Thinkpads Forum

Hi All,

My apologies in advance because the English isn't my native language.

I bought 6 months ago a occasion thindpad T60p.
I have installed official windows 7 home familial.
I am very happy of this thinkpad robust.

I have 2Gb, with T7200, fireGL V5250 and 15" 1600x1200.
I bought 2 week ago a new batteries.

I am only disappointed with the brightness of the screen.
Isn't possible to use on my balcony, because the light is too low.
I think the CCFL is old. And yesterday ma screen stay without brightness, after 30 minutes. The light come back.

I saw in Internet is possible to change the CCFL by new or by led.
First question is how many has the CCFL in the screen ? 1 or 2.

What do you recommended ?
Whit new CCFL is possible read my laptop in my balcony with the sun ?
Or is a obligation change by LED system, better and more expensive ?

http://lcdparts.net/ccflDetail.aspx?ProductID=1699

Many thanks for your help and advise.

Fifane

Welcome to the forum.
Your LCD has only 1 CCFL backlight, not LED.
The T60/T60p screen was never made for outdoor readability
I usually buy these, they are the same AFAIK, but have cheaper shipping: http://www.ccflwarehouse.com/20x31fuspcc.html
For replacing instructions, see here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=88991

LED conversion is perhaps possible, but will cost you more than buying a whole new panel!
It is usually available only for widescreen, and requires lots of skill.

Thank you for your prompt response.

I think I have a better result, if change for a new CCFL.
Because my CCFL is old, and I suppose the CCLF today is better process to 4-5 ago.
Many thanks for the direct link.


LED conversion is exist on site www.lcdparts.net
I work for a electronic compagny.
But I hesitate only for the price, is about 99$. I don't know if the difference with the new CCLF is big ?

Before I test with a new CCFL and test the difference with older.

When I use my laptop in my house, I use brightness 7/7.
Also this settings is difficult to read.

Fifane

You need not only a LED array, but a new inverter as well, and they don't exist in the size/format that your T60 requires.
In other words, forget it.

I'm aware of what LCDPARTS offer, but they offer NOTHING for a 15" 4:3 LED conversion.
I have replaced many CCFLs in IDTech screens, and the result is always excellent.
I refuse to work on Hitachi and Samsung LCDs, they have such a poor and complicated construction.

Depending on how much money you're willing to spend...
One merchant in China manufacturers and sells LED conversion kits for various ThinkPads. Here's a blog post of a before-and-after of a 15 inch widescreen T60p fitted with LED backlight. First half are pictures of CCFL X41 and CCFL T60p; second half are CCFL X41 and LED T60p.
What their inverter mod looks like.

Hi,

Many thanks for you response.
Yes, I see beautiful difference.

You think is possible to order the LED back light ?

Thanks.

Fifane

Learning the Chinese language would be a good start...

Yes sur, because the website isn't translate in English.

Fifane

Anything is possible if you're willing to pay enough.

But first, a reality check. Replacing a CCFL in an LCD panel is difficult. As in, there is a very large chance that you will destroy the first LCD panel you try to work on. The LED mod is even more difficult, and it also involves disassembling the inverter (a high-voltage part) and very fine-tipped soldering. Do you have confidence that you (or someone you can enlist) have the skills to do this mod, considering this is the first time you've ever seen the LED mod kit?

Actually ordering the parts is relatively easy. You have to find someone or a freight-forwarding service that can receive your foreign payment, order the parts on taobao.com (a Chinese counterpart to eBay), and ship them to you.

Thank you for your response.

Change the inverter, for me isn't a problem.
Every day I change/repair the component on the electronic card more complicated of a main board and cost about 5'000$.
It is my job.

You are personally changed back light by LED system ?

Fifane

I changed my backlight yesterday. Besides this cleaned some of the dark spots that were on the screen.
It wasn't a hard job in my opinion.

No, I have not personally used this mod kit, or any other LED mod kits. I did change a CCFL once successfully.

Someone messaged me for further details, so I think I'll post some more information here.

This Chinese merchant designed and manufactured these mod kits himself. The links I posted earlier are from his personal blog.
The mod consists of two parts:
1. Remove the CCFL and install a LED strip in its place, and
2. Remove the transformer on the inverter board, put a LED driver board in its place, and solder 4 jumper wires from the inverter board to the LED driver (Vcc, GND, Backlight Enable, Brightness Adjust).
Overall, the mod looks pretty seamless, but I've never done it personally.

The mod kit is sold on Taobao at his storefront: http://shop57917463.taobao.com/
The merchant also have vendors around China, that also provides installation service.

I could see this mod possibly working on an ID Tech panel, but not on Hydis which is a h@ll-on-wheels to swap the CCFL in to begin with.

A shiny, LED-lit AFFS screen showing a zillion tiny dust specs is not my idea of an upgrade.

My $0.02 only...

Ok thank you for your help.

I am waiting my new CCFL ordered on ebay.

After that I decided if I want upgrade to LED or not.

Fifane