Thinkpad T41 LCD colors too washed with backlight(?)

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syedj · #1 Post by **syedj** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:50 pm

I have a Thinkpad T41 (2373-9FU, with 1400x1050 resolution); which is still in warranty. I just noticed that its colors seem a little too washed out as if the internal LCD light is too bright. I noticed it when it was sitting right next to a Thinkpad T43p (1600x1200). T43p's dark colors seemed very sharp and real looking while T41's colors looked a little too "lighted." I don't know quite how else to explain it. I have used various other Thinkpads in the past - a different T41 (1024x768), A31 (1400x1050), A31p (1600x1200), T30 (1024x768) and others - but have never noticed this kind of color difference before.

Is there a difference between LCD screens that T41 uses for 1400x1050? Or could this be an indication of the LCD backlight close to getting the end of its life?

The laptop is still under warranty for another few weeks, should I try to make a case and try to get the LCD replaced under warranty?

makai · #2 Post by **makai** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:04 pm

This is the same thing I saw with my T41 (1400 x 1050). I think it's typical. I ended up changing the screen to 1024 x 768. I like the new screen so much better especially since now I can read the darn thing!

makai

syedj · #3 Post by **syedj** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:19 am

Hi makai,

Thanks for your reply. From your answer it seems getting the LCD changed to another 1400x1050 won't help much either. Thats a bummer!!!

Thanks again.

MartinB · #4 Post by **MartinB** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 5:46 am

My T42 1400x1050 has the same issue. Have not seen any other TP with this kind of blurring screen (although I have never compared to another 1400x1050 LCD...). The picture simply does not seem sharp enough. Almost as if the LCD is too bright...

Anyone else experiencing the same?

syedj · #5 Post by **syedj** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:12 am

MartinB,

Thanks for reaffirming my suspicions, I was beginning to think maybe its just my eyes.

My T41 is still under warranty for another 4 weeks or so. I think I am going to call them and invoke warranty replacement. I will try to make the same case and hopefully they will buy into it.

Does anyone know if only the LCD needs changed or the inverter as well? How about the lamp?

MartinB · #6 Post by **MartinB** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:49 am

The following thread is regarding the same issue, http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=34954 . The only difference is that the issue evoked after his TP had been serviced, not good news in this perspective

Maybe the LCD 1400x1050 design has been changed over the years? Nevertheless my old T22 has a more crisp/sharp display than my current T42 SXGA+, not exactly what one would expect

MartinB · #7 Post by **MartinB** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:25 am

syedj wrote:MartinB,

Thanks for reaffirming my suspicions, I was beginning to think maybe its just my eyes.

My T41 is still under warranty for another 4 weeks or so. I think I am going to call them and invoke warranty replacement. I will try to make the same case and hopefully they will buy into it.

Any response from IBM?

syedj · #8 Post by **syedj** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:56 am

I haven't had a chance to call IBM yet. I will do it soon and then report the results.

I am now running Windows Vista Ultimate and believe it not the colors are a bit better than with Windows XP. I guess the driver does also play a role. But I will try to get the LCD changed nevertheless.

syedj · #9 Post by **syedj** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:06 am

I have opened up a case and the machine is going in for an EZServ service. I will report back with the findings once the machine comes back.

sktn77a · #10 Post by **sktn77a** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:15 am

Given the horror stories regarding Solectron (IBM/Lenovo) service centers, do you really want to send your Thinkpad in to these clowns to mess with it??? Unless there's a major problem with your screen, I'd be inclined to leave well alone. I've had no such problems with my T40/41 (14") or T42 (15").

syedj · #11 Post by **syedj** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:20 am

I hear what you are saying but there is another unrelated issue with the machine right now. There is a slight grinding sound coming from the fan whenever it kicks in. I would have that definitely get replaced even if they don't do anything with the LCD.

beeblebrox · #12 Post by **beeblebrox** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:24 am

syedj wrote:I hear what you are saying but there is another unrelated issue with the machine right now. There is a slight grinding sound coming from the fan whenever it kicks in. I would have that definitely get replaced even if they don't do anything with the LCD.

Just a quick hint:
I had the very same experience when I got the SXGA screen.
I downloaded the SXGA screen profile and went into color settings.
Of course, the settings were completely wrong. download a screen test picture and work with settings.
Turn contrast down to 80-90% and increase brightness to 110% gave me a very good result, with much better colors.

Unfortunately there is no common way, because each display is different, with different vendors and different screen generations. Lenovo source from many vendors.

MartinB · #13 Post by **MartinB** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:24 am

beeblebrox wrote: I downloaded the SXGA screen profile and went into color settings.
Of course, the settings were completely wrong. download a screen test picture and work with settings.

Sorry for asking, but where do you download a SXGA screen profile?

syedj · #14 Post by **syedj** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:10 pm

OK, I got the machine back. Apparently they replaced the LCD. Call it placebo effect or whatever but the colors seem better with Windows XP now. I compared the same web page full of graphics against a T42p with a 15" FV display, a T60 with 14.1" and an external CRT monitor. May not be an apples to apples comparison but the new LCD on the T41 faired against the rest.

MartinB, if you are also having similar issues with your display you might wanna look into getting it replaced as well. But as always YMMV.

MartinB · #15 Post by **MartinB** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:59 pm

Thanks for the feedback. Im going to visit my retailer to make a comparison to another 1400x1050 LCD, just to be sure.

But I would like to tweak a bit with the color profile as mentioned by beeblebrox.

Which screen test program should I use to get the color setting right? Anyone?

syedj · #16 Post by **syedj** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:09 am

MartinB, I was just curious if you got any chance to do the comparison of your LCD? [/b]

MartinB · #17 Post by **MartinB** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:15 am

I'll make the comparison in a couple of weeks. The retailer isn't exactly next door.....

Satisfied with your replaced LCD?

syedj · #18 Post by **syedj** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:19 am

So far so good with the new LCD. Although Windows version (XP SP2 and Vista) makes a difference in the color vividness perhaps because of the drivers.

kid8 · #19 Post by **kid8** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:14 pm

I too have a T41 w/the SXGA screen and I have the same issue. Mine is under warranty until June of this year. Did the new LCd really make that big of a difference? My screen is blurry and dark. What is IBM's policy on replacing the LCD? Will it be covered under the basic warranty? I got fed up w/it being so dark that I just use my Dell 1707FP, it is like night and day. Would love for my SXGA on the T41 to look like that.

syedj · #20 Post by **syedj** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:31 am

In my case it did make a noticable difference in the clarity, color vividness, sharpness and brightness of the screen.

My personaly experience with the warranty is that if you can explain them the symptoms and suggest a remedy (replacing the LCD in this case) then they are generally pretty good about it, no questions asked. In any case I feel its worth a shot.

I believe it is covered under standard EzServ warranty, at least that was the case with my machine. I had to send out the machine to their workshop in TN and wait for 4/5 business days for it to come back.

Dells are nice (I have used D600 and couple more from work) but I personally like the build and feel of ThinkPads.

Puppy · #21 Post by **Puppy** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:48 am

I've seen few 14" ThinkPads and the screen quality was unacceptable. I compared it side-by-side with a low-end Fujitsu Siemens which has even better screen. AFAIK there are three different vendors of these screen but I doubt there will be any significant differences. FlexView (so no 14") or nothing

kid8 · #22 Post by **kid8** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:47 am

I love the thinkpads as well, The 1707fp i mentioned before is a monitor i use w/my thinkpad when I am at home. I will try to get it replaced while I am under warranty.

Thinkpad T41 LCD colors too washed with backlight(?)

Thinkpad T41 LCD colors too washed with backlight(?)

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