Thinkpads Forum

After 15 years of using TPs, I finally dropped one. <sigh>

While the case was closed, my T43p fell on a brick floor from about 4 feet. It landed vertically on the back right corner where the LCD ribbon cable is located.

The case is cracked on that corner, but the screen has no visible signs of damage, except that it remains blank with no light whatsoever when the machine boots.

Obvisouly the screen is broken, so I took the machine (not the LCD panel) apart just to get a look at the inside to see if there was anything physically broken. LCD Ribbon cable seemed "ok" and well seated.

I'm wondering if there is anything else I can do to self-diagnose/focus the issue?

I'm looking for a replacement machine, but I'd like to see what I can do to repurpose the machine, other than just attach an external montor.

TIA

The inverter could have become unplugged. On my T42, the inverter is a small card on the lower right of the display (looking at it with the display open). The inverter powers the display backlight. Another possibility is that the display backlight is broken. You can replace the backlight, but it is not an easy job in my experience. There are some individuals or companies that will do this for you for a price. Another option is to buy a used display lid (complete) from ebay, and install it yourself.

GomJabbar wrote:The inverter could have become unplugged. On my T42, the inverter is a small card on the lower right of the display (looking at it with the display open). The inverter powers the display backlight. Another possibility is that the display backlight is broken. You can replace the backlight, but it is not an easy job in my experience. There are some individuals or companies that will do this for you for a price. Another option is to buy a used display lid (complete) from ebay, and install it yourself.

When I fist opened the machine, I was hoping for an obviously unpluggged cable, Power Supply or Panel cord. I seem to recall seeing something near the right hinge (opposite of the ribbon cable) in the "manual", but for some inexplicable reason (other than being P.O.'ed) I didn't dig around the right side of the machine. I will do that.

I have searched/looked at various Panel/Backlight replacement "How To's", I'm just not sure how to diagnose the actual problem.

Thanks again.

If the problem is with the backlight or inverter, you should be able to see some text very faint on the screen when you boot up if you shine a light on it. It is not real easy to see, but you should see something.

Funny, but I recently bought an A31P from Fleabay for "Parts or Repair". Turns out, it had the exact same damage and symptoms as yours! No Video,system would turn on, power sequence the lights, but that's it.
Since it happened to be a Flexview, I decided to try to save it. I bought a CCFL tube, and had my friend take the screen apart. Turns out, the CCFL tube had broken during the impact. Along with bending the left side hinge.
He replaced the tube, cleaned up the debris and it works fine! (The hinge is still bent, but the display works great).
If I had to guess, I would say your tube is probably shot.

Before you go any further, check whether it displays anything on external monitor...