My PowerBook 165 (not 165c, my B&W 165) does kinda the same thing. The screen is completely dark on the bottom, and the slightest movement of the contrast switch makes the contrast either shoot waaaaaay up or shoot waaaaaay down.

It also fluctuates while powered on. *shrug*

About the ghosting, I'm pretty sure it's due to the 145's passive-matrix screen. My 165 has a passive-matrix screen, and I see a *lot* of ghosting everywhere. I eventually got used to it.