I also have this problem on my 3870, and it is pissing me right off.
Keep it charged and it seems to be OKish, but if you leave it on a desk for a few hours, and not in the cradle, it seems to be OK
./kj

> I know when you hold down the power button this triggers the light. I realize
> the problem is still around however some people don't try this easy solution
> before jumping to the conclusion of a hardware problem. (the guy in the first
> post seems to have a hardware prob definitively )
>
> admin
> porntowers.com
>
>
> > Mine does this also. Randomly.
> > It sounds like a hardware problem. Compaq needs to figure out what it is and
> fix
> > it.
> > I haven't had the time to call and complain yet.
> >
> >
> > > Hi
> > > I have one Ipaq 3850 since 4 weeks (only!)
> > > and sometimes, when I turn it on, tha backlight dont
> > > turns on. Normally if I turn off and I turn on, back
> > > light turn on, but one day it dont turn on since
> > > midle hour.
> > > It seems the same problem .... :-(
> > > Greats
> > > Xavi (Spain)
> > > xcq@acigrup.com
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi
> > > >
> > > > I have what is called a backlight problem with my ipaq 3870. When I turn
> it
> > on
> > > > after more than 6 hours , like in the morning, the backlight never comes
> on
> > > and
> > > > I need to wait about 2 minutes to get it back. No long press of power
> > button
> > > of
> > > > soft reseting ever helped. The longer the time it was off, the longer time
> I
> > > > have to wait. Talked to come compaq technician and was told it is a common
> > > > hardware problem. Anybody of you have it?
> > > >
> > > > Jucha
> > > >
> > > > Email me at jucha@volny.cz
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Cheers,
> > -Techmaster
> >
>