I will be doing something and my screen will flicker then it goes black What can I do to fix it? Thank you.

Sounds like you screen is dying on you.

The video inverter may be failing, BUT...

More than likely the backlight is failing. If you can still see a VERY faint image on the screen this is almost certainly the problem.This is a very difficult fix. I recommend a replacement LCD.

It MIGHT be a bad lcd cable. With the laptop on, slowly open it from closed to open and back again and see if there is a position where the laptop screen does not flicker or turn off, [or if it does turn off if it turns back on.

If the screen goes COMPLETELY black then your GPU is failing.

Before making any decision on whether it's a hardware failure, please try and boot from a CD or DVD (recovery disc). If it does successfully boot from an external disc - and there is no flickering problem, then the hardware parts are okay. In that case, please go to this link: http://lifehacker.com/5413223/how-to-fix-your-relatives-terrible-computer?skyline=true&s=x for more information on what to do when you can't enter into your operating system and how to fix malwares that might be causing the flickering. If you find my ideas satisfactory, please do rate me. Thanks

when the screen is black and the power light is steadly lit, shine a flash light at the screen. if you can see something, the inverter board is bad and the back light cannot turn on. if the power light flickers, reseat the power plug and put your ear to the back of the monitor where the power plug is. if you hear a buzzing or any high pitched noises; the power supply is bad. use the macufactures warranty for repairs.

Try connecting to an external monitor if display screen is only showing half of my desktop, the other half goes black or flickershalf of my desktop, the other half goes black or flickers various colors then it is the video card if not....have ur display screen changed.

I'm having the exact problem. I just got the new monitor & I replaced my 18". When I plug it in it flickers, when it does come on it's clear & clean; but after a few minutes it goes black. I tried to switch it to Digital & Analog, but I don't know how to fix it. I know it works, it was just plugged into my brother's computer. Is something wrong with the settings on my computer? If so, how do I fix it? I have both monitors hooked up on my computer desk right now, it's a bit crowded! PLEASE HELP ME!!!

This sounds like the inverter has gone bad. If the bulb were bad only, you would see a faint image on the screen with a flashlight.

The problem is on this monitor, it will probably cost about $100 or so to take it to a shop to get it fixed, and that is nearing the cost of a new monitor.

If you are a little bit handy, and can disassemble the monitor, you can replace the inverter. The hardest thing about this, is getting the monitor faceplate open. Just use something firm and softer, such as a nylon spudger (this is something you can find online) or you can carefully use a thin scredriver. You just have to be careful, those cases are really tight.

Here is a good guide for general ideas on how it is done.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Replace-LCD-Backlight-Inverter-on-Any-Monitor-for-/

Paul

I have repaired an HP 1702 monitor that had similar symptoms by replacing the capacitors on the power supply board but you have to have some electronic knowledge and do some soldering if you can buy the replacement capacitors($10+/-) from a supply store. They (at least 1) will be swollen up on the ends and may have a tar-like substance leaking from them. It is best to replace them all (may be 4 depending on the model).

Symptoms of a Bad Video Driver

Monitor Resolution issues: screen flickers, screen is cloudy, screen shows horizontal lines, screen goes black, goes blank, goes into sleep mode, goes into power mode, size magnifies or reduces, video is jittery, fonts change, screensaver will not appear, cannot extend display on dual monitors.

Download it from here
VIDEO DRIVER FOR LATITUDE

You need to try a new HDMI cable.. Cheap HDMI cables do that? I had the same thing happen to me... I switched the HDMI cable and it fixed mine.
AV