Screen goes dark

[Whisky]

Hey,

Yesterday I moved my T41 laptop into an another room and then I noticed that the screen has gone black. I had to restart the computer, but after some time the screen turned black again.

If the computer has been off for some time, it works fine for about ten minutes. If I just restart it after that, it either gives me fan error, keeps the screen black or makes it go black whenever I move it or press any button.

If I run any game or some program that requires a little more power from the processor, the screen goes almost immeadiately black, even if the computer has been off for a hour or so. Sometimes, if I just start the computer and don't touch it in any ways, the screen goes black but the computer will reboot, too. Then the screen works for about five seconds.

I opened my laptop and found out that some gluelike stuff between the fan and processor (or the thing I thought was a processor) has been entirely melted. Is it supposed to be there, and if so, what is it's purpose? Can it cause the screen-going-black and, as I have noticed from music I have listened while previous issue happens, ultimate lags and maybe processor slowing down? I mean, the music just starts to repeat over and over again whenever the screen goes black..

Thanks in advance,
Whisky

[killer]

Hi Whisky,

Welcome to the forum. Great username; maybe I should have called myself 'Highland Park'!

It sounds like you need repairs to the motherboard. Poshgeordie offers a service for Europeans like us. He has had very positive feedback from users. I suggest you send him a PM (private message) and ask for his advice. You can search for his name using the search facilities ... or look at the advert above for "UK Europe T40 Graphics Reflowing".

[poshgeordie]

And a welcome from me too - a pity that it has to be in these circumstances but maybe I can help you.

I've sent you a PM about my Reflowing services, but also have a look at my advert here on the forums.

Best regards

Nick

[Whisky]

Thanks a lot for your replies.

My laptop is old and in a pretty bad shape, so I don't know if it is just easier to buy new one. But thanks for your offer, I will think about it.

And about the problem; Seems that if the computer has been cooling down for some time, I can do whatever I want to it. Even a gently shake won't make the screen go black. Then again, if the computer has been on for some time, and got warm enough, slightest touch can make the display dark.

Could that match with the graphic chip solution? I mean, the screen really isn't the only thing that stops working..

Fan seems to be working alright, though the two pipes over it get hot really fast

Thanks again,
Whisky

[Harryc]

The only way you can tell for sure is to remove the keyboard (leave it connected), power up, and apply pressure directly to the GPU (says ATI on it in big letters). If the symptoms change then it is a loose GPU problem.