Garbled image after screen/lid replacement

[rookworm]

Hello all,

I recently replaced my LCD assembly (XGA) on my 14.1 inch T42, with a new SXGA+ one from a T43 which I obtained on ebay.

I think everything went very well (there was an extra wire in the new one, which I assume was from the bluetooth antenna, which I just taped down in an empty corner)..... and there is a nice image displayed, etc.... HOWEVER, from time to time, something weird happens with the image. It looks like horizontal lines are getting displaced in some kind of regular pattern across the whole screen--- looks like it may be scanning the whole way down (from top to bottom).....

not sure where the problem is.... could it be a bad connection between the lcd and the laptop, a kinked cable, something with the video card?? It does not appear to be software related, I have seen it on the BIOS screen.

I'll try and post a video later, Thanks for your help!!

[RealBlackStuff]

I assume you transferred the whole SXGA+ lid, incl. cable and inverter?
If so, you may be looking at either a loose cable (reinsert on both ends and check the inverter connection), or a kinked cable, or a bad LCD.
Just hit the lid from the rear or side or flex it a bit, to see if you can repeat the lines/warbles.

[rookworm]

dang! I think it may have been my fault.... I wiped the dust off a few things while the laptop was open, and maybe i displaced the gpu...... If I press just below the spacebar, the problem seems to go away temporarily.

Do I have to do this reballing thing? is there an easier way to deal with this?

[RealBlackStuff]

If pressing on that spot stops the bad image, you may have the infamous loose GPU.
Only solutions are either reballing the GPU or replacing the mobo.
Reballing see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0544539041

[rookworm]

darn. i figured that might be the case..... what if i stuff a little foam between the GPU and the palm rest to maintain pressure? would that keep it going for a few more years?

[rookworm]

also, the problem seems to be pretty minor at present.... maybe a little glue or epoxy might help????? Also, is the above link the same guy who is stickied at the top of the forum? Thanks for your attention, btw.

[RealBlackStuff]

You could try, but it won't last more than maybe a few weeks, and if you are very lucky, a few months max.
You definitely can't take you laptop out and about any more, it's got to stay put where it is.
GPU Medics is the former Superior Reballing. Personally I've had very good experience with GPUM.

[rookworm]

I don't wanna lose my laptop though.... hmmm.....

[rookworm]

hmmm.... just noticed that this problem does not happen with the output thorough the VGA port. Considering this, could it be possible it is not a BGA joint problem ?? What other possibilities are there. The garbling definitely responds to pressure on machine, but I can;t really pinpoint where. So far I have disassembled, checked all connections to make sure they were tight. Any ideas?

[RealBlackStuff]

This has been said many times already, but here goes again:
Graphics on a laptop are split in 2 ways: a digital part, which feeds the internal LCD, and an analog part, which feeds the external display.
From your symptoms, the internal/digital part is failing already, while the external/VGA part still works.
It's only a matter of time till that one will fail also.
Believe me, your GPU needs at least a reflowing, if not a reballing. Or a new/refurb mobo.

[rookworm]

darn! Thanks for the info. any idea how much I could get by selling the remaining parts?

[RealBlackStuff]

The reballing only costs $45.- so why sell and lose money?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

[fongalv]

Hi, sorry to barge into this thread like this but is there any reason for the apparent "sudden" failure of the gpu after the installation of the LCD screen?

I have a T41P which I upgraded recently with ram/wireless card/SSD/HD caddy which was working somewhat fine and suddenly a week later I am unable to boot. Upon pressing at the trackpad, it boots to the "IBM" splash screen, but never beyond that. The screen then becomes black with some ghosting left behind by the splash screen and it just stays that way.

I'm asking this question because it seems that in both instances it happened after we went mucking around under the keyboard.

Its actually quite depressing since I have just splurged quite abit on it and it now seems to be worse that it ever could get...the last thing I want to do is to send it for servicing only to end up with a machine that could not last as long as I expected it to when I decided to pimp its parts.

[RealBlackStuff]

@fongalv:
looks like you too got bitten by the loose GPU or Southbridge syndrome.
From the place where you press, I'd say you have a loose Southbridge, although this is more common on T43 models.
After all these years of good use, you probably flexed it once too often, putting in all that new hardware.
It's IBM's fault for switching over to ROHS, i.e. using leadfree solder, without first doing their homework properly.
Reflowing/reballing GPU and/or Southbridge, or replacing the mobo, are the options.

Take the keyboard and the front KB-bezel out, then remove the wifi card (cover the antenna contacts to prevent shorts).
Just connect the keyboard, press on the big Intel chip under the wifi-card (try a few corners) and see if she boots.

[rookworm]

The reballing only costs $45.- so why sell and lose money?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

well, the way I see it, if I send it in (I'm in Canada, and don't want to do all the (dis)assembly myself, so more than $45), THEN I lose money.

If i sell the parts, I lose a partially functioning old laptop, but GAIN money.

[irus]

rookworm

these old babies r not about money specially when such little is at stake. but its your call after all.

[RealBlackStuff]

I'm in Canada...

Where?
How come we don't see that in your user profile?

[rookworm]

rookworm

these old babies r not about money specially when such little is at stake. but its your call after all.

If it's not about the money, I'd say that the x301 or x201s would be just plain better all around--- if my funds were unlimited, I'd just replace with the x201s.