Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

T4x series specific matters only
Post Reply
Message
Author
westpost
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA

Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

#1 Post by westpost » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:29 am

I have a T40 2374-9CU with a 1050x1400 display. The display cracked. (Some idiot, who wasn't supposed to be touching it, attempted to close the laptop lid despite a pen sitting in the way, and cracked the screen in the process.)

I purchased a new LCD and attempted to replace it, which turned out to be difficult and I perhaps did not do a perfect job. (In particular, I found it difficult to work around the bluetooth antenna on the left side of the LCD.) Since then, the screen sometimes goes black or almost black. It will come back on if I either put it into standby mode and then wake it, or if I turn off the screen using Fn-F3 and then again to turn it back on. Often the screen is not black but is dimly lit, with a high-pitched whining sound. If I press the left side of the LCD bezel, that will make it either worse or better. Opening the laptop lid either more or less has a similar effect.

Perhaps the problem has to do with the original injury to the laptop, or a less than perfect job installing the new LCD.

I would appreciate any advice as to what I might do at this point to improve the situation.

Alternatively, can anyone recommend a good source for buying a replacement T4x or T6x machine? I would be looking for one with 1GB+ of RAM, 80GB+ hard drive, and 1050x1400 resolution. Some kind of warranty would be a plus.

Thanks much

jonnybegood00
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:17 am
Location: southbridge, ma

Re: Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

#2 Post by jonnybegood00 » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:25 am

Could be your GPU.

Beaver
Sophomore Member
Posts: 171
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:40 pm
Location: Brno, Czech Republic

Re: Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

#3 Post by Beaver » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:24 pm

Definitely not.
IBM T40p 2373-CG6, Pentium M 1.5 GHz, 1024 MB RAM, 40GB HDD, 14.1" TFT, ATI FireGL 9000 64 MB
Dual boot WinXP + Fedora Core 10

virge
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 950
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:00 am
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

#4 Post by virge » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:38 pm

Try connecting your laptop to an external monitor to see if it's a GPU problem. If it is, the external display will be garbled/black.

I don't think its the GPU though. It may be the inverter or the backlight. If you still have your old LCD you can swap it back in to see if it lights up properly. If it does, then the inverter is okay and your replacement LCD is defective.

One other thing, have you made sure that your replacement parts are compatible?
Current Thinkpads: 600E, 600X, 701C, A31 (Flexview), R51 (Flexview), R60, T42P (Flexview), TR50E, T60 (Flexview), X61s (Ultralight), Z61m (Ti) Non-Thinkpad: Toshiba 100ct

jamerslong
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 394
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:44 pm
Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Re: Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

#5 Post by jamerslong » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:50 pm

that whining sound usually means that the Inverter went south, you may have cracked the tranformer on the inverter as well.

Try reseating the inverter card if it does not help Try replacing the Inverter. I have one extra if you want it.
Thinkpad Yoga 14 S1

westpost
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA

Re: Replaced T40 LCD but now Problems

#6 Post by westpost » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:36 pm

Thanks for all the feedback.

What is the best/easiest way to access the inverter and transformer?

Is it relevant that putting pressure on the left side of the LCD bezel makes the display worse or better? I should clarify that when the display goes dark, it is not completely dark; there is a dark ghost image remaining. Then if I hit Function-F3 it goes completely dark. Is it relevant that hitting Function-F3 a couple of times, or flexing the lid, makes the screen image get better or worse? Usually it is slightly dark, sometimes fully lit.

Thanks again.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “ThinkPad T4x Series”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests