T42 Screen Behavior Issue

[fearonc]

I have “inherited” my son’s college T42 that is “messed up”. As the T42boots, the standard white letters and display has taken on a magenta tone. The boot process has gone as far as displaying all the programs and files listed on the Windows desktop screen and then the screen cuts out and hibernation mode dominates. Occasionally I can resurrect the desktop out of hibernation mode, but it quickly the screen goes dark and jumps back in. Noticing that many keys were sticking in a depressed position I have disassembled this computer to the level of taking out the keyboard to see how much drink spillage entered the internal components. Seems to be just sticky keys and no spillage was observed internally. Cleaning those keys up did not change the problem. I have built multiple desktops but this is my first journey into a laptop. I do not know what additional equipment one must have to replace the motherboard or whether this should be left to someone who does this for a living, if that’s what the forum diagnoses as the remedy. Thanks!

[zdriver]

From your description, it sounds like the lcd's backlight (ccfl) is failing. The lamp is inexpensive but labor intensive to replace.
Try connecting a regular monitor to the external display port to verify the problem. You can download and boot from a pcdoctor cd to verify the motherboard and other componets.
The display assembly can be replaced as an entire unit and the keyboard but depends on how much $ you want to put into the T42. Might be better to sell for parts and purchase another one.

[fearonc]

You were right on the mark with your assessment!! I attached an external monitor and can see and manipulate all files. Must be the inverter. Thanks!!