LCD issues

[dwilsonfl]

How can you tell whether the LCD itself is tired or the inverter is in need of change?

The LCD seems to me to be dull overall compared to my A31, and shaded from each lower corner up and out. I have all the settings maxed.

Machine really is a key tool so if I need to go ahead and replace something, I'd like to know what.

Thanks,

David

[rkawakami]

I'd say that if your screen appears to have lost some of its brightness since when it was new, then that's a problem with the backlight (aka, CCFL - cold cathode fluorescent lamp). That lamp is sandwiched inside the LCD panel and can be difficult to remove and replace without causing damage or otherwise affecting your display (uneven lighting, dust/dirt/hair contamination). You can ascertain if it's the lamp by turning the brightness down and seeing if there is a red or pinkish tint to the display. That is usually the indication that the lamp is getting old.

The inverter provides the high voltage needed to light the lamp and in my experience, it either works or it doesn't. You could try replacing the inverter as it's both fairly easy to get to and inexpensive (compared to the cost of a replacement panel).

Of course, another explanation is that there's so much dirt and grime on the panel that cleaning it might help a little .

[dwilsonfl]

when I turn it down, I don't get any red or pinkish tint, it just gets darker, especially in palm sized areas emanating from the lower corners. The center, up to about halfway, remains pretty bright but the rest of the screen is fairly dim.

[rkawakami]

Given that description, I would say that the CCFL is your problem. The darker bottom corners may be due to blackened ends of the lamp. You can try the do-it-yourself lamp replacement by purchasing them from places like lcdparts.net (aka, moniserv.com). The lamp is $10 (plus shipping/taxes) and requires careful disassembly of the LCD panel in order to replace it. You may also need some special tape during re-assembly. If that repair attempt doesn't work, then you're out the $10+ and you will have to get another LCD panel anyway.

A temporary solution could be possible. If your display driver allows for gamma/brightness/contrast changes, you might be able to bump them up to get a little more light through the panel. Not sure if this is what you meant earlier when you said that "I have all the settings maxed".

ref: http://www.lcdparts.net/
ref: http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccflinstallation.html (yes, "lcdpart.com"; they use several URLs)

[mtp318]

I agree it is probably the CCFL too. However, take it from someone who has replaced a ccfl on a uxga w/o getting any improvement; I'd recommend replacing the inverter first- especially if you plan spending the $100-150 to have someone else do the ccfl replacement. The inverter is a $25 part from Lenovo, or cheaper for a used one on eBay.

dwilsonfl, what kind of screen do you have?

[dwilsonfl]

Just the regular display. Looked at config but didn't find anything. It's a standard 14" LCD with the 7500 chip if that helps.

[mtp318]

Hi again David,

You can download the HMM for your laptop here:

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 192_01.pdf

The FRU for your inverter is 26P8464. It should be about $14. I couldn't find it listed at Lenovo, so they may not have any in stock. You can call them at 1-800-765-5944.

You can also find new ones here:
http://shop.ebay.com/items/__26P8464-ne ... 38Q2el1313

and here:

http://www.google.com/products?q=26P846 ... ts&show=dd

If you look at page #153 of the HMM it tells you how to remove the front bezel on your T41. The instructions call for you to remove a whole bunch of other stuff first though: the keyboard, the palm rest, the whole display assembly, etc. None of that is necessary of you are careful.

Decide where you are going to work on your laptop- preferably something large, flat and stable. Unplug the laptop, remove the battery and HDD, then place the T41 so it is facing away from you. Now open the LCD until it is parallel to the surface you are working on (as if it were a book). Don't move the screen past parallel, and certainly don't try to force it all the way to your wok surface. Now find a a book that fits between the screen & work surface and then place a wash cloth between the book and LCD assembly. Lastly, place a towel over the keyboard / main body side of the laptop (to protect it from scratches and debris). If you really want to be anal you can use blue 3M painter's masking tape to protect the edge of the computer body next to the screen (this is what i do).

Follow the HMM instructions to remove the bezel. To save the plastic covers, put them sticky side down on some wax paper. Besides the screws there are catches that hold the front bezel to the LCD assembly. Sometimes they stick- if so use something PLASTIC to GENTLY pry the bezel off w/o damaging the LCD screen- plastic spoons work great. While prying (again- GENTLY), press the bezel towards the screen slightly.

Anyway, now on to page 157. Remove the old inverter, replace with new. Don't put the bezel back on yet. I don't recall on the T41, but on mine, a 15" t43p, the #3 screws hold the lcd and don't have anything to do with the bezel. On yours it appears that the #3 screws hold the front bezel AND the screen. If that is the case put the #3 screws back to keep the screen stable. Also, the inverter is held on and grounded with one of the screws that pass through the front bezel- put that screw back in.

Now, put the HDD back in, the battery, and then power it up. If still dim then you know the problem is w/ the screen. At this point you are out $20, but have the screen exposed for easy replacement.

Now there are two options: replace the screen or send it in for a CCFL replacement. Depending on your screen's resolution a new one can be had for about the same price a s CCFL repair.

[dwilsonfl]

WOW!

That's so generous of you to spend the time putting that together. I really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

David