Need Help!CF-29 screen shuts off.

I've had my CF-29 for about a year with no problems. but now, the whole screen goes black after about 3-4 seconds. i has the touchscreen, but the problem is the whole screen goes black. I've tried restarting, but get the same results. Anyone know how i can fix this?

 

Several things to try

Hook up an external monitor and see if its your display, or your motherboard video card

Get a flashlight and point it onto the laptop screen
If the display is black ,see if the lcd is displaying something
If it is it means the back-light, or most likely inverter is gone

 

sometimes i do see something on the screen. but the light has to be just right and my face about 3 inches from the screen to see it.

 

You need a very bright flashlight , if the lcd displays it means that its the inverter or ccf tubes most likely

Were there any signs of failure , quite often when the ccf tubes go the laptop will start with a reddish color insted of the white, and it go's away in a min or two

If its the inverter , it just dies instantly
Bad conection , that would mean it might work sometimes

 

just tried to hook up a monitor, doesnt work.

starting about a month ago, the only thing the screen would do is flash a little bit, but it wasnt often.

 

You have to boot it up with the monitor conected to be sure ,or use the hot keys to select the second monitor
It will not display on an external monitor unless its conected before boot

 

i can see the screen with bright light when it starts up, and the monitor displays the Windows XP with the loading bar, but then it goes black(the external monitor). i can sortof use the toughbook with my 250 lumen flashlight. touchscreen works fine.

 

whats the hot key i would use?

 

The external screen not staying on ,is bothersome

Bypass windows altogether, and hit F2 while booting with an external monitor
It should display continuously the bios options

Fn and hold down F3 if I remember right

 

what do i select on the F2 menu to use the external monitor?

 

You hold down the Fn key (its to the right of your space bar) and the F3 at the same time

 

never mind, i think i got the monitor working.

so do you think i need to replace the inverter, or something else?

or is this even worth fixing.

 

It sure is

You can buy a used complete lid on ebay, or from one of the members here

Or you must take chances
I have only had one dead cf-29 ,and it was fixed with a new inverter

The ccf tube replacement is not recomended if its gone, as its too much work to change
You are best if the inverter is not the cause to replace the whole lcd panel

Aprox costs for used parts

Inverter $25 to $45

Lcd panel $50 to around $80

Whole lid assembly $80 to $150

 

got the external monitor working,any ideas on what i need to replace in my toughbook?

is it possible to just replace the inverter? or is it neccissary to replace the lcd panel and lid assembly.

 

Read post # 13

75% chance its the inverter only , and its easy to change

 

Sorry! But I need to give you some tips before you buy an inverter. I also beleived as "Alex" said it is an inverter problem. But first let us know before it goes out into black screen. Did the screen look redish? Mentioned also above but you haven't answer that question by Tomcat. let me know before I go on.


ohlip

 

thanks for all of you help. i really needed it.

 

Teo hopefully he did not skip over this post

 

madein....You haven't answer the question yet. Is it redish like when it goes into black screen. I ask coz I need a full detail. I don't want to give an advice to a certain problem without knowing the whole situation.

Lol, Alex! sometimes I do that without reading from the top.
Well! I've guess he is it not willing to save a bit of money for the inverter. The inverter itself not really dies like that. Only need to reflow a few area that has already been kaput due to heat. Its already a tip to you to start with.

ohlip