T41 Help - Replaced everything (with pics)

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VinnieZ · #1 Post by **VinnieZ** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:52 pm

Hey guys
Heres my story. First off, I am no computer expert...I consider myself tech savvy, but I really have no idea what I am doing. My T41 Thinkpad's screen got really light 1 day...to the point where you couldnt even see it. I found a site online that said it was the inverter so I ordered that and replaced that. Turns out that wasn't the problem. Then I replaced the CFL bulb and tested the computer and it worked. Then I put it back together and all I can get are lines. After that I replaced the video cable in the back, and still nothing. It looks as if windows is trying to start up because when you first turn it on, everything is black. Then after a few minutes, its the blueish green like the windows help screen. But there is just vertical lines everywhere, every which way. And the funny thing is, they seem different everytime. Anyway, please check out the pictures and let me know if you have any ideas of anything I can try. I just cant figure it out. Thanks so much for your help!

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cmarti · #2 Post by **cmarti** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:56 pm

Did you try using an external monitor? To me it looks exactly like the T40 I used to have when the GPU failed.

VinnieZ · #3 Post by **VinnieZ** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:33 pm

How do I go about testing it with an external monitor?

zdriver · #4 Post by **zdriver** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:52 pm

Looks like the panel was possibly damaged during the ccfl replacement or the lcd controller.
Was the panel fully assembled when you tested it before you put it back in the lid and closed it up?
Are you certain you have the correct cable?
It does not make sense that the panel showed all white (no signal) and you replaced the backlight and it worked.

You can test it externally by connecting a monitor the the vga port by the dvd drive and toggle it on with Fn F7.

VinnieZ · #5 Post by **VinnieZ** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:03 am

zdriver, it didnt show all white. The screen was just barely visible. you couldnt make anything out before I replaced the CFL. The screen just wouldnt light up.

But what panel do you mean? Do you mean the black covering for the top? that was not fully assembled when i tested it. I just plugged in the necessary cables and windows worked. But then I went to further put it back together and it wouldnt work. So Im baffled.

And yes, the cable is correct, the FRU's matched.

Thanks so much for your help.

zdriver · #6 Post by **zdriver** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:37 am

Sorry Vinnie, not much sleep the last few days because of a major project at work, got distracted in the middle of my reply and I must have been thinking of another problem.
The layered lcd panel is delicate and easily damaged, looks like possibly some leads got seperated. Where the black tape is, it is usually marked - do not apply pressure here.
Does the vga out to a external monitor show a normal dsiplay?

VinnieZ · #7 Post by **VinnieZ** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:06 am

ZDriver, thanks so much for your help.

I am at work now, so I will try the external LCD as soon as I get home. But Im thinking about it now, and I cant place any black tape. I was careful when I took it apart and had the layers of the LCD screen out, but I am not sure if it was or wasnt damaged. If the external monitor doesnt work, does that mean my LCD screen is screwed and I should either get a new laptop or buy a new LCD screen off of ebay?

And vice versa, if the external monitor thing works, what do you suggest I do?

#8 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:51 am

Looks very much like you screwed up the LCD when you replaced the CCFL.
It's probably not in straight to start with.
You could try applying very gentle pressure alonf the short sides and see if the 'pattern' changes.
If so, start looking for a replacement LCD.

VinnieZ · #9 Post by **VinnieZ** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:14 pm

Realblackstuff, Ive tried applying pressure all around the edges, but the pattern doesnt seem to change. Any other suggestions?

If I hook it up to an external monitor and it works, does that mean the LCD is shot?

#10 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:00 pm

No.
The graphics chip has actually dual functions.
Analog for the external VGA and digital for the internal LCD.
It's normally the digital part that gives problems, these could be LCD, LCD-cable, inverter or the GPU itself might have become loose.
If the latter, you can have the GPU "reballed".

VinnieZ · #11 Post by **VinnieZ** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:05 pm

well it definitely isn't the inverter, CFL, or the LCD cable since I've replaced all 3.

Is there anyway I can test to see if it is the GPU? or test to see if it is the LCD?

#12 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:35 pm

Download PC Doctor for your T41 here
Run whichever version you can manage, and maybe it can tell you where the problem is...

VinnieZ · #13 Post by **VinnieZ** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:02 am

I dont think Ill be able to Run PC Doctor, but I will try.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

sjthinkpader · #14 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:35 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:...
If the latter, you can have the GPU "reballed".

More accurately, "re-flow".

T41 Help - Replaced everything (with pics)

T41 Help - Replaced everything (with pics)

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