Thinkpads Forum

I have a lovely t60p (A11-8741-epp refurb about a year ago) whose 15.4" display has been on life support for a while. It's a fabulous display, but started getting a 'bar code' effect across the lower third of the screen. At first I could push on the corner of the screen or bend it a bit and the whole thing would do fine for a while. It went downhill from there, enough that I took it to the local repair guys (not cheap, but good). They say the screen needs replacing to the tune of about $200.
Question 1) has anyone seen this behavior before to confirm the diagnosis? and 2) is it worth repairing? I can get another for not much more than that but this is a fine machine. So - repair or sell for parts and buy another?

I'm not much at DIY - I'm a DBA and hardware is better off without my tinkering.

Thanks for the help...

Welcome to the forum.
What happens if you hook up an external monitor, same lines?
If so, you'll need a new motherboard.
If fine, then replacing the LCD will probably solve the problem, though if not in DIY, this can get expensive.
The 'bars' point to faulty row-drivers in the LCD electronics, not repairable by mere mortals.
What is the screen resolution? (15.4" widescreen WXGA, WSXGA, WUXGA ?)
Sad as it sounds, a used T60 can almost be had for the price of a new(ish) LCD.

Let's hear it from some other readers...

Thank you. There's some good information here.

Unfortunately, I don't have another monitor to try. In fact, I don't have that machine here to check the resolution - it's still at the repair depot waiting for my decision. I have an FRU from the order - 13N7020 - if that helps. It is one of the brightest and sharpest ones I've ever seen on a Thinkpad. However, it sounds like you've confirmed their conclusion, as well as mine that it's a toss-up cost-wise. I'll have to make that decision; flip a coin, I guess.

13N7020 is LG-Philips WSXGA+ 1680x1050
On eBay a used one (pull from working) for ~$100.-: http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-TP-15-4-WSXGA-L ... 0570366927
New on eBay from leonworks2003 for $112.-: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IBM-LENOVO-13N7 ... 0121913954
Never dealt with leonworks, maybe someone else on TPF?

Alternative is a Samsung 42T0329. R60/R61/T60/T61 15.4" LCDs are interchangeable.
Cheap on eBay (pull from working) for ~$78.-: http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-LENOVO-R61-15-4 ... 0526702215
Probably your cheapest bet, worth going for.

Well, armed with this info, I went ahead and OK'd the repair. They assured that the part is new and exactly what the original was, with a year's warranty, as well as 90 days on their work. I guess that's even-steven for those of us who are hardware-challenged, along with not having to replace all the installs and setups I'd already done.

Your input is much appreciated!