Backlight ~ T21

[fleamourian]

Cleaned my laptop today, which involves being open flat like a book. I've noticed before that when the LCD screen has been in this position, next boot the back light is out. I have to wiggle the screen to get it to kick in again.

I secured the LCD ribbon cable with electrical tape to back of screen & don't see how it could be loose at main board. What part are we talking about here? Is it a loose connection (ribbon cable) or just ageing (backlight?)

Strangely enough it can be moved full stretch while I write this without blanking. I do have a spare lid including LCD assembly, worse come to worse. But it is pretty reliable, just wondered what it could be?

[Neil]

I'll guess it could be either a loose connection where the ribbon cable attaches to the inverter, or the CCFL connector where it plugs into the inverter. Either way you will need to remove the LCD bezel to expose the inverter and it's connectors. 'Course, the lamp could be going out too, but let's rule out the connectors first.

[fleamourian]

I swapped out the whole LCD screen unit after reseating both inverter cables failed. I'm now thinking maybe this replacement screen is also on the blink, as booted up to blank screen this aft (lit up when wiggled.)

Cannot think of the common component between both screens?!? Can you?

Maybe a solution is to get one of those tasty New Yr dealio i5 Edges Lenovo is flogging cheap. Even if they are only USB II spec. I am very poor tho & £350.00 odd is not to hand in this financial climate. So keeping this 12yr old laptop going a little longer with a SSD would be preferable.

[Neil]

I can't remember where the lid switch is located on these T21 machines, but could it be that a sticking switch is the problem?

[fleamourian]

That mechanical switch is triggered physically by the lid closing & goes for suspend (not just screen blank.) I will try cycling external monitor hot key next time, but the old LCD unit did have an image on screen but it was not backlit.

[Eric Giles]

I've had this same issue with numerous T2x machines over the years. Replacing the LCD ribbon cable fixed the problem for me each time.

[fleamourian]

Thanks Eric. With 12yrs of flexing open & shut, that would make sense.