Can backlight/inverter cause random freeze/restart?

[lamo]

backlight problems can be:
1. the lamp failure, becouse of long terms of using.
2. the transformer failure(low quality, or(!) dead or old lamp(the initial current is very high and the transformer is burned))
3. PWM controller failure(VERY rarely)
4. lack of backlite_ena signal, or 5v voltage for PWM working or lack of ACBAT_SYS voltage(battery voltage or AC adaptor voltage)

 

[Kegtapper]

Right on point lamo:

I have a Gateway with the same problem.

another suggestion.. Push the lid switch too, test it - some times those buggers stick off, and will drive you crazy looking in the LCD area, when the problem is on the clamshell/lid.

 

[lamo]

kegtapper, agree with you about lid switch, i forgot this issue. in some laptops there's "gercon" switch, which may be fault too.