12/23   The screen on my 600 series IBM thinkpad no longer seems to work.
        Is it worth trying to replace the screen?  Ebay seems to have
        reasonably priced screens but I have no idea how difficult it is
        to replace a screen.  Can anyone point me to instructions on
        replacing the screen or suggest whether this is a good idea?  Thanks.
        \_ Chances are it's not the screen unless you cracked it. Chances
           are it's the LCD inverter, which costs much less than a whole
           screen. Laptop parts are fairly hard to replace, but the Thinkpad
           should be a good model to do it on. Do you have regular or
           security screws? -williamc
           \_ I think I have regular screws.  The inverter's on ebay are
              much cheaper than the screens so it would be great if that
              was the issue.  How would I figure this out?  Do you know
              of any websites with instructions on this sort of thing?  Thanks.
              \_ 1) If the backlight is out you will still be able to see
                    your screen function if you look at it close enough
                    in bright lighting.
                 2) If the invert is out, well, the inverter is out. You
                    can't tell if it's an inverter problem or if it's something
                    inside the screen. If you didn't crack your screen there
                    is an exceedingly high probability it's the inverter
                    because LCD screens will last a long time without
                    damage, in the order of decades.
                 3) If you damaged one of your cables. Only way to test that
                    is to pop off the hood of your laptop and examine the
                    cables. Also make sure you seat the connectors
                    properly. Maybe you dropped it or somethign and it got
                    loose.
                 4) If it's the screen, then, well, get a new laptop. It's
                    really not worth it since you can get a faster laptop
                    for not much more money than screen + labor. Obviously
                    you have the hassle of transferring over files.
                    If you feel warry about taking apart a laptop, well,
                    you should be. I've broken the plastic moldings on two
                    laptops I've repaired in the past. It just goes with the
                    territory since they're not exactly designed to be taken
                    apart. Just don't force anything, and sometimes you have
                    to force a small flathead screwdriver into not-so-obvious
                    slotholes to uhnook plastic tabs. Just be aware that
                    screws can hide under rubber caps over holes, so you'l
                    need to be patient before resorting to more than
                    light force in taking apart a case. -williamc
        \_ If you don't know what's wrong with it, it could be the screen,
           backlight, cable or motherboard.  Typical sales on eBay are only the
           screen, so if your $2 cable bought it, you're screwed.  That being
           said, I've heard thinkpads are the easiest to work on.
           \_ Do you know how I could figure this out?  Should I take it
              to CompUSA and ask them to fix it or something like that? Thanks.
              \_ Take it to whoever would handle the manufacturer's warranty.
                 If it's out of warranty, you might get them to diagnose it at
                 least.  Typically, they'll simply replace all the screen
                 components.  Doing it yourself will most likely be $1000 or
                 more.
        \_ if you post your login, I will send you a thinkpad 600 maintainence
           manual.  it will list all the 600 models and give you part numbers.