Seeking laptop advice: [View all]

[lastlib]

I have a Dell Latitude D610 laptop w/ WinXP(refurbished) that I've had for almost five years. Never any problem with it. This morning I turned it on, and the desktop screen came up for a few seconds, then flicked off. Restarted, multiple times--same thing. Screen OK for maybe four or five seconds, then it blanks out. Hmmm-video card problem? monitor problem? I connected a desktop monitor to it, and that worked fine; I could work "normally" with it. So it has to be the screen itself. I have no clue what could have caused this outage, with the possible exception of "old age".

I want to tap the collective genius of DU to learn what my options are here. Is repair by installing another screen a viable option? Or am I better off going another route, e.g., new machine (not sure I can afford that right now, I'm unemployed), or something else? Is a screen repair DIY-able? (I'm no stranger to work inside a desktop machine, but never tinkered with a laptop) Or is it best taking it to a repair shop?

Looking forward to receiving the wisdom of the Oracles of DU!