this site by Stonent shows how to replace a bulb (I think he was working on a Latitude XPI)

http://home.comcast.net/~stonent/screenfix.htm

 

BTW, are you sure it is the backlight bulb, perhaps it is the inverter that energizes the bulb.  Inverters are cheap and easy to replace, check it before ordering a bulb.

Thanks for the info.  I did try the inverter and it is working.  The bulb is confirmed out but the trouble is it's size.  It can be  no longer than 200mm as it goes up the side rail of the display.  The closest I was able to find anywhere is 188mm which, so I am told will create a dim spot at thr top or bottom of the display.  Does anyone have any experience how bad the display will look with this type of bulb, or where I can find one of the correct size?

I purchased a cracked screen from ebay for .99 cents and took the bulb out and put it in mine and it works fine.  Look for them they are lots of cracked screens out there.