Question : Problem: Troubleshooting laptop black screen

I'm getting a black screen on an Inspiron laptop after a very short run time.  Thought initially it was overheating but have cleaned the exhaust fan thoroughly and the problem persists.  It really also happens when the laptop is pretty cool.  The black screen can be triggered by moving the screen back and forth on the hinge and sometimes just by opening the CD bay (strange).  I now think its the LCD itself but why would opening the CD drive trigger the black screen?

Answer : Problem: Troubleshooting laptop black screen

Depends on the model of Inspiron but with a right-side mounted optical drive the moving parts are right next to the video output and inverter.

If you are happy to strip the machine down there is a step-by-step guide from removing the hinge cover to dismantling the LCD panel on the Dell site.