Replacement LCD & Preventing Screen Scratches

[Phred]

I dunno if anyone else has this happen to them, but I've had it happen on multiple T60s, so I'm thinking it's gotta be a frequent issue.

The Trackpoint--both the red stick and the mouse buttons associated with it, particularly the middle button with it's row of bumps--seems to have causes scratches and light spots to appear on my screens, marring them permanently. Actually, the "factory refurbished" (but bought off ebay) T60 I currently used came to me like this from the seller. I'm guessing this probably occurs from pressure on the back on the screen when transporting the laptop which is hard to prevent completely.

Now I'm planning on buying a new screen, but I don't want it to get messed up like the others. I'm thinking maybe a microfiber cloth (like for cleaning glasses) to cover the keyboard when I close the lid should prevent the scratches, but I'm worried the pressure will be increase possibly causing the light spots to still appear (by light spots I mean when the monitor is on, there are spots that are lighter or darker than they should be). However, I've only seen the light spots on this current T60, and it came that way from the seller. A nice benefit of the microfiber cloth is that I could use it to clean smudges off the screen too. Any one have any clever solutions that they have used?

And while we're at it, what's your favorite place to get parts for your Thinkpads? For my refurbishment, I'll probably be purchasing a new screen (14"), new hinges (the screen sorta flops back and forth a centimeter or so when you push on it. Replacing the hinges should fix that right?), and a new cover for the LCD so I can have a nice pristine and sparkly matte finish back.

And what's this Frankenpad thing I've been reading about. Just a hack to get a 14" LCD with IPS/FlexView on a T60? Is it difficult to do? Should I consider that option as well?

[TuuS]

A frankenpad is a thinkpad assembled from parts not normally available from the factory in that combination. Everyone has their own idea of what criteria is required to use that name, but there is no "official" authority governing it, so my definition is as good as any. If you put a T61 board in your T60 it would be a frankenpad, or you could put a T61 lid on it... you get the idea.

Your contact marks on the screen can be common, it usually happens when people carry the laptop without a lot of protection, like in a backpack, or small case and it ends up getting things piled on top of it, perhaps sat on at times... etc... the cloth idea is good, but shouldn't be necessary if well protected and cared for, but definitely recommended if you are mobile.

Buying screens is complicated. The genuine ones aren't made anymore, only cheap generics, so if you have a good original screen with a few marks, it might be nicer then a new generic screen. You can sometimes find NOS (new old stock) screens that have been on the shelf somewhere. There are also some chinese knock-off screens, most are probably factory seconds (B grade) that have been reflashed with Lenovo firmware and have fake Lenovo stickers put on them. These could be better then the generics because they are usually manufactured by the same company that makes the lenovo branded ones, such as Samsung, LG, Hydis, etc... so it really boils down to... did they start with a grade "a" first quality screen... most sellers claim they are genuine, but that is unlikely and if you price the cost to ship it back to china if you don't like it, you'll know why most people prefer not to buy that way.

As for the lid cover, there are some nice chinese knock-offs available that look just like the originals, so if you want one that looks new, that's your best option. A centimeter of play in the hinges is probably normal, I've seen some with over 3 inches, but the T60 hinges last longer then the T61. Also most of the hingest are knock-offs too, some don't fit well and I've seen some that aren't even threaded all the way in the mounting holes. In one case I had to shorten the screws to get them to fully tighten when a friend installed the hinges and couldn't get the screws all the way in, so if you buy a set of knock-offs, run the screws in them before you tear your laptop apart, and once again... keep in mind that the parts that cost $15 shipped (from china) will cost you more then that to return by any service that provides tracking.

ps. One of the best sources for parts in in our marketplace. There are a lot of us that offer used genuine parts. I might even have some hinges for you, but if you're expecting zero play, you probably won't find that in a used set or even new.

Good Luck

[cadillacmike68]

I hope you can read German!

http://thinkwiki.de/Frankenpad

it's basically a ThinkPad that's had mild to major to radical alterations to inside components - that an end user would not normally do, such as putting a flexview screen or an SXGA+ screen on a regular model, changing the internal drive bay, crazy stuff like that.

I don't think merely changing the CPU (to a faster one of course) or an internal NIC or WiFi counts, bur the senior board members may differ.

the screen is going to take some hits. The newer ones are squeezed into too thin cases in my (not so) humble opinion, leaving too thin or no area for b/w the screen and keyboard.

You should see the screens on these desert warrior computers we are using here!

And, everything that Tuus says is true. be careful.

[Phred]

Awesome, very helpful replies. I will check out the marketplace here.

So there's no suppliers of screens in particular that are known to reputable or supplying good quality products (NoS or what have you)? The scratches on my screen are not so bad to where I would deal with them, but the light and dark spots are crazy annoying.

The play in the hinges is about an inch measured from the top of the screen, but it's possible the screws need to be tightened a bit.

Man, I wish you could just buy new in box t60s still. It's not that I don't have the money, it's just the 14" non-widescreen version is a perfect size from my standpoint.

[ajkula66]

Actually, the "factory refurbished" (but bought off ebay) T60 I currently used came to me like this from the seller. I'm guessing this probably occurs from pressure on the back on the screen when transporting the laptop which is hard to prevent completely.

I have a tendency of disbelieveing that anything on feebay is "factory refurbished" unless it comes in a sealed box, like it does from IBM or Lenovo's refurbishing facilities...

And what's this Frankenpad thing I've been reading about. Just a hack to get a 14" LCD with IPS/FlexView on a T60? Is it difficult to do? Should I consider that option as well?

FYI, there never were any 14" IPS FlexView screens - 15" only, and 12" on tablets. There's also a widescreen 12.5" on X220/230.

As for wishing you could buy a new T60...I do know someone who has an unopened T60p in a factory sealed box, but it's a 15" unit...wouldn't come cheap either.

[Phred]

haha Yea, it's the 14" for me or nuthin I guess

[cadillacmike68]

Rather than trying to replace the screen (which will cost you, in more ways than just money), have you considered an external monitor & keyboard?

That way you can keep the screen from being over-used as well as not have to look at the bright or dark spots. You can also get a dock (mini or full) with a power switch to turn it on and off without opening up the lid - that saves wear on the hinges. That's basically what i do - I even dragged one of my docks out to the desert (but didn't bring a screen or keyboard - there are limits on what i could pack).

[TuuS]

I just checked my inventory of used screens to see if I had something for you. I have some XGA screens (1024x768) that are free of blemishes (light and dark spots as you call them) and no noticeable contact marks and I have a couple SXGA+ (1400x1050) without the spots, but they do have some surface marks. I'm sure I can find you a pair of genuine hinges, they won't be tight as new, but won't have as much play as you describe.

When buying a refurbished laptop, some small contact marks on the screen can be considered normal, but screen blemishes like pressure marks, bright or dead pixels should be disclosed by the seller, even when used but more so when refurbished.

[Phred]

TuuS,

Both those things sound excellent. I think I would go for the SXGA as that's what I currently have and I love the screen real estate, and also the contact marks are much less annoying since you usually can't see them when the screen in on. And the hinges would be great too. Let me know the details my PM or whatever you want. Thanks.