Is this spot able to be cleaned? (Pic Warning)

[sizzleman]

This is my new baby, t43p 2669-w8n that I just picked up off e-bay. I fixed minor issues, like heat (will post on that later), and the lid not closing. But when I first got the TP, the thing was filthy. I mean, the screen was hard to read because it was, greasy? Allmost like someone was frying chicken while watching a movie.

Anywho, there were thick spots, of something, that I cleaned. At first I used windex (I know, bad idea, but this stuff was on there) and that cleaned it up pretty nice while turned off. If you turn the screen towards the light, it looks perfect. Now, if you boot back into windoze, you can still see where those spots were. Seen here:



This is the best pic I could get.

It has been days since I got the laptop and the image is still there. Next I have tried lens cloths that don't work very good. Last thing I tried was a 50/50 mix of alcohol and a soft cloth. I wet the cloth as much as possible then put it on the screen and rubbing gently. Trying to let some of the solution sit there for a second to break the spot up. But this didn't work either.

Does anyone have any ideas? Or is this just going to be the way it is?

[Harryc]

I suspect that may be dust inside of the LCD, in which case you would not be able to clean it from the outside.

[Johan]

Congratulations with your new ThinkPad T43p 2669-W8N. This 15" UXGA LCD is of the FlexView/IPS type which are known to (sometimes) exhibit the so-called "dust spec". Try do a search here on the forum after "dust spec" (and check the "Search for all terms or use query as entered" button), and you will learn much more about that.

The solution? Watch out for a new LCD here the Marketplace or on eBay. You will find FRU's in e.g. the thread Identifying T42P LCD without opening bezel? or Best Replacement For Broken T42P With UXGA IPS or 15" Flexview UXGA screen for sale etc. etc. Expect to pay around $100 for the LCD itself.

Johan

[sizzleman]

Thanks for the quick responses fellas.

I have looked over the forum and I seen a few (not so great) pics of the dust spec problem. Now, I could see if this just up and happened or I recieved it this way. Hmm, maybe not the best wording. But when I recieved the laptop, it physically had stuff you could touch on the screen. Like, splatter marks, if you will. And you could see this stuff when it was off. After cleaning, where the heaviest of spots were, they are seen in a light background. It seems like the screen absorbed some of the stuff into itself.

I mean, is it possible the screen is porous and it just sucked in a lil stuff?

Sorry if I have bad grammar right now. I am a major computer geek that has been reading these forums for quite a few hours. Lots of good info, and I can't stop . Help line anyone?

[ajkula66]

I'm afraid that there's no cleaning of the stuff that your pictures refer to.

Had the issue on one of my past T43p machines, even very similar shape to yours, had it replaced under warranty.

As Harry stated, that is dust/dirt on the inside of the LCD.

Good luck.

[jamiphar]

I've seen this quite a few times and have actually had pretty good success with cleaning the dust out. It's a fairly involved job, though, so it's usually tacked onto a backlight replacement to save on labor costs. I'd be glad to fix this for you if you wanted to send the laptop my way. Feel free to e-mail me at james at arndtcomputer.com for an estimate or if you have any questions.

[ajkula66]

@jamiphar:

Of course...you would be the one crazy enough to try something like that and succeed...

@sizzleman:

If James (jamiphar) says that a job is "fairly involved" that translates into "impossible for mortals"...but if you choose to send that fine T43p to him, it will be returned better than new...and I'm speaking from personal experience...

[jamiphar]

Wow, I'm not sure what to say! Thanks, George!