MBP 15" display and keyboard backlight fail

5+ years old - 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo (circa 2006)

Backlight suddenly stopped working. When awakened or turned on, display will work for a few seconds, then goes out. I can see the display just barely (as if brightness turned all the way down). I can use external monitor. Also, keyboard backlight non-op. When I attempt to adjust, I get the circle w/ slash (like a no smoking symbol).

The sleeping eye on the front is also dark when computer is on (but works when the computer sleeps).... I think it's usually dimly lit when lid is open. Are all these things linked?

Any ideas?

also, searched posts and saw similar questions.... none resolved however.

 

Follow up

Did PRAM/SMC resets for the umpteenth time. Keyboard backlight works.... still no display backlight.

 

Resolved... for now

I only post this because so few people post the resolution to their problem.

Stupidly, when the keyboard backlight resumed working, I was still using the external monitor.... not realizing that the display goes dark when you're connected externally. When I unplugged, lo and behold, the display was on. I guess PRAM/SMC resets fixed it.