What did your laptop tell you?
Just curious
1) "Help, I'm being held prisoner inside this laptop"
2) "I'm tired, and I'm going to bed. Lights off"
3) "Use the Brightness control, and brighten this screen up"
J/K
An LCD screen does not produce light. It needs an additional light source.
A Backlight is the additional light source.
A Backlight is a CCFL.
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp.
Similar to Fluorescent lighting used in homes, and businesses, but on a MUCH smaller scale.
An Inverter (Screen Inverter) is used to convert the power from the laptop, to the Backlight, and LCD screen.
90 PERCENT OF THE TIME the fault is the Inverter, when it's a Display Assembly issue.
The rest is a bad LCD screen.
The Inverter is a small rectangular circuit board.
Example,
http://www.nylaptopparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91_95_125&products_id=299
It is mounted behind the Display Bezel, and at the bottom of the LCD screen.
{The Display Bezel is the thin plastic frame in front of the LCD screen. Resembles a picture frame)
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins9400/en/sm/display.htm#wp1006390Scroll the page down.
(The Inspiron 9400 and Inspiron E1705 uses the same service manual)
Suggest you connect a VGA monitor to the back of the laptop, to the blue VGA connector.
(Laptop OFF, external monitor {VGA} OFF)
You can use a VGA monitor that is a CRT. Looks like a small TV.
Or you can use a flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable.
Turn the monitor on. If it is a CRT model, let it warm up.
Turn the laptop on.
The display should automatically be on the external monitor. If it isn't press, and hold down on the Fn key, then tap the F8 key once.
No? Tap the F8 key again. (Still holding down on the Fn key)
If the graphics (Display) is the same on the external VGA monitor, as they it is on the laptop's internal monitor, you have a graphics chipset problem.
Usually requires motherboard replacement, unless you know a really skilled tech.
If the graphics are fine on the external monitor, you have problems in the Display Assembly.
More than likely the screen Inverter.
Dell Inspiron E1705 Service Manual,
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins9400/en/sm/index.htmPictorial guide for replacing the LCD screen, and the Inverter,
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/remove-lcd-screen-inverter-in-dell-inspiron-9400/Suggest:
1) Use an ESD wrist strap, and connect it's alligator clip to a good ground source.
(I connect to an unpainted surface, of the metal frame of an empty desktop computer case.
You can also connect to a unpainted surface of a metal table leg )
2) Use a multi-compartment container for the various screws you will remove.
Label each compartment for the area the screw/s come out of.
If no multi-compartment container is available, you can use a clean egg carton as a substitute.
Label each egg holder.
Some screws look VERY similar to other screws.
DO NOT mix them up.
For additional questions post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette