T42P backlight or inveter problem-- or both?

[virge]

I just picked up a T42P thinking it was about time to see what UXGA looks like in person. Of course, since I wanted the LCD most, that's the part that doesn't work.

When turned on, the backlight does not light. I can see the IBM logo dimly. If I toggle the lid switch, the backlight will flash briefly. From what I can see, its definitely pink-- closer to red.

From the pink light, I figure the CFLs are bad. I don't know if the inverter is bad though. I've never had a laptop with an inverter problem before. What does this sound like to you all?

Any help appreciated. Andy

[richk]

Pink or red means the bulb is bad. Probably the inverter is OK, but no guarantee.

[virge]

What do you think about the light only coming on briefly when the lid switch is toggled? Is this what happens after the "red tint" stage?

Andy

[richk]

That can be the result of a bad bulb, but might be another problem. Try an external monitor.

[rkawakami]

What do you think about the light only coming on briefly when the lid switch is toggled?

From that description I'd vote for a bad CCFL in the display. The inverter is trying to fire up the lamp and because it may be drawing too much current, shuts down to protect itself. You can verify this by buying an inverter (~$15) and see if that one also does the same. If it WAS a bad inverter, then that's a fairly cheap solution. If it doesn't fix the problem, then you're looking at a lamp replacement (PM jamiphar about his service) and or a panel exchange (and you have a spare inverter).

edit: Replaced "and" with "or" .

[Johan]

I just picked up a T42P thinking it was about time to see what UXGA looks like in person. Of course, since I wanted the LCD most, that's the part that doesn't work. <snip>

Andy,

What do you mean by "picked up"? I mean, was your "new" T42p sold with some kind of warranty, or was it an e.g. eBay "sold as-is" deal? The reason why I ask is that if is/was one of the Used Laptops - Refurbished PCs, Notebooks, Laptops, PCs Certified by IBM, then they have a 7-day money back warranty (and also a three-month warranty). If your T42p was however "sold without any warranty", and its own IBM warranty has also expired (did you check this?), then I would also suggest to consider James' (jampihar) service as suggested by rkawakami - see James' thread LCD CCFL Backlight Repair/GPU Rework - I'll fix it for you!.

[virge]

This new-to-me T42P was purchased "for parts" "as-is" and "no returns." I did send the seller an email though, so we'll see how that goes. The IBM warranty expired last year. Don't feel bad for me though, the motherboard seems to boot consistently even when flexed, so there doesn't seem to be a loose GPU problem.

I tried connecting it to external video, but both my 15" LCD and my 19" LCD give me an "out of range" error. I guess this means that its outputing video, I just cant see it. I guess I'll have to haul out my 17" CRT tonight. I knew there was a reason I keep that monster around.. .


Andy

[sktn77a]

Jamiphar on this forum replaces baclights for $150. On a T42P, this is probably worthwhile.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=jamiphar

[ajkula66]

And trust me when I tell you that when LCD comes back from James it beats the original IBM one...and I have pictures to prove it if you're interested...

[virge]

Thanks for the info guys. I had planned on going to Jamiphar but then I came across a replacement UXGA screen in the marketplace. If I like the UXGA screen, I figure to get the original one fixed as a backup. They're not making any new ones, and I don't think they degrade when stored.