weird video problem on my t40 --- help please!

[lowie]

My T40 (2374-75G) recently fell to the ground, luckily when in my backpack and in protective be.ez sleeve. When I booted the machine, all seemed fine, but after a while I noticed a screen problem. After some testing, this are the symptoms:

* screen lights up but no image viewable; sometimes flexing the screen (more open/more closed) helps to regain the image display
* sometimes a mouse click or ctrl/alt/del reactivates screen; in most cases only hard reboot is possible
* reactivated screen is in many cases affected with strange-colored pixels
* strange-colored pixels are only present on top window (switching to lower windows results in good display)
* sometimes i can work a couple of minutes without any problems, sometimes problem occurs at boot
* problem both occurs on TP screen as on external VGA

i suppose the problem is not at the LCD level, because of this last (*), but perhaps the inverter or video card has a problem?

Anyone here that can make a diagnosis or has advice on what to do best?

PS: i still have some guarantee left, but i bought this machine secondhanded without a proof of buying. i also don't live in UK but in Belgium. Is this a problem?

Type: Model: Serial number: Status: Expiration date: Location:
2374 75G XXXXXXX In warranty 2006-12-19 UNITED KINGDOM

[dr_st]

Sounds like something might be wrong with the video card. The warranty shouldn't be a problem, because proof of purchase isn't asked for. It should be international as well.

[draco2527]

This happens to a lot of these (due to flexing, things come loose on logic); I guess dropping it made the problem appear!

It will get worse with time, so send it in ASAP. They will end up replacing your motherboard/logic.

[lowie]

called IBM belgium, they immediately checked their inventory for a T40 system board. got an appointment with a technician in two days, atmy own place.
looks great service-wise. i'll post more info when the technician has been here.

thanks for the replies!

[lowie]

ibm sent a technician, he replaced my mobo...
and i'm out of trouble!

ibm service rules!