Ibm Thinkpad Monitor Problem...need Help Please

I just purchased a used IBM Thinkpad T30 that is +/- 5 years old and need help from anyone who might have encountered such a situation with their laptop.

Laptop works great, but....
here is my problem:
The monitor brightness is VERY unstable, same thing as if I would be playing with the brightness button up and down constantly all the time. It takes less than a second to go down and get back again to normal, then it just starts back all over again non-stop.

Can this be fixed?
Is it possible to replace the monitor of a laptop?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

From a quick search on eBay, the computer looks to be worth about $250, and a replacement screen is $100. If possible, return the faulty computer and get your money back.