Newly acquired T30

[t140568]

Since my buddy recently gave his mom a new computer, she gave me her old T30 since I've helped her maintain it.

1.8ghz/1gb/40gb with no wireless (though ready with antennas!), Currently running the Mandriva build she had installed.

Trouble is, it only displays externally, not on the internal LCD. From what I've read in a few posts, it could be the GPU coming loose as all the cables are in tact and properly connected. Does this sound about right? If so, I think I'll attempt a heatgun reflow.

Just thought I'd share my joy of my newly acquired T30.

[RealBlackStuff]

Sounds very much like it.
You can try reflowing with a heatgun, how-to descriptions can be found on this forum.
Or send it in to have it done professionally.
Hammerhead comes to mind, they can also fix the RAM slot problem if needed.
It may be cheaper to buy a T30 mobo or base-with-mobo on eBay.
In the T4x forum are some threads on reflowing/reballing worth reading.

[pianowizard]

I assume you've tried Fn + F7?

[Neil]

My guess would be a bad CCFL (cold cathode florescent lamp) inside the LCD panel or LCD inverter. I have a T30 in the shop right now with a bad inverter. And have had another T30 in the past with a bad CCFL. In my (very limited) experience with T4x machines, when the GPU is loose you get the same result with internal or external displays. BTW, I don't remember reading that T30 machines experience GPU issues often. Memory slot problems, yes, but GPU?

[Harryc]

As Pianowizard stated, hit FN-F7 on the keyboard to switch to the internal LCD> Hold a flashlight up to it...can you see a dim image? If yes, the backlight, or inverter, or LCD cable is bad.

[t140568]

CCFL is definitely good. The screen lights up, but with no image on the LCD. It will flash a broken image a few times during the boot sequence, but nothing long enough to make it useable. I'll try a new cable first. -couldn't hurt, right?

It does have the memory slot problem as well. Forgot to mention that in the original post.

Oh, and yes, I've tried Fn+F7.

[ajkula66]

Personally, I'd just flip the planar...

You have two batches of re-soldering to do there (slot and GPU) which is not worth the time IMHO. For the money that Hammerhead would charge you, another unit (or at least planar) can be easily obtained.

My $0.02 only...

[t140568]

I swapped the ribbon cable and planar to no avail awhile back and just replaced the LCD before giving the machine to a friend. It tuns out it was the LCD all along. I swapped in the 200nit 1400x1050 LP141E04 LCD and proper inverter since my friend payed for the LCD repair. It was good to see it working again.