I have a problem with the screen on my Packard Bel Laptop. It boots up ok, and then the screen suddenly goes black. sometimes if I hit the return key or jiggle the mouse the screen comes back on. The laptop is still functional while this is happening. At first I thought it might be a dodgy switch or something, so turned off all the various power saving options, but it still does it. I tried plugging in an external moniter and that seems to work fine. The local PC repair shop then charged me £170 to change the FL inverter. They said "if that doesn't fix it we don't know what it is". It was ok for a few days then started doing it again. It seems to do it most when I first turn it on, after an hour or so it stops doing it and works ok. I've noticed that it only seems to do it when I have opened a program (eg excel) or am using the keyboard or mouse. When the screen goes black, if I jiggle the mouse it usually comes back, but then goes off again. After an hour or so it then seems to be ok. Any ideas? Many thanks. Bartolli

I didn't know Packard Bell was still around, however, the problem you are facing is some serious power or video issue. As these functions are fully integrated into the mainboard, the only way to rectify this is to replace it. I've had various power issues with a laptop, and after all is said and done, the manufacturer was forced to replace the mainboard (fortunately at their expense) and the laptop functioned perfectly for many years after that. Good luck. I - Sandor J Sound judgement, with discernment, is the best of seers. - Euripides (B.C. 480 - 406) ATI is great, but never buy it from Sapphire!!!

Thanks for the reply, Sandor. I'll probably have to try to live with the problem, after about an hour it seems to settle down. Bartolli

In the last couple of days, I've noticed that if I part close the screen, then it comes back on. If I then raise the screen it sometimes stays on and sometimes goes off again. So, by lowering and raising the screen, the screen toggles off & on. This implies to me something with a dodgy switch in the screen mechanism, any ideas? Many thanks Bartolli