T430 - very dark screen, even with replacement screen

[JanPhillips]

Hi ThinkPad team,

This is my first post. I am relieved that this forum exists. I need advice regarding my T430. It is 2nd hand, I have been using it for 18 months, running Linux, no problems.

A few days ago, during a Skype call the screen suddenly became very dark - so dark that I could not use/navigate the screen - I thought that the laptop had gone to sleep. However, after powering down the laptop and turning it back on I could only see the startup logo if held a torch very close to the screen.
When this incident occurred the laptop was sat in direct sunlight on a window sill, could overheating/temperature be a factor?

Since then I have replaced the screen, but am still having the same problem of the screen being too dark and needing a strong torch to read what is on the screen. This new screen also seems to have a very dark flicker to it. I have checked the FRU# on the Lenovo website - it is a compatible model.
When I have connect the laptop to a projector via VGA there aren't any issues with darkness on the projected image, (and the laptop loads fully etc). Unfortunately this isn't a functional solution because the projector is setup like a secondary monitor so I am not able to see the 'main' screen, just an empty desktop screen.

I would like some advice on what to do next please. From what I have read on a few threads there seem to be a variety of possible issues/solutions including:
- replacing a blown fuse. I have a soldering iron, but am not very confident.
-motherboard issues
-addressing an issue with the graphics card or the driver

Any advice regarding the financial viability of repairing this would be appreciated. I paid £80 for the laptop and £40 to get 4GB RAM installed.

All and any insight welcome. Please and thank you.

[gianry]

Probably the inverter is near the death.
you can find a an used part on ebay.

[RealBlackStuff]

Fuse blown: viewtopic.php?p=839316#p839316

[JanPhillips]

gianry -
Thank for your post, however you might be interested to know what I have just learned:
"T430 does not have an inverter, which was only used with CCFL backlight.
T430 has LED-backlight, which is supported by the LED-board (see HMM pages 108/109)."
RealBlackStuff viewtopic.php?p=839316#p839316

RealBlackStuff -
Thank you for your message and for signposting me to the HMM. I really appreciate your input. - Are you able to recommend a good tutorial for replacing the fuse?

I read that thread before posting, but wasn't sure if it was relevant as the symptoms of my laptop are not identical to theirs(op of other thread); my screen is so dark that I can not use the laptop at all and I can not visually notice ANY difference or change in the screen whether I turn the brightness up or down.
I would like to point out that I am not someone who struggles with poor eyesight.

In the HMM, page 45, table 6, row 2 -
The symptoms list here match my laptop's symptoms:
(• LCD backlight not working.
• LCD too dark.
• LCD brightness cannot be adjusted.
• LCD contrast cannot be adjusted.)

The recommended actions are:
1. Reseat the LCD connectors.
2. LCD assembly.
3. System board.

I have reconnected the LCD connector and replaced the LCD screen.

Hope everyone's have a good weekend.

[RealBlackStuff]

Like I said, piggyback-solder a new one on top of the old one.