Thinkpad R40-2681 display problem

[theo]

Hi there,

I know R40's quite an old model but I hope that someone can help here

I've taken the R40 out from dust a few weeks before. It worked great so far...

However the problem came 5 days ago...
The screen started flickering from time to time at first but it became more and more frequent. And then on the next day, the screen seemed fading... fading white. I kept using it until the unbearable flickers came back. I reckoned there's something to do with overheating, as my notebook seems burning after long use. So I decided to set up the notebook fan on the other day, and I did it. But the situation was even worse the day before yesterday, I could hardly see anything... except the lovely green wallpaper I could vaguely see after logging in.

Could there be something to do with overheating/damping? It's really hot in summer here in Hong Kong. And it has been raining heavily the week before...

And is there a possibility that I've damaged the thinkpad because I usually put the notebook back into the bag immediately after use?

Here's the video I recorded yesterday:http://youtube.com/watch?v=w0ckG_SAycs

I'm now using an external monitor and it works well.
Does this mean that the LCD monitor has been damaged?
What should I do? Buy a new LCD panel? How much would it cost? I don't want to spend much

Thanks a lot!
This is my first time to post in this forum and hope you won't mind if I offended and rules.

P.S. Should I do like this? http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=63482

[jamiphar]

Welcome to the forums!

After reading your description and watching the video, it seems to me that the LCD cable or LCD panel is the problem. Here's something you can try: Hold the top corners of the screen and gently twist the lid and LCD. Also try moving the screen back and forth. Does this change the image at all?

Each time I've seen this problem, it's been the LCD that was causing it. A replacement can be had for about $125-$150. If it's the cable, it would be $20-$30 to replace that.

[theo]

Thanks, jamiphar!
I've just tried what you've suggested but that made no difference. I could only see the usual LCD liquid flow when I twist a little bit.

[schen]

I'll have to agree with James on this. Since you are able to use an external display, the video chip section must be fine. The R40 series never had the ATI BGA problems that the later T4x machine did.

I just replaced a screen on a T30 that I picked up locally with a problem that looked very much like yours (except worse). I replaced the screen yesterday that my brother sent me and it works perfectly.

That being said, you can try opening up and reseating the video connector. If I remember correctly, you can get to that connector by just removing the keyboard, so it's a 2 screw job. If that doesn't work, then you can try the display's ribbon cable on the other end by unscrewing the panel and accessing it from the back of the display. While you have it out, you can take note of the panel's FRU/PN and or model in case you need/want to purchase a new one. The disassembly instructions can be had on the Lenovo support site called a Hardware Maintenance Manual.

If you were here, in the U.S., I'd just advise you to send it to James and let him fix it!

By the way, my siblings and I were all born in Hong Kong. Good Luck!

Stan

[theo]

Thanks, Stan!
I've read the manual and disassembled my thinkpad.
I've also got the model code... I think I'm going to find a new panel anyway.
By the way, it has been exciting to disassemble it. I've made a video to keep myself a record^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPIMogjMKwQ
I must have done many things dangerous

[ajkula66]

schen wrote:

Since you are able to use an external display, the video chip section must be fine. The R40 series never had the ATI BGA problems that the later T4x machine did.

This is, unfortunately, not true. Output to LCd is digital, and analog to VGA. I've seen quite a few machines that diplayed with no problems on the external monitor, but not on their own LCD.

Also, R40 units have been reported to suffer from GPU failure, although nowhere near the number of their T4x siblings.

[schen]

schen wrote:
This is, unfortunately, not true. Output to LCd is digital, and analog to VGA. I've seen quite a few machines that diplayed with no problems on the external monitor, but not on their own LCD.

Oh yeah, that's right. I had forgotten that. I 've seen units where the internal display is garbled, but the output via DVI is fine. However, this is generally not the case. For the most part, the units with a bad GPU then to not output video either.