Problem with Thinkpad A30

[MidnightToker]

Hey guys, I'm a first timer here and I was wondering if i could get a little help with my newly acquired Thinkpad A30. I purchased it used about 3 months ago for 150 bucks. Up until a week ago it ran great, but then one day I started to close the screen while it was still on and all of a sudden the screen becomes completely garbled and i could hear the hard drive power off. The screen would remain on, though the laptop was completely unresponsive and the only way to power it off was by removing the battery. It seems I can reproduce this crash by putting light pressure on the screen (as if i were about to close it), especially if the laptop is cool and hasn't been on all day. So, what do you guys think it could be? I've already tried google and all i can seem to find anyone else who's had this problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[A31]

Screen and battery issues. Does the battery overheat forcing the screen to do "weird" things?? If you're lucky, it may only be your video driver, though I doubt it!! If it is though, just download the latest driver for the A30. Maybe whilist closing the screen/lid you broke a connecter? I have any actually had to do a screen/LCD replacement on my A31 (virtually identical to your A30!) but I'm sure somebody on here has...

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
FYI, the A30 and A31 are quite different!
The A30 is more like a T23 (with PIII CPU, PC133 RAM), whereas the A31 is more like a T30 (with P-M CPU, PC2100 RAM).
Check the lid along the bottom for some small piece protruding, and a corresponding tiny opening in the keyboard bezel. This will activate an LCD On/Off switch when you close the lid.
This may be stuck or faulty.
You should also check the LCD cable for kinks, worn pieces, or even a small tear.
You will need to remove the LCD bezel and the keyboard bezel to do a full visual.

[MidnightToker]

Screen and battery issues. Does the battery overheat forcing the screen to do "weird" things?? If you're lucky, it may only be your video driver, though I doubt it!! If it is though, just download the latest driver for the A30. Maybe whilist closing the screen/lid you broke a connecter? I have any actually had to do a screen/LCD replacement on my A31 (virtually identical to your A30!) but I'm sure somebody on here has...

The battery actually doesn't overheat at all and this only happens if I move the screen, not the battery. All my drivers are up to date too. I was really hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I guess my only choice is to crack her open and check for anything loose. Also, i forgot to mention, my screen seems a little stiff when it comes to opening and closing it. I've tried out other laptops and their lids don't seem to have so much resistance when opening and closing. Is this normal for a Thinkpad? Perhaps the stress on the hinges is also putting stress on the mainboard?