Backlight issues on x41

[service-pro]

My x41 was working just right. One evening I shut it down, at home. About a half hour later restart at the library, nothing but black screen. I assumed it would be the inverter so I tried swapping that out the next day...no change. Tried swapping out the entire back light panel in the display, no luck. Switched to a entirely different lcd display, case and all, no change. System works great on a external monitor. In some nice bright light I can see the shadowy image of the windows start up, so it appears to be working, just nothing to light up the screen. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can try next?

I have an x31 as well but I'm not sure if any of the parts from that could swap into the x41 to facilitate a repair.

Thoughts?

[Harryc]

Does the machine go into standby when the lid is closed? If not, how is that behavior set in advanced power options?

[service-pro]

It does not do anything when the lid is closed. In the advanced power settings it is set to "do nothing" when the lid is closed.

[Harryc]

Ok, set it to standby when the lid is closed in advanced power properties. Does it go into standby when the lid is closed now? In case you're wondering, we're testing your lid close switch because it can cause the problem you're experiencing.

[service-pro]

Well that part works like a charm. I reset that setting in the advanced power properties to go into standby when the lid is closed, and bam! It goes into standby when the lid is closed. What next?

[Harryc]

I'd start checking fuses on the systemboard with a multimeter. Start with the fuses in the area of the LCD connector on the board.

[service-pro]

I had been thinking it was probably a systemboard issue. I had just been hoping that there was something simple (and brainless) that I had completely overlooked. Now I will focus on the board.

[keithsketchley]

I have a badly intermittent backlight problem, isolated to the inverter board or connectors, still troubleshooting. I'll let you know what I find.

[service-pro]

The problem was on the board. I ended up buying a replacement motherboard real cheap, doing the swap and she fired right up. Looks great! And I have a 1.6 processor now as a bonus.

[keithsketchley]

I replaced both the LCD cable and inverter board, all now works, http://forums.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=88933 details my efforts.