[NTLK] Causes/Solutions for MessagePad Dim Screens?

[apenultimate]

Hi All,

As I mentioned in an earlier post here, I have a few Newtons whose screens are somewhat or extremely dim.  These include:

MP 2100--the text is viewable, but dim, and the backlight does almost nothing to help readability.  Very difficult to read (and I don't think it's just my aging eyes).

MP 130--the text is very faint, and you need to shine a flashlight onto the screen to read it.

MP100--the text is possibly even more faint than the MP 130, but still visible with a flashlight on it.  I'd say this one is edging towards the invisible.

All work.  For example, you can click on the Extras drawer, it opens, and you can run applications.

What causes the fading screens?  Is it the screens/touchscreens themselves aging?  Or is there another technical reason for this happening?  I'm not simply looking for backlight replacement, because in the case of the 2100, the backlight seems fairly strong, but does not really improve the visibility of text (maybe slightly).  Of course I've tried to increase contrast, but to no avail.

Are there any solutions for this?  I realize this may depend on the model.

Just curious whether any of these ailing MessagePads can be improved at all.

One other note, I do have a second MP 2100, and that one is perfectly fine--text is easily readable, even without backlighting, and it's nice and sharp.  So, I don't think it's my eyes!

Idomeneus