Backlight not working?

It appears you have a backlight problem. This fault is caused by either a faulty inverter or a faulty CCFL lamp. Please click on this link and follow my instructions to determine the fault and possible fix. :-
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3598095-faulty_laptop_lcd_screen

The cost is approx 150.00. Never used this retailer, so I can't vouch for the service. http://www.yallstore.com/ibm-thinkpad-t21-2647-laptop-lcd-screen-141-sxga-matte-p-8837.html

It seems to be an issue with the backlight of the notebook.Since we require to shine a flashlight on the screen to be able to view the screen,it has to be the backlight

Hello !

The most common reason for a dark screen, is a backlight problem. Your backlight or inverter board is faulty and needs replacement.

Hope this helps.

You could have a defective screen - a defective inverter or a CCFL lamp.
To determine if you have a LCD screen or video card problem, read this and follow the instructions.

Defective CCFL backlight, it may have the following symptom:

• Screen flashs on red/pink and off.
• Picture stays on in red and slowly be come normal.
• Picture flickering with dim display or appear black.
• Picture flickering on and off.

All these symptoms indicate that the LCD backlight lamp (CCFL Lamp) has reached the end of the life and all you need to do is replacing the CCFL lamp

Connect an external monitor to your laptop and power it up, if you see the normal Windows images then the video card and laptop is OK and the problem is definitely the backlight.

Dim image and/or dark display on the laptop's LCD screen indicates a faulty LCD backlight and it could be the inverter that supplies high voltage to the CCFL lamp or it is the CCLF lamp is nearly burnt out or burnt out, most likely this is the case.
The inverter can be replaced easily but the CCLF lamp is more time consuming and requires soldering skills.
Check out www.lcdparts.net for parts, repair service and DIY info.

The backlight is the light bult that illuminates the screen. Before it finally goes out completely it will turn your screen a pink color on startup (and then usually become brighter and the pink fades). It is also possible that the backlight, also called a Cold Cathode Flourescent Light, CCFL, died an immediate death. But usually they take a while and signal with the "PINKNESS" first. If you found that your computer is working just fine connected to an external monitor (and you moved the base of your laptop around while connected to the monitor to be sure and left the computer on for a long time) then you have verified that the screen is the problem. It is usually two things: (1) the inverter, a circuit board that increases the voltage to supply the LCD which eats around 700 volts (yeah baby); or (2) the backlight itself. The first problem is a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. You can find how to replace an inverter by downloading the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the T40, T41, etc., from IBM/Lenovo's site. Replacing the backlight itself, a bulb that is like a strand of speghetti and even more delicate, is a tougher job. I would suggest purchasing a replacement screen in that event rather than replacing the backlight yourself. (The HMM probably does not show you how to replace the backlight/CCFL as it is a potentially dangerous job.) That suggestion assumes you can find a cost-effective replacement screen and do not mind opening the TP and putting the new screen in. At least look at the HMM to see what is involved. Good luck.

If it's still under warranty, IBM should come out & fix it. Call them.

Hi,

Since you have replaced the inverter and the unit works with an external monitor, then probably problems would be with:

• CCF lamps (backlight);
• inverter triggers and/or B+ supply.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information. Good luck and kind regards. Thank you for using FixYa.

mostly like is your lcd screen...you can try to see if your laptop still working by connect to external monitor.

When you say ?it turns on fine? I?m assuming that the power and hard drive LEDs turn on. If that is the case it could be your LCD backlight giving you problems. With the computer on and the monitor power LED green shine a flashlight in the lower left hand corner of your screen. Look for the ?Start? button, if your backlight is not working you?ll see a faint ?start? button if you look closely. This is usually an economically repairable problem but not for the typical home user. Let us know if you have any other questions and please don?t forget to rate this posting.