New owner - G40 - LCD ? and Help (Solved)

[BIGRED]

Hello all,

I am a new owner of a G40 - type 2388 - Model 7RU
Celeron 2.2GHz, 128MB RAM, 20GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 24x-10x CD-ROM, Modem(CDC), Ethernet(LOM), FDD, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Home.

Something with the video went out while being shipped. With LCD and monitor selected, there is a slight shadow in the LCD, of that which appears perfect in an external monitor. LCD only = nothing, monitor only = monitor fine, no shadow in LCD.

1. How do I narrow down checking the inverter and or the LCD / or what other issues might cause this?
2. Assuming the LCD is dead and for future reference, can a 15" LCD be fitted (assuming 100% of the lid parts comes with it) to this unit?
2. Assuming yes I can increase to a 15" - what part numbers do I need?
3. Assuming no, are there interchangeable LCD's? (been looking for used parts - (nada so far)

Thank you in advance for your suggestions, information and help!!
BR

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

If the machine were mine, I'd just return it to the seller YESTERDAY...otherwise you'll end up dumping more money than it's worth...

My $0.02 only...

[BIGRED]

That is not going to happen...for a number of reasons.

I assume because the G40 and G41, both 14" and 15" use the same inveter, I can install on my G40 (which has a 14" screen) a G41 15" screen without an issue.

Am I correct or being to hopeful?

Thanks
BR

[ajkula66]

Inverters are different, as are the LCD cables...

G4x units have come with a variety of boards and screen resolutions, so you'd have to match what you want to accomplish against HMM and see whether it's doable.

I've never personally swapped LCDs or lids between 14" and 15" G4x machines, but I very much doubt that it's a straight swap. Hooks, for one thing, will be in a different place for sure.

Good luck.

[BIGRED]

I picked up a new LCD and inverter for the G40. Put it all together and no go - still dark. So I decided to swap the inverter and it worked. Swapped back other inverter - worked again. Unplugged AC - goes dark
Plug in AC stay dark
Press Fn F4 go into standby mode - press any key comes out of standby and LCD is bright.

I have done this a number of times - never runs on battery even when it is at 90%...so what might this be?

Thanks for the help!
BR

[SMA]

I don't even know if it is possible for a battery to go bad like I imagine that this battery is, but
it just strikes me that this could be a bad battery or dirty battery poles.
Try measuring the voltage comming out of the battery. The voltage should be at or above the voltage specified on the battery. Usually 10.8 Volt.

Just a wild guess.

[BIGRED]

There are several slots. Which ones are measured to get the voltage?

Thank you for the suggestion.
Don

I don't even know if it is possible for a battery to go bad like I imagine that this battery is, but
it just strikes me that this could be a bad battery or dirty battery poles.
Try measuring the voltage comming out of the battery. The voltage should be at or above the voltage specified on the battery. Usually 10.8 Volt.

Just a wild guess.

[SMA]

It is the 2 outmost slots. That is, the outmost in one end and the outmost in the other end.
Terminal 1 and 5.
The Hardware Maintenance Manual describes the procedure on page 39-40 "Checking the battery pack".

[BIGRED]

Thank you for pointing that out.

Battery is within specs. So it would seem that the issue relates to power management which I have set for both AC and battery to full power.

Any other thoughts?

Thank you
BR

It is the 2 outmost slots. That is, the outmost in one end and the outmost in the other end.
Terminal 1 and 5.
The Hardware Maintenance Manual describes the procedure on page 39-40 "Checking the battery pack".

[mpcook]

This may seem odd but I have what seems to be a somewhat similar problem with a T23. See
http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 28&t=73486

I also swapped the inverter to no avail. It is now for sale as parts machine. I wish I had a solution.

Mike

[BIGRED]

Tomorrow I am going to check the voltage at the battery, the adapter and inside the notebook/battery contact point, to see if they are different. I have emailed the inverter source to see if the tolerance on the inverter is such that a voltage issue could cause the inverter to do this. I have also thought (until your contacted me) that maybe the battery had the volts but not the amps to run it - but your OK with battery and not AC which is opposite of my issue.

While it can be many things - I am going to hunt it down one item at a time. In my case the notebook is not a must use machine and so I have a week or so to sort it out.

Maybe do a voltage check as I am - might find the same issue being caused by a different part. You might have a bad adapter (not enough juice) and I a bad battery.

Good luck
BR

[BIGRED]

Even though it was new - the inverter was defective.

BR

[BIGRED]

PS....

A 15" LCD fits perfect. The frame, the cable and the inverter are the same for the 14 and 15.
BR