Possible to tell if a T2x thinkpad has SXGA+ screen?

[Xeijin]

I'm after a T2x thinkpad and am interested in one of the models with the 1440x1050 resolution.

I was thinking eBay would be my best bet (though I plan to post in the marketplace here as well), but I don't know if many sellers are unaware of them having a higher resolution and thus not stating this?

How many were made? Is there an external marker of some sort that I can use to tell if it is an SXGA+ model?

Thanks in Advance.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
Asking the seller for the resolution is one thing, if he/she does not state that.
If they mention the exact 7-character TYPE, such as TYPE 2647-4MU, you can look up the original specs of that laptop here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=26474MU

To look up other models/types, change the Quickpath entry either in the above link, or at the right top of the resulting screen.

[Xeijin]

Thanks for the info,

Unfortunately, all the model numbers I entered from the ThinkWiki DMI list show the screen as XGA (1024x768), but ThinkWiki states that there was a SXGA+ model made?

Edit: There seem to be rather alot of potential model Nos. Is there a list of some sort which displays the model numbers for the SXGA+ models of the T21/2/3s ?

[one_jerry]

As originally shipped All the 850 MHZ T21s and 1000Mhz T22s had the SXGA screen. In addition Several models of the T23 with 1.13Ghz and 1.2 Ghz processors had the SXGA. Pages 143 through 146 of the Hardware Maintenence Manual for the T20,T21,T22,T23 lists the attributes of many of the 2647 and 2648 series. If you've got one in front of you you can run the test in PC Doctor to tell the screen resolution.
Regards

[rkawakami]

No external marking exists that I'm aware of that will guarantee that a non-functioning/un-powered T2x system has the SXGA+ screen. As one_jerry has pointed out, some systems were shipped from the factory that were always configured with that screen (T21 850Mhz, for example). There's nothing preventing a previous owner from swapping it out, however. The best you can do is to ask for the TYPE number (2647-xxx or 2648-xxx) and go into the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) or query the Support site, as previously mentioned. If the system can be powered up, then you can check Windows Display Properties for the maximum resolution the display supports, assuming that they're using the right video drivers of course .

If you've been around the T2x systems long enough, you can also tell the resolution of the screen if the seller provides a screenshot of the Windows desktop which has enough icons arranged vertically. There's a subtle difference between the number of icons that fits on an XGA vs. the SXGA+ screen.

[Xeijin]

Hi thank you, the information regarding 850mhz T21, and 1000mhz T22 thinkpads was extremely useful, I guess I will have to try my luck out in the bay! Thanks again.

[Xeijin]

Sorry one other question,

Are the screens among the T2x range interchangeable?

For example, if I have a T21, will the SXGA+ panel from a T22 or T23 work?

Just want to make sure.

Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes.
But note that XGA and SXGA+ use different LCD cables.
The inverters are the same for both.

[Xeijin]

Yes.
But note that XGA and SXGA+ use different LCD cables.
The inverters are the same for both.

Thanks for the info

Will the fact that they use different LCD Cables mean I will need to make an extra purchase?

One seller on ebay may have what I'm after, a 1Ghz T22, however his description leads me to believe that the screen is not functioning. Perhaps someone here could shed some light:

He mentions that when turned on, the green lights turn on and the fan kicks in (what he describes as normal bootup) however he mentions that nothing appears on the display. From the picture (http://i8.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/29/31/8a09_1.JPG) the screen does not look damaged, could this perhaps be a internal graphics card problem? Or is it definitely something with the screen?

Thanks in advance.

[rkawakami]

Possibilities for lack of working display (with the rest of the system operating "normally"):

- the backlight (aka, CCFL) has burned out
- the inverter is broken
- the LCD ribbon cable is damaged and/or disconnected from the motherboard
- the lid switch is stuck
- the panel itself is non-functional
- problem on the motherboard itself; could be a graphics issue to a blown fuse

Just looking at the picture is not enough to tell what the problem might be. I've bought systems like this in the past and the eventual (or assumed) source of the problem is as I've listed above, in order of highest probability.

You should ask if there's a faint image on the screen when it is supposed to be "on". That would indicate that the video signal is getting to the panel but that the backlight is not turning on.

[Xeijin]

Thankyou that information was very useful, I shall go question him now lol