My IBM T40 boots to a black screen with the "z"(light at top to right of power.

Hi,

As currently you getting a black screen right, I would need you to try these steps first...

1. Remove battery and unplug AC adapter
2. Press power ON button for 30 seconds or so (1 min is also good).
3. Attach battery and plug in AC.
4. Power ON as normal

If nothing happens then hook up an external monitor and power ON the Thinkpad as normal... see if something shows up on the monitor (POST, logo, errors, BSOD, etc.)

If still nothing happens then it could be the motherboard or the video card but if you can hear the fan, like it's on, but a black screen then big possibility that it is the video card
Please let me know if the provided information has been helpful.
Please rate me if the information provided was able to help you.

Try these steps:

1. Remove battery and unplug AC adapter
2. Press power on button for 30 seconds or so (one min is also too)
3. Attach battery and plug into wall
4. Power "ON" as normal

If you are still getting the "Z" and a black screen then I would have the video card or hard drive looked at and replaced. Start with the video card and then look at the hard drive


thinkpad-t42-wont-boot.html">http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/laptop-support/234433-ibm-thinkpad-t42-wont-boot.html