R50p Screen Flickering!

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burnt_toast · #1 Post by **burnt_toast** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:26 am

A new problem just came up! This is now after about 3months ownership of a used R50p

My screen is flickering NON-stop! A few times it has just gone black altogether..

I tried hooking up to an external monitor and that worked after a reboot, but what can be going on with my screen? Is this fixable or should I start looking for a new one?

Any suggestions are welcome.

ajkula66 · #2 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:05 pm

That can be a symptopm for several different things...

a) bad inverter

b) dying backlight

c) GPU problem

Is your LCD reddish/pinkish on initial boot, or when the machine runs with battery with lowered brightness?

Let us know.

burnt_toast · #3 Post by **burnt_toast** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:17 pm

ajkula66 wrote:That can be a symptopm for several different things...

a) bad inverter

b) dying backlight

c) GPU problem

Is your LCD reddish/pinkish on initial boot, or when the machine runs with battery with lowered brightness?

Let us know.

Yes, the LCD is reddish on initial boot and when battery powered at low brightness.

Also the phases flickering are intermittent. It did it this morning, before/during when I tried hooking up an external monitor. And now later in the afteroon, I'm here typing and the screen seems fine! Using the power adaptor, and at full brightness.

Hmm, does that narrow it down at all?

sarbin · #4 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:22 pm

reddish/pinkish lcd on initial boot is a sign of the ccfl (lcd backlight) starting to die. do a search for posts by jamiphar if you're interested in a well-regarded repairer of this issue.

good luck.

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:16 pm

Yep, as sarbin said, the backlight is on its way out. The fact that there is also intermittant flikering may or may not be GPU-related.

May I strongly suggest that you send the machine to James (jamiphar) for a backlight replacement and overall well-checkup?

That's what I would do...your money, your call...

Good luck.

burnt_toast · #6 Post by **burnt_toast** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:56 am

Thanks for the suggestion folks, I will look into it. Money is tight and I got this laptop used for fairly cheap as a replacement for a compaq who's mobo went out.. guess issues like these should be expected over time.

burnt_toast · #7 Post by **burnt_toast** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:14 am

Emailed James back on Thursday, and haven't gotten any response yet..

Do I have any other options?

I've seen "brand new" screens on Ebay for about $200 shipped, what your thoughts on these:

R50p Ebay Screen

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:29 pm

That's a wrong screen, you need UXGA.

Check ebay seller thinkpadplus, they always have them available and are trustworthy in my experience.

Good luck.

burnt_toast · #9 Post by **burnt_toast** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:20 am

ajkula66 wrote:That's a wrong screen, you need UXGA.

Check ebay seller thinkpadplus, they always have them available and are trustworthy in my experience.

Good luck.

thanks for the headsup. I'm debating on whether upgrading the screen would be worth it over getting a whole new laptop.. seeing as I bough this one for only $200..

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:17 am

Well, you'll always be able to get out what you put in, so weigh your options carefully...

burnt_toast · #11 Post by **burnt_toast** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:45 am

ajkula66 wrote:Well, you'll always be able to get out what you put in, so weigh your options carefully...

Indeed. Emailed thinkpadplus if he has other screens and he replied:

"Yes just send 4 digit type,and 3 digit model number"

I'm assuming model number would be R50p, but what would be the 4digit type? Please correct me and advise if possible

ajkula66 · #12 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:49 am

Your model number is likely 1832, with the full code being 1832-22u or 23u...it's on the sticker on the bottom, as well as in BIOS.

burnt_toast · #13 Post by **burnt_toast** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:42 am

ajkula66 wrote:Your model number is likely 1832, with the full code being 1832-22u or 23u...it's on the sticker on the bottom, as well as in BIOS.

Thank you very much!

burnt_toast · #14 Post by **burnt_toast** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:09 pm

Ok guys, I have 3 options lined up as of now:

1. Got in touch with James Arndt and he quoted me $175shipped both ways to repair the backlight as well as do an overall checkup of my R50p. 1year warrenty on backlight repair from date of service

2. Directly contacted ebay seller thinkpadplus and they were able to source a new screen "IBM LCD Screen FRU# 42T0356" for the price of $200 shipped. No implied warrenty as far as I can tell. Will have to find someone to install professionaly or attempt myself ~$0-$50

3. Forget about this laptop and find another used Thinkpad $$??

Keeping in mind I paid $200 total, used, for my laptop alone, what would you guys recommend? I'm leaning towards option 1 but thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

ajkula66 · #15 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:20 pm

I'm going to suggest option #1 for the following reasons:

a) James' work is excellent.

b) If the backlight is not your problem, he'll let you know what the real issue is, and let you decide where to go from that point.

My $.02 only...

burnt_toast · #16 Post by **burnt_toast** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:28 am

ajkula66 wrote:I'm going to suggest option #1 for the following reasons:

a) James' work is excellent.

b) If the backlight is not your problem, he'll let you know what the real issue is, and let you decide where to go from that point.

My $.02 only...

Cool thanks, thats the path I'm willing to try. Just waiting on the prepaid envelope now.

burnt_toast · #17 Post by **burnt_toast** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:57 am

Just got my Thinkpad back from James, and WOOHOO I can see!

He fixed the backlight, replaced my weak hinges and threw in a 60 series DVDR, all for $240 shipped which seems like a good deal to me. All with pretty good turn around time to boot. Now I just hope this solution lasts *crosses fingers*

R50p Screen Flickering!

R50p Screen Flickering!

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