X20- LCD has gone from pink/red on startup...

[Quattro]

to completely black now. I'm guessing the backlight (CCFL). The cable is new, inverter is good, works on external monitor. If I lool closely, i can see Windows on the LCD.

Has anyone ever replaced the backlight on the X20 or any other X-series? I know it's tricky, but am willing to try.

[Quattro]

Follow-up: The bulb came out fairly easily. Remove the metal trip surrounding the LCD. Next, very carefully, remove the wire connector next to the main LCD plug. Unscrew the circuit board, remove white tape. The metal surround should now come off.

The bulb is attached to the black/white wire connector. Pull the two rubber holders out, cut the solder, slide bulb out.

Soldering is required to re-install.

[RoxyRose]

Would an item like ebay item 6891923545 remove the necessity of resoldering? Also, does a pink screen (that eventually returns to normal) always mean ccfl failure?

[tfflivemb2]

Would an item like ebay item 6891923545 remove the necessity of resoldering? Also, does a pink screen (that eventually returns to normal) always mean ccfl failure?

Yes, the CCFL should work.

Yes, the red/pink that returns to normal is the perfect sign of a dying CCFL. Imagine the flourescent bulbs in a warehouse....they do the same thing.

[RoxyRose]

Thanks for your quick and thorough reply. Do you think this may be a good website for CCFL? http://www.lcdpart.com/Products/ms20250.html
Also, they say its compatible with x20, would it be compatible with the x24 as well? They seem to both be 12.1 in screens.

[Quattro]

actually, i think soldering is a necessity. The wire has to be cut or de-soldered to insert it into the screen. It cannot be inserted with the wire attached.

Inverter may also cause pinkish screen. The inverter supplies power to the bulb.

[RoxyRose]

If I buy the bulbs from the website I pasted, I would have to solder anyway. Believe me, I'd rather replace the inverter. It's funny because I had an HP whose backlight failed, and in actuality it was the cable to the lcd that was damaged...only one wire of the several in the cable. I just had to cover the exposed wire and it was as good as new. It's so irritating to have so many suspects. Any advice on how to isolate the culprit?

[Quattro]

The inverter is more likely to fail, IMO. Let me know if you find a cheap source.

[tfflivemb2]

actually, i think soldering is a necessity. The wire has to be cut or de-soldered to insert it into the screen. It cannot be inserted with the wire attached.

Inverter may also cause pinkish screen. The inverter supplies power to the bulb.

I'm not sure about the X20, but on my T21 the CCFL can be replaced as a whole, without any soldering, as long as you remove the entire brass(?) holder for the bulb.

As for the inverter causing a pink tint...it is highly unlikely. Generally, the inverter either works or it doesn't. I guess an inverter could be under powering the CCFL, but I seriously doubt it.