LCD Streams of Rippling Pixels on T20

[PeteS457]

Hi All:

I am new to this forum and I'm very happy to find it. This is the first forum I found that looks like it can be very helpful for problems specific to my Thinkpad.

By way of introduction, I own a Thinkpad T20 that I bought when it first appeared in 2000. I've enjoyed it - and thinking about buying a new one - but I want to fix this one first. I've never opened the Thinkpad before so I'm a newbie working on it and laptops in general. However, I've built desktops and work on them quite often. In other words, I'm rather astute, but working on laptops in new territory for me.

My first problem I have to correct is a terrible display on the LCD. For about 6 months, there are streams of pixels rippling all through the display, especially bad when playing video. In addition, on any static screen, there are blotches of pink and other erroneous colors throughout the display. I can improve this behavior somewhat by moving the hinged display from front to all the way back. So I'm thinking it's probably a bad LCD connection.

I downloaded the HMM and it talks about "reseating the LCD connectors" for LCD display problems. This makes sense and I'm reservedly optimistic that this may be all that's needed. However, it looks like I will have to take the entire computer apart to get to them: mini-PCI, keyboard, hinge, fan, etc.

My question is am I on the right track? Has anyone else had this problem? And is there a way to reseat the connectors without removing all these items?

Thanks a lot for any help in my first foray into my Thinkpad.

[sktn77a]

1. Reseat all connectors
2. Replace the inverter
3. Replace the LCD

The "rippling" could be RF interference but if it is, it's probably secondary to 1, 2 or 3.

Good Luck!

[PeteS457]

Thanks for the response.

I'm happy to say that I survived taking my T20 apart according to the HMM and putting it back together again. To get to the LCD panel, I had to take the entire thing apart, but it was a good learning experience and next time - and there will be a next time - I should be able to do it more efficiently.

Unfortunately, after taking the laptop apart and reseating the LCD connector - (there's really only one, right? The connector from the LCD to the inverter card) - and putting it back together again tightening up all the screws, the same problems exist. I'm getting streaks of pink rippling pixels on static screens (like the Windows login screen) and rippling green and pink pixels on video with Media Player. I did notice now that I know what's inside the machine, a vertical streak of pink pixels identically corresponds to where the connector is positioned which connects the LCD to the inverter card.

So per the advice here, I would think I should probably buy a new inverter card first, and then if that doesn't fix it, a new LCD panel. Wow.

Questions:

I've never had to purchase laptop parts before. Where is the best place to buy these things? I'm guessing the inverter may have to be purchased directly from IBM. Any other suggestions?

If I have to purchase a new LCD panel, I know that the T20 supports a 13.3 and 14.4 screen. Mine's 13.3. Can I replace it with a 14.4 and have it fit inside the same bezel assembly? I kinda doubt it, but thought I'd ask.

I noticed the HMM says to replace the nylon-coated screws every time you take them out. I obviously didn't do that when I took it apart and put it back together again and it doesn't seem bad. What's the feeling about this? Should I put new screws in next time?

Thanks for everyone's patience as I get acquainted with Thinkpad maintenence.