IBM THinkpad T21 display sems to loose back light

[madmaven]

This IBm T21 started to go dark about 3 days ago. first it was only occasionally. If you peer beyond the darkness you can see the windows open on the display barely in the darkness.
If I tap Fn and the button to turn off and on the display the display will come on flicker for a second or 2 then go dark again, Fn F7 again turns it off Fn and F7 then flickers it on for a second or 2 then dark. Now it is booting dark and will still flicker on when I use the Fn F7 buttons but wont stay on .
does anyone care to venture if this is the inverter, a loose connection, a bad back light, a short in the mobo . ?????? I have the disassembly instructions but want to know what is the most likely suspect.???/ anyone know of a reoccurring problem with this machine? any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
thanks Mad maven

[jman01pa]

Can you adjust the brightness via the FN key? My Thinkpad uses FN Home and FN End.

[Mickwish]

Thinkpads can also vary brightness based on battery level as well, and you can alter this with a thinkpad utility app. from memory. How is the brightness set up for battery levels? Any problems with the battery?

Cheers
Mick

[brsvs]

Originally Posted by jman01pa

Can you adjust the brightness via the FN key? My Thinkpad uses FN Home and FN End.

Thank you I just discovered your site and I had already replaced the invertor but no difference and didn't even know of the FCN = home/End facility and as soon as I tried it perfect up came a nice bright display. Mervyn

[WP]

Originally Posted by madmaven

This IBm T21 started to go dark about 3 days ago. first it was only occasionally. If you peer beyond the darkness you can see the windows open on the display barely in the darkness.
If I tap Fn and the button to turn off and on the display the display will come on flicker for a second or 2 then go dark again, Fn F7 again turns it off Fn and F7 then flickers it on for a second or 2 then dark. Now it is booting dark and will still flicker on when I use the Fn F7 buttons but wont stay on .
does anyone care to venture if this is the inverter, a loose connection, a bad back light, a short in the mobo . ?????? I have the disassembly instructions but want to know what is the most likely suspect.???/ anyone know of a reoccurring problem with this machine? any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
thanks Mad maven

[WP]

Originally Posted by madmaven

This IBm T21 started to go dark about 3 days ago. first it was only occasionally. If you peer beyond the darkness you can see the windows open on the display barely in the darkness.
If I tap Fn and the button to turn off and on the display the display will come on flicker for a second or 2 then go dark again, Fn F7 again turns it off Fn and F7 then flickers it on for a second or 2 then dark. Now it is booting dark and will still flicker on when I use the Fn F7 buttons but wont stay on .
does anyone care to venture if this is the inverter, a loose connection, a bad back light, a short in the mobo . ?????? I have the disassembly instructions but want to know what is the most likely suspect.???/ anyone know of a reoccurring problem with this machine? any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
thanks Mad maven

[WP]

I've got exactly the same problem. I can plug in an external monitor, and everything is ok...so whats the answer