Best way to test the inverter is with a bulb.  If you have your old inverter try it with the new backlight.  It may have just been the light blown out.  If it doesn't work make sure all of your connections are connected firmly including the main LCD connector on the MB.  If you can pull the backlight out of the panel and test it outside of the panel to make sure it's not grounded on something.  Let us know how it goes through these tests.

>>  Is there a way to test the inverter with basic equipment   <<  yes , 3 ways :
1- connect a known good backlight to it
2- test with a voltmeter, that handles more than 50Khz :
3- an inverter tester

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/test-laptop-screen-inverter-with-multimeter/
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2009/05/04/how-test-lcd-screen-inverter-in-laptop/

Thanks for the suggestions kadafitcd and nobus.  I do have a known good backlight which did not light when plugged into the inverter.  I looked at the links provided and tried to test the inverter with my multimeter, a RadioShack digital.  I don't know if it is good enough or not.  I didn't reallt see anything.  Am I trying to get as close to the inverter as possible with the leads also close together to pick up stray rf?  Should I put a small coil between the leads and then see if I can pick up something?
The input connector to the inverter is very small and I am afraid I will short something out with the multimeter if I try to read the input voltage.  I guess for now, I will order a new (not a pull) inverter if I can find one.

If you have tried it with a known good backlight and it doesn't power up then it doesn't work, but just remember the inverter won't turn on without signal from the computer so if the cable is damaged or unplugged it won't work either way.  

Make sure the cable is good.  It may require unwrapping the wires and following them from the main board connector to the inverter. Make sure the wires aren't broke or bent severely, and make sure the pins in the main board connector and inverter connector aren't bent. If all checks out good try to test for ohms from one end of the cables to the other to see if you're getting resistance.  The wires are so tiny I have seen them break inside the housing before so doing an ohm test for resistance will tell you if there are any breaks in it.

>>  , a RadioShack digital.  I don't know if it is good enough or not.   <<  you'll have to look up it's specs; modern ones from Fluke can handle it, but not most cheapo's

The "new" inverter should get here today.  If that doesn't work, i guess I will try to find a cable from the MB to the display and replace that.  I am not going to give in.

i like to search further also - so keep us posted

I ordered a new (Pull) cable for the inverter and replaced it today.  Still no backlight.  So I have a new cable, inverter and backlight.  No sure where to go now.  Any ideas?
Thanks In advance.

I think it was the inverter all along.  I had a backlight and cut the connector off a broken backlight and soldered it on.  It did not work with the installed inverter, so I tried it with another inverter I had ordered and it worked.  Now if I can get this backlight installed into the display without damaging it all will be well.  Thanks everyone for your help

seems logical ..glad you've found it
enjoy