atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories IBM Thinkpad problem with display

I went out to the first job today and tried to fire up my laptop and the display didn't turn on. I could see the image if the angle was just right but there was no back-light. IBM ThinkPad type 2647. Anyone have any ideas?

Check the switch that shuts off video when you close the top. My HP did the same thing yesterday and the microswitch was stuck against the side of the cover. Toothpick fixed it.

edited...double post.

Thanks for answering. When I press the switch the computer goes into the stand-by mode. When I press it again it comes out of stand-by mode. So the switch seems to be working. I can see the image if I shine a flashlight on the screen.

With flashlight in hand, go to control panel, power options, advanced. Halfway down that window under "when I close the lid of my portable computer" change to "none" (it is probably set to stand-by now). Do as RBF suggests and try closing/opening the lid a few times or a toothpick. It may be a DPDT switch that is dirty.

If no luck, when you restart the computer, do you see a flicker or does it stay dark? If it stays dark, it probably needs a backlight replacement. You can also try an external monitor just to rule out the video card.

Thanks for your help. I tried the power option thing with no luck. I did see a flicker when restart was done. I tried an external monitor and PRESTO! the backlight went back on. It is working ok. I don't know if I should trust this thing any more. Murphy will come along someday and mess with me.

I also own an IBM Thinkpad and I have had a dark display happen half a dozen times in it's life. It seems to happen when I do a start-up, all I do is restart and it works normal again. I very rarely shut it right down though, I normally just stand-by or hibernate it.

Might be a little glitch in the system. Thanks for your reply.

My screen has gone black and won't come back on no matter what I try. It does flicker on start up. It happened from hibernate on the final time.
Any thinkpad experts out there?

How old is a 2647. I have 4 2635 units that function and might be scavenged for parts.