LCD backlight questions

[sojourner]

The LCD is a little dim on my T41, plus the color is different from the other LCD on my desk with is a Samsung. The Samsung is set to a 'warmer' color scheme and colors always looks great, especially noticable with flesh tones.

The TP on the other hand, is not as bright (though not a big deal) but it has a 'cool' look, 'cool' being a colder blueish hue. But I have numerous TP's and they all have the same 'cool' look. Did IBM choose this by design?

Tried repeatedly to adjust the ATI properties (colors) and no matter what cannot get flesh tones to look as good as the Samsung (which displays a completely 'natural' look). I've wondered if IBM uses a 'cool' tone backlight, which color a lot of people like for typical office work. I know from experience florescent bulbs are made to produce all kinds of colors, from natural sun light, to warm to cool etc. So did IBM put in a 'cool' bulb? And if I have the backlight changed can a brighter warmer bulb be requested? And lastly, who can do a great job at a reasonable price?

[goofyGAguy]

I would love answers to these questions as well. I just bought a T60 FlexView that is just absurdly blue (and DIM) at the default settings.

[RealBlackStuff]

http://www.moniserv.com/lcdpartsnet/panelnet.htm
Moniserv/Lcdparts are the same outfit.
Check through the website, lots of info.

[sjthinkpader]

Yes, CCF selected for each types of LCD has a color temperature measured in Kelvin. IBM/LENOVO may have selected a cooler color temperature. This is actually a problem of all back lighted displays, that the back light color spectrum is too narrow to illuminate the RGB color filter in the LCD at the same intensity.

[sojourner]

Hey guys, checked out RealBlackStuff's link (thanks) and decided to send them an email. Asked whether they could change the CCFL to a bulb warmer and brighter than original. Will report back with their answer.

[sojourner]

Will report back with their answer.

Been checking emails but sadly another merchant is not providing good service, no email has arrived. Hate to say it but I find poor service to be common today

If anyone knows of another company which repairs backlights, please let me know. It would be nice if we found someone who could install a brighter / warmer CCFL!

[RealBlackStuff]

From what I have found on the web, the CCFL from LCDPARTS is the brightest at Intensity 45,000 cdm2.
Any others have Intensity 42,000 or even 40,000.

Other than DYI instructions, normally only Moniserv/Lcdparts come up as CCFL replacers.
Jamiphar on this forum used to do them (not exactly cheap I must say), but he turned out to be very hard -if not impossible- to contact, and therefor unreliable.
However, just found another possibility worth contacting: http://www.aplusperfect.com/laptop-repair
They are in CT.
If you do, let us know the results.

[sojourner]

From what I have found on the web, the CCFL from LCDPARTS is the brightest at Intensity 45,000 cdm2.
Any others have Intensity 42,000 or even 40,000.

Wow, that's over an 11% increase which I believe would be noticable. Too bad they don't answer their emails.

Other than DYI instructions, normally only Moniserv/Lcdparts come up as CCFL replacers.
Jamiphar on this forum used to do them (not exactly cheap I must say), but he turned out to be very hard -if not impossible- to contact, and therefor unreliable.
However, just found another possibility worth contacting: http://www.aplusperfect.com/laptop-repair
They are in CT.
If you do, let us know the results.

Thanks once again for the info. and web link! Been slow to respond because so many work projects are demanding my time ... but, will plan to check out the CT guys when time permits, and will keep in mind to let you know of results should I replace the CCFL.

[sojourner]

Just got off the phone with A+ Perfect Computers. First question asked was do they have a 'clean room' for doing LCD CCFL replacements. They answered, no!

Asked if they had a warmer brighter replacement CCFL for thinkpads, they said, no. They get P/N's off TP and get an identical replacement.

Told them I've seen hair and debris behind repaired screens, asked if they check their work when done. The answer was, we do an overall check to make sure everything is ok.

Didn't have confidence in them after the conversation, didn't bother to ask for pricing.

Next.

[dr_st]

Told them I've seen hair and debris behind repaired screens, asked if they check their work when done. The answer was, we do an overall check to make sure everything is ok.

I've seen hair and debris even behind screens that were never opened. Esp. on Flexviews for some reason.

[rayme52]

I had a L3-TZAR CCFL Backlight Replacement done about a year ago by Arndt computer services out of IL for $150. Seemed very professional, sent a prepaid shipping box, and had it back pretty quick. Their web page is http://www.arndtcomputer.com/index.php
Phone 618-476-9055
I hope this helps.

[goofyGAguy]

Yes, we're quite familiar with him.

[RealBlackStuff]

arndt computers is/was run by Jamiphar.

[Datashifter]

I acquired a replacement CCFL from LCDPART.com about a year ago. Symptoms boiled down to sporadic LCD illumination, and a replacement inverter didn't solve the problem. When the replacement CCFL arrived, installation was not rocket science and the pictorial was very helpful. I performed the CCFL replacement in my livingroom on my cluttered work table - definately not in a clean room environment. I have no hairs, no dust, nor anything else under my screen.

Upon disassembly for replacement however, I realized one wire had simply become detached from the OEM CCFL. I opted to replace it anyhow, and I saved the OEM CCFL. Last week, the replacement bulb was developing a reddish hue on the left side and was not staying lit again. I opened up the LCD, and the wire on the left side of the CCFL kinda fell off, much as the first time around. As I tried to remove the CCFL to resolder the wire, the replacement CCFL broke as I tried to rush things.

I sure am glad I kept the OEM CCFL, as that's what I'm using in it now. It's slow to light up (takes about 30 seconds to hit "full bright," which is kind of dim overall), and indeed it has a relatively "cool" kelvin temperature, but it works for the moment. I could indeed use a replacement again - the one from LCDPART.com was bright enough, I'd consider buying from them again. The part I used can be found at:

http://www.lcdparts.net/ccflDetail3D.as ... uctID=1695

I wouldn't bother with the laptop screen repair kit they sell unless physical damaged has happened to anything like the silicon boots which insulate the electrical connections on the ends of the CCFL. I don't remember using any new foil tape on mine either...

Long story short, I wouldn't be overly concerned with hair and dust. My work table is far from the cleanest surface, my place is somewhat dusty, and I've operated on my T41 LCD there twice now - and operated on many other LCD's there as well without issue. Of course, I never have bothered to remove all the plastic screen layers in the LCDs either, since the CCFL unit is right along the bottom edge in the T41, and is easily accessible (once the screen is pulled from the laptop) after removing two tiny screws and cutting through some foil with a razor blade.