T42 LCD Blackout Issues

[tfmeh]

First of all, thank you for all your help! I really appreciate your knowledge and expertise!

I have a T42 2373-R01 which I've happily owned for more than 5 years. It's finally showing its age and I'm experiencing a new problem.

My problem is that my monitor randomly goes blank. Situations include:

1. When I turn off my computer for a fast restart, when restarting the computer lcd remains blank. After I wait approx. 10-15 minutes, I restart and it boots up correctly.

2. This just started recently, but when my power cable connection to the back of my laptop falls out (loose connection from the interior, if ya know the part number awesome), randomly the lcd will go blank, yet the computer still has sound and motion, but no picture. As a remedy, I close the monitor, wait until it goes to standby, wait a minute or so, and then open the monitor to a working screen. (gumpily, in the middle of writing this, I tested this theory and unfortunately, it went blank, I sent it to stand by, opened back up and it works again)

I spoke with lenovo/thinkpad/ibm (or whoever owns it now) and their words of encouragement (very restricted) are to replace my lcd. Do you think this is the right analysis? If it is the lcd, I have no idea what lcd p/n to replace it with. From another thread, I have the manual to take it all apart (thank you).

Is there anything else I should be worried about?

Thanks for all your help.

-Mike

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Has your LCD been reddish/pinkish on initial boot prior to this last episode?

Furthermore, if you hook up the machine to an external monitor, does it blank along with your LCD?

[tfmeh]

At no time is the lcd reddish/pinkish. I hooked up my laptop to my tv and it continues to work on my tv when my laptop screen stops working. Yeah, it definitely sounds like an LCD issue. I guess now my new big question is what part number is my LCD. If anyone has a clue what the part number for a new 9 cell battery is, that'd be great too.

Edit: clarity

[rCX]

Don't know a part number but here's what I did to replace my lid, a few months ago...
1. Find the size of your screen by measuring its diagonal. T4x screens come in 2 sizes: approx. 14 inches or 15 inches
2. Find the resolution of your screen. Monitors with your current max resolution or lower should work.
3. Search ebay for "T42 Lid", "T42 Screen", "T42 monitor" etc... and buy one that fit your laptop's specifications.
4. Install it using instructions in your machine's hardware maintenance manual
5. If it works then If not then

[RealBlackStuff]

Fill in TYPE and Serial no. (from the bottom of the laptop) on this screen:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo
It'll give you a list of all the original parts ex factory.

9-cell batteries: check the list of multiple part numbers e.g. here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/9-CELL-Battery-for- ... 0511196583

[tfmeh]

well, just got myself a new lcd and battery, hopefully all goes well when they arrive. thanks for all your help and i will keep you updated. the laptop parts list website really helped! thanks!

[tfmeh]

well, unfortunately, my laptop got even worse and well, now the lcd isn't working. parts on on their way and i look forward to working laptop in my future.

[tfmeh]

well, here's a new update. after getting a new lcd, battery, and lcd cable and replacing everyhting, my computer just doesn't want to work. when the lcd cable is not hooked to the lcd, the computer stays on and seems like it might be booting up. i'm not sure. the lcd is connected to the inverter and it lights up nicely. when the lcd cable is connected to the lcd, all the start up lights flash, the fan spins up, and then 5-8 seconds later, the system shuts down. any idea?

[RealBlackStuff]

Your T42 started life with an SXGA+ screen (1440x1050).
What did you replace it with, and why did you buy another LCD cable?
They (the new parts) may not be a matching pair (XGA LCD needs XGA cable, SXGA+ ditto)

[tfmeh]

i replaced it with a lcd of the exact same part number and a new lcd cable of the same part number because when removing the old one, i accidentally ripped the led strand off and thought it might've been my issue. both lcd cables said SVGA+. if the same part number has different types of displays, then i'm screwed, but i hope not

[ajkula66]

No, different displays will not have the same part number...

Chances are that you either have a bad (new) LCD or a motherboard problem...

[tfmeh]

uh oh, i didn't wanna hear that motherboard word...

[RealBlackStuff]

lift the keyboard up but leave connected.
Then try to boot while pressing on the ATI chip. Try different positions.
If it now works, send it in to GPU-Medics for a reballing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-THINKPAD-MOTHER ... 0509139459