Possibly dead screen on X220

I've had my X220 for just under three years, and the other day when I went to turn it on, I got to the Windows 8 screen, the screen stuttered, and the computer shut off. When trying to turn it on again, the power button turns green, the lights flash on as normal, then it just sits there with a black screen (screen off) and the power button lit up. If i press the power button for a second, the computer *bips* and turns off. I tried again today, and it did that the first attempt. I plugged in the power brick and tried again and it got to the Win8 screen, and did the same thing -- screen stuttered and computer shut off.

I thought it might have been my mSata drive, so I took it out, but same issue. Luckily I still have 8 days left on my extended warranty, so I still have a chance to call, but wanted to know if anybody else had experienced this issue. I tried searching for similar threads here and on Google.

 

Best way to check if it's actually your screen that's dead is to plug in an external monitor. If it works properly on the second monitor, your screen could be damaged. Also, if you use a Linux LiveCD and can boot properly, that would indicate the screen is fine.

From what you're saying, it sounds like you can see items on your screen until you get to the W8 screen? If that's the case, I doubt the problem is the screen itself.

 

First of all, I hope that there's still warranty remaining on your X220.

Secondly, a LCD gone bad usually doesn't cause the machine to "beep" and/or shut off. My hunch is that there's a motherboard problem.

MidnightSun has given you a couple of good suggestions, try them out and report back.

Good luck.

 

I think you're both right that it probably isn't the screen. I should have been clearer in describing the problem, I was only able to get to the Win8 login screen twice out of maybe 20 tries, otherwise the screen doesn't turn on at all.

I tried using an external monitor with no change - even the BIOS splash screen doesn't show up. With a Linux LiveCD, the USB drive didn't indicate it was being used at all after around 30 seconds. The HDD indicator also doesn't light up except when all the lights flash when I hit the power button.

It's a little disappointing that I have a 5 yr old Acer that is still kicking and my 3 yr old beloved Lenovo is acting up So glad I caved and bought the extra 2 yr warranty though!

 

Called support and they're sending me a box to ship it out for repair. I took out my mSata, and am thinking of taking the memory out too and replacing it with one of the original sticks. For those who have shipped their Lenovo's in, should I leave the HDD in (after a backup, of course), or can I take it out?

 

You can take it out. (If left in, it should contain nothing but the factory image.)

 

You most certainly should take it out. I've never left a hard drive in the machine going out to the depot.

Leave minimal amount of RAM installed, keep the battery and the AC adapter as well.

 

Lenovo's box will come with instructions that will ask you to leave the HDD and memory installed only if it's part of the issue. In other words, you should remove your hard drive (the repair techs have HDDs for testing purposes) and any part that didn't originally come with your computer (RAM, mSATA drive, etc). Definitely keep your own battery and AC adapter as well, as the others have suggested.

 

Thanks all for the helpful advice - I'll take out the drive and RAM tonight I thought I had the original RAM lying around but it might have stayed at my old house when I moved..c'est la vie!