Repairing T42 costs so much, should I do it?

[waspfish]

Hi all, recently my thinkpad screen stopped working after I accidentally dropped it . You can still vaguely see images on the screen so I am guessing the inverter board is out or something. The laptop still works fine if I hook it up to an external monitor.

I sent it back to the factory for repair, and they told me the motherboard and keyboard have "foreign objects" on it and they needed to replace them for $725 in order to repair my screen. I believe the "foreign objects" were caused by my earlier spilling of milk on the keyboard, and shouldn't be the cause of the display blowing out.

What do you think I should do? What would you do? Should I repair it myself? Or bite the bullet and pay the $725?

Thank you!

[K. Eng]

Did IBM/Lenovo give you an estimate on how much it would cost to repair the display?

I would call the repair center and demand to know what the "foreign objects" are. That term sounds awfully vague, and could merely be an excuse to get to you pay for repairs that are not needed (incidently, it is illegal in most states for companies to represent that repairs are needed when they are not).

[waspfish]

The billing dept told me in order to repair the display they have to replace the motherboard and keyboard, because they found foreign objects there. I think I know what they are, they must be milk spill that I did to the laptop a month or so ago. The reason why I think the display would not be caused by the "foreign objects" is because the display was fine until I dropped the laptop on the concrete floor. Everything else works so I am really suspicious that replacing the motherboard is the right fix for the problem. But I don't really know what else to do other than letting them do the repair for $725.

[redsb3]

Unlikely that it is the inverter, more likely the CCFL (cold cathode flourescent lamp) that lights the display. They are very fragile and a drop could easily crack it. I would tell them to replace the display and forget the rest, obviously it is not a problem if it works with an external monitor. Or you could replace the display yourself and save a couple hundred over what they will charge you.

[stevepre2005]

Are you saying that they charge you for $725 for the motherboard, and then they will start looking at your monitor problem. So the total cost of repairing will be $725 + X ?

I assume you DO NOT have access to another T42, which you could tear apart and do some experiment. Otherwise, it's pretty easy to identify if it's the inverter problem or not.

---------- Option 1: if you are very handy and want to try -----------
The first thing I would try is the backlight first.

http://www.ecnmag.com/article/CA414994.html

In my opinion, the chances for the backlight (small Fluorescent lamps) to break due to the drop is much higher than LCD inverter. The lamp costs abotu $70 + shipping.

Of course, you need to take apart you Laptop LCD and do some soldiering.

If it doesn't work, it could be the inverter. The just go to eBay, search for "T42 inverter", and you will find an LCD inverter for about $38 + shippping.

---------- Option 2: if you are not very handy or you don't have time
Go to eBay and search for "T42 LCD". Make sure you bought the SXGA one or XGA depending one what's currently in your T42. This costs about $300.

If it doesn't work, buy an LCD inverter, and at the same time, sell the LCD on eBay.

--------------------------

Again, all the above is based on my guess of "lamp breaks easier than inverter". If you still think you want to try inverter first, go buy an inverter before you try a new LCD or a new lamp.

[waspfish]

Yes, I called them and they are basically saying they won't fix the display unless they fix everything, cuz that's a policy.

[waspfish]

Would I get instructions on how to do the repair when I order those parts?

[stevepre2005]

You might serious consider not asking them to fix the laptop. $725 is good enough for buy a new motherboard (on eBay you can get a new motherboard for $300 with ATI Raden 9600 64M)+ an new LCD ($300).

[stevepre2005]

For replacing the whole LCD or the inverter, you can download the instruction from IBM (the service manual).

For the lamp only, no.

[beerak]

Yes, I called them and they are basically saying they won't fix the display unless they fix everything, cuz that's a policy.

Ask for a written statement and write a complaint on the bussines trade union (or how it is called in the USA). It is definitely unaceptable. It's like you want to change wheels on your car and they want to change engine, doors, mudguards, replace oil and then they will eventually change the wheels !!!



What an arrogance ...