Now that I've broken my silence..here's another question

[likesspace]

Guys,
One of my T23's has a problem with the LCD screen.
We've been dealing with this problem for the past few months but now that I have some confidence concerning repairs I'd like to get this fixed.
The problem is this:
When I open the LCD on the computer the screen is blank. I can see some very faint ghosting on the screen but other than that I have a black screen.
What I've found is that I can push on an area of the LCD bezel, just to the left of the right hinge and then the screen will light up.
My initial thoughts are that the back light bulb has a broken solder connection in this area but I'd like to hear what others have to say about this problem.
Also, if you agree that this is a problem with the back light, could you please give me some detailed instructions on the repair procedure?
This is a computer that I use exclusively for uploading weather data to my web site so this really is not a major problem for me. I'd just like to get it fixed if it's not a major undertaking.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Neil]

The area you are pressing on is about where the CCFL wires connect to the inverter. Could be just a loose connection, and re-seating the connector would solve the problem. Or the inverter may need replacing. Just remove the LCD bezel and you will have full access to the components.

[rkawakami]

Geez, answer one question and it opens up a floodgate

Could be several things:

- loose wire/bad connection from the output of the inverter board to the LCD panel; the plug which is attached to the LCD panel and goes to the backlight. That's essentially the place where you are pushing on the LCD bezel.
- loose connector somewhere on the inverter board itself
- loose connection of the connector on the LCD ribbon cable that goes to the inverter
- bad LCD ribbon cable; a tear/rip/bend could have damaged one of the traces

Seeing as you can get the backlight to come on when pushing on the area where the inverter board's output connector is, then you might be able to solve the problem by re-seating that connector. You will only need to remove the LCD bezel (three screws behind the round plastic covers; peel off the lower edge of the bezel from the double-sided tape and then snap out the bezel from around the frame of the lid - easier said than done sometimes). You should then see the inverter board and the plug/wire which goes off to the lower right corner of the LCD panel. Unplug it, then plug it back in. Fire up the system and see if that helped. You should download a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual (if you haven't already) and follow the instruction therein:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4UYM3F

[likesspace]

Well guys it appears that another problem has been solved thanks to the members of this forum.
I did as suggested and removed the LCD bezel to expose the inverter.
Right away I saw the wires that had been mentioned and right away I knew that this was the exact place where I have been pressing to get the screen to come on.
Well, I did as suggested and unplugged and then reseated the connector and so far the screen comes on each time I open the lid.
I can't believe that I've been living with this problem for the past 3 months and it was literally a 5 minute fix. I guess it all goes to show that nothing is gained if nothing is done.
Ray....
I have downloaded the maintenance manual, in fact that's the ONLY way I was able to tear down the T23 yesterday. It is a very well written publication and very easy to understand and follow. I didn't realize that it also had a section covering the LCD, nor did I realize that it had a diagnostic section. I simply downloaded it and read through everything that I was going to be taking off to get to the motherboard.
It now looks as if I've got some reading to do. It's about time that I actually learned something about the "workings" of these machines since I have so many of them.
Thanks again for the suggestions concerning this problem. I'm beginning to look like a regular computer whiz to my wife and daughters.

Dave