I've had this TV for 2 yrs now but havent used it for the last 7-8 months because of picture problems and 0 finances to fix it.
The winter months (not to mention NFL season) are here and I would really like to get this TV working again.

I've read through the the owners thread and have seen that these models have had extensive problems but I havent been able to find my exact problem or a solution to it.

This television had a GREAT pic then suddenly the pic became about 50% darker than normal. Now when I turn it on about 60% of the time the green indicator lite comes on but the television does not. After a minute or so the green light goes off. the other 40% of the time the green lite comes on and the television picture slowly comes up but at about 50% brightness.
I never get a red or orange light that would indicate that the bulb is out.
My question is >>>Is the bulb just in the process of going out or is this a more serious problem like the light engine?

I have been unemployed for almost a year now and I'm on extremely limited income I can probably afford a new bulb that would be about it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bump
Anyone??

...suddenly the pic became about 50% darker than normal. Now when I turn it on about 60% of the time the green indicator lite comes on but the television does not. After a minute or so the green light goes off. the other 40% of the time the green lite comes on and the television picture slowly comes up but at about 50% brightness....

Symptoms of lamp going. First thing I would certainly try. There is a way to get an error code from the failure: The next time the TV wont come on and just quits trying, walk up to the front panel and hold down the menu + device(input) buttons and watch the front LED for a blink code. It's a two digit number like 23, 12, 37... it will repeat several times.

Thanks hamerdwn!
i will try this, however I dont see a LED display anywhere.
Will this just show on the actual screen?