T43 from Ebay Yellow screen. Is this normal

[malibu91]

Hi Guys,

I just took delivery of a T43 with high resolution and it seems to have a really yellow tinge to the screen. I have read that this model can have a "slight" cast, but this seems pretty bad.

I spoke the seller (pretty reputable and sells a truckload of these things) and he assures me they all look yellow and that all is normal. He offered a refund if I am unhappy.

I have taken a picture of the T43 (2668 C31) next to my other T43 (2668 BM2) here http://img9.imageshack.us/g/yelowlappy.jpg/and the pictures speak for themselves.

What do you guys recommend? Does this look normal to you?


Thanks
Julian

[Harryc]

Not normal. It looks to me like the CCFL is weak on the T43. I'd return it.

[RealBlackStuff]

Another possibility could be aging of the polarizing filter, or (but you would smell that) covered in nicotine.
Either way, ask for a refund (or a hefty discount to buy a new screen).

[sjthinkpader]

Welcome to the forum.

It doesn't look that bad given it is a more than 3 year old SXGA+ machine. Your other T43 does look very good but a XGA machine. SXGA+ panels has smaller pixel aperture thus will look dimmer side by side with a larger pixel aperture XGA. I had a T41 SXGA+ and it always had a weaker screen even when new. 15 inch SXGA+ are much better since they are IPS/Flexview.

Desktop monitor is not a good comparison as some has CCF on top and bottom.

[richk]

Make sure the brightness is all the way up (Fn + Home)

[ajkula66]

If that "yellowish" LCD is turned on "high" in BIOS, I'd return it immediately. If not, change the setting and see where that gets you.

These were not the greatest of screens to begin with, but that one looks quite bad IMHO.

[malibu91]

Thanks for the really quick advice guys.

The laptop is turned up to high in BIOS and the screen setting is also at is brightest already. I have checked the gamma and colour balance as well through the display settings config. area.

I think this is as good as it gets.
The seller has been great in this instance and is happy to do whatever it takes.

This morning I noticed he has a few T43's with 1024 x 768 resolution, and he has agreed to swap them over, so I'll probably go that route, as he reckons all his high res T43's look similar.

Your advice has been a big help. I was tossing up whether to begrudgingly live with the yellow display.

Regards
Jules

[visionguru]

Buying a laptop of that age is often a tossup. If it hasn't been used a lot, the screen can still be quite bright, but what you got seem quite normal for a 3+ year old laptop.

My T23 looked just like that at 4 year mark. I had to replace CCFL 1 year later.

I guess it all depends on seller's description and return policy. Unless the seller specifically said the screen looks like new, I think it's not unfair for him not to accept return, because it's aged, not defective. Your other T43 WILL look the same in a year or two.