Thinkpads Forum

Hi,
I got my T61 about 2 years ago. i've been using it as my main computer in college so it's been on like 8 hours a day at least. recently, my monitor started flickering and now it's making a hissing noise when it's on.

i'm typing this now with a external monitor plugged in.
I know my warranty is up , so I'd like to replace the LCD on it. is it a difficult process? or would I be able to do it myself.

also, where can i purchase a new replacement screen?
thanks.

ah, i should probably have mentioned it's the standard screen , SXGA+
1400 x 1050.
by samsung i believe.

Hissing noise? That may be the inverter.

By flickering, do you mean the image, or the backlight? There is a difference.

The inverter is easier to replace than the LCD - just three screws, as opposed to 13.

Unless you replace the whole assembly, screen replacement is not the simplest repair you can do. (a motherboard is easier) Having said that, T61 is easier than most models because of the way the panel is in a frame, rather than attached to the lid. You can find them on eBay, but be careful of panels that don't show a Lenovo/IBM FRU number that is associated with T60/T61/R60/R61, Some other panels will work, but some can actually burn out your motherboard. You can find them on eBay.I would try the inverter first - cheaper and easier.

Myself, I'd rather cram a QXGA panel into a T60/T61 (the hardest LCD panel to install cleanly, just because it's a little thicker, and you have to fold the cable back over itself to get the ThinkLight to fit properly) than do anything that involves pulling the palmrest.

(And, LCD replacement does NOT require pulling the palmrest, keyboard, and bezel, unlike what the hardware maintenance manual says.)

I think replacing an LCD is one of the easier repair jobs, keep track of where the screws came from and when you get the lcd out replace with identical part #.

Scott

i think it's the image and not the inverter. If i turn my laptop on, it'll make a hissing noise and the screen itself will shut off after a minute or so. everything else still runs normally. i just have to close the screen and it'll switch to my external monitor.

anywho, i'd like to replace the whole LCD itself because i've had a spot on the screen that was bleeding? it wasn't really a dead pixel but there was a spot where it was lighter than the rest of the display, and it was a little annoying.

I tried a quick search, but couldn't find any tutorials on replacing the LCD, is there a installation guide on lenovo.com or something?

Here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 67980.html is where the hardware maintenance manual for the T61 lives - and if its as comprehensive as the one for the T42 it should be a breeze to follow (having just replaced the display on mine yesterday). Only minor snag is if you only have one machine, viewing the pdf while you take the machine to bits can be a bit tricky...

Aside from being great machines this is why I love the TPs - they are properly built and so can be properly fixed !

IG

thanks for the help everyone.
now, is the best place to get one on ebay? or is there a reputable site that sells parts for relatively cheap?

i remember getting a replacement keyboard but i forget the site >_>.
the site had thinkpad in the domain name though i believe.

bhtooefr wrote:Hissing noise? That may be the inverter.

By flickering, do you mean the image, or the backlight? There is a difference.

The inverter is easier to replace than the LCD - just three screws, as opposed to 13.

how would i check to see if it's the inverter that is causing the problem?

Are you absolutely certain the warranty is out? The T61p should be three years parts/labor. Mine shows expiration 5/12/2011 on the warranty lookup at the following link:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... OOK-WARNTY

I made the mistake of not checking the warranty out properly on an old notebook of mine and took a CSR's word for it. I ended up parting out a computer with 18 months of warranty remaining. I hope this helps and good luck!

Some T61 machines had only one year warrenty. Some businesses with their own suppoprt staff negotiate purchases with no warranty at all.

paOol wrote:
how would i check to see if it's the inverter that is causing the problem?

and yes, i'm sure it's out of warranty.
Status: Expiration date:
Out of warranty 2008-09-10

When the screen goes blank, does the backlight stay on?

If it does, it could be your LCD or your motherboard.

If it doesn't, then shine a flashlight at the display after it goes blank. If there's still an image, the inverter (or POSSIBLY the motherboard, but that's not too likely) is bad. If there isn't, I'd venture to say it's probably your motherboard, as the backlight and the actual LCD panel are completely separate electrically.

bhtooefr wrote:When the screen goes blank, does the backlight stay on?

If it does, it could be your LCD or your motherboard.

If it doesn't, then shine a flashlight at the display after it goes blank. If there's still an image, the inverter (or POSSIBLY the motherboard, but that's not too likely) is bad. If there isn't, I'd venture to say it's probably your motherboard, as the backlight and the actual LCD panel are completely separate electrically.

just tried this and i do see an image when the screen goes blank.
thanks.

now how do i replace the inverter o_o

Of course, it could be the backlight as well, but the inverter is very easy to replace. There's three screws on the bezel, underneath covers. Remove covers, remove screws, bezel may be glued to LCD and snaps into place as well. Carefully unsnap it all. Inverter is the little board that all the status LEDs are on, unplug the 2-wire cable from it, lift out, unplug the flat cable from it. Installation is the reverse of removal.