Thinkpads Forum

Hello,
this is my first post in this very informative forum and I really long for your help!

I own a T60 2007-63G with a 14,1" Samsung SXGA Display (13N7059).
3 days ago suddenly the screen turned reddish with a whirring sound to it.
after 10 more minutes the screen went off. You could still see what's happening,
but it is like looking into a very dark room.
Whenever i switch off the monitor by Fn+F3 and switch it back on,
it functions almost normally for about 10 seconds (still a bit reddish), than turns dark again.

there's no guarantee left and my local IBM dealer in germany told me
they need to replace the entire panel, which would be $600.
However, they didn't take a closer look and I can't imagine the panel to be entirely damaged,
as I can still read something, it's just dark

Does anyone have a clue if it's enough for me to replace the CCFL-tube?
or do I really need to replace the panel?
And, if (my nightmare), can I buy for example one of these?

http://www.upgradebay.com/c1_itemdetail ... =168720845
http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/13N7059-ThinkPad.html
http://www.compuvest.com/Desc.jsp;jsess ... iid=959821
http://www.pinnaclemicro.com/computer/p ... ?g=13N7059
http://www.thelaptopcentre.co.uk/catego ... msung.html
http://www.invertercentral.co.uk/qrySpe ... &language=

I'm a student and don't have too much money left. I'm begging for Your advise!

thank You very much,

Christoph

Welcome to the forum.
From your description, it looks like you can get away with just replacing the CCFL tube.
This is a bit of a fiddly job but can be done in under one hour.
Don't know where to buy CCFLs in Germany, but they are on eBay.
Look for any 14.1" CCFL XGA, they are the same as in SXGA+.
www.moniserv.com and www.lcdparts.net (same outfit) have instructions.

I tried using Pinnaclemicro a few months ago when looking for a T60p. I used my credit card to pay, but then I got an email saying that it failed their credit card check system and to wire transfer the money. I found this surprising as my credit card works absolutely fine.

I rang their number. A woman answered the phone and I explained who I was, what I was buying and the email I received. She seemed surprised by the phone call and was umming and arring, at which point the phone cut off. I rang again straight after where she then picked up the phone and told me she had a conversation with the guy who sent me the email and that he will send me.....another email.
In that instant, I felt something very uneasy. Call me a mystic, but her energy and vibe just felt wrong. I was also wondering why the guy just wouldn't speak to me over the phone, but I decided then that I just won't bother buy from them.

When I did check my mail, it wasn't really any different from what they had sent me before.
So after I sent them an email that my credit card is working fine, they replied that it may work fine, but it failed their check system.
So I asked them what checks it had failed - other than that, just cancel the order.

They never got back to me.

.....it may have just been a one off situation, but whoever you choose - please no wire transfers if they (or anyone) asks.

Replacing a CCFL is not trivial. Unless you have some experience, good tools and a good work area, you are unlikely to have a satisfactory repair. The places that do it use a clean room. I quit doing them and I fix things that other people won't touch. Even a panel replacement in a T60 is not a good "first repair".

I wonder if it's the inverter, not the panel.

The fact that it lights for a few seconds after the failure is what's making me think that.

And, a panel replacement isn't THAT hard if you take it slowly, pay attention to where things go, and don't do it by the book (the book says to remove the LCD assembly from the chassis, I don't do that unless I need to do something else that involves removing it from the chassis.)

The inverter replacement is actually easy - remove the bezel (three screws, maybe glue, and it pops off,) and the inverter is the board that has the status LEDs on it. One cable to the LCD, one cable to the cable coming from the motherboard.

Hello there,

thank you already for the quick reply.
I will try to replace the inverter first, as it seems to be the easiest.
If it doesn't work, I will probably turn to a non Lenovo-bound repair service to ask for a ccfl-replacement.
I'll let you know how it turned out.

However, what does it tell me about the dealer who suggests a $600 dollar repair instead of trying the cheaper solution first?

Have a nice day!

Christoph

A CCFL turning red normally is a sure sign of a failing CCFL.
I doubt that replacing the inverter solves your problem, but you may get lucky!

Reddish color = 100% dying CCFL. Has nothing to do with the inverter.

I strongly suggest not to buy a new CCFL through ebay. There you'll find cheap Chinese cr*p!
What I usually do is buying a broken 14" display with a working CCFL for a few Euros/Dollars. Try to get a broken T60 display.
Replacing the CCFL takes about 20 minutes, avoid cotton material and try to work dust free.
that's it!

I have inverters here and I don't even bother to try. Red = bulb.