T 41 LCD going dark, but not quite blank

[richmccc]

Hello all!

Yesterday my LCD started going dark sporadically (but not blank because the screen contents could still be dimly seen). Also the power on and battery LCD’s remained lighted, the disk access LCD lighted from time to time and the fan could be heard throughout.

The inquiry of thinkpad321 (“T40 Screen Goes Black” 28t = 87050) comes closest to describing my unit’s symptoms, with RoadHazard’s inquiry (“Yet another LCD problem” 28t = 86644) a close second. But I have some questions concerning the recommendations made.

First, let me describe what I’ve done and discovered. Yesterday I discovered that if I ran the unit on battery power, the screen darkening problem did not recur. A few hours ago, based on an idea from thinkpad321's thread, I began running the unit on the local electricity utility’s power, but with the LCD brightness dimmed down four increments (arbitrarily chosen) from full brightness; and so far the LCD display is stable (probably about 3 hours now), although there is a rose colored hue visible in the lower left portion of the LCD (also see next paragraph regarding this tint).

To anticipate some diagnostic questions posed in the other two threads:
1. for a long time (a year or so) I’ve noticed a faint rose hue visible in the lower left portion of the LCD on startup for a few seconds, following which it would disappear; and
2. I’ve not yet tested the unit with an external monitor.

As will be painfully obvious from some of the following questions, I’m hardly a techie (my peak tech accomplishment was adding some RAM a few months ago).

So, my questions:
1. Based on what I’ve described above, is it advisable that I additionally test the unit with an external monitor to allow a more certain diagnosis and recommendation?
2. Am I wrong to assume that the cause of my problem is among those discussed in thinkpad321's and RoadHazard’s threads?
3. The next question relates mostly to terminology with which I’m not facile. The recommendations to thinkpad321 were variously phrased as recommendations to replace the screen, or better, the entire lid (easier to swap) or the entire assembly. The recommendations to RoadHazard were to replace the CCFL (backlight bulb), perhaps also the inverter or the entire LCD. What is the difference, if any, between the “lid” and the “entire assembly”? Does the “screen” refer just to the LCD itself or to the LCD, the inverter board, the CCFL and its reflector? What is the difference, if any, among the “screen” and the “lid”? Why was one of the recommendations to one user, but not the other, to replace the CCFL and perhaps the inverter?
4. I’m inclined to replace what’s needed to continue using the unit--if that makes economic sense. Any suggestions (permissible under the Rules of the Road, of course) for locating a competent servicer in my part of the world (central NJ, USA) for the purpose of obtaining proposals would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[Neil]

It's almost certainly your CCFL on it's way out. Cheapest fix is to replace the lamp only. But that can be anywhere from very difficult to nearly impossible. Or you can replace the LCD panel. That's not too hard, just a lot of screw covers, and tiny screws to remove and replace. Or replace the whole lid. That's probably more parts than you really need to replace, but it's a little easier to remove the keyboard, bezel and palm rest to remove the lid than to disassemble the lid itself (in the opinion of some). To me it's about the same amount of effort to replace a lid compared to replacing just the LCD panel, so my choice is usually just replace the panel. I've replace the CCFL once or twice successfully, but I've broken a couple of lamps while trying, and destroyed a couple of LCD panels along the way as well.

[richmccc]

Thanks Neil for the informative reply.