The backlight on my laptop wont work.

Hello,

i have a COMPAQ Evo N610c 2000 window xp laptop. the back light on the laptop im guessin has went out or somethin.i can still see the screen and everything but i have to be in alot of light to actually see anything and the background as to be a bright color to see as well. i dunno what is wrong with it one day it was ok and the next u can hardly see only if you are real close to the screen or in bright light sometimes. please can someone help me solve my problem because getting real close to the screen or having light shine onto the laptop is rather getting annoying and is hurting my eyes. please can someone help.