T21 Replacement Backlight needed..

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MikeTheGoalie · #1 Post by **MikeTheGoalie** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:17 am

I just replaced the harddrive on my T21 and now, the LCD screen no longer works. I've noticed it flickering for a few weeks now.

I get home tonight, try to take it out of sleep mode - and nothing. I put a light right on it and I can see it has come out of sleep mode.

Is the backlight something easy to replace? There any instructions on how to do this?

Does anyone know what size/part number etc of replacement bulb? T21 547MHz with 17"...

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:29 am

You have three options here:

1) Replace the CCFL yourself (parts from http://moniserv.com/)
Unless you have VERY steady hands, have a clean environment available, and can handle a soldering iron, NOT recommendable.

2) Buy a used or new replacement LCD screen (or whole lid) on e.g. eBay

3) Send it to FTP member Jamiphar for a first-class repair job

MikeTheGoalie · #3 Post by **MikeTheGoalie** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:38 pm

I do have a nice clear shock free place I could do it.
I have soldering iron - and have used it before - not sure on something this small..

I guess I could try it. If I mess it up.. oh well

MikeTheGoalie · #4 Post by **MikeTheGoalie** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:41 pm

I would need this one correct?

T21 with a 14.1 screen

MSLLENOVOIBM141W Super Bright CCFL Backlight for 14.1" WXGA Lenovo (IBM) Laptop Screen

#5 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:21 pm

No, your system has a standard 4:3 XGA screen. It's not a wide screen. The Moniserv part number for the T2x is MSLLENOVOIBM141R.

rjes · #6 Post by **rjes** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:21 pm

Hi,
I'm new on here. I've had a good look around for the info I need, and the forum looks excellent. I don't know how I've not found this site before really, as I've done a few repairs to my T30 now (fan swap and resoldered the ram sockets, both successfully)now, all DIY with info off the internet.
I bought my T30 2nd hand in 2004, and it's been exceptionally good. It'd had a lot of use. However, with the above two fixes and the latest problem it's starting to show it's age. I'm determined to not give in and replace it yet, as the general oppinion seems to be that few new laptops are as tough as a T30.
The problem I have now is with the screen backlight. It started to flicker very slighty a few weeks ago. Barely noticeable at first, but it's getting worse. It never goes off completely (yet...) - it's more like the brightness of the CCFL varies. I understand this is either the CCFL tube itself, or the inverter which drives it. However, after reading up on this forum, I found mentions of a slight red tint to the screen, which I have had recently (and intermittantly), being a sign of CCFL failure. Neither symptom seems to be related to touching or moving anything. The flickering seems random. The redness is most noticeable after awakening it after the screen has been hibernating. It clears up within a minute or so. I also read that a dodgy CCFL tube can damage the inverter, and that the inverter connections may need cleaning / checking.
My question is that given I have had both the flickering and the slight red tint, what do people think I ought to try swapping first?
I suppose I'll have to take it all to pieces to find the FRU numbers of the parts before I can buy replacements, so checking all the connections while it's apart is probably a good start.

Thanks for the help,

Richard

#7 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:06 pm

The flickering and red tint are dead giveaways that point to a CCFL (backlight) issue.

MikeTheGoalie · #8 Post by **MikeTheGoalie** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:44 am

rkawakami wrote:No, your system has a standard 4:3 XGA screen. It's not a wide screen. The Moniserv part number for the T2x is MSLLENOVOIBM141R.

Thank you.
I have ordered it from the above.
-Mike

#9 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:27 am

@rjes:
download the Hardware Maintenance Manual here
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42308
Shows you in detail how to take your T30 apart.
To just replace the CCFL, remove the screw covers on both short sides of the LCD pane and on the bottom of the screen bezel.
Take the screws out and keep them in a safe place.
Carefully remove the LCD bezel.
You'll now see the inverter at the bottom of the LCD panel.
Carefully take out the LCD panel. At the back the LCD cabel is attached to the LCD screen, using tape. Don't yank this out!
Depending on your screen (XGA or SXGA+) you have a different inverter and a different LCD cable. Part numbers in the above HMM.

The CCFL for your T30 http://www.lcdparts.net/ccflDetail1.asp ... OVOIBM141R
(lcdparts.net is the same outfit as moniserv.com).
Don't know where they sell these CCFLs in the UK.

rjes · #10 Post by **rjes** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:21 am

Thanks for the replies. I have never seen just the CCFL tubes for sale in the UK, and I think they may be a bit fragile to risk importing from abroad(?). Used spare parts are readily available on eBay, and are not expensive.
From my symptoms, do you think I should buy the CCFL tube of the inverter first, or both at once, if checking all the connections does not help?
I will have a go at taking the screen to pieces later if I have time.

#11 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:23 am

Moniserv uses triple packaging with 1/4 inch thick corregated tubes. It could survive a nuclear blast, but maybe not customs

.

#12 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:41 am

Your symptoms indicate a failing CCFL. The inverter is most likely fine.
T30 LCDs are not the same as T20/21/22/23 just in case you want to buy a whole LCD or lid!

rjes · #13 Post by **rjes** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:20 am

Thanks for your replies again. I'll take it to pieces to get the FRU numbers to make sure I buy the right bits, and have a look at what kind of a job replacing just the CCFL looks like. I'm OK with a soldering iron! Moniserv sound like they know their stuff - I'll ahve a look at their site and see if it says anything about international shipping.

#14 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:54 pm

If you happen to have a Samsung LCD, they are easier to repair.

They now have CCFL with new cables soldered on already
http://www.lcdparts.net/CWHs.aspx
They also used to sell the metal reflector with a new CCFL in already but I can't find them at the moment.

They have lots of instructions in their website as well, but you need to dig around.

I have done a few myself already. Takes me about 1 hour per screen.

rjes · #15 Post by **rjes** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:34 pm

I finally took the laptop to pieces today. It is a Samsung screen, (FRU 11P8294), so I'm lucky that they are apparently easier to repair. Getting at the CCFL tube to replace it was more involved than I imagined, which is no problem to me, but I don't think it's a job which I'd recommend to anyone who is not as good at fixing things!

I found supplier of ccfl backlight tubes in the UK if it's any use to anyone. www.laptopsockets.co.uk, in Birmingham. I've ordered one from them (about £10 including the rubber insulator boots), and am currently waiting for it to arrive. Hopefully it'll be here tomorrow - the postage was another £10! I know they need packaging very well, but £10 for something which weighs a few grams must be the hightest rate I've ever paid for anything!

poshgeordie · #16 Post by **poshgeordie** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:40 pm

I've not found anyone else in Uk other than laptopsockets, so I guess they're charging whatever they think the market will take.

They hold a good stock of DC sockets too, again quite pricy, but fortunately you can usually find an alternative cheaper stockist.

rjes · #17 Post by **rjes** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:09 pm

My backlight tube arrived from laptopsockets today. It was very well packaged, and I now have my screen working again for £22, so not too bad.
The new silicone insulators from laptopsockets didn't fit very well (I guess they are a generic design). I had to snip a bit of the plastic housing away to make room for them, but they still didn't fit very well. In hindsight I should have reused the originals.
My screen has a very slightly brighter strip across the bottom now, about 8mm high. I guess I made some subtle mistake in reassembling the display after swapping the tube. Definitely not worth taking it all to pieces again for though. I'll just live with it.

Website · #18 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:35 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:They now have CCFL with new cables soldered on already
http://www.lcdparts.net/CWHs.aspx

AWESOME!!! This changes EVERTHING, on whether or not I will tackle another CCFL replacement!!! The soldering seemed to be the hardest part for me, because it took several attempts to get it JUST right, so that the angle was perfect for the boots...

T21 Replacement Backlight needed..

T21 Replacement Backlight needed..

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