laptop screen problem

[DemoN.cX]

This may be a long shot but hopefully someone can help.

My laptop screen becomes very dark at times. When i restart it returns to normal but it will happen maybe 5-20 minutes later. The power light it still on. I can hardly see anything but i know that the lcd is also on, just very dark. It has happened maybe 10 times today. I know its not a screensaver or energysaver feature. I have an imb thinkpad t42 with win xp pro. Anybody have any ideas?

Well i just hooked up my desktop monitor to the laptop. I plugged in the power cord to the laptop. The laptop LCD went near-black but i can see perfectly fine on the external monitor.

[thrash_head]

Sounds to me that the screen is broken... I would take it to a local shop and have them look at it. if its still under warrenty i would send it back asap.

[Karnage]

Sounds to me that the screen is broken... I would take it to a local shop and have them look at it. if its still under warrenty i would send it back asap.specifically, it sounds like the backlight is borked.

[DemoN.cX]

specifically, it sounds like the backlight is borked.

people at the hardforum seem to think the same thing. i guess ill have to ship it back to my school to get it fixed for free.

[Dingo]

ya mine has the same problem, Ill turn it on and sounds like its running but the screem stays black. sometimes it works though, not sure if something got shorted/dying/overheating/all the above, heard it kinds expensive to get it fixed(ive had the laptop for about 4yrs?) so would it be worth getting an estimate atleast? or just buy a new one?

[thrash_head]

Honestly, a 4 year old laptop prolly isn't worth it... I would buy a new one if you have the money.