Hello all,
My T40 has recently developed a fault whereby the screen will suddenly
do blank when im using it. It appears to do this when I pick the unit
up or move it. Is there a loose connection somewhere? The system
continues to run in the background, I've also had a good look at the
screen when dark and it appears totally dark (ie I dont think that lamp
has gone.)
Any Ideas?

Many Thanks,
Max

some application software can cause problems of you described below.
"Max дµÀ£º
"
> Hello all,
> My T40 has recently developed a fault whereby the screen will suddenly
> do blank when im using it. It appears to do this when I pick the unit
> up or move it. Is there a loose connection somewhere? The system
> continues to run in the background, I've also had a good look at the
> screen when dark and it appears totally dark (ie I dont think that lamp
> has gone.)
> Any Ideas?
>
> Many Thanks,
> Max

Max wrote:
> Hello all,
> My T40 has recently developed a fault whereby the screen will suddenly
> do blank when im using it. It appears to do this when I pick the unit
> up or move it. Is there a loose connection somewhere? The system
> continues to run in the background, I've also had a good look at the
> screen when dark and it appears totally dark (ie I dont think that
> lamp has gone.)

Known fault on the video card with the T40 series. Pick it up by the left
front corner and the unit locks up, sometimes with an ATI driver fault
message. Ultimately any movement of the unit will result in a blank screen.

If you have warranty remaining, send it in for a new motherboard.

No warranty? Call Lenovo customer support and bitch vociferously.
--
James

Visit the Thinkpad Forums
http://forum.thinkpads.com

My Warranty expired in August!

How much is this going to cost if I cant get Levono to do it for free?
I think its pathetic that I get a major system fault 3 moths out of
warranty.
I bought a TP as I wanted a reliable system....

JHEM wrote:
> Max wrote:
> > Hello all,
> > My T40 has recently developed a fault whereby the screen will suddenly
> > do blank when im using it. It appears to do this when I pick the unit
> > up or move it. Is there a loose connection somewhere? The system
> > continues to run in the background, I've also had a good look at the
> > screen when dark and it appears totally dark (ie I dont think that
> > lamp has gone.)
>
> Known fault on the video card with the T40 series. Pick it up by the left
> front corner and the unit locks up, sometimes with an ATI driver fault
> message. Ultimately any movement of the unit will result in a blank screen.
>
> If you have warranty remaining, send it in for a new motherboard.
>
> No warranty? Call Lenovo customer support and bitch vociferously.
> --
> James
>
> Visit the Thinkpad Forums
> http://forum.thinkpads.com

Max wrote:
> My Warranty expired in August!
>
> How much is this going to cost if I cant get Levono to do it for free?
> I think its pathetic that I get a major system fault 3 moths out of
> warranty.
> I bought a TP as I wanted a reliable system....

I feel your pain, this is becoming an all too common problem with certain
models of Thinkpads.

I again suggest you contact Lenovo and ask for customer support, then
politely but forcefully demand they repair this KNOWN FAULT (emphasis
added). There is precedent for them to repair out of warranty Thinkpads, IBM
issued an engineering change order for the earlier T30 series machines which
had a problem with memory sockets that resulted in their repairing the
machines for more than a year after the original warranties expired.
Unfortunately that was before the PC division was sold to Lenovo.

You can find replacement T40 MBs on eBay starting under $100 without a CPU.
--
James

Visit the Thinkpad Forums
http://forum.thinkpads.com

James,
I've taken it into the local shop for a full diagnostic, so if it turns
out that it needs a new motherboard is it possible that I can fit a new
one myself?
I'm reasonabally competent when it comes to computers (I've built a
desktop) but have never opened a laptop up.
For instance would it just be a case of remove the old MB by unscrewing
everything and plug in the new one? Or would soldiering be required of
certain components?
Also what would I need to look out for as regards part numbers for the
new MB being compatibale with my current machine?

Many Thanks,
Max

JHEM wrote:
> Max wrote:
> > My Warranty expired in August!
> >
> > How much is this going to cost if I cant get Levono to do it for free?
> > I think its pathetic that I get a major system fault 3 moths out of
> > warranty.
> > I bought a TP as I wanted a reliable system....
>
> I feel your pain, this is becoming an all too common problem with certain
> models of Thinkpads.
>
> I again suggest you contact Lenovo and ask for customer support, then
> politely but forcefully demand they repair this KNOWN FAULT (emphasis
> added). There is precedent for them to repair out of warranty Thinkpads, IBM
> issued an engineering change order for the earlier T30 series machines which
> had a problem with memory sockets that resulted in their repairing the
> machines for more than a year after the original warranties expired.
> Unfortunately that was before the PC division was sold to Lenovo.
>
> You can find replacement T40 MBs on eBay starting under $100 without a CPU.
> --
> James
>
> Visit the Thinkpad Forums
> http://forum.thinkpads.com

Max wrote:

> I'm reasonabally competent when it comes to computers (I've built a
> desktop) but have never opened a laptop up.
> For instance would it just be a case of remove the old MB by
> unscrewing everything and plug in the new one? Or would soldiering be
> required of certain components?
> Also what would I need to look out for as regards part numbers for the
> new MB being compatibale with my current machine?

Get the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) from Lenovo and have a read:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...cid=MIGR-46464

It's not difficult to swap out a MB nor is any soldering necessary. Just
take your time and segregate screws by size.

Compatible MBs are listed in the HMM.
--
James

Visit the Thinkpad Forums
http://forum.thinkpads.com