T30 SXGA+ broken LCD, what are my options? Pictures 56k slow

[cantsleep]

I've a 2366-92U. I'd like to ask for the most affordable options. I saw $300s, $400 LCD panel replacements online and I was "WOW". I'm using my thinkpad with an CRT monitor, works great but I missed the portability.

Where may I find a LCD replacement for my machine? May I use a different 14.1 LCD (just any?) on ebay? Or just specifically SXGA+ 14.1 TFT?

Please help a poor student here. Thank you very much. Enjoy your time.

[rkawakami]

Firstly, welcome to the forums!

Where may I find a LCD replacement for my machine? May I use a different 14.1 LCD (just any?) on ebay? Or just specifically SXGA+ 14.1 TFT?

Generally speaking, you should always use the identical part as the original to insure compatibility. In this case, go by the FRU number that should be on your LCD panel. The Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) lists 11P8223, 11P8273, 11P8295, or 11P8296 as the various models. The reason being is that if you use anything else but the original panel, you may also have to change other hardware as well. For complete information on the differences between the four types of SXGA+ panels, download the HMM at:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42308

Now, your problem may be simpler (and cheaper) than replacing the LCD panel. If your panel is not lighting up, then there's a couple of possibilities. Since you are using an external monitor I assume that you know how to cycle through the three different settings for internal and external monitors with the Fn+F7 keystroke and that you're positive that the LCD is not working when it is supposed to. I believe the three settings are: LCD, external and LCD+external. The second thing that can cause the panel to not light is a failure of the inverter board. This board generates the high voltage needed to fire the lamp in the LCD panel. They can usually be bought for $15-$25 on eBay. The third and most obvious reason is a broken CCFL lamp in the panel. To get an idea on what it takes to replace one, check out this thread:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3705

Usually it's easier (though not cheaper) to replace the entire panel if the lamp is defective. To confirm that you have a backlight problem, turn on the laptop, cycle through the Fn+F7 settings until you activate the LCD panel and then shine a bright flashlight on it. You should be able to see a faint image. If so, that means your motherboard is providing the video signal through the LCD cables to the panel and that your only problem is lack of a backlight.

If, on the other hand, your panel is obviously cracked, then disregard all of the free advice on how to diagnose this kind of problem.

The semi-pro, capitalist, marketing bazaar known as eBay is probably one of your best sources for inexpensive replacement parts. If you can find a system that is a "parts source" because of other, non-video related problems and the seller can give some sort of guarantee that the panel is working, then start bidding. Or you can Yahoo/Google/<favorite search engine here> the FRU numbers to see which on-line retailer is selling these items.

Good luck!

[cantsleep]

Actually the screen is really broken. The LCD lights but there're cracks inside. When it's offline, I couldn't tell but as it lights up, it's all bad.

Is it possible to keep the liquid crystal w/everything else and replace the glassy screen?

Otherwise, I'm looking on ebay and saw the cheapest one at $200 shipped. Thank you.

[rkawakami]

Is it possible to keep the liquid crystal w/everything else and replace the glassy screen?

I don't believe that it's possible to do that, but as I have never torn apart an LCD panel, I'm just guessing. Perhaps somebody else here has attempted that and will respond. Did you see this one for $175 on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0015945996

edit: You can also try the Marketplace Forum here on this board:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=11

[cantsleep]

that'd be a good price. however, I'll waiting for my paycheck around the 18th. Hopefully there will be one at that price. I'm posting the pictures up taken by my webcam. It's sort of funny in a sense with this broken LCD