I have a Dell Windows XP laptop and after I unplug it from the wall, randomly, the screen just darkens. Like it does not completely go black, I can see the faint outline of everything, and everything still functions so I figure that it is the backlight. When I plug the power cord back in, it still stays black until either I put it into hibernation and bring it out, or until I reboot. I've searched the internet a little, and some things I've found are that I need windows service pack 1, or the BIOS is messed up. Well I tried to download the service pack and it said I already had it, and I have no idea how to adjust the BIOS or even how to access it.
Any ideas on what it could be?
2007-03-02 06:47:52 · 3 answers · asked by hewhoeatspie 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I'm pretty sure it is not the battery, because if it was, the entire thing would shut off.
How do I get to quickset if it's not in my tray?
2007-03-02 07:47:21 · update #1
I also have a Dell Windows XP laptop.
What you are experiencing is caused by your power settings. Because laptops run on battery power, most laptops have a setting enabled to dim the screen when running on battery, to conserve power. However, you can change this.
If you are running the same software as I am (dell support etc)
all you need to do is double click the Dell Quickset icon in your system tray. This will take you through your power settings, where you can choose to have your backlight on full strength all the time.
I would not recommend playing around with BIOS settings, as they can be tricky, and catastrophic if you mess them up.
2007-03-02 07:22:27 · answer #1 · answered by aeonswife 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On most laptops that are around today, the back light goes to around half just after you start to use it on battery, and than as your batterey drains it will slowly get darker, although this usually does not happen until the battery level gets to around 25%. They drop to half on battery because it saves power so your battery lasts longer. You can manually increase the brightness, but your battery life will not be as good.
2007-03-02 16:41:02 · answer #2 · answered by Dan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi hewhoeatspie,
It sounds to me like your battery is failing.
Norm
2007-03-02 15:22:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋