Monitor backlight problem. Worth it to try and fix?

[Commando]

I have a Samsung 712n and the backlight is getting real finicky. I have to turn the monitor off and on like 4 times to get it to stay on. Until it warms up, I guess, it will come on for one second then go off. I can tell it's the backlight because you can see the ghost image of the screen real dim.

Is this worth trying to fix?

Or is it just more cost efficient to suck it up and buy a new monitor. Which is not in the cards right now because of a tax hiccup that is going to take me out of the spending game for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the help.

[Drew]

Sounds like a candidate for a DIY projector to me......

[Crimson Sky]

Try getting a busted one on ebay with a known good lamp--I'm not sure replacement lamps are available to end users from the manufacturer.

[Airbozo]

I opened up an LCD monitor last year and the backlight had a GE number on it. I think you could just order one or like Crimson suggested, find a used one on ebay.

[Zephik]

I wonder if you could stick white LED's back there to light up your screen?

[OvRiDe]

This was on Hack-a-Day not to long ago..

http://www.engr.mun.ca/~wakeham/lcd.htm

and I just remembered seeing this over at Inventageek

http://www.inventgeek.com/Projects/BacklightFix/Overview.aspx

EDIT: On the Inventageek site there is a link to LCDParts. Might workout as well..

http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccfl.html

[Luke122]

This was on Hack-a-Day not to long ago..

http://www.engr.mun.ca/~wakeham/lcd.htm

I loved that project! Of course, the guy who did it didnt regulate the voltage to his LED's correctly, and ended up burning some out. If you do attempt an LED conversion, make sure you use proper resistors.

I'd say wait until it's completely dead, because then, what have you got to lose? :D

[Commando]

Thanks everyone for the help.

Yeah my monitor is not completely dead yet. I'll definitely keep my eye out for a broken monitor on ebay that has a good back light.

[Redundant]

Because the monitor [backlight] still turns on, I suspect it's the ballast (inverter). Using an inverter for a different CCFL of the same size might work or using a CCFL+Inverter kit in place of the current one. You would lose brightness control but it should work.