Is this an inverter problem?

[BuddhaNature]

Hi everyone

Have Thinkpad A31. LCD panel was replaced around three years ago. Recently started getting signs of the 'red screen' just starting to show.

Last few days screen has started flickering. Not with bands or any kind of artifact on the screen but the entire screen going dim, then brightening again - and so on in a cycle. Sometimes that shows signs of stabilising but in such a way that the screen is dim.

On couple of occasions the screen has went blank. On system restart seem to get it back for a while then cycle starts up again..

Thinking this might be something to do with the inverter (not that I'm sure what an inverter is). Can anyone with a bit more experience over this kind of thing say if my thinking is okay on this?

[rkawakami]

Most likely, the backlight (aka, CCFL) inside the LCD panel is the problem. The red screen is a good clue. That happens when the bulb ages and usually signifies that it's time to replace it. Some panels can operate for a long time with the red/pink tint. I've got a T23 that's been that way for almost three years. It starts up red but gets white after about 30 seconds. Others will look red for a short time and then die.

To a lesser degree, the inverter board could be getting weak, although in most cases the inverter either works or it doesn't. The purpose of the inverter board is to change the small DC voltage from the motherboard to the fairly large AC voltage needed by the backlight. The "F" in CCFL stands for fluorescent" and if you are familiar with those types of light bulbs then you know that they need special power circuitry in order to light (starters, ballasts, etc.)

While it's possible in some cases to remove and replace the CCFL that's inside the panel, the danger in creating more problems usually means that it's safer/easier to replace the entire panel. The reason is is that you basically have to disassemble the fragile panel to get at the bulb. If it's not put back together correctly, then you could have portions of the display that don't work right (bands of dead pixels) or "permanent" dark spots due to dust/dirt/hair that gets inside during dismantling. CCFLs can usually be had for around $20.

You can take a risk in replacing the inverter for about $15-$20 and see if that's the problem. You should also check the lid switch to see if it's stuck or dirty and to re-seat the LCD ribbon cable, the inverter board and the connector going out from the inverter to the CCFL. If none of that helps, then it would be time to consider replacing the display, taking into account the "value" of the laptop in your estimation.

[BuddhaNature]

Thanks for the reply Ray. Took so long to respond as I just went ahead and got a new inverter direct from IBM (UK) - horror story. Anyway tried the new inverter and it made no difference at all - i.e. monitor panel is dead.

However, would note that if I shine a bright light onto the front of the panel then I can just make out all the correct detail that I would expect on the Windows Desktop - can even actually use the laptop though with extreme difficulty - hence the image is fully arriving at the panel.

All of this suggests to me that it must just be the backlight that has packed in. Would that sound about right?

I did try and repair one myself many years ago and made a dog's dinner of it so I'll have to look for somewhere that will do it reliably.

Anyone know of a reliable tech/company in the UK that will do this kind of repair? Or, come to that, of any reliable company/tech in Europe or US that will do this repair? (I did get from another thread the US one known as 'MoniServ'.)

Many thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

This outfit is in Laufenburg, Germany and does CCFL repairs: http://www.backlight4you.com/index.php
Contact this one, it's in your own backyard: http://www.clonesuk.com/
I don't know either of the above companies.

Alternatively, we have a Forum member PoshGeordie in the UK, who does reballing of GPUs and other stuff.
Maybe he offers that service as well? Send him a PM.