I have an older laptop it's a Maxnote model Max-N120. THe screen had become very dark I can make out afew things but not very clearly, also the left side of the keyboard isn't working. Does anyone have any suggestions on what it might be or if there is a way to run some kind of diognostics test at all ? I'm not very computer savy but I can fix anyhting (Havent tried computers yet though) so I figured I'd give it a shot because I really can't afford a new computer right now and this one is EXTREMEY improtant for me because I need it for work.

I really appreciate any advice and/or help given to me I'm really stuck between a rock and a hard place with this one and.

Thank you,
Mark

- Thread title edited
Didou

Meat, On an older laptop, the backlights are most likely burning out. Here an install link
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccflinstallation.html

If you replace the keyboard, and still has the problem, it a motherboard issue. Then you have to use an external.

If its really that desperate then try connecting a monitor to it and a USB or PS/2 keyboard. That way you can still use the laptop, but it wont be mobile though!