Temporary problem with T43 backlight

[is]

I would like asking for advice. The backlight on one of my T43 computers (the one with MTM 2668-W4M) stopped working today, hopefully temporarily. The way to get it working again was quickly pressing and releasing the lid switch a few times. If I remember correctly, this problem happened for a few minutes when I got this computer in 2007 but this time it lasted for an hour.

At this point I would say the CCFL behind the LCD display, the inverter and the fuses are working, but I am a bit worried. Do you have some advice? Do these symptoms point to one of these components? I will be glad to get a replacement part, but I do not know what I am looking for (hope it is not an expensive one like the CCFL+LCD). Should I do some preventive maintenance?

Thanks!

[Neil]

Could be the CCFL is on the way out. But, also could be that the lid switch was just sticking. Unless the lamp just goes out while the machine is running, I would suspect the switch. I guess just let it go for a while and observe what happens.

[is]

Hi Neil.

Sadly the lamp went out while the machine was running (same happened six years ago), so I agree with you about the CCFL. The machine is working again, so I will follow your advice and observe what happens. Replacing the CCFL will mean getting a new LCD panel so I prefer waiting, this one will be an expensive replacement part. I hope that, in case this problem rises again, the fix will be as easy as it has been until now.

Thanks for the tip!

[Johan]

Hint: Have a look at the IBM T40 T41 T42 T43 T43P LCD backlight upgrade to LED backlight kit - that's maybe an option?

I just learned of it (through this post ), and I have no idea of how easy/difficult/fragile etc. this modification is, and I also don't know of the result... so, this is just a hint!

Johan

[GACrabill]

Sadly the lamp went out while the machine was running (same happened six years ago), ...

One other thing to try is to reduce the Brightness one level ... this trick may keep the LCD working for a while longer, until you have to reduce the Brightness again (and again) ... but the reduced Brightness level can keep an LCD from going dark for a few years if you are lucky.

[topshot]

Replacing the CCFL will mean getting a new LCD panel

Not if you're handy and have the few right tools required. $20 shipped for a new CCFL.

[RealBlackStuff]

Not if you're handy and have the few right tools required. $20 shipped for a new CCFL.

Objection, your honor!
15" T4x panels, especially from IDTech are relatively easy.
But 14.1" panels are a serious pain in the butt, especially Hitachi and Samsung ones.
I wouldn't touch ANY 14.1" panels for anything!

[topshot]

Not if you're handy and have the few right tools required. $20 shipped for a new CCFL.

Objection, your honor!
15" T4x panels, especially from IDTech are relatively easy.
But 14.1" panels are a serious pain in the butt, especially Hitachi and Samsung ones.
I wouldn't touch ANY 14.1" panels for anything!

Objection sustained. LOL. I haven't done a 14 and wrongly assumed his type was a 15. I do know our 15 is easier than the Compaq I did for my son.

[is]

Wow. I did not tracked this thread for a month. What a lot of useful information!

I usually have brightness on the backlight low; I did it this way for years. Agreed, I feel that high brightness may decrease display life.

I did not know there is a LED replacement to CCFL backlight. These are good news, but I prefer preserving original parts while possible. It should work but this one is one of these challenging 14-inch units. I have no rounded stickers for the screws either. Have no idea about the impact of this change on other parts of the laptop either.

I do not think replacing a CCFL backlight (only the backlight) is easy. A clean room should be required to avoid dust contamination, though. Another issue would be replacing only the inverter, but it may not be enough.

At this moment (hopefully) this old but reliable computer is working, no more backlight issues yet. To be honest I only had two issues with backlight, first one six or seven years ago. In both cases a quick pressing/releasing on the lid button was enough to get it working.

Thanks for these advices. I will learn more on the CCFL to LED replacement; it seems an interesting upgrade in case things go wrong with this computer.

Thanks!