Thinkpads Forum

specs:
X61S
L7700 (1.8GHZ core two duo)
SXGA 1050x1400
Fn Ctrl swap (updated bios)
N 6200 AGN
4GB RAM
The machine type is 7668-CTO.
Optional: could include samsung m4 256GB SSD with Windows XP. Might be able to put a working Windows 10 image on it. Will work with you if interested.

Probs:
1) After successful screen mod worked for 1 year, the screen now displays white colors as light blue (very hard on the eyes)
2) SD card reader is not installing. This is a software / OS issue, b/c it's happened on each of my three other X61's after reinstalling windows. I am confident with the right drivers, someone could get it to work. It did work originally.

Checking for interest. At one time, I would have paid a lot for something like this. (1050 vertical pixels, in a 4x3 form factor (!) at sub 3 pounds with 4 cell battery), BUT, I don't know 1) if the screen problem is easily fixable, and 2) If anyone still values these things in light of the other options available today. It was pretty tough to source the parts for the MOD, but again, not sure anyone cares.

Let me know any questions.

The machine type is 7668-CTO.

PM sent.

Someone politely reminded me that a price should accompany posts. I was really hoping to test the market / interest level, and didn't want to turn anyone off. Maybe $300 as an ask? I spent $200 last year on the screen.

I invite anyone not willing to pay up for the mod to attempt sourcing a display and lcd cable, then doing it themselves. ;p

Assuming you can sort out the display issue.

Have you tried using a different OS? Try a live CD/USB of ubuntu or mint and see if the color issues persist. It is very easy to prepare a spare flash drive, and you only need to hit F12 at the ThinkPad splash screen to boot from it. I've read that such issues might be related to drivers or Windows XP.

The light blue colors appear to be more of a software/driver issue, especially since your using W10 on a 10 year old machine. I would try booting into a linux distro to double check.

Good suggestions fatpolomanjr and brchan.

To answer your questions, the issue started while running WinXP and then persisted through me cloning a Windows 10 image from my other X61s onto the drive. I then swapped into the machine a different working WinXP hard drive, and the issue persisted (and swapped the orig hard drive out into another X61s, and it displayed with no issue on that screen). Finally, the machine drives an external 1200x1600 monitor beautifully, so pretty sure it's a hardware issue. The easiest fix would be if it's the ribbon cable or inverter, or if the custom connector between the ribbon cable and panel (you guys who've done this know what I'm talking about) was loose on a couple of pins.

Like I said, I don't have the time or attention to detail (anymore) to troubleshoot it. This thing isn't worth much to the general public (there's cooler-running alternatives now). But if you're married to the platform like I've been (ultra-docks, chargers), and like something 1050 tall that's not 1900 wide, then maybe it could find a good home.

It's probably an issue with the cable, either crosstalk/interference or a break in the signal wires. It would have been nice if there was an actual SXGA+ cable (professionally made in a factory), and not simply modded ones.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to play around with the yoga I had to buy this coming weekend. Depending on how much I hate the silly new keyboard and 2.5 inches in greater width, I'll check back in here next week with a price to move this thing.

Any updates on this?
Do you know the history on the SXGA display that you purchased for this machine?
Was it NOS, or ...?

still interested if no sale soon