Thinkpads Forum

Hey guys,
I have a Frankenpad which presumably has a refurbed panel. It was plenty bright when I first got it but within a few weeks it has dimmed significantly. Do you guys know any tricks to increase brightness? I profile my display and each time I use it, it seems to get dimmer and dimmer.

Do I basically have to replace the panel? What's the shelf life on these things? My panel is 15" 1600x1200. Thanks.

From your description sounds like a dying backlight. If that's the case, replacing the panel is the easiest and safest (though not cheapest option). It is possible to replace only the backlight, but that requires opening the panel, and probably unsoldering/resoldering the bulbs. A high risk of something going wrong and ending up with a broken LCD. Then again, if you have some skills, and the LCD is close to being unusable, you have nothing to lose.

Thanks. Unfortunately I'm in Taiwan so I have no idea where to get one but I'll figure it out. Also, do you know if it's normal for the Flexview panels to yellow? I don't now what is going on but no matter how much I profile my display I can't get it even close to my external LCD and side-by-side, the Flexview is visibly yellow.

If you are in Taiwan, it may not necessarily be unfortunate.
There is a LCD Screen Seller in Hsinchu City, the company is called CGSPLCD and they sell a BOE HYdis UXGA HV150UX1-101 (tweeked to be compatible with the -100). I made a purchase (-100) near two Years ago for a different build.
http://www.cgsp.com.tw/cgsp/product_inf ... ts_id=1962

It is also possible to swop out the CCFL. My LG SXGA+ FlexView screen is now no longer yellow.
http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 59#p647259

Instructions.
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2 ... ccfl-lamp/

Replacement part.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370538766711? ... 1423.l2649

NB: You'd probably find the replacement CCFL at a cheaper price at your locality.................and good luck.

geohsia wrote:Unfortunately I'm in Taiwan so I have no idea where to get one ...

You are actually in the very place where you can source genuine BOE-hydis panels for your T60 Frankenpad - Retailer: CGSP Technology Co., Ltd - [On ebay: cgsplcd] - I have bought from this supplier & can confirm the panels I received were genuine Grade-A new old stock -

@Peak2peak and @J888www

This is great! Thank you. How long should a genuine panel last? I'm hoping that with the heat here in Taiwan doesn't shorten it's life too much. Thanks and will check out the links you guys listed.

If that doesn't work out, I have a new (old stock) IDTECH UXGA panel. This one has the FRU from a T43 (same IDTECH number). The only difference between the T43 and the T60 panels is the contents of the eeprom (eeid). I flashed the chip with a T60 image and tested it in a T60. I ship worldwide

Now that i've had the "pleasure" of replacing CCFLs in both IDtech and Hydis 15" 1600x1200 panels, i must say that if you're ever going to replace the CCFL go for the IDtech panels. The Hydis panels are really a nightmare to re-assemble, and in most cases just not possible due to the way it is assembled. The CCFL "cover" consists of items such as a metal tray which covers another metal tray with hooks, that must be unhooked from plastic mounts/tabs. The hooks are so small that it is nearly impossible to do without either ruining the soft plastic mounts or bending the hooks in such a way that you won't be able to fit them on the plastic mounts and then mount the "tray".
Just a thought.

Troels wrote:

Now that i've had the "pleasure" of replacing CCFLs in both IDtech and Hydis 15" 1600x1200 panels, i must say that if you're ever going to replace the CCFL go for the IDtech panels

Yep. Hydis is by far the worst panel I've ever seen for a backlight swap when it comes to ThinkPads...and I prefer ID Tech anyway...

Thanks for the feedback. I don't know if I'll be swapping the backlighting and just swapping the entire panel. Between the 3, which do you think is best or which do you think maintains the same level of quality for a longer period of time?

I've been searching through the forums and data seems inconclusive as to which is best. This may be a moot point as I think Hydis is the only panel easily available. I'll probably get the 101. Thanks.

"The best" is what is best for you...it's your ThinkPad, and you're the one who's going to be using it...

If your current panel is Hydis, and you were happy with it, replace it with an appropriate one. The same would apply if it's an ID Tech.

I'd strongly advise against swapping the backlight by yourself unless no other options are available.

Good luck.

ajkula66 wrote:"The best" is what is best for you...it's your ThinkPad, and you're the one who's going to be using it...

If your current panel is Hydis, and you were happy with it, replace it with an appropriate one. The same would apply if it's an ID Tech.

I'd strongly advise against swapping the backlight by yourself unless no other options are available.

Good luck.

Hi akjula66. I won't be swapping the backlight and will be buying a new panel. As for Hydis / ID Tech / LG, I have no idea what I have currently. all I know is that it's too yellow / dim for the type of work I'd like to do and the viewing angles are not as good as I thought it would be for an IPS display. If there is a relatively easy way to find out without tearing my system open again, I'd appreciate it. My Frankenpad is my main system so I try to only open it when I know I absolutely have to.

As for what is best, I know my criteria, but what I can't seem to find out what the characteristics are regarding each panel. Some of the data I've found after searching suggest that the Hydis yellows quickly and others suggest it does not and that it is the LG and vice versa. I just want to hear various experiences with each of the panels. What I'm hoping to find feedback on for each panel is:

a) color accuracy
b) viewing angle
c) consistency / longevity
d) brightness

geoshia wrote:

a) color accuracy
b) viewing angle
c) consistency / longevity
d) brightness

All of this is really a consideration when one has a choice between the two brand new panel types (LG was never offered as 1600x1200 so it's ID Tech vs. Hydis). Unfortunately, we don't have that choice anymore. Therefore, I'd say get a NOS Hydis and be done with it.

Troels is the one with all the panel data around here and I'm pretty sure he'll jump in if so required...

As for identifying the current panel, this should help:

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/moninfo.shtm

On paper Hydis looks better with its 500:1 contrast ratio as opposed to ID Tech's 400:1...

I haven't had a Hydis panel that has gone yellow at all, let alone quickly. YMMV.

All of that said, I always felt that colour reproduction and overall accuracy of ID Tech were superior to what Hydis has to offer.

I know I'm a minority in this respect.

Good luck.

Thanks. This is very helpful. Apparently I already have a BOE Hydis which now worries me. According to my color profile sw, my display is at around 135cd/m2 and I wonder how much brighter a new one would be. I guess only one way to find out.

BTW, is it true that this even though this is IPS, it is only a 6-bit panel? My profiling software asks for the number. I can't seem to see the difference when I choose 6 vs 8 bit.

Hydis is actually AFFS which is based on IPS...

The brightness on the new panel *should* be around 200...

6-bit sounds about right as far as I can recall...

ajkula66 wrote:Hydis is actually AFFS which is based on IPS...

Hmm... I wonder if that's why viewing angles aren't as good as I thought they'd be. Is IDTech the same, based on IPS or are they actually IPS?

Most people I've known opine that Hydis has the best viewing angles....I'd beg to differ, but what else is new...

ID Tech is the *real* conventional IPS FlexView screen.