Laptop display problem

[kestrel1]

I have an IBM laptop that I am trying to fix. The problem is that the display seems bright or the contrast is wrong. This happens anywhere, in the BIOS, Windows ect. If you have a dark background it isn't to bad ie. DOS style window.
I have checked everything that I can think of in the BIOS to no avail. I am thinking that it is a hardware problem, but what? Could the inverter cause this if it was faulty or is it more likely to be the graphics chips?
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ski]

Pressing the Fn+End keys normally decreases the brightness on IBM laptops.
Also, Fn+Home increases brightness, Fn+Insert increases contrast, and Fn+Delete decreases contrast.

 

[kestrel1]

Thanks for that, but I have already done that, with no effect. It is as if the contrast is turned up, but there is nothing to change this, that is why I am wondering if the Inverter could cause this or wether the graphics chips are at fault.

 

[ski]

If the laptop is configured for the correct(native) resolution, and the brightness and gamma are properly adjusted in Display Properties, then connect the laptop to an external monitor. If the problem continues, then the graphics chip may be bad. If the problem stops, then the inverter may be bad.

 

[kestrel1]

Thanks for that. I haven't attached it to a monitor yet, but apparantly it has & it is OK. I will try it myself, just to be sure. I didn't want to get any parts until I was sure. I know the inverter is going to cost about £45.00 or so. Mind you a mobo is about £210.00.
I just want make sure that it is the inverter before I get one. I must admit, my initial response was a bad inverter.