T60p - issue with power to the display (maybe)

[Tink *~*~*]

Hello, all. I'm new here. I found this forum googling around for help with an issue that has cropped up with my T60p display. I hope you will all forgive me that I am posting this with a Dell; after you see the problem, you will understand why I have resorted to this.

The other night, got the typical message that there was an update for iTunes and Quicktime, and did I want to get the update. Having done this dozens of times before, I indicated yes, and the download happened. Then a message popped up saying that the update would install the next time I rebooted. Since it was late at night, I shut down the computer and went to bed.

In the morning I turned on the computer. I got the ThinkVantage screen, and then the Windows (XP SP2 fully patched & up to date) splash screen with the wavy flag. The display goes sort of grey for a few seconds in between the wavy flag screen and the time Windows actually appears, which is normal. But Windows never appears. Instead, the LCD goes completely black, as in no power, it's not on. However, the boot process continues. I know this because out of curiosity, I hit ctrl-alt-delete and put in my password, after which I was treated to the dulcet tones of the Windows log on music while staring at the dead screen.

Oddly, if I boot the machine in safe mode, the LCD performs normally (well, as normally as it does in safe mode) - it does not shut down, and I can see everything just fine, really. I had figured that possibly the Quicktime update had replaced or otherwise messed with an LCD driver, so it had been my aim to remove Quicktime; however Safe Mode will not allow the Windows installer to work, so I'm sort of stuck.

I can also hit the blue ThinkVantage button upon boot up and the display is fine there, too. I looked around to see if there was some power management setting out of whack, but everything seemed normal.

I used to be a much bigger geek than I am now, but then I became management, and well, you know... I'm at a loss as to what to do, other than bring the TP somewhere for maintenance. So I figured I'd try to find a forum where people know TPs well, and here you all are. So, what should I do next to try and troubleshoot/resolve this, and how should I do it seeing as the display won't work?

Thanks in advance for your ideas, suggestions, and patience.

[steveg47]

Try pressing the blue fn key + the F7 key a few times after the screen goes dark.

[Tink *~*~*]

Thanks for your response. I've just tried your advice - there is no effect at all.

[andyP]

As you can boot into safe mode I would suggest deinstalling the grafic card in device manager and restarting. Windows should then install a standard generic driver allowing you to install the correct driver in "normal" mode.

If you have a factory installation you can find the driver in C:\swtools\drivers\video

[GomJabbar]

andyP has a good suggestion, and I would try it first. If you still have the problem, try Windows System Restore from SAFE MODE. Go to Start > Help and Support, and under Pick a task choose Undo changes to your computer with System Restore. Follow the prompts.

[Tink *~*~*]

As you can boot into safe mode I would suggest deinstalling the grafic card in device manager and restarting. Windows should then install a standard generic driver allowing you to install the correct driver in "normal" mode.

If you have a factory installation you can find the driver in C:\swtools\drivers\video

This seems to have done the trick. andyP is a rockstar!

Thank you all for your input; much appreciated!