T21 LCD Display Ghost Image Replace Backlight? Inverter?

[gigi1234]

Hello All,

This morning after intermittent problems my LCD display on my T21 finally went dead. I should mention that I have been running Ubuntu Linux which is crappy for suspend-hibernate functions. I think maybe I burned out the backlight from just letting it run without really being totally suspended/hibernated.

The symptom is that the computer powers on and I can boot up, but I can only see a very faint (almost completely dark) image of the desktop. If I really try I can see the cursor enough to shut it down again.

What is going on here? From my reading I have decided it is either the backlight or the inverter. Can someone tell me which it might be? How difficult is it to replace these parts? I have never monkeyed around with a laptop display and have only done such things as add RAM, swap HDs, and replace keyboards.

Any info or links would be appreciated greatly! Thanks!

[skygodtj]

Inverter's are $5-$10 on eBay:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... 1+inverter

If it 'just went' then thats what I be suspect of first.

I havent seen a backlight that went without any warning(red tint, etc).

Download the hardware Maint Manual for the T21 for disassembly steps: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4UYM3F

Good luck,

TJ

[gigi1234]

Hi.

There seemed to be some intermittent problems, maybe a little flashing here and there. But no pink stuff or gradual dimming.

I guess I am hoping the inverter might fix it because replacing the backlight looks a bit daunting to me.

So should I try the inverter, or just order a whole new lcd?

[skygodtj]

I used to buy laptops off eBay with bad backlights and replace the whole screen. Each replacement LCD was abt $130.. I looked over a bad LCD I had and decided to try a CFL (backlight) replacement.. It was involved and there weren't any steps printed to make it easier... but it wasnt difficult... you must be very very careful tho in not breaking the tube, or more importantly, the LCD plates. If the screen(glass) is cracked and the fluid is moving around, pitch the whole thing.. mercury is a -reeeeally- bad thing!

But you dont have that problem, go with the inverter replacement, it's fours screws and abt $15, including shipping.

TJ

[gigi1234]

Thanks so much!

I decided to order the inverter and see how it goes.

[rkawakami]

... you must be very very careful tho in not breaking the tube, or more importantly, the LCD plates. If the screen(glass) is cracked and the fluid is moving around, pitch the whole thing.. mercury is a -reeeeally- bad thing!

I believe that mercury is contained within the backlight (CCFL) of the LCD panel. The liquid crystal material used inside the screen doesn't seem to be that toxic, but studies are not conclusive yet. Certainly, if either the LCD panel or the backlight tube is broken, dispose of properly. This means treat the entire panel as a mercury source. For more info:

http://www.earthlcd.com/zlcd/downloads/Envirostudy.pdf