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Display not working on my T30
Display not working on my T30
the LCD screen on my t30 is not displaying images. The back light is still bright, but all i see is a bright black screen. I hooked it up to a monitor and found that it still displays video. I assumed the problem was the ribben cable connecting the screen to the mother board. I bought a new one and just replaced it, same no display problem. Any advice on what else may be the problem?
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Only two things come to my mind, neither of which you probably want to hear :
- LCD panel
- motherboard
Given that the backlight still works with your old ribbon cable and the replacement, I'd have to say you are looking at those two. One way to possibly determine which it is, would be to replace the entire lid assembly from a known working T30. The other option would be to put some pressure on top of the graphics chip to see if it has the same type of problem which has been seen in some T4x systems. You can either put the system into a dock with the keyboard and hard drive removed and use the dock's power button to turn the system on. Or you can wedge something non-conductive (i.e., paper or plastic) between the video chip and the keyboard or bezel.
- LCD panel
- motherboard
Given that the backlight still works with your old ribbon cable and the replacement, I'd have to say you are looking at those two. One way to possibly determine which it is, would be to replace the entire lid assembly from a known working T30. The other option would be to put some pressure on top of the graphics chip to see if it has the same type of problem which has been seen in some T4x systems. You can either put the system into a dock with the keyboard and hard drive removed and use the dock's power button to turn the system on. Or you can wedge something non-conductive (i.e., paper or plastic) between the video chip and the keyboard or bezel.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
Given my limited experience with T30s, I'd be placing my bet on a motherboard issue.
Good luck.
Good luck.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)
Cheers,
George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)
One FlexView to rule them all: A31p
Abused daily: T520, X200s
PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
Cheers,
George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)
One FlexView to rule them all: A31p
Abused daily: T520, X200s
PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
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...... it's displaying through the vga port to an external monitor....... that rules out the video chip as the single source. It uses a parallel circuit though to both outlets for video signal....
The backlight is on....... but no image. Ribbon cable has been replaced...... (don't know for certain that it's a good cable yet) ....... this is a common issue with 570's.
If it where a stuck lid switch there wouldn't be backlight. But a few pokes at the switch *might* reveal a partially sticking one. (doubt it)
What is the BIOS setting in the boot order of the video i.e., LCD/VGA, LCD, VGA.....? (not a big deal, but worth looking at) Have you tried the FN/F7 key - external monitor, LCD to be sure that circuit isn't at fault? That should at least turn off the backlight when sending the signal to the VGA port.......
While pushing and proding things could you put some gentle pressure on the LCD lid, upper right with your fingers. (location of LCD control board) I've heard of some people *gently* hitting the lid and the video magically appears. That's a little too rough for me........ don't like hitting electronic components, kind of a caveman solution.....
You say that you have external video...... have you run PC Doctor yet? It's worth a shot while diagnosing things......
I'm thinking LCD panel (control board for the panel is attached to it) OR the connector on the system main board for the LCD has a mechanical malfunction which would need to be fixed or replaced with a new board.......unless your good at fixing small things....... but keep trying to work with what you have first.
Did the laptop take a tumble recently or did this problem just appear without provocation?
The backlight is on....... but no image. Ribbon cable has been replaced...... (don't know for certain that it's a good cable yet) ....... this is a common issue with 570's.
If it where a stuck lid switch there wouldn't be backlight. But a few pokes at the switch *might* reveal a partially sticking one. (doubt it)
What is the BIOS setting in the boot order of the video i.e., LCD/VGA, LCD, VGA.....? (not a big deal, but worth looking at) Have you tried the FN/F7 key - external monitor, LCD to be sure that circuit isn't at fault? That should at least turn off the backlight when sending the signal to the VGA port.......
While pushing and proding things could you put some gentle pressure on the LCD lid, upper right with your fingers. (location of LCD control board) I've heard of some people *gently* hitting the lid and the video magically appears. That's a little too rough for me........ don't like hitting electronic components, kind of a caveman solution.....
You say that you have external video...... have you run PC Doctor yet? It's worth a shot while diagnosing things......
I'm thinking LCD panel (control board for the panel is attached to it) OR the connector on the system main board for the LCD has a mechanical malfunction which would need to be fixed or replaced with a new board.......unless your good at fixing small things....... but keep trying to work with what you have first.
Did the laptop take a tumble recently or did this problem just appear without provocation?
R50/52, X20/21/23/24, T23/42/43, 240X, 570, 570E, 770X, 4 760's. + MAC's & SUN's
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I may have to take exception to that. My understanding is that the LCD panel is driven digitally, whereas the VGA port is analog. Yes, there can be a digital-to-analog converter to provide for the external video signal. However, the S3 graphics chip in my T23 can drive the LCD and external monitor with separate images (desktops). I'm assuming that the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 in the T30 can do the same. I haven't been able to find a datasheet on the 7500 GPU and verify that the output signals are on separate paths but this page at ATI's new home (amd.com) suggests it can:phool@round wrote:...... it's displaying through the vga port to an external monitor....... that rules out the video chip as the single source. It uses a parallel circuit though to both outlets for video signal....
http://ati.amd.com/products/comparisons ... rison.html
If the problem is with a bad connection or defective component in the interface between the graphics chip and the input to the LCD, that could cause a loss of video to the panel but allow the VGA port to operate correctly.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
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That same problem occurred on my T30. Only solution was to replace the mobo.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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I paid homage to the chip........, I said "....poking and prodding....."
I found a PDF here. It's not a mobile 7500 but it will have to do, it's all I could find.......
Here is a quote about TMDS "(Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) A transmission method for sending digital information from a personal computer, set-top box or other video source to a flat panel display."
Thanks for taking exception! I have my idea where it's at but it's too much for the average Joe to fix.
swjhay, has this T30 been docked at all recently.......?
I found a PDF here. It's not a mobile 7500 but it will have to do, it's all I could find.......
Here is a quote about TMDS "(Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) A transmission method for sending digital information from a personal computer, set-top box or other video source to a flat panel display."
Thanks for taking exception! I have my idea where it's at but it's too much for the average Joe to fix.
swjhay, has this T30 been docked at all recently.......?
R50/52, X20/21/23/24, T23/42/43, 240X, 570, 570E, 770X, 4 760's. + MAC's & SUN's
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Ah, good hunting! Yes, the block diagram on the second page seems to say it all. The TMDS interface would be routing the video signals to the LCD panel and the analog RGB path goes out the VGA port. With the hundreds (??) of connections in the BGA package you could have a bad solder joint (or a couple) which would only affect the panel or only affect the VGA port. If both displays show an identical failure at the same time, then that might point to a video memory issue.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
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I have the exact same problem with my new T61p with the UWXGA+ screen. It's insanely irritating that I got it finally and now it doesn't work. I need it for school. I tried unhooking the cable at both ends but to no avail. Like the previous poster, the backlight is on but the picture is black. Sometimes it flickers on but I can't figure it out. The backlight controls work though...
I hope they don't have to send for spare parts from the US....
I hope they don't have to send for spare parts from the US....
Thanks for the really helpful replies, I am going to try all the ones I can right now. As for answering some of your questions. The laptop was given to my mother by a friend. It worked fine for a while until the hard drive started to go, and the display would only work sometimes. I bought my mom a new laptop and this one has sat for a year or two since. i recently picked it back up to fix it. when i rediscovered the display didn't work. I reseated the converter board which brightened up the display. I then replaced the cable. As far as I know the laptop has never taken any spills or damage while in mine and my moms possession. Also it hasn't been docked since we have owned it.
EDIT: I am going to take it into work today and PC Doctor it. That should tell me pretty much what the problem is.
EDIT: I am going to take it into work today and PC Doctor it. That should tell me pretty much what the problem is.
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No, I have the same problem here. I got a brand new LCD, inverter and cable. They show the same result. it is rather the mainboard, I guess.swjhay wrote:I'm going to last ditch effort pull it all apart again and make darn sure the cable is seated right on both ends. Failing that, does that basically mean I have a 90 dollar LCD purchase ahead of me?
Around LCD plug in mobo are couple of fuses (blue or glass).Check it.In my mobo was one broken.The symptoms was,that TP wasn't started to IBM logo.Turn off itself when boot.On external display worked good.
Maybe it helps somebody
Maybe it helps somebody
in use: T520, T431s, X230T, x61s (pinmod), x200s, x300 (pinmod), X220T
Past: 380x 600e, 240x, A22m, T20, x30, T30, T40, x41, x41T, T60, T61, T400, T500, R500, x60s, x61, x200T, x201T, T420, T430, X230i, X220i
Past: 380x 600e, 240x, A22m, T20, x30, T30, T40, x41, x41T, T60, T61, T400, T500, R500, x60s, x61, x200T, x201T, T420, T430, X230i, X220i
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Interesting observation...derick wrote:Around LCD plug in mobo are couple of fuses (blue or glass).Check it.In my mobo was one broken.The symptoms was,that TP wasn't started to IBM logo.Turn off itself when boot.On external display worked good.
Maybe it helps somebody
I have a T41p that works perfectly with an external monitor as long as the internal LCD monitor is not plugged in. When it is, and the display output is directed to the internal monitor, the computer will not POST, although it starts to (flashing lights, fan). When the LCD is plugged in but the display directed to an external monitor, the computer will start normally, but will stop dead when Fn-F7 is used to switch to the internal display. It can only be restarted when the power plug is pulled and reinserted.
The problem is independent of the display (switching the display did not change the symptoms).
Now I'm going to check out what you write above and see if I can find anything visibly wrong with the fuses around the LCD display plug on the mainboard.
Does anyone else have such a situation? I realize this is not the proper section for a T4x problem, but since the described symptoms are so similar to mine, I thought this would be the proper place to comment.
It takes two things to get the internal LCD going - a video signal and an awesome lot of dc current.
Next to the CPU, the LCD is the most power hungry component in any laptop.
Taking it for granted that you will know how to test for a GPU error, than it seems clear to me that your t41p has a power problem Robby.
Had it been a t23 I would have suggested you to inspect them inductors.
In the lack of t4x experience, all I can suggest you to do is to look for a bad capacitor in the power circuitry.
Next to the CPU, the LCD is the most power hungry component in any laptop.
Taking it for granted that you will know how to test for a GPU error, than it seems clear to me that your t41p has a power problem Robby.
Had it been a t23 I would have suggested you to inspect them inductors.
In the lack of t4x experience, all I can suggest you to do is to look for a bad capacitor in the power circuitry.
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Hey, I have a spare T30 mobo with those symptoms. I replaced that mobo, but kept it for a rainy/sunny day. That day may have come finally!
Get the old microscope out!
Get the old microscope out!
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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Haven't checked the inductors yet, but I tried a little experiment... opened the bezel on the display, removed the inverter plug (the one from the mainboard) to be sure that no power would be going to the inverter - presumably the most power-hungry part of the display - then started the computer on an external monitor and switched to the internal one with Fn-F7. My expectation was, of course, that the computer would continue to operate and that I would only see a display without the inverter-driven backlight.
But no such luck: the computer went out exactly as before. So whatever this problem is, it is associated with the connection to the LCD and apparently has nothing to do with the inverter. Or - assuming a lot - I have TWO short-circuited LCD cables, one on the display that came with the computer and another on a display from a T40 I had bought earlier. I don't believe that, though... too many assumptions. Oh, by the way - I had also previously cleaned the display plug on the mainboard with a toothbrush and isopropanol, so dirt in that area is also eliminated as a possible cause.
At any rate, I looked at the blue (glass?) fuses and checked them for breaks, but found nothing.
Strange business... I'll report if I find anything more, but at the moment am baffled.
But no such luck: the computer went out exactly as before. So whatever this problem is, it is associated with the connection to the LCD and apparently has nothing to do with the inverter. Or - assuming a lot - I have TWO short-circuited LCD cables, one on the display that came with the computer and another on a display from a T40 I had bought earlier. I don't believe that, though... too many assumptions. Oh, by the way - I had also previously cleaned the display plug on the mainboard with a toothbrush and isopropanol, so dirt in that area is also eliminated as a possible cause.
At any rate, I looked at the blue (glass?) fuses and checked them for breaks, but found nothing.
Strange business... I'll report if I find anything more, but at the moment am baffled.
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Re: Display not working on my T30
i would suggest you to check the RAM. for sure you have to use 2 RAM chips of the same size,never use 256&512 for example.if you have 1 ram chip on your pc remove it and use a second one if you have, try powering up the pc. its a very common problem.i just fixed one with this problem.it burned the ram chip cause the user was using 512&256 the same time.now he has to pay 30-40 euros for finding the problem and 80-90 euros new 1gb ram chip. anyway,good luck with that.
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Re: Display not working on my T30
Please excuse my bad english, I'm not a native speaker of this language.
I know, that this thread is an old one, but as far as i have confirmed the problem, it could be possible, that mostly Hitachi LCDs (I have two that are showing the same defect and have heard from another T30-User, that he have buyed three Displays with same problems and all of them are from Hitachi) was hit by this "glowing CCFL but no Picture"-Problem. In some times you can see a flickering picture, when you bend the Panel, but this is only for a second or so. Other Panels seems don't to have those defects. Especially the SXGA+-Panels wouldn't show this symptoms.
I know, that this thread is an old one, but as far as i have confirmed the problem, it could be possible, that mostly Hitachi LCDs (I have two that are showing the same defect and have heard from another T30-User, that he have buyed three Displays with same problems and all of them are from Hitachi) was hit by this "glowing CCFL but no Picture"-Problem. In some times you can see a flickering picture, when you bend the Panel, but this is only for a second or so. Other Panels seems don't to have those defects. Especially the SXGA+-Panels wouldn't show this symptoms.
Thinkpads: 560, 570 (2644-3AG), 760XL(9547-X9G/C?), T30 (2366-DG4) W520 i7-2860QM with 2000m, 12 GB RAM, 64 GB MSATA SSD, 500 GB HDD
Non-Thinkpads: Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook C1110 (Wife's one in professional Hello Kitty-Paint), Lifebook E8010, Lifebook E8020 (as Win7-Machine)
Non-Thinkpads: Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook C1110 (Wife's one in professional Hello Kitty-Paint), Lifebook E8010, Lifebook E8020 (as Win7-Machine)
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