T42 boots, then black screen. Sometimes full login then bla

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nikemen · #1 Post by **nikemen** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:38 pm

So, this just started happening. I was using the laptop, a few days later the screen was going blank.

I THOUGHT it was maybe a hardware issue, but I found the after the screen went BLANK I could just tap the SCREEN LID CLOSE button (the one under the little tab on the LCD screen) and the screen would COME BACK.

But, I cannot figure out how to get it working again. I push this little button, the screen comes back up and then TWO SECONDS later it goes blank again.

Tab the button and it comes up again, then OUT it goes again.

Does this sound like a SOFTWARE issue or HARDWARE issue?

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:24 pm

It's a hardware issue. The little button you are taping is a lid close switch. It needs to be adjusted or replaced.

nikemen · #3 Post by **nikemen** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:32 pm

I wonder then why it would come back to life when I just tap it. So, you mean that the switch is just sending the wrong message?

The thing is, the unit doesn't go into STANDBY, which is what it is configured to do when the lid is closed. Granted, if I just tap it, I can get it to come back to life, the monitor I mean.

And, on external monitor all works fine. If the switch thought it was in the off mode, or ACTIVE/ON, wouldn't it just always go to sleep?

nikemen · #4 Post by **nikemen** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:09 pm

So, some additional data points.

thanks for all the lookies and replies.

If I turn the monitor LCD to ZERO brightness, it stays on longer. When connected to an external monitor and asked to display SAME 1028x to both monitors, I get VGA out, and I get on on the LCD, but then it goes DARK but I think I can STILL SEE what is on the LCD. It just doesn't have any brightness?

Is this the CCFL, the LCD, or something else. A poorly seated display cable, anything else to try before I try testing out other invertors, and CCFL or LCD displays?

Brad · #5 Post by **Brad** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:50 pm

Sounds like it could be the LCD. The backlight is failing. Did you notice any red tint on startup recently?

Brad

nikemen · #6 Post by **nikemen** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:27 am

yes, there is some read tint on startup. When the LCD comes to life, there is a red tinge. If I put the LCD Brightness at lowest, I can keep it on.

Does it make any sense to try to see if a cable is seated poorly, or is this just failing LCD or CCFL?

nikemen · #7 Post by **nikemen** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:06 pm

Well, I thought I would go the CCFL route, replace that.

But, while researching my options it turns out that this UNIT is still under full, on site warranty from IBM. Who knew I had spent for the four year, onsite (well, the company must have)

so, they are bringing and inveter AND lcd replacement for tomorrow,

Now, I know this 15" t42 had a SMOKIN' screen, I can only hope that they will replace it with a similar one?

Anyone know how to figure out what screen this IS and if IPS or not, and to lookup quickly what they are replacing it with when they arrive?

I really loved the screen and don't want to go DOWN in quality. Not sure if they will do the WORK to replace the CCFL to make it function, when SOP is probably R&R

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:20 pm

They won't replace the CCFL, but rather the LCD screen unit. Check the part# on the part he removes and see if it matches what he installs. Simple as that.

nikemen · #9 Post by **nikemen** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:27 pm

Yes, I guess there are a couple "comparable" 15" SXGA+ IPS screens that could go in there.

Is the thinkpad wiki the best place to do this lookup, or is there a lenovo site that would have better info?

I really want to make sure I get the IPS model that is in there.

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:56 pm

15.0inch LCD service parts - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p

There is only one 15" SXGA panel for that machine - ID TECH 92P6680. What makes you think there are more than one?

#11 Post by **Johan** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:29 pm

Harryc wrote:There is only one 15" SXGA panel for that machine - ID TECH 92P6680. What makes you think there are more than one?

The above may be true, but can we know for sure that IBM/EZServ won't use a R50/R51 or T43 15" SXGA+ panel, if the ID Tech "T42" supply is perhaps all gone? According to the thread Are new T43 14" screens brighter than T42 14" hoya (in his post of Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:13 pm) wrote:

the 15" T43 SXGA+ models ship with either ID Tech or Samsung panels, while 15" T43p UXGA panels are all made by ID Tech. most users report that the ID Tech panels are brighter than the Samsung panels on the 15" SXGA+ models.

Also, from time to time there are other parts found on eBay (maybe RoHS-compatible upgrades of the old FRU's mentioned in the HMM?), such as e.g. this one... and who knows what that is - ID Tech, Samsung or LG Philips? If having a choice, I would absolutely recommend the ID Tech (92P6680) - I have several, and they are just soo pleasant looking at!

Johan

nikemen · #12 Post by **nikemen** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:48 pm

It seemed from reading back years of posts, that there were two possible models, one form IDtech and one from LG-Philips, fortunatly, I got the same one as before

Well, tech showed up today, with the same panel that was in there, the IPS ID tech N150P2 panel.

Looks pretty nice, bright wide viewing angle. No dead pixels.

took him a while, but he did a nice job. Tipped him 10$. Maybe should have done more but I had two fives and a 50$.

Makes one glad to have bought the extended, onsite warranty - although I think it was some promo at the time for 99$ only.

T42 boots, then black screen. Sometimes full login then bla

T42 boots, then black screen. Sometimes full login then bla

Hmmm,

some data points

yes

WEll!!

yes

done

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