I have a problem with my computer and wondered if any one here knows what this problem is. It is working absolutely fine but after a minute or so of loading up it is like someone switching a light off so I can’t see my screen. It is totally black and wondered if this is a fixable problem and if so how?

I had this problem with an old laptop overheating a new fan fixed it. I’m sure there are all manner of causes but im no comupter wizz

Does it power down completely, or is just the screen going blank ?

If it is very warm underneath and powers off completely, then the fan/vents could be blocked ( other symptoms might be a very noisy fan/no fan spinning at all ). Check underneath for vents, and give them a good old blast from a can of compressed air. Sneeze, clean the dust off yourself, and make sure that the fan is now turning properly ( you can get it spinning by knocking the blades with a paperclip). Repeat periodically.

When you say the screen is totally black:

Does it actually go totally black, or is there still a very faint display there which is really really hard to see?

Does everything else stay on?

Cougar – your post describes the exact problem. There is a very faint display which is very hard to see. I posted this morning using a torch! Everything else does stay on. I managed to back everything up ok this morning too. I’m fairly sure it’s just a “light” thing but don’t know why or how to fix it.

Probably the screen inverter or possibly the screen backlight, you can usually get an inverter on ebay for a few quid.

sounds to have a backlight issue, use that term and your laptop model to search for the most likely fault, and then for DIY repair guides or the likely cost of a shop doing it.