldn't figure out the problem. To make things worse my laptop is 1 month out of warranty.

I was wondering how I can go about recovering my data from the HD, its running vista business, and I have a few documents which are very important. I don't want to go to stalpes or FS and get overcharged. I'm thinking of getting a drive enclosure and trying that, but i'm not sure if that will work....any idea would be great.

[1337rice]

uhh....do you see the VAIO logo when you start it up? or it's just pure black?
because i don't think it's your Windows problem...its your LCD screen problem

[Tribal]

With light at a certian angle you can kinda see the Vaio logo, but its so faint I didn't notice it for a while. I notice in the same angle of light there is a menu or somthing, but its impossible to see, so its pretty much black. Can't adjust brightness or anything.

If I pull the HD and put it in a 2.5' enclosure would I be able to recover my documents? would it be that easy?

[1337rice]

actually, yeah it would be pretty much that easy

I still think its the LCD screen problem

[Tribal]

actually, yeah it would be pretty much that easy

I still think its the LCD screen problem

thanx for the help...and i think you're right, its probally the LCD...it sounds costly already

[blainehamilton]

There is no display when an external monitor is attached? Have you made sure the tv out is switched on and tried that?

If there is no output at all, it's possible the graphic chip is gone.

From how you describe it (you can make out the vaio logo and menus) it's likely the backlight or ballast is gone.

It can be in the hundreds of dollars to get it fixed professionally. If you have the knowledge, you can do the repairs yourself for under $50 with used parts.

[Tribal]

There is no display when an external monitor is attached? Have you made sure the tv out is switched on and tried that?

If there is no output at all, it's possible the graphic chip is gone.

From how you describe it (you can make out the vaio logo and menus) it's likely the backlight or ballast is gone.

It can be in the hundreds of dollars to get it fixed professionally. If you have the knowledge, you can do the repairs yourself for under $50 with used parts.

Thank you for the reply, I went around the corner to a computer shop, and they said it is most likely the backlight/ballast.
I know more then the average person about computer hardware/software, think you could point me in the right direction on how to make these repairs for around $50?