LCD replacement for T400

[rotterdam]

I dropped my recently acquired T400 (2767-31U) and the LCD is all mangled but I can verify that otherwise the laptop is ok since I verified using an external LCD via VGA. Before I could buy a replacement screen off ebay I was wondering if my following fears are valid or not:

1. Just because I can use the laptop via an external screen, is it possible that the replacement LCD that I will purchase will not function becasue of connections gone bad at the points where the internal LCD fixes onto the mobo?

2. With reference to the model no 2767-31U, can I buy just about any LCD panel off ebay that specifies its a T400, WXGA, 14.1. I plan to buy the whole panel not just the LCD.

3. Referencinging #2, when I see the parts list on Lenovo's site, there are so many FRUs for the T400 (page 307 in the pdf onwards)
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/docs/MIGR-70069
Any idea what would be the correct FRU? (I haven't opened up my laptop's broken LCD yet).

[rotterdam]

An update from my earlier post. History - T400 (2767-31U), Win 7. LCD screen broken due to a drop. Laptop still worked with an external monitor via VGA slot and I ordered a replacement LCD.

The replacement finally arrived and I followed the HMM manual and replaced the LCD. But it still does not work. I can continue to use the ext monitor without any issues.

Here is what I noticed:

1. When booting up, I see the Thinkpad logo very very faintly before it goes fully black again.
2. All the LCD panel lights work fine - Wireless, BT, HDD, Battery, Power etc etc including the reading light.
3. The laptop recognizes when I open and close the lid and switches on the ext monitor accordingly.

Here is what I did (I followed the HMM to the detail):

4. When I replaced the LCD, I noticed that the original LCD had 2 black wires insulated at the ends originating from the bottom left area of the LCD that were not actually plugged into any area of the MB. I did the same on the replacement LCD and left them as it is. I don't even know what these are.
5. I connected the other 3 wires(white, grey and black) and the main connector as the original LCD/HMM.
6. I uninstalled the display drivers and restarted and Win 7 automatically installed the drivers again.
7. The Most important part - The original LCD when powered on, did have backlight showing me the mangled area of the screen so I know it worked before replacement.

I have read quite a bit of posts regarding T400 black screen issues, pointing me towards a faulty MB, blown fuse or faulty inverter. I know the replacement is an exact replica of the original LCD.

Could it be that I didn't connect the wires correctly to their respective slots on the MB?

Any inputs would be highly appreciated.

Edit: The replacement LCD was the full assembly not just the LCD screen.

[Neil]

Just guessing here, but the most likely suspect, in my mind, would be that the replacement lid has a broken CCFL, or is otherwise defective. Is it a new or used part?

Another possibility is that a motherboard fuse blew while swapping lids. But, if you remembered to remove all power sources during the process, it is not very likely that a fuse would blow. Unless there was a short circuit caused by something being out of place once power was applied after assembly.

You could test by reconnecting the original lid...if it still lights up, then the new lid is faulty. If the old now doesn't light up, then it's probably a fuse.

[RealBlackStuff]

If that replacement turns out to be faulty, return it for a refund.
And since you want a complete lid, why not use the opportunity to 'upgrade' to a lid with LED-backlight and WXGA+ (1440x900)?

[rotterdam]

Thanks Neil/RBS.

It is a used part off ebay but from a seller with all positive ratings but I know that dosen't necessarily mean the part was defective or could have got bad in transit.

In any case before replacement I did remove all power sources, so I guess I can discount the blown fuse. I would like to upgrade to a LED-backlight and WXGA+ but before deciding on that I would still like to determine for sure if its a bad LCD or not in the first place. Will report back.

Thanks for the advice.