Screen acts funky: I think a screw is loose on the back!

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ndee · #1 Post by **ndee** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:12 am

OK, so I was using my T42p today and suddenly, the screen started to look funky(can supply picture this evening). I re-started the machine and it happen again after 1 minute. So I started to find a "pattern" and everytime when I hit the table a little bit, the screen started to screw up. On the back of my notebook, there is a screw loose which I also cannot tighten more. I might try it tonight a little bit more cuz I don't have the appropriate tools at school.
I called IBM and they gave me 2 options:

a) I step by a IBM Repair center -> takes 3-4 days
b) I pay CHF 350(about $280) for a same-day repair at such a center.

Does anyone maybe have an online layout of the back of this notebook so I could point it out.

Thanks in advance!

Marc_G · #2 Post by **Marc_G** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:50 am

Sounds like a loose or worn video cable. On the T2x series, reseating the connector under the keyboard is pretty easy to do, to at least rule out a loose connection at that point.

ndee · #3 Post by **ndee** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:53 am

Marc_G wrote:Sounds like a loose or worn video cable. On the T2x series, reseating the connector under the keyboard is pretty easy to do, to at least rule out a loose connection at that point.

I tried to tighten the screw(I'm at home now) and as soon as I just touch that screw, the screen starts to act funky -> unreadable. How hard is it to fix something like that? The problem is, I really need the notebook during this week cuz I have to work on a project

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:11 am

ndee wrote:I tried to tighten the screw(I'm at home now) and as soon as I just touch that screw, the screen starts to act funky -> unreadable.

Where is this screw, exactly, on the "back" of your T42? One of the hinge screws? Or do you actually mean on the bottom?

For the record, we don't normally play with any screws while the laptop is ON!

Regards,

James

ndee · #5 Post by **ndee** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:19 am

JHEM wrote:
ndee wrote:I tried to tighten the screw(I'm at home now) and as soon as I just touch that screw, the screen starts to act funky -> unreadable.
Where is this screw, exactly, on the "back" of your T42? One of the hinge screws? Or do you actually mean on the bottom?

For the record, we don't normally play with any screws while the laptop is ON!

Regards,

James

It's a "4" screw, a long one with a short thread. I gonna take a picture right now.

http://pics.airlock.ch/view_photo.php?s ... d=notebook

I was not playing around, I was holding the notebook in the air and laying it down and then it started acting funky

JHEM · #6 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:31 am

ndee wrote:It's a "4" screw, a long one with a short thread. I gonna take a picture right now.

http://pics.airlock.ch/view_photo.php?s ... d=notebook

I was not playing around, I was holding the notebook in the air and laying it down and then it started acting funky

The only "4" screw with a short thread that I know of is the one on the bottom of the unit that goes in alongside the Ultrabay Slim port. The screw in the photo is in the wrong place. Swap it for the one I described.

The short threads are there to prevent over-tightening of the screw and possible binding of devices in the port. Shouldn't have any effect on the display at all.

Please update your profile with the fact that you're in Switzerland! Someone on the list from CH might know of someplace to take the unit where you could get it looked at immediately. Definitely appears to be something loose.

Regards,

James

ndee · #7 Post by **ndee** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:14 am

JHEM wrote: The only "4" screw with a short thread that I know of is the one on the bottom of the unit that goes in alongside the Ultrabay Slim port. The screw in the photo is in the wrong place. Swap it for the one I described.

The short threads are there to prevent over-tightening of the screw and possible binding of devices in the port. Shouldn't have any effect on the display at all.

Please update your profile with the fact that you're in Switzerland! Someone on the list from CH might know of someplace to take the unit where you could get it looked at immediately. Definitely appears to be something loose.

Regards,

James

Hhhmmm, how can I check if a screw really belongs there?

JHEM · #8 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:30 am

ndee wrote:Hhhmmm, how can I check if a screw really belongs there?

Simple, it has the number 4 next to the hole and the symbol indicating that it's one of the screws for the palmrest.

Regards,

James

ndee · #9 Post by **ndee** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:42 am

JHEM wrote:
ndee wrote:Hhhmmm, how can I check if a screw really belongs there?
Simple, it has the number 4 next to the hole and the symbol indicating that it's one of the screws for the palmrest.

Regards,

James

Well then there should be a screw, no?

Oh well, gonna go to the repair center tomorrow

JHEM · #10 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:47 am

Yes, there should be a screw there, just not the one that's there now.

Are there any numbered screwholes missing a screw? As I said, the one there now should be swapped with the one next to the Ultrabay Slim "4" screwhole.

But a trip to the local IBM repair shop is a good idea, there's something else going on with your display other than a loose palmrest screw.

Regards,

James

ndee · #11 Post by **ndee** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:57 am

JHEM wrote:Yes, there should be a screw there, just not the one that's there now.

Are there any numbered screwholes missing a screw? As I said, the one there now should be swapped with the one next to the Ultrabay Slim "4" screwhole.

But a trip to the local IBM repair shop is a good idea, there's something else going on with your display other than a loose palmrest screw.

Regards,

James

http://pics.airlock.ch/view_photo.php?s ... d=notebook

As you can see, there should be a "4" screw. Otherwise, there's just one next to the Ultrabay Slim but there shouldn't be a screw cuz otherwise, I couldn't take out the CD-drive, right?

http://pics.airlock.ch/view_photo.php?s ... =notebook2

There is another whole but I'm not sure if there should be a screw in it.[/url]

JHEM · #12 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:45 pm

Yes, there's a screw missing, all of the screwholes with numbers next to them should have a screw installed. The numbers, in case you haven't made the association, refer to the screw size as indicated on the images printed on the label.

Installing a screw in the numbered hole next to the Ultrabay will not affect removing a device. Pull your optical drive out and you can see that the screw bypasses the bay.

Regards,

James

jparr · #13 Post by **jparr** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:32 pm

ndee wrote:OK, so I was using my T42p today and suddenly, the screen started to look funky(can supply picture this evening). I re-started the machine and it happen again after 1 minute. So I started to find a "pattern" and everytime when I hit the table a little bit, the screen started to screw up.

Sounds like the problem I have with my T42. IBM tells me it needs a new motherboard. Been waiting for it to be repaired since the end of Feb.

Good luck!

ndee · #14 Post by **ndee** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:29 am

jparr wrote:
ndee wrote:OK, so I was using my T42p today and suddenly, the screen started to look funky(can supply picture this evening). I re-started the machine and it happen again after 1 minute. So I started to find a "pattern" and everytime when I hit the table a little bit, the screen started to screw up.
Sounds like the problem I have with my T42. IBM tells me it needs a new motherboard. Been waiting for it to be repaired since the end of Feb.

Good luck!

Ou noooooooooooooooooo, I hope I don't have to wait so long

Thanks for your info though

Screen acts funky: I think a screw is loose on the back!

Screen acts funky: I think a screw is loose on the back!

Re: Screen acts funky: I think a screw is loose on the back!

Re: Screen acts funky: I think a screw is loose on the back!

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