T43 screen gone almost dark...please help

[dtakias]

Yesterday suddenly my screen went very dark
If I look carefully I can see my desktop but the brightness have gone down the hill. Also nothing happens what i try to reduce or increase the brightness with the Fn key. It's plugged on my docking station and I have an external monitor which works fine via VGA. I replaced the screen 3.5 years ago after I accidentally cracked it.

Now the question is, does it have to do with the screen or the inverter? Or something else? It happens as soon as I switch on the laptop so the Operating system is out of the question.

Any opinions will be highly appreciated as I need to sort that out as soon as possible

[tomh009]

Was this the first time that you lost the backlighting? Does the backlighting come back on if you power the T43 off for a while first?

Have you previously had a reddish tinge to the display at all?

[dtakias]

Was this the first time that you lost the backlighting?

Yes that was the first time.

Does the backlighting come back on if you power the T43 off for a while first?

Last night it did come back for a few minutes but it was very dimmed. Now its always same, just very dark, can barely see the desktop. It's always the same from the time I switch it on.

Have you previously had a reddish tinge to the display at all?

No, never had anything like that.

Isn't the inverter that adjusts the brighteness on the screen? I am thinking that it might be that rather than LCD since the LCD still works. Or maybe I want it to be that cause it's much cheaper than buying the LCD!

[ajkula66]

Inverter is the cheapest possible fix, so try replacing it.

If that doesn't fix the issue, your LCD has a bad backlight or there's a motherboard problem.

Let's hope it's option # 1...and that all will be well with a new inverter...

[dtakias]

Inverter is the cheapest possible fix, so try replacing it.

If that doesn't fix the issue, your LCD has a bad backlight or there's a motherboard problem.

Let's hope it's option # 1...and that all will be well with a new inverter...

I've managed to find the cracked LCD. I was planning on replacing the backlight from the cracked screen to the broken one.

But guess what? The cracked doesn't work either.

So it's got to be the inverter! I bought one on eBay for $10 and can't wait to try it! It's P/N is 26P8464.

[fozzy40]

Please let us know if this works! I have the same problem...

[fozzy40]

Is this hard to replace?

[rkawakami]

Is this hard to replace?

The inverter? If so, then it's pretty easy to do. Grab a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58837 (TYPE 187x)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58791 (TYPE 26xx)

and find the section about removing the LCD front bezel. Typically, that's a couple of screws underneath plastic covers on the face of the bezel (some may be along the sides as well). Unclip the bezel, being careful not to break the thinner parts and the inverter is the thin, long board near the bottom of the screen. Unplug the connector going to the LCD panel and disconnect the inverter from the ribbon cable (a screw may be holding the inverter in place). Re-assemble in reverse order.

[dtakias]

Please let us know if this works! I have the same problem...

I received my replacement inverter yesterday, tried it on but it's still the same. Then I tried it with the cracked LCD and guess what, the cracked LCD worked fine.

Basically there was nothing wrong with the inverter, the problem was that when I first tried the cracked LCD with the original inverter I FORGOT to connect its power to the inverter!

At least the inverter was only about $10 and I know that it's definitely the LCD. I guess I can't really blame it for being faulty since I've being using the laptop continiously for the last 4 years. Hopefully I'll get a nice deal off eBay now!

[xyz]

You cud take the backlight from the cracked lcd and put in the other lcd, abit of a tedious job but doable.

[dtakias]

You cud take the backlight from the cracked lcd and put in the other lcd, abit of a tedious job but doable.

Oh yes, thank you! I completely forgot about that! Thank god I didn't order the screen...will attempt to replace the backlight tonight.

[ajkula66]

I find the idea of replacing a backlight with a used one not the best one around...

Backlights are less than $20 shipped...and that gets you an almost new LCD altogether...full brightness and everything...

My $0.02 only...

[dtakias]

I find the idea of replacing a backlight with a used one not the best one around...

Backlights are less than $20 shipped...and that gets you an almost new LCD altogether...full brightness and everything...

My $0.02 only...

Well yeah, fair point. I guess I'll try the old one now, as it's already Thursday and If I order another one, probably won't have it till next week...

The other shouldn't be very bad, as I bought the t43 brand new and screen was only used for 5months before I cracked it with a piece of glass

[fozzy40]

So it sounds like there isn't a definitive way to differentiate if it's a backlight vs. inverter problem. Does either typically go out first?

[dtakias]

hi everyone

Sorry I havent updated everyone with the problem, today finally decided to swap the backlight with the one from the cracked screen.

It is indeed a very tricky job as it involves opening the screen and messing with the insides of it! Was really impressed with the numbers of layers needed for a LCD. After about 1 hour I was finished and the result was very positive. Screen is working properly, there is a small shadow on left corner but cant really complain as I saved quite a lot of money. In the meantime I will be searching eBay to see if I can get a spare one to have around in case i need it for the future...

So if you ever crack your screen do not throw it away as it may be usefull in the future