LCD IAXG01M works in x22, with caveats

[blegas78]

Hey everyone, I'm just putting down this information for anyone that might be curious about compatibility in the future

I was able to install a panel of type IAXG01M into my x22, which had a panel of type IAXG01 (no M).

Like other think pads panel swaps for these models, the pinout was reversed. This meant I had to plug the cable in backwards, and was able to do this by trimming the two little wings of the cable that enforce orientation. This also meant that I had to fold the cable when installing the panel, and I used kapton tape help hold the cable. This took a few tries to get right so that it wouldn't unplug during assembly.

The second annoying thing is that I had to extend the CCFL wire. I was able to cut the cable from the old panel and shove its stripped ends into the connector, however I couldn't find the space to fit the new panel's additional connector housing. I was able to non-destructively remove the connector housing by inserting a sewing needle into the tiny hole adjacent to where pins get inserted, then pull the female receiving ends out. I tested the ends together with some caption tape. It's not great, I probably should have soldered and used heat shrink but I couldn't find any in my house. At least the bezel comes off easily if I run into future issues.

Other than that, all screw holes align perfectly and the bezel fits perfectly too. Now that I've done this, I'm sure the proper IAXG01 panel will show up on eBay in the next few days anyway

[dr_st]

Congratulations on your project.

A similar case of a pin-reversed connector comes across when applying IPS screen mods for X3x Thinkpads, discussed, e.g., here:
viewtopic.php?t=106311

I am not sure whether X2x and X3x generation panels are compatible. Or at least don't remember.

[blegas78]

Thanks! And thanks for linking that writeup!

I did see some of those panels from an x41 have a matching ordered pinout as the IAXG01, but what dissuaded me (other than panel price) was the difference in screw hole positions. The writeup you linked was super cool! Swapping the metal frame pieces between panels is something I'll have to remember for the future, maybe if I come across a cheap IPS panel HT12X21-351 then I'll attempt a panel upgrade