Screen frequently goes black for a second while on battery?

[mgrusin]

My fairly new t60p / WindowsXP has an annoying habit. When I'm running on battery power, the screen will frequently go black / blank for a second and then come back. It often seems to do this just as I start typing or moving the mouse - like it's the opposite of a screensaver. Very annoying when you're trying to work.

The odd thing is that sometimes it does this frequently (a couple times a minute), and sometimes it doesn't happen for hours. I'm not sure what I'm doing differently (different power modes?) Anyone notice this or even better know how to make it stop?

Thanks for any help! -Mike G.

[incogNitto]

My guess is that the power management has your display set at a lowered refresh rate when idle. When you begin typing, it switches back to the default refresh rate and blanks out for second during the switch.

[mgrusin]

Wow, that was EXACTLY the problem! I made a custom power mode and tried it both ways, and this definitely happens when you lower the refresh rate (I don't know how much power it saves, but as you can guess it's not worth it for me).

Thanks VERY much incogNitto! You solved a really vexing mystery for me!

-Mike G.

[Ervin]

I thank you, too. I had the same problem and was wondering whether some component was dying on me.