Audio Systems: Yamaha Receiver??, printed circuit board, little devil

Question
Mr. Expert.  I think I messed up my Dad's home entertainment receiver becasue all the front display lights went dimm and I cannot get them to turn all the way up (therefore making it impossible to see what the volume is and other stuff he is always looking at).  It appears to be working fine, but the display is very dimm.  When he finds out, he is going to kill me.  DId I turn something off, or did I break something?

Answer
Are they dim or did the backpanel lights go out entirely? You can tell in a dark room.

Without the model number I cannot give you specific advice.

However, speaking generally, there are, in some units, a special fuse for the front panel.  This fuse, unfortunately, is deep inside the set and to get at it you must remove the cover and know what the little devil looks like.  They are usually not conventional looking fuses and are probably mounted on a printed circuit board in the set.

If they are merely dim but not out there may be an adjustment for the brightness that you have accidentally altered somehow.

You can look up the owners manual on the Yamaha web site and download it if you don't have it at your home.  You should be able to find the adjustment procedure for the brightness control.  (You will need the model number to find the manual online; go to the support tool bar at the top of the receiver site at yamaha.com pages).

Hope this gets you out of trouble!  Let me know more if needed.
Cleggsan