T42 full lid swap vs LCD panel swap

[superfly676]

Hi guys

I am in the process of doing an LCD swap and I have read through the pitfalls on the forum.
I checked my serial number vs the IBM warranty page and I have the Samsung LCD, 14.1" SXGA+.

As I understand it, if I try to swap just the LCD panel, I need the exact same part number panel.
If I was to buy a parts T40,T41,T43 etc and swap the entire lid, would that work if it is a different part number LCD because it has it's own invertor card?
Would it be basically plug and play?

Anyone tried this?
Thanks!
S

[Johan]

First, how do you know that we are all guys?

About swapping out your LCD, I suggest you see the thread Replacement for T42 SXGA+ LCD panel or Upgrading a 14.1' T42 from 1024x768 to 1440x1050 resolution etc. - there you will find plenty of information. Also, you may want to search this forum (the T4x) for e.g. "lcd swap".

As always, the Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p is a very useful guide!

Johan

[superfly676]

Hey Johan
Thanks for the quick reply.
I read the previous posts ( and read them on the only third of my screen that still works!) that you pointed to. Thanks or the great info by the way!.
That is what leads me to the original question. I am thinking that it is easiest, as you recommended, to get a full lid from a broken laptop on ebay and just swap it over. My concern is that there may be compatibility issues though. The HMM says that all the T4x machines use those FRUs but the forum shows some incompatibilities if you mix and match panels to different machines. I am thinking the issues are due to inverter cards being different. This would be avoided using a full lid swap though.
I am just looking to confirm if it will work before I pull the trigger on an ebay parts machine.
If I swap my lid which has a FRU 11P8348 samsung for another lid with the same sxga+ resolution but has a different panel, will it connect up and work? I think it will, but I haven't found any posts by anyone who has done so successfully.
Looking forward to any replies and until then....i will be reading the forum in a very narrow firefox window!!
Thanks
S

[Johan]

a) The HMM says that all the T4x machines use those FRUs but the forum shows some incompatibilities if you mix and match panels to different machines.

b) I am thinking the issues are due to inverter cards being different.

My pleasure to help, if I am able!

But: Please provide specific references to the quoted text above. According to the 14.1" LCD service parts - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p all these ThinkPad's uses the same inverter - FRU 26P8464... see item # 7 there (14.1" T43/p's uses inverter having FRU 27K9972).

Sorry, but I don't think I quite understand your specific concerns, since you don't provide references to where you've read about the mentioned difficulties?

Johan

[superfly676]

I see your point. So the T43 has a different inverter, and is definately a different part but the inverter is housed in the LCD bezel. So if I was to swap lids with say a T43 would it bolt on to my
T42 K5U L39A4B6? Would the different inverter, even if the LCD panel is the same, not connect to my laptop.....
I have seen T43 bare LCD's listed for sale that match the FRU and part number of my Samsung panel
From what I have read in the forum guys( girls ) have swapped T41p "lids" onto T41's and I have read of people swapping the bare LCD if it matched part numbers with no issue.
I am just unsure if I can put a T43 full "lid" hinges and all, onto my T42.
I need to do more digging!
Thanks
S

[RealBlackStuff]

Some basic info (applying to 14.1" screens):
the T40/41/42 mobos with integrated Intel graphics only support XGA LCD panels.
The ones that came with standard SXGA+ panels will also support XGA panels.
The XGA and SXGA+ LCD-cables are different.
Both SXGA and XGA use the same inverter.
The Samsung LCD 14.1" SXGA+ has Samsung part # LTN141P4-L02, has 175nit, and contrast ratio 300:1
The IDTech LCD 14.1" SXGA+ has IDTech part # IASX16S, has 150nit, and contrast ratio 200:1
So the Samsung screen is way better!
So if you have an ATI Radeon 7500/9000/x300, you could use both XGA and SXGA+ LCDs (with the appropriate LCD-cable).
T40/41/42 14.1" LCD assemblies all use the same screws/mounting.
Differences might arise in Bluetooth or not, which could have an extra LED.

Correction of Samsung Contrast ratio, 300:1 instead of 500:1

[sjthinkpader]

....
The Samsung LCD 14.1" SXGA+ has Samsung part # LTN141P4-L02, has 175nit, and contrast ratio 500:1
The IDTech LCD 14.1" SXGA+ has IDTech part # IASX16S, has 150nit, and contrast ratio 200:1
So the Samsung screen is way better!
....

Thinkwiki website list the Samsung as 150nit and 300:1 contrast ratio (still better than the IDTech). 500:1 is Flexview kind of performance. Where did you find your data?

Added:

I have a T41 with this 14 inch SXGA+ Samsung LCD, FRU 11P8348. The measured results are as following:

White: 124nit
Black: 0.600nit
Contrast ratio: 206:1

Instrument used is a Topcon BM-8 luminance meter.

[ajkula66]

IMHO the best panels used on T4x series in 14" format are the Hydis ones, FRUs 92P6737 and 13N7046.

Although "officially" spec'd only on T43/p, they can be found on late T42/p units as well. I've just parted out and sold a T42p with a Hydis panel and it was a very nice LCD by TN standards.

Samsung, regardless of how well it may look on paper, has the lousiest colour reproduction of them all in my experience.

[RealBlackStuff]

That was a typo, sorry (darn progressive lenses...).
The Samsung contrast ratio is 300:1

[superfly676]

IMHO the best panels used on T4x series in 14" format are the Hydis ones, FRUs 92P6737 and 13N7046.

Although "officially" spec'd only on T43/p, they can be found on late T42/p units as well. I've just parted out and sold a T42p with a Hydis panel and it was a very nice LCD by TN standards.

Samsung, regardless of how well it may look on paper, has the lousiest colour reproduction of them all in my experience.

I have to agree on the colour on the previous, and now broken, Samsung panel.

When you parted out the T42p, would it have been able to be swapped onto my T42 samsung? Would a full lid swap have worked even though it was not spec'd? I have been looking at T42p's on Ebay for a lid or LCD panel donor machine. They are rather rare, but there are tons of T43 lids and panels available.

Would a full T43 lid swap work or the panel from the T43 onto a T42?
Thanks for all the great info everyone.
S

[superfly676]

Some basic info (applying to 14.1" screens):
the T40/41/42 mobos with integrated Intel graphics only support XGA LCD panels.
The ones that came with standard SXGA+ panels will also support XGA panels.
The XGA and SXGA+ LCD-cables are different.
Both SXGA and XGA use the same inverter.
The Samsung LCD 14.1" SXGA+ has Samsung part # LTN141P4-L02, has 175nit, and contrast ratio 300:1
The IDTech LCD 14.1" SXGA+ has IDTech part # IASX16S, has 150nit, and contrast ratio 200:1
So the Samsung screen is way better!
So if you have an ATI Radeon 7500/9000/x300, you could use both XGA and SXGA+ LCDs (with the appropriate LCD-cable).
T40/41/42 14.1" LCD assemblies all use the same screws/mounting.
Differences might arise in Bluetooth or not, which could have an extra LED.

Correction of Samsung Contrast ratio, 300:1 instead of 500:1

My machine has the ATI card and originally had an SXGA+ samsung panel. From my reading I have concluded the following.......can anyone confirm or deny my conclusions below?
1 If I get the same PART number Samsung panel, I can swap the LCD panel itself with no issue.
2 if I get the full lid assembly from a T41, T42, (T43?maybe) I can swap the entire assembly with no issue.
3 If I pull a different LCD part number from another laprtop, it will NOT work.

Sound right?

[ajkula66]

No.

You can use any SXGA+ panel from any T4x unit, the same goes for complete lids.

To put it into perspective: if you find a LCD/whole lid from T40/p, T41/p, T42/p or T43/p that matches your resolution, you're good to go.

Period.

[superfly676]

No.

You can use any SXGA+ panel from any T4x unit, the same goes for complete lids.

To put it into perspective: if you find a LCD/whole lid from T40/p, T41/p, T42/p or T43/p that matches your resolution, you're good to go.

Period.

GREAT!
Thanks for the concise reply. I will post back with results! I think I will get a T43 panel as they are everywhere on Ebay.
S

[superfly676]

Hi All
Thanks again for the help. I watched Ebay for a bit and the cheapest panel I found happened to be the exact same part as the panel I removed. $17 usd. Can't beat that! I kept my original lid and did the LCD panel. It's a bit fiddly to get all the wires in, but not too bad.
Here is a great guide with pics for anyone trying to remove an LCD. I have already posted it in the FAQ section.
Cheers
S

http://www.screentekinc.com/lcd-removal ... ,ibm.shtml