black screen freeze

jwp · #1 06-22-2007, 11:20 PM

I have been lead to believe this is a hardware issue, but I apologize in advance if I'm wrong.

All the sudden my IMB Thinkpad t40 with Windows XP Pro has started randomly freezing with a black screen. The screen goes black, and nothing works (the caps lock doesnt trigger the panel icon, ctr-alt-del does nothing). All I can do is hold the power button to shut off.

When I go to restart the comp, the screen usually remains black, and though some of the panel lights are working, it doesnt seem to be doing much, if anything.

If I leave the comp alone for a while (and remove the battery) it will reboot. Eventually it freezes again.

Any help is much appreciated. Please try to be clear, as I am not very savvy with this stuff.

Thanks for the help.

jwp

jwp · #2 06-22-2007, 11:22 PM

forgot to mention that sometimes the black screen flashes briefly to a sceen full of colorful lines, or even flashes back to the desktop briefly, but still remaining frozen.

Able · #3 06-23-2007, 04:58 AM

Try installing these video drivers, it may well be a hardware issue though.
Version: 8.133.2.1.1-061116a
Release Date: 2007/02/02

jwp · #4 06-23-2007, 02:29 PM

the problem seems to occur when i physically move the laptop. when it moves, even the slightest, the screen freezes black (sometimes flashing back to the original screen before going back to black, the whole time remaining frozen). it appears to be still running, all i can do is hold the power button to shut it off. if i immediately try to reboot, it often reboots with black screen. if i wait a while, it tends to work again (until freezing).

does this mean something is loose? i already removed and reinstalled the RAM chip. am currently trying to figure out how to locate and remove the graphics card.

any further help is greatly appeciated. thanks.

Able · #5 06-23-2007, 02:48 PM

This is a problem with with the ribbon cable that goes between your screen and m/board. You can d/load a maintenance manual here.
They can be tricky to take apart (don't loose the tiny screws, or forget where each one comes from

) but the cable is easy to connect properly again.

jwp · #6 06-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Able

This is a problem with with the ribbon cable that goes between your screen and m/board. You can d/load a maintenance manual here.
They can be tricky to take apart (don't loose the tiny screws, or forget where each one comes from

) but the cable is easy to connect properly again.

Thank you, Able. Your help is appreciated. I will be sure to let you know how this works out.

jwp · #7 06-23-2007, 07:48 PM

Well, I followed Able's advice and took the computer apart to locate the ribbon cable connecting the LCD to the motherboard. Considering it was the first time I ever attempted to do anything like this, its entirely possible that I made the situation worse.

Unfortunately, the problem persists. After reassembling the comp, I turned the computer on and it seemed to be working fine. I then moved it around a little and almost immediately it froze.

For the record, when it freezes, it does NOT reboot or turn off. After I turn it off and reboot it, it turns on but with a black screen.

Once again, any help is greatly appreciated.

Able · #8 06-23-2007, 07:58 PM

Did you check the cabling at both ends?

yeesnaw · #9 10-12-2009, 01:03 AM

Considering what Able has said, anything could be loose, i would check the battery and graphics card (clues as to the weird lines).I would enjoy suspecting that is was heating but i've got exactly the same problem as you but with a desktop computer.