Hi there, this is my first post and hopefully one of you guys can help me out here...

Ok, I have searched for similar problems on the internet, tried those solutions, but no luck. I'm now thinking that this is some sort of defective hardware problem, but I'm not sure which part. So, here goes:

Specs:

IBM thinkpad t40
40gb hd
intel centrino 1500mhz
256mb ram
cd/rw drive
made in 2003 sometime

As of late, the screen has randomly begun t o blank out. This mostly happens when its on your lap or you pick it up to move it. The slighest bit of motion to it can cause a few problems: the screen will go black, the screen will be 'scrambled' such that the colors and icons are messed, pixelation occurs (bits of red/green tiny pixels will cover the screen) and blank/white horizontal lines. SOMETIMES this can be fixed by gently holding the top of the lcd, then lightly shaking the entire machine gently. Sometimes it comes back to normal, but most times the mouse will then be a 'white block' and there will be slight pixelation. Then after some use it'll all come back to normal somehow like nothing ever happened. If we keep it in a stationary position like on a table, nothing happens. Its when we move it or use it on our laps then change position, thats when it goes haywire.

The solutions I've tried were to disassemble it, then reconnect the video card and the lcd connection. I took the entire thing apart, connected all connections securely, cleaned it out...this worked for like 20mins, then any slight movement would put it out again. I think its gotten worse, as the lightest touch sometimes puts it out. Half the time the machine has to be rebooted and then shaken to get it working.

If you need anymore help just ask. This is kind of hard to describe, so I'm doing my best. I personally think that its either the video card or lcd screen and that I need to replace one of them and would like to know if anyone knows which is probably the problem. This is my mom's laptop and she really only uses it for email and web surfing, word processing etc. We don't really have money to buy a new one, ad I'm certain that if I can find the problem, I can buy the part and replace it for a good cost. Thanks for readin it and any help woul dbe great.