Thinkpads Forum

While using my T510 the screen suddenly alternated between blank and partially drawn with random colors and patterns filling in the rest before finally remaining blank. I can remote desktop in so the computer is not completely dead. Would I be correct in assuming that since I can remote desktop that the issue is not in the graphics? It's a non-integrated 512MB nVIDIA NVS3100m video card. Previous to the issue I replaced the thermal module since the old one was causing shutdowns due to overheating. The laptop remained cool while testing it with a game for 3-4 hours. Only after returning to Windows for a few minutes did the screen break. I thought I may have bumped some wires installing the thermal module so I made sure the plugs I could reach were reseated. I didn't reseat the lcd wire in the lcd assembly. As mentioned in the title, the LED backlight is powered and responds to brightness changes but the screen is blank. The screen is also blank during post but there are no beeps and it load to Windows fine, What is the best thing to test next? I can try connecting an external monitor. Is there a good way to test the LCD without having to spend money on a new one?

Update: External monitor works fine as well

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Actually, as you describe your problem with the display (random colors/patterns), it might be the graphics chip. It could be the panel itself. Could also be as simple as a bad connection with the connectors on the LCD cable, either to the motherboard or behind the panel. I would re-seat them, after carefully inspecting the cable for any cracks or tears. About the only way I know of "testing" an LCD panel would be to transfer it to a system that is known to work with the same type of panel.

Being able to remotely log in doesn't have anything to do with the graphics. Your GPU could be totally borked, yet RDP will work fine.

Update:
Took the laptop apart. There was a little much thermal paste on everything so it got cleaned off and reapplied a bit less. Turned on the laptop again and it I could see the "ThinkVantage" for half a second before the screen went black again. Turned laptop off overnight in a cool room and when I turned it back on the screen would stay on until part way through the Windows loading screen. Turning it on one more time brought up the "ThinkVantage" again before going black. External monitor works perfectly fine. I have an NVidia NVS M3100 onboard but from the BIOS it doesn't look like I have the "switchable" version so I can't force integrated graphics (unless there is a BIOS upgrade to allow this). Is it possible for the screen to have an overheating issue? Is there a GPU temperature in the BIOS (I want to check it early in the loading cycle) or do I need some software in Windows (recommendations needed)? Since I didn't move the laptop at all during this mornings tests I feel pretty confident it isn't a connection but a heat issue. The question is can this be improved with reseating the thermal module, better thermal paste (I used 5 year old Artic Silver 5), new thermal module, or a new screen or graphics?