T60 screen driver problem?

[wujstefan]

I came across a couple of thinkpads lately (3x T60 and 3x X60/s). All of those have the same problem - when on battery, the screen tends to turn off. Turning to "standby" mode, and then back on cures the problem for a couple of minutes/hours.

I do not believe that it is any LCD or cable problem, as it came out on 6 systems in the same time (including mine T60). Every system has an integrated Intel video card. Does anyone know the cure for that thing? Every system has had a fresh driver installed (chipset, video, audio, that way), and then updated by TP system update.

[TuuS]

The default setting for power manager, either windows default or lenovo will do that after a given number of minutes if you're not using the machine. Change the power settings of when the system sleeps, and when the display powers off, see if that cures the symptoms.

[wujstefan]

*sigh*

The turnooff appears during work, like typing sth in word or designing on solidworks.

[taichi]

*sigh*

The turnooff appears during work, like typing sth in word or designing on solidworks.

As I am wrestling with some Power Manager issues, I have some questions.

What version of PM is being used on these machines (older than 3.65}? And what operating systems?

You should be able to change the PM setting to enable high performance at all settings...no diminution of screen brightness.

[wujstefan]

It says it is "Version 1.99j".
It has been automatically downloaded by the update manager, so I believe it is the newest version.

Every machine is on WinXP pro SP3.

[ajkula66]

Backlights on their way out is what comes to mind...

[Backslashnl1]

My wife's T60 has a similar problem since this weekend... except her T60 shows a black screen with the backlight still turned on. The unit is not in stanby mode because it happend one time during a Youtube video, and the sound was still audible.

It happens random and it is solved by turning the T60 off and on again. The T60 is 14" SXGA+ and equipped with Intel graphics. Does anybody have a cure?

[wujstefan]

same as Backlashnl1

I can't believe it is actually a backlight
6 systems at once?

[ajkula66]

All of those machines are old enough to start developing CCFL problems.

That said, boot a Linux CD on one and see what happens...

Good luck.

[TuuS]

*sigh*

You said this only happens on battery power... ask yourself what is different on battery as opposed to AC? the answer is the way the screen is handled to conserve power.

Should a system shut down a screen when your using it? No

Have I seen similar reports of this happening? Yes

What was the cause? Power manager conflicts

I don't know if you have six failing screens as George suggests, but I'd take his opinion seriously, but what I do know is these systems do have ONE thing in common, the same user, one who probably uses the same settings options on all his thinkpads, so I suggest you disable all power saving options, set every option you can find to highest performance, disable any options for closing the lid, and see if any of this makes a difference. If not, then when your screen goes off, try cycling the lid and see if it brings it back on.

Or you can boot the machine up using Linux as George suggested, that will eliminate all the windows apps as possible causes and if the same condition persists, then you'll know it's a hardware problem.

[wujstefan]

Maybe you are right. I will try to do as mentioned and see what happens.

It is not the same user, every of the mentioned tps belong to someone else (family)
The LCD shuts down, as I said, during the work, so no idling at all.

One of the tp's has its problems solved just by reinstalling the video card driver. unfortunately, that gave no effect on the others.

[TuuS]

I'd think if it only happens on battery, that there is something different in your power manager settings that makes the computer behave differently, perhaps a lower energy setting. less brightness, power off timer, etc.. so disabling all the above would be a first step to diagnose.

If it happens on AC power too, then I wouldn't suspect the power manager system as strongly.

Good Luck