T61 being plugged into external monitor

So I can get this to work fine. But when I unplug the monitor to make my laptop portable again one of two things happen:
1. my laptop screen just wont work and stays black
2. my video card is no long able to work with the lenovo screen, and is just waiting out for being able to be plugged back to the external screen

Any advice on how to avoid this, or what is causing it? Thanks

 

Does this happen when you use the Hot-key combination -> Fn+F7

 

usually the computer is asleep, so I just unhook the monitor, and take the laptop. then when I wake it up those problems kick in. So is that pretty much the problem right there?

 

i am pretty sure lenovo/ibm would think of a work around for this issue.

first try doing what brainstew said and use the fn combo but in a normal setting. what happens? does a black box with options appear or does your system toggle outputs?

if you do a lot of presenting and dont need the black options screen, set your fn combo to toggle outputs instead. now after you hit a blank screen, the fn combo should revive your LCD (might take a few taps to get it to toggle to lcd)

or when doing presentations, set it to show and lcd and external screen and close the lid. with both on you should always be able to see the laptop lcd

 

Ya I am just kinda surprised how much work it is. My 4+ year old ibook could switch out of the fly. No problems just did a little 2-3 second screen restart thing.

 

I had the same issue with my T61's screen not coming back on after

a) unplugging from an external monitor
b) or, being closed for the whole day but using the laptop via a remote desktop session.

I suggest you update the video drivers and the BIOS, I'm not sure what fixed it for me, but it was one of the two.