This is getting posted just because I cannot figure out what caused the backlight on this laptop to not turn on.

Laptop: HP Compaq NX5000 & NX6110
OS: Windows XP pro w/sp2

Problem: Laptop Backlight appears to have failed

Solution:

Attached external monitor, noticed that the laptop was booting out of hibernate.

I pressed the little switch that shuts off the LCD when the Clamshell is closed to ensure that it isnt stuck causing the laptop to not have a backlight.

The laptop will not wake back up (later I found out that it was set to hibernate when the lid was closed)

I removed power from the laptop and removed the battery.

Pressed the powerbutton to cold boot the laptop.

Laptop starts up fine backlight and all.

Turned off all functions that cause the system to standby or hibernate

Problem vanished


Theory on what happend:
My theory is this something got screwed up when the laptop entered hibernation yesterday as it was set to hibernate after 30 min of inactivity. When the laptop woke up from hibernating the code to turn on the Backlight may have been corrupted or missing causing the laptop to appear like the Backlight had failed.

Alternate solution could be if a external monitor is unavailable to shine a mag lite through the LCD to try and read if windows is starting or if it is coming out of hibernation.

But if anyone out there sees this and can either confirm or deny the theory please respond.

*Edit* we just had a NX6110 exhibit the same symptoms the above fix worked for it as well so if it looks like your HP laptop backlight died you may want to try the above you never know it may just resolve your issue and save you a service charge or scrapping a laptop. Ill add more model #'s as I know wich ones this affects.

P.S. if you try the above on a laptop that isnt listed post what model it is so that others can benifit from your experience.

This has just happened on my NX5000 too. I shut the laptop down and restarted but the backlight would not turn on. I thought the bulb had blown but I found this article and thought I'd remove the battery as advised and it worked a treat!!! Nice one Thorian you've saved me a trip down to the repair shop.

Hey not a problem. That is what Im here for.

I was donated a nx5000 recently because the LCD would not come on. Checked this forum and discovered this thread. Looks like I have a new (slightly used) laptop!

Your tip worked like a charm. Thanks, J

THE NX6110 exibits the same charicteristics. the same fix applies

I have a NX 6110 and have the same problem, the backlight doesnot just come on. Can you please tell me in detail how do I COLD BOOT. Do I do it with the power chord still attached to the notebook. Please tell me the detailed step by step procedure. Please help me.

well with the laptop on and the battery removed
press the power button to ensure that it is really on you should hear your HD spin up and such
then unplug the power cord.

It should turn off with out going to standby or hybernate.

Then you can boot the laptop up regularly to get the backlight on.

Or you can hook another monitor up and restart the computer that way.

If that dosent work then you probally have a dead Backlight.

Had this problem with a compaq presario 2500 and cold booting worked like a charm. Cheers for the tip. Does anyone know if the manufacturers can patch this problem?

Bushmurry
(globally sheltered)

I havent seen any fixes come across from MS or HP. But Ill keep you all posted.

Wow, it also worked for me. I tried it on a Compaq presario 2200. I also thought it was the switch or a busted backlight. Saved me a lot, thanks for the helpful tip.

I had this same issue on a HP DV1000 laptop. As soon as Windows booted, the display went dark. Thought it was too much of a coincidence so I checked the settings in the bios and reinstalled the drivers in Windows. So far so good.