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X220 FHD Upgrade?
X220 FHD Upgrade?
I remember there was a guy in Japan selling kits to install 1080p screens into an X220, however it pulled the signal or something like that from the docking station pins so that was a no go for me (need the docking station).
I'm about to swap out a white spotted IPS LCD on my X220 but before I do I want to be sure there are no viable FHD options that don't mess with the docking station? I don't mind modding, as long as it doesn't interfere with a feature I need.
Cheers,
I'm about to swap out a white spotted IPS LCD on my X220 but before I do I want to be sure there are no viable FHD options that don't mess with the docking station? I don't mind modding, as long as it doesn't interfere with a feature I need.
Cheers,
ThinkPad W520
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
The alternative is to use the signals on the DisplayPort on the left side of the X220, but I don't know if anyone's ever tried that.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
How many users are really interested in such mod? I'm working on it for myself ATM.
P.S.: I use DisplayPort #2 on docking connector. Using mini DisplayPort for that purpose would be extremely difficult because in that case one should connect signal wires on both sides of the motherboard - that means custom ffc cables, interference issues and so on.
P.S.: I use DisplayPort #2 on docking connector. Using mini DisplayPort for that purpose would be extremely difficult because in that case one should connect signal wires on both sides of the motherboard - that means custom ffc cables, interference issues and so on.
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I'm very interested. I need to be able to dock my X220 but I do not need the display port working as I will be running an external GPU.nitrocaster wrote:How many users are really interested in such mod? I'm working on it for myself ATM.
P.S.: I use DisplayPort #2 on docking connector. Using mini DisplayPort for that purpose would be extremely difficult because in that case one should connect signal wires on both sides of the motherboard - that means custom ffc cables, interference issues and so on.
ThinkPad W520
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Barely possible due to the reasons described above. Anyway, with fhd mod that uses docking DP#2 you still can use two external monitors - just plug one into system DP instead of docking station.Carthik wrote:I'm very interested. I need to be able to dock my X220 but I do not need the display port working as I will be running an external GPU.
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I'd be fine with that. Can you provide more details on your kit/parts?nitrocaster wrote:Barely possible due to the reasons described above. Anyway, with fhd mod that uses docking DP#2 you still can use two external monitors - just plug one into system DP instead of docking station.Carthik wrote:I'm very interested. I need to be able to dock my X220 but I do not need the display port working as I will be running an external GPU.
ThinkPad W520
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I'll post once I get a working adapter.nitrocaster wrote:Can you provide more details on your kit/parts?
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
ETA?nitrocaster wrote:I'll post once I get a working adapter.nitrocaster wrote:Can you provide more details on your kit/parts?
ThinkPad W520
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
i7-2960XM CPU
32GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
1TB Samsung 850 EVO mSATA SSD
2TB Samsung 860 EVO SSD
1920x1080 FHD LCD
5.2Ah 6-Cell 70+ Battery
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
~3-4 weeks.Carthik wrote:ETA?
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Any progress?nitrocaster wrote:~3-4 weeks.Carthik wrote:ETA?
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Waiting for last components to arrive. Russian post is pretty sloweysenck wrote:Any progress?nitrocaster wrote: ~3-4 weeks.
Last edited by nitrocaster on Thu May 19, 2016 3:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Cool!nitrocaster wrote:Waiting for last componts to arrive. Russian post is pretty sloweysenck wrote: Any progress?
I am also very interested in this.
If you have time, could you write a bit more about what components you're buying / what you plan on doing specifically? I have very limited knowledge of electronics but would like to learn more.
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
The main trick is backlight - there's no easy way to make it work properly. I'll post a little report with photos once the prototype is ready.eysenck wrote: Cool!
I am also very interested in this.
If you have time, could you write a bit more about what components you're buying / what you plan on doing specifically? I have very limited knowledge of electronics but would like to learn more.
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
All parts have arrived. Waiting for a free time to get it assembled together...
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Great. I am really looking forward to your updates!
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I'm an onlooker as well
IBM Convertible 5140/L40SX/220/240/240X/2*340CSE/360PE/365XD/380D/380E/380XD/380Z/390/560E/560X/2*570/2*600/600E/750Cs/755C/760CD/760EL/760XD/770E
A20p/A22p/A31/i1600/G40/R50p/R61i/S30/SL510/2*T22/4*T4x/11*T6x/6*T40x/6*T5x0/3*W5x0/W700/3*X2x/4*X3x/3*X4x/5*X6x/3*X6xT/12*X2xx/4*X30x/Z60m/3*Z61x
A20p/A22p/A31/i1600/G40/R50p/R61i/S30/SL510/2*T22/4*T4x/11*T6x/6*T40x/6*T5x0/3*W5x0/W700/3*X2x/4*X3x/3*X4x/5*X6x/3*X6xT/12*X2xx/4*X30x/Z60m/3*Z61x
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Well, there were someone in China done this before, here's link you can take a look as reference:
http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1548345-1-1.html
You may need an account inorder to view all pics, not hard by using chrome translate.
http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1548345-1-1.html
You may need an account inorder to view all pics, not hard by using chrome translate.
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Yeah, there were some successful attempts. However, it's still unclear if they got proper backlight control.OceanMang wrote:Well, there were someone in China done this before, here's link you can take a look as reference:
http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1548345-1-1.html
You may need an account inorder to view all pics, not hard by using chrome translate.
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
There's also a Japanese guy/gal that was selling kits for the same mod. I'm too lazy to google it right now
IBM Convertible 5140/L40SX/220/240/240X/2*340CSE/360PE/365XD/380D/380E/380XD/380Z/390/560E/560X/2*570/2*600/600E/750Cs/755C/760CD/760EL/760XD/770E
A20p/A22p/A31/i1600/G40/R50p/R61i/S30/SL510/2*T22/4*T4x/11*T6x/6*T40x/6*T5x0/3*W5x0/W700/3*X2x/4*X3x/3*X4x/5*X6x/3*X6xT/12*X2xx/4*X30x/Z60m/3*Z61x
A20p/A22p/A31/i1600/G40/R50p/R61i/S30/SL510/2*T22/4*T4x/11*T6x/6*T40x/6*T5x0/3*W5x0/W700/3*X2x/4*X3x/3*X4x/5*X6x/3*X6xT/12*X2xx/4*X30x/Z60m/3*Z61x
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
That japanese guy (letsitbe.jugem.jp) sold some kits on japanese Yahoo auction for about $90 (adapter + cable).
I've been trying to reach him with no success (among others) before I started my own project.
I've been trying to reach him with no success (among others) before I started my own project.
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
At least in above case backlight control works perfectly just like original by using "Internal burner program"(quote from the author). Which proves there is a doable solution. Good luck with it.nitrocaster wrote:Yeah, there were some successful attempts. However, it's still unclear if they got proper backlight control.OceanMang wrote:Well, there were someone in China done this before, here's link you can take a look as reference:
http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1548345-1-1.html
You may need an account inorder to view all pics, not hard by using chrome translate.
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I am also attempting to fit a FHD dieplay into my X220.
I got this far by now:
- Merged the original display cable with an eDP cable.
Now the eDP gets backlight power and control, as well as logic power from the mainboard.
The LVDS lanes and logic power are still also connected to the original display connector.
-> I can connect both the old and the new display at the same time.
The old one will show the image, but without backlight.
The new one has backlight, with brighness control working!
But of course there's no image there.
- Tried to connect the eDP signal cables to the docking port.
-> The new display was recognized by windows, but, when activated (in clone mode with the original), it showed no image.
I am pretty sure there is a bad connection, or I have to work on the signal shielding to get it to work... I just don't have time now...
My conclusion: You can use the original backlight control if you can trick the Thinkpad to activate both LVDS and eDP in clone mode.
I got this far by now:
- Merged the original display cable with an eDP cable.
Now the eDP gets backlight power and control, as well as logic power from the mainboard.
The LVDS lanes and logic power are still also connected to the original display connector.
-> I can connect both the old and the new display at the same time.
The old one will show the image, but without backlight.
The new one has backlight, with brighness control working!
But of course there's no image there.
- Tried to connect the eDP signal cables to the docking port.
-> The new display was recognized by windows, but, when activated (in clone mode with the original), it showed no image.
I am pretty sure there is a bad connection, or I have to work on the signal shielding to get it to work... I just don't have time now...
My conclusion: You can use the original backlight control if you can trick the Thinkpad to activate both LVDS and eDP in clone mode.
using an X220 (i3->i5->i7, hopefully soon FHD IPS), an X41 (SSD via (m)sata-Mod, IPS, ~100Wh custom battery);
playing with an T430u(buntu), storing a T22, X41t, T42, R61, T61p;
and taking care of the T420s (FHD IPS) of my wife
playing with an T430u(buntu), storing a T22, X41t, T42, R61, T61p;
and taking care of the T420s (FHD IPS) of my wife
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
When dealing with high-speed interfaces, it's not only a shielding. In order to prevent signal loss, crosstalk and reflections you need a proper cable with matched impedance and length. For example, according to DisplayPort PCB layout guidelines, the length difference between a differential pair should be limited to 5 mils (0.127mm) maximum. Pretty tight, huh?StefanKo wrote: -> The new display was recognized by windows, but, when activated (in clone mode with the original), it showed no image.
I am pretty sure there is a bad connection, or I have to work on the signal shielding to get it to work... I just don't have time now...
The ideal solution would be to keep LVDS inferface inactive to reduce power consumption. Otherwise you'll basically have dual display setup working all the time.StefanKo wrote: My conclusion: You can use the original backlight control if you can trick the Thinkpad to activate both LVDS and eDP in clone mode.
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I know there are strict guidelines. But I am also sure that you do not need to follow them so strictly all the time to get things working.nitrocaster wrote: When dealing with high-speed interfaces, it's not only a shielding. In order to prevent signal loss, crosstalk and reflections you need a proper cable with matched impedance and length. For example, according to DisplayPort PCB layout guidelines, the length difference between a differential pair should be limited to 5 mils (0.127mm) maximum. Pretty tight, huh?
So far I have found one bad contact...
That is true, but as long as my display does not work, I do not intent to try to create my own pwm control for that display.nitrocaster wrote: The ideal solution would be to keep LVDS inferface inactive to reduce power consumption. Otherwise you'll basically have dual display setup working all the time.
Probably, even if it works, I'll just live with the higher power consumption.
What is worse, is that the X220 can only control 2 screens at a time, so internal would always have to be off when using an external screen.
using an X220 (i3->i5->i7, hopefully soon FHD IPS), an X41 (SSD via (m)sata-Mod, IPS, ~100Wh custom battery);
playing with an T430u(buntu), storing a T22, X41t, T42, R61, T61p;
and taking care of the T420s (FHD IPS) of my wife
playing with an T430u(buntu), storing a T22, X41t, T42, R61, T61p;
and taking care of the T420s (FHD IPS) of my wife
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
I have further pursued my attempt on a FHD IPS X220, but so far I had no success.
The FHD display never shows an image.
I have powered the backlight from the original display cable -> works
The old display is still connected to LVDS -> works (without backlight)
The eDP lanes are connected to the docking port as shown in the images attached here.
-> display presence is detected in windows, but the display does not show image
The cable lengths are approximately the same in each pair.
I have tested the connections, they are really as in my schematics, without shortcuts or loose contacts.
Unfortunately I currently have neither another eDP display to test, nor a notebook where I can test my current display.
Any other ideas why it might not work?
Datasheet of the display connector
schematics of the docking port
cabling (not my latest try...)
The FHD display never shows an image.
I have powered the backlight from the original display cable -> works
The old display is still connected to LVDS -> works (without backlight)
The eDP lanes are connected to the docking port as shown in the images attached here.
-> display presence is detected in windows, but the display does not show image
The cable lengths are approximately the same in each pair.
I have tested the connections, they are really as in my schematics, without shortcuts or loose contacts.
Unfortunately I currently have neither another eDP display to test, nor a notebook where I can test my current display.
Any other ideas why it might not work?
Datasheet of the display connector
schematics of the docking port
cabling (not my latest try...)
using an X220 (i3->i5->i7, hopefully soon FHD IPS), an X41 (SSD via (m)sata-Mod, IPS, ~100Wh custom battery);
playing with an T430u(buntu), storing a T22, X41t, T42, R61, T61p;
and taking care of the T420s (FHD IPS) of my wife
playing with an T430u(buntu), storing a T22, X41t, T42, R61, T61p;
and taking care of the T420s (FHD IPS) of my wife
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
So far I got everything required to build a prototype... only to found that x240 LCD connector has reverse pin order.
Due to a lack of solder paste I assembled the board using iron and hot air (sorry for bad focus, that's the only pic I got).
Going to redesign the board, wait until it's manufactured and try again.
Due to a lack of solder paste I assembled the board using iron and hot air (sorry for bad focus, that's the only pic I got).
Going to redesign the board, wait until it's manufactured and try again.
Last edited by nitrocaster on Wed Jun 29, 2016 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
that is incredible that you made your own board for this mod. i eagerly await when you finish this, i'd definitely buy it immediately.
why didn't you use the board from china though? it seems that it fully works. Also, how much soldering is needed? it seems like just two wires need to be soldered in, seems easy enough.
why didn't you use the board from china though? it seems that it fully works. Also, how much soldering is needed? it seems like just two wires need to be soldered in, seems easy enough.
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Re: X220 FHD Upgrade?
It's very difficult to buy. They sell adapter with lcd panel and refuse to sell the adapter itself. And you have to send the laptop to seller for the kit installation.choroq wrote:why didn't you use the board from china though? it seems that it fully works. Also, how much soldering is needed? it seems like just two wires need to be soldered in, seems easy enough.
Backlight is still not adjustable, but at least I can see the image on screen now.
Something bad happened when I was installing the adapter board on my X230, and it doesn't turn on. Going to try troublesoot and repair it myself so that I could continue my experiments.
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