Fix My Laptop (Please)!

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I have an IBM ThinkPad A21m. For whatever reason, my LCD display is grey - that is, it's like the contrast and brightness was tweaked on it. However, when I apply some pressure on the top left corner of the laptop screen (from behind), and the monitor snaps back into clarity. I've taken the laptop apart & check the connections on both sides, but that doesn't seem to be the problem. Suggestions? Comments? Anything would be appreciated, thanks.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 9 August 2004 00:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I am sorry, but you must repost this query under "Pimp My Laptop" or no responses shall be forthcoming. Thank you.

― Aimless The Unlogged, Monday, 9 August 2004 02:40 (twenty-one years ago)

You know, I could use some pinstriping on this bitch...

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 9 August 2004 12:33 (twenty-one years ago)

you should contact the manufacturer, i think, not ILE.

― cutty (mcutt), Monday, 9 August 2004 12:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Getting in touch w/ the manufacturer is last ditch, yo. Plus, the laptop's 3 / 4 years old. Plus, I thought the techheads here would have some helping friendly words.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 9 August 2004 12:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Laptop *monitors* (or monitors of any kind, really) are tricky to fix, even for A+ certified techs. The manufacturer is still your best bet, because if you give it to Joe Schmoe PC Tech, he'll send it there anyway and charge you their fee AND his fee to fix it. But try this first: connect an external VGA monitor to the laptop and see if you get the same problem via the VGA. (If you see the same thing with the VGA monitor connected, try reinstalling the video drivers.)

It could be something like dry solder or a faulty connection, or a broken cable perhaps. http://fixmymonitor.com/ said it could be a defective inverter board / lamp. (never used that site, so don't know how useful they might be to you)

― Eve Atley (Kilbey1), Monday, 9 August 2004 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks, Eve!

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 9 August 2004 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I recently stooooopidly packed my laptop with my luggage on a flight. Came home with a smashed up monitor. Dell says I can send it to them after I first remove my hard drive and any non-original software. How does one remove a hard drive from a laptop?

― Maria D. (Maria D.), Monday, 9 August 2004 17:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I would like my laptop pimped as well.

― Maria D. (Maria D.), Monday, 9 August 2004 17:15 (twenty-one years ago)

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