Alienware 51m - can't see display

[mtc1]

Good day, hoping someone can help with this issue.

I have an Alienware 51m purchased 2 years ago, and thus out of warranty. Laptop works fine except for the display: its very dark.

1. I can see the image very faintly - the windows security warning by the system tray.
2. I can see very clearly the Alienware and WinXP logos upon boot. After booting the image goes dark. Pressing screen brightness (FN + F7) does nothing.
3. I can connect an external monitor and see the image with no brightness issues.

Anyone know whats wrong, or is there some key combo I'm missing?

[njolakoski]

Sounds like a dieing screen..

[SeanC]

It's fine when it boots (i.e. when you see the Alienware and XP boot screens) but goes darker in Windows itself. Check to see if there is a Gamma brightness control in Control Panel. I've seen some cards with them. If there is set it to the highest setting and see what happens. If there's not, do the other function keys work? Like the one for volume. If not then make sure the support for the function keys in enabled or installed.

Also check the power management functions. Mine at home allows you to set the initial brightness when it's on battery and when it's plugged in. If the support for function keys isn't working on top of that, then it's fixable. If none of this helps I'll have to think some more.