LCD Problem with 701CS
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:39 pm
I need some help (please!) troubleshooting a display problem.
I have had Windows 95 running on my Thinkpad 701CS for quite awhile now (16MB RAM, 720MB HD). Then, a couple of nights ago, while viewing a PDF file, the screen goes blank, but the laptop keeps running. I shut the power off to the laptop and then reboot - the RAM countdown and the post codes all display, but then as the operating system starts to load, the screen is black. (No hibernating - no sleep - no other power saving settings are enabled.) I can tell the operating system is loading because of the hard drive light activity. I hook up the port replicator and plug in an external monitor and the laptop displays properly on the CRT and if I toggle the FN + F7 keys the LCD and CRT options toggle correctly, only nothing shows up on the laptop LCD.
Strangely - if I enter the configuration utility - FN + F1 - it displays on the laptop LCD. This is what is confusing me... I have run the internal IBM diagnostics and it says the LCD is working properly. I have checked all the settings in Windows 95 and nothing has changed from before the LCD screen went blank. I have even tried booting DOS 6.2 off the floppy drive (successfully) and nothing displays on the laptop screen after the post process.
Any ideas folks?????
I have seen some comments about LCD ribbon cables getting loose, etc. Before I try to take this thing apart, I thought I'd ask around. Also, I don't have a copy of the hardware maintenance manual (tpvol2.pdf) and I thought it might be prudent to have one available before tackling such a job. Does anyone have a copy of this pdf file that you could email me or make available - I have checked every link on the internet and none of them are valid anymore- seems Lenovo lost this particular one in the transition from IBM. If anyone knows of a valid link I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I have had Windows 95 running on my Thinkpad 701CS for quite awhile now (16MB RAM, 720MB HD). Then, a couple of nights ago, while viewing a PDF file, the screen goes blank, but the laptop keeps running. I shut the power off to the laptop and then reboot - the RAM countdown and the post codes all display, but then as the operating system starts to load, the screen is black. (No hibernating - no sleep - no other power saving settings are enabled.) I can tell the operating system is loading because of the hard drive light activity. I hook up the port replicator and plug in an external monitor and the laptop displays properly on the CRT and if I toggle the FN + F7 keys the LCD and CRT options toggle correctly, only nothing shows up on the laptop LCD.
Strangely - if I enter the configuration utility - FN + F1 - it displays on the laptop LCD. This is what is confusing me... I have run the internal IBM diagnostics and it says the LCD is working properly. I have checked all the settings in Windows 95 and nothing has changed from before the LCD screen went blank. I have even tried booting DOS 6.2 off the floppy drive (successfully) and nothing displays on the laptop screen after the post process.
Any ideas folks?????
I have seen some comments about LCD ribbon cables getting loose, etc. Before I try to take this thing apart, I thought I'd ask around. Also, I don't have a copy of the hardware maintenance manual (tpvol2.pdf) and I thought it might be prudent to have one available before tackling such a job. Does anyone have a copy of this pdf file that you could email me or make available - I have checked every link on the internet and none of them are valid anymore- seems Lenovo lost this particular one in the transition from IBM. If anyone knows of a valid link I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for any help.