Succeed to install a 12.1" SXGA+ LCD for thinkpad x40 / x41

[microwave]

A few days ago, I succeed to install a 12.1" wideview angle sxga+ (1400 x 1050 ) on thinkpad x40 / x41.


For installing sxga+ lcd on x40/x41, I developed a intel video bios for supporting 12.1" sxga+ lcd. For bios modification, you should modify video bios,acpi module,bios

core module for sxga+ . There is no hardware modification besides lcd cable modification.


refer to following link.


For X40 sxga+ :

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=13200

For X41 sxga+

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=13196

For X31/x32 sxga+

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12593

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=13074

For T61P 15.1" QXGA Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12267


For T42P 15.1" QXGA Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12232

For T42p/ T60p 14.1" UXGA Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=13085

For X60T High Resolution Multi touch Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12746

For X60 Tablet High Resolution Multi-touch Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12746

For X61 Tablet High Resolution Multi-touch Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12771

For X61 SXGA+ Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12690


For X60 SXGA+ Modification

http://www.thinkmania.com/zb40/zboard.p ... c&no=12022



Few days later, I will make a plan to install 12.1" sxga+ lcd on thinkpad X41 tablet. I have already made a sxga+ modification bios for thinkpad x41 tablet.





regards

Leokim

[charles.atcher]

Great, I was working on this BIOS thing myself. Do you have the BIOS for the X31/X32 to download? I am eager to try it out.

Good work and thanks!!

[guanghua19]

Super Cool, Could you give a little more hint how you did it for x40/41.

[Teflon77]

That's awesome

We just need more guy like you man for the Thinkpad community !

[Harryc]

It would be great if someone could translate those into english. (Yes I know about Babel Fish, that is not what I am talking about).

[charles.atcher]

I think it's fantastic. I've been banging my head against the wall trying to modify the X31/X32 bios myself. Glad to see someone smarter than I finally get it sorted out. My only issue with the X31/X32 is that screen. Would love to have SXGA+ on my X32. Even willing to put a donation down for all the work.

[cmarti]

This is really cool!

But which screen fru# we are supposed to use in the X31/X32?

Also which cable we use?

I don't understand chinese.

[cmarti]

This is really cool!

But which screen fru# we are supposed to use in the X31/X32?

Also which cable we use?

I don't understand korean.

P.S. Nevermind I use babelfish.

[Teflon77]

This is really cool!

But which screen fru# we are supposed to use in the X31/X32?

Also which cable we use?

I don't understand chinese.

I don't think the screens used have FRU because as I know IBM didn't sell X31/X32 or X40/X41 with sxga+ displays.

[charles.atcher]

I have the parts lined up, just waiting for a proper solution to the bios problem. You can flash the X31 with a T42 bios, but you get temp sensor and docking errors. Modification of the bios is not for the faint of heart. I keep getting errors. But I continue, lol...

[cmarti]

The docking issue is not a problem for me I don't use a dock. But the temp sensor maybe a concern, what issues it causes? Is the laptop overheating?

[crashnburn]

Hey Microwave. Would you mind translating the T6x 14.1" UXGA into English?

What is the original language anyways to use Babelfish?

[cmarti]

What is the original language anyways to use Babelfish?

It's Korean.

[aceo07]

That's great. Now I have to wait until there's a step by step fool proof way that I could do it.

[Jagoop]

Thats sooo sweeeet.

I can't wait to be able to update my X32's LCD.

[jamiphar]

I plan to try this on an X31 if I can get the screen for a decent price. Or, if somebody wanted to send me their X3x/X4x and the SXGA+ LCD, I could try the upgrade for them (based on the limited instructions) and post the revised instructions and results here. I'd have to get the right BIOS from the OP, but hopefully he'll be able to provide it soon. I wouldn't charge anything but postage for this type of experiment. Anybody interested?

[cmarti]

Do we have the parts numbers for LCD and cable?

I read the thread but I can't see any there...

[jamiphar]

Do we have the parts numbers for LCD and cable?

I read the thread but I can't see any there...

The LCD part number is HV121P01-100, according to what he posted in this thread. I think the XGA cable is used, but modified. See this page.

[crashnburn]

Hey Microwave. Would you mind translating the T6x 14.1" UXGA into English?

What is the original language anyways to use Babelfish?

I did the (Korean) conversion using Babelfish but it does not have a clear Step by Step HOW TO. Or is it that I am not reading it correctly.

In fact the only thing it looks like is a TEASE. There are no steps, parts or instructions on that translated page whatsoever. Atleast I dont see them. If someone has better eye sight.. please tell me.

In fact I even considered joining the board / forum.. But their registration was all korean so I couldnt get past the 1st reg screen.

Can someone guide me?

Need the following info:

Thinkpad Model Number - CPU, Motherboard, Graphics Card.
Inverter Model
Cable Model No
LCD (I have this name.. the Sharp LUxxxxxx)

Custom or same old BIOS & Pin Hacks if any?
What kind of Pin Changes / Grounding etc you had to do... A little clarification here would definitely help.

[pianowizard]

I did the (Korean) conversion using Babelfish but it does not have a clear Step by Step HOW TO.

Go to Erik's blog describing how he modded his X61 to get a taste of what's involved. Few people on this board would be willing to go through such a process. I certainly am not.

[charles.atcher]

The major hurdle is the BIOS modification that needs to happen. Although the graphics chip can handle the resolution just fine, the bios locks it into permanent XGA mode. I'm currently working on modifying my own BIOS for my X32. It'll take me a while since I have no prior background in this, but I can read. Plenty of forums out there working on BIOS hacks.

I have the BIOS unpacked, split into it's various components, and have begun to dig into it. Isolated which modules I need to change, and just need to get around to it.

[crashnburn]

Go to Erik's blog describing how he modded his X61 to get a taste of what's involved. Few people on this board would be willing to go through such a process. I certainly am not.

I saw that. My "chosen link" above was the T6x with 14" UXGA not the X6x . If you can help me with that page and get some clarity there.. that would be nice

[TheRedFox]

I don't think I could look at a 12.1" SXGA+ screen without hurting my eyes trying to read text, and see smaller images. (I remember hurting my eyes trying to play Windows 3D pinball on a UXGA 14.1" panel or some such thing. it was a dell...)

[uux]

I'm the same way, TheRedFox. I do realize font sizes are adjustable, etc, but that is just too small for me. I do wonder how much the higher contrast would help, though. I was browsing 51nb earlier. There appears to be a walk through for a 12.1" AFFS XGA panel (HT12X21-240). That would still be a huge improvement over the stock panel.

[mojo-chan]

If someone can post definite info on how to do this (e.g. compatible panels, what needs to be modded on the cable and a modified BIOS) I'd be willing to give it a go. An X32 with a SXGA+ panel would be pretty much the ultimate laptop.

[TheRedFox]

I'm the same way, TheRedFox. I do realize font sizes are adjustable, etc, but that is just too small for me. I do wonder how much the higher contrast would help, though. I was browsing 51nb earlier. There appears to be a walk through for a 12.1" AFFS XGA panel (HT12X21-240). That would still be a huge improvement over the stock panel.

purely out of being uninformed, what would the difference be between the AFFS XGA panel and the stock type?

[uux]

The AFFS XGA panel is bit brighter with a higher contrast and larger viewing angles.

[TheRedFox]

The AFFS XGA panel is bit brighter with a higher contrast and larger viewing angles.

ooh. that's always nice.

[fasterbybike]

The AFFS XGA panel is bit brighter with a higher contrast and larger viewing angles.

LP121X04 fitted to X31/32
Brightness 143 cd/m2
Contrast 250:1
Viewing angle horizontal 40 degrees (CR > 10)
Viewing angle up 10 degrees
Viewing angle up 30 degrees

HV121P01-100
Brightness 190 cd/m2
Contrast 500:1
Viewing angle horizontal/vertical 89 degrees (CR > 10)

HTH

[mojo-chan]

HV121P01-100
Brightness 190 cd/m2
Contrast 500:1
Viewing angle horizontal/vertical 89 degrees (CR > 10)

That's very, very interesting. It's only a 6 bit panel (is the standard X32 one 8 bit?) but the resolution makes it very attractive. 89 degrees viewing angle is a bit extreme for a laptop, normally it is lower for privacy.

It appears that the cable just plugs in to the new display. I can't find any pictures of the connector though so I'm not 100% certain. Two sets of pins need to be shorted as a kind of "option jumper" for SXGA.

A BIOS mod is then required to get the display to work properly. From what I can decipher it seems that you need to take the OPROM0 and OPROM1 from a T40 BIOS and overwrite the ones in the X31/X32 BIOS with them. That enabled detection of an SXGA panel and everything then works fine. 16MB video RAM is a bit low of SXGA but acceptable.

There is some useful info here: http://forum.51nb.com/thread-576766-1-2.html

Unfortunately it does not state exactly what panel is used, but it seems to be the HV121P01-100.

If I can find a suitable screen cheaply enough I will buy one.