LCD Monitor Help Needed

[70JUDGE]

I have the following monitors,and need some help with them.One is a HP VF17,and the other is a Gateway FPD1830.The HP when you rurn it on the power button will light up green,the screen will flash once,and the power light will go off along with the picture.It will keep doing this until you shut it off.I can only see the picture for a second.On the Gateway the power button will light up,and it will turn from orange to green,but the only way you can see any kind of a picture is if you shine a bright light really close to the screen.How can you tell if it's the backlight,inverter,or both?Especially on the Gateway?The HP sounds like it's the inverter,where it still lights up.Also,how do these come apart?I have the stands,and all the screws that I can see out,but the halfs wont's come apart.Do I need a hammer?! HA! HA! Any help is greatly appreciated.Thank You very much!
Tyler

[glc]

The HP is either the backlight or the inverter or both. The Gateway has more serious problems - sounds like something is shorted internally.

[70JUDGE]

Wouldn't that be the other way around?Or is the flashing screen on the HP a sign of a short,and not a bad inverter?The Gateway does light up,but you can hardly see the picture unless you shine a light onto the screen.How can you tell if it's the inverter,backlight,or both?Are there any tricks,or secrets?I figurered on the HP that the backlight was still good where I could see the picture.But what do I know!Also,how do these come apart?I have all the screws out,but can't get the back off.Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank You very much!

Tyler