T61p LCD Screen (WUSB/WWAN) repair/upgrade options

[Worldestroyer]

Hello, I just got a new T61p 8891-CTO, 14.1" SXGA+ screen. It's been 26 days since the day of shipment. I've been wanting to upgrade my warrenty and protection services since I didn't have the cash at the time of purchase to, but I hadn't gotten around to it (i'm working and going to school full time + a life, leaves you absent minded and desperate for time). A tried calling a few days ago to upgrade my warrenty/protection plan and was told that I couldn't get the protection plan since it has a 21 day limit from day of shipment, and I was on the 23th day. A few days later, I leave my laptop in my hot car (bad idea, I know), and I take it out and use it for a few minutes, and close the screen a bit to hard. I open it again an hour later to find my screen cracked, still working somewhat, but cracked with areas of distortion.

Does anyone have any suggestions about trying to get IBM/Lenovo to cover the repair? And if not, does anyone know where I can get a replacement panel, possibly a flexview, or a higher resolution one to install myself (if it comes down to it)? (I currently have the samsung panel)

Also, is it possible to get and install the (internal) Verizon WWAN module, and WUSB module (curiosity, and possibly later upgrade)?

I'm sorta broke right now, which is the only reason I'm asking about getting IBM/Lenovo to cover it. I really need this laptop working.. Any help would be greatly greatly greatly appreciated.

Mike

[NathanA]

I'm very sorry to hear about your misfortune, but honestly I don't see IBM covering that kind of damage unless you can somehow prove that the screen cracked because of an existing manufacturing defect, which doesn't sound like the case.

I don't see any reason why you could not install the WWAN card and antenna while you are in there replacing the LCD yourself. You will not be able to install the WUSB module in the 14.1" 4:3 version of the T61 models since their mainboards are only large enough to fit two Mini-PCI-Express cards on them (vs. 3 slots...2 full-height and 1 half-height...in the 15.4" 16:9 T61 models), and one is currently vacant (but will be occupied with the WWAN card) while the other is already filled by your WLAN card. Also, if you ordered a T61 with Intel Turbo Memory, then it is occupying the slot that the WWAN needs to go in, so you will need to choose between the Turbo Memory module and having built-in WWAN. If you cannot sacrifice the Turbo Memory, you'd best just get and use a WWAN PC Card.

There are no IBM/Lenovo-sanctioned screens that are better than the one that you had. 14.1" SXGA+ is the highest-resolution screen officially offered in the 4:3 non-widescreen T61 models. FlexView screens were ONLY ever made for 15" 4:3 models; there are no 14.1" FlexViews. Anybody else who claims otherwise has been mislead, and this has been argued and repeated multiple times on this forum ad nauseam; please see the T4x and T6x Hardware Maintenance Manuals parts list for proof of this.

There are some people on these forums who have managed to use other LCD screens cannibalized from other non-Lenovo computers, such as pianowizard who got a Dell 14.1" UXGA (1600x1200) screen working in his 14" T42. However, this is not guaranteed to work and you obviously do this at your own risk; others have tried with different LCDs and actually ended up blowing out an IC component on the mainboard because of timing and power incompatibilities between the screen that the mainboard is expecting and the non-Lenovo one that was actually installed. The only thing we know about pianowizard's experience is that his specific model of screen works with his specific model of ThinkPad. Nothing more, nothing less. Oh, and that pianowizard is totally awesome.

-- Nathan

[Worldestroyer]

Shouldn't the T61p's roll cage protect the screen from flexing? Or does that not really work? Also can anyone point me to where it says you can only get the insurance 21 days after shipement?

I don't have Turbo Memory, so I guess i'll start looking around for a wwan mini-pcie card.

I've found a replacement screen for 250$, is it difficult to replace the LCD myself? I've done plenty of work on desktops, and i've taken apart my old thinkpad before, but I haven't touched any of the newer models.

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

I don't think the UXGA 14" will fit in the T61. Wasn't it that those higher resolutino panels were thicker, therefore able to fit in T4x, but not in T6x because T6x has thinner screens.