T42 suddenly goes black.

[canflyboy]

The screen on my T42 went black last night. I can't tell if it's just the screen that failed or the computer itself failed and locked up.

When I press the power button, it sounds as if the computer is shutting down normally.

When I restart the computer, the screen would go black after a few minutes. Every time I restarted, the time that the screen would go black would be less and less, so that I wouldn't even get past the splash screen.

I let the computer sit overnight - I started up fine, but went blank after about three minutes. Upon restart, it went immediately to the black screen.

Where do I start?

Thanks

Canflyboy

[RealBlackStuff]

The CCFL is burnt out.
Replace that (try only if it's a 15" LCD), or replace the LCD or replace the whole lid.

[canflyboy]

It's the 14.1" screen. I'm thinking of retiring this unit and upgrading. Can I plug a standard monitor in so that I can download some files?

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes, provided the GPU is still working.

[systemBuilder]

First step is to check that everything is working fine with the standards XGA port. Probably, everything but the LCD is working.

You can get a nice $35 used LCD Panel on EBay and replace it in about 2 hours. Patience and plenty of rest-breaks are required when you feel like smashing the poor laptop to death. I recommend that you take 4 large swaths of tape and stick them to the table, face up, so you have a place to arrange the parts as you take it apart. Arrange them in the shape of a box, to provide 4 strips upon which to stick down screws and plastic screw-covers, etc.. If you put them down in a locale corresponding to their origin holes, it will be easy to reassemble the screen later. I've done it twice and it's not really difficult, it challenges your patience, so take frequent breaks. Once you can change a screen, you'll never be afraid of laptop repairs again. If this all sounds too hard, you could just get a laptop cover (with screen), they are a little bit more expensive, maybe $60. What have you got to lose? Go for it !