failing backlight, red tint in the corners - 14.1" SXGA+ T61

[tadejr]

Greetings, everyone; this is my first post here.

My 5 year old T61 (8897-CTO, serial L3-B6336) is starting to show what I believe are the first symptoms of a failing backlight. Given the age of the machine, it's right about its time, too. Whenever the screen's turned on after having been off for a while, there's a pink/reddish hue in the lower corners of the screen. The screen may also be somewhat dimmer than it used to be, or at least it seems to take a longer time to get to its full brightness, although I'm not so sure about that. The symptoms aren't so bad for now, but I don't want to be caught unprepared, because I need the laptop for work.

The question is, what would be the best course of action? The solutions I've read about in the forum seem to boil down to the following:

1. buy a new LCD panel-
That's the obvious one, but since the panel is old and standard 4:3 format I'm a bit worried about the availability and prices. If I google the FRU for my panel (it's a Samsung, AFAIK), there are several shops offering the correct part, but the prices vary quite a lot and I'm not familiar with any of the shops. I presume there are people here who have done business with some of them? I would appreciate if someone shared their experiences.

2. buy the whole display assembly-
This option would entail the least amount of work, but I would probably have to find a used assembly on ebay, which comes with its own problems. Worst case scenario would be that I get another dying panel, which would suck.

3. replace the backlight with a new CCFL
I would be willing to try replacing just the CCFL. I have already replaced the fan (two times, in fact), the hinges and the display lid. This would be harder, but I think I'd manage. I just need to know where to get the new CCFL (same problem as with the whole panel, lots of shops offering what may or may not be the right part).


There might be another interesting option that I only discovered yesterday:

4. replace the backlight with this LED kit: http://www.lcdparts.net/howto/instructi ... 4-L02.aspx
Does anyone have experience with this kit?

I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Thank you in advance!

[Cigarguy]

I believe that machine code is for a 4:3 14" T61? If so another possibility is a screen assembly from a T60 and do a Frankenpad converision. If you can't find a good T60 screen assembly, T60 machines can be bought for pretty cheap these days.

A backlight screen replacement is not for the faint hearted. If you are willing to tackle that, then a Frankenpad conversion should be a bit easier.

[RealBlackStuff]

I would strongly advise against replacing the CCFL tube, you will almost certainly fail.
But you can probably read German.
Rather than considering the lcdparts kit, check this out: http://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/152797

[tadejr]

Ok, so it seems replacing the tube would probably be over my head...
Mind you, I might still attempt it once I find a replacement panel or assembly, since in that case, I would have nothing to lose apart from the new tube and if I succeed, I'll have a spare functioning panel.

Thank you also for the suggestion about the T60 panel; the problem, as I see it, is that again we're dealing with used panels and with T60 being an even older model, the screen would be even more likely to be getting long in the tooth :/

I suppose I'd prefer to get a new, complete LTN141P4-L02 panel, but I'd also rather not pay more than 100 € for it, including postage fees. Does this sound feasible?

[tadejr]

Well, the backlight started blacking out intermittently, seems like there's no time to lose anymore.

Trouble is, the official Lenovo service center want 500 € for the replacement screen, apparently a 42T0386 (Hydis) panel.

There's just no way I'm spending that kind of money on a replacement screen... Does anyone have any advice regarding where to get the panel? Searching for the FRU I need yields a number of different shops, none of which I have any experience with. The prices are all between 120 and 200 € including shipping, much better than half a grand I got quoted but still kinda steep, considering I can get a used thinkpad with the right panel for that.

[rumbero]

The prices are all between 120 and 200 € including shipping, much better than half a grand I got quoted but still kinda steep, considering I can get a used thinkpad with the right panel for that.

As has been pointed out before, do get a working SXGA+ T60 in good condition, even if the screen is already a used part. You get a whole bunch of addtional replacement parts this way, not just the panel. And in the long run, you have a spare machine to fill the gap should your main machine need to undergo repairs.

And while you are at it, you might also want to check the German Thinkpad forum for parts, as was also pointed out by RBS. People over there are very capable and helpful.

[tadejr]

I think you are very much right. I'll try to find a good used machine.

Thanks for now, everyone!