R40 from eBay: A Concern

Message

gtruk9 · #1 Post by **gtruk9** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:30 am

Hi.. first time on this forum
I recently bought an R40 with 2.12 gig intel processor and over 1.25 or ram... I really like the way she runs... I do have one concern about the display that is perplexing.... sometimes the screen just goes black... however when I squeeze the lower right corner of the screen a few times it come back... What might this indicate? A loose connection.?

Is there someplace I can see how to fix this without too much trouble.

IE a repair section with diagrams and scematics..

Thanks in advance
GT

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:00 am

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Sure sounds like a loose connection to me. What might be happening is that the plug to the backlight (aka, CCFL) is not all of the way in the output jack of the inverter, or the wires are pinched/broken. Unfortunately, there are no schematics available for these systems. At least I've never heard or seen of any floating around. Component level diagnosis is fairly difficult to do if you don't have the necessary tools (multimeter, oscilloscope, etc.). What's left is subsystem substitutions. In this case, the problem could be in the LCD panel itself (the backlight), in the wire from the backlight to the inverter or the inverter itself. If you can remove the LCD bezel and inspect the wire/plug and see if you can detect any breaks or looseness, then you might have solved your problem. Do this with the power off as the inverter outputs several hundred volts.

edit: Sorry, I forgot to include this... You can download a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your system from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 45899.html

This manual contains information about how to disassemble the system and part numbers for the pieces inside.

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:20 am

What's the 7-character model number on the bottom? Just to fully understand the unit we're discussing here.

I'll agree with Ray that it does sound like a faulty connection.

Let us know.

Good luck.

gtruk9 · #4 Post by **gtruk9** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:20 am

The model I guess is labeled
Type- 2681-KLV
SN- FX-xxxxx Moderator edit: Don't really need your S/N

This is on a small white label with a barcode also on it.

Thanks for all your help

GT

#5 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:24 am

Might that be a 2681-KLU?

edit: Which it should be given the S/N you posted. Here's the system description that ajkula66 is looking for:

Product: ThinkPad R40 2681-KLU [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: P4-M 2.2GHz, 256MB RAM, 40GB 4200rpm HDD, 15 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 24x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Wireless upgradeable(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 10/100 Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip(TCPA), IEEE 1394, 8 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

gtruk9 · #6 Post by **gtruk9** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:16 am

That's it but it was written backwards on the bottom.

That should be the model

GT

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:36 pm

You should probably begin with downloading PC-Doctor from Lenovo's website and running a full test on all components.

I'd still be leaning towards defining this as a loose connection issue, but testing won't hurt it.

These are fine machines in my opinion, and yours deserves the effort/expense required to be made fully functional again.

Good luck and let us know.

gtruk9 · #8 Post by **gtruk9** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:10 pm

Yes I agree... this is fast and fine unit-- I will try the diagnostics but I do agree on the loose connection

gtruk9 · #9 Post by **gtruk9** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:16 pm

The LCD display just kept getting worse and now I am not sure what to do.... before I just tapped it a few times and it went back to working. Now it is not working hardly at all.
Can anyone tell me what I can do to take it apart and and check for loose connections?

Thanks in advance Gary

would this be the downloading area for PC Doctor?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-52871

vanaya · #10 Post by **vanaya** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:49 pm

Download the Hardware Maintanance Manual. It will give details on how to start the disasembly process. Download Here.

gtruk9 · #11 Post by **gtruk9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:41 pm

rkawakami wrote:Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Sure sounds like a loose connection to me. What might be happening is that the plug to the backlight (aka, CCFL) is not all of the way in the output jack of the inverter, or the wires are pinched/broken. Unfortunately, there are no schematics available for these systems. At least I've never heard or seen of any floating around. Component level diagnosis is fairly difficult to do if you don't have the necessary tools (multimeter, oscilloscope, etc.). What's left is subsystem substitutions. In this case, the problem could be in the LCD panel itself (the backlight), in the wire from the backlight to the inverter or the inverter itself. If you can remove the LCD bezel and inspect the wire/plug and see if you can detect any breaks or looseness, then you might have solved your problem. Do this with the power off as the inverter outputs several hundred volts.

edit: Sorry, I forgot to include this... You can download a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your system from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 45899.html

This manual contains information about how to disassemble the system and part numbers for the pieces inside.

Looking like the post above was correct in assuming the invertor is gone along with other laptop websites confirming that when there is a slight faint image coming up after booting up that is what is usually the problem. Where would be a place to get this part for for a reasonable price? Or should I get a used r40 for spare parts?

THanks in advance
GTRUK9

goofyGAguy · #12 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:50 pm

They're all over eBay for under $20 shipped.

gtruk9 · #13 Post by **gtruk9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:57 pm

I just bid on one an hour ago... I had to go the the "buy now" area to find it.

How difficult is it to change... had anyone done this lately.??

GT

fasterbybike · #14 Post by **fasterbybike** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:10 pm

Have you downloaded the Hardware Maint Manual from the Le Novo website ? That'll have step by step instructions.

I've removed and replaced the inverter on my A31P. Not too bad if you can follow instructions. Make sure you work in a methodical manner and put screws and other pieces to one side as you remove them - in the order they came off so they can be replaced in the reverse order. Do not use excessive force on any plastic parts or you might snap off small plastic tabs that hold pieces together. Apart from these warnings, not a hard job.

Website · #15 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:16 am

I had a problem similar to this with a T30, and it turned out that there was a small crack in one of the wires that connected the inverter to the CCFL. It had undue pressure on it near the hinge, causing it to short out. I simply placed a little bit of electricians tape over the slit, and rerouted the cable just a little bit, so that the hinge wasn't putting any pressure on the wire.

Replacing the CCFL which is what is physically connected to the wires is a VERY difficult process that requires patience, care, and the ability to solder small wires. I broke the CCFL bulb on my first three attempts at replacing a CCFL. In the event that you decide that it isn't right for you, there is a member on here (jamipher) that offers a service in replacing the CCFL if that is the problem.

I would recommend replacing the inverter first, IF looking at the wires doesn't prove to be fruitful. Inverters are much cheaper than the service for replacing the CCFL.

R40 from eBay: A Concern

R40 from eBay: A Concern

Thanks 4 Quick Reponse

Thanks

LCD display really shot

Looking like the invertor is gone

Thanks

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