X40 Screen Problem

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CKae · #1 Post by **CKae** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:24 pm

Hey newbie here, nice to meet you all. I came across this forum when I was surfing the internet finding a solution for my sick X40.

The problem is the LCD screen, please click the link to see the pic:

Link Here

Sorry this is the best pic I could take. But you look at the pic, you can see there are a few problems:
1. very noticeable "grids" on the screen
2. it seems like the screen refreshes very slowly, there's "dead image" (I don't know if it's the right term), you can still see the Boot Screen
3. not very noticeable from the pic, but the screen looks "white"

The screen just became like this all of a sudden when I was using the computer 2 days ago. May anyone suggest which part of the x40 went wrong? Do you think I need to change to a new LCD screen? I would love to get it fixed by myself as I really like my X40.

Thanks in advance.

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:17 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

My best guess would be to first inspect the LCD ribbon cable for any folds, breaks or tears. If nothing is obviously damaged, then re-seat both ends of the connector (the one on the motherboard and the other end of the cable, to the panel itself). See if that helps. If not, then the problem can be in several areas:

- the ribbon cable
- the LCD panel
- the motherboard

You should download a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for this system:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-53683

CKae · #3 Post by **CKae** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:28 am

Hey rkawakami, thank you for you advice. So I took apart my machine today (which was quite a difficult task for me by the way), and I found that there's something weird about the ribbon cable that you mentioned:

Link Here

It's like the cable is burnt. Do you think it's the source of the screen problem?

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:42 pm

Yes, it could be possible. The only system that I have that is close to the X40 is an X41t but I haven't opened it (yet). All of the ribbon cables that I've seen from 600-series systems up to T41s have not looked like yours. Perhaps somebody who has had direct experience with an X40 ribbon cable can tell you that what you see is normal, or not.

Have you tried connecting an external monitor to see what the video signal looks like there? If it looks the same, then you probably have something wrong with the motherboard. If it looks normal, then most likely, the ribbon cable or LCD is the source of the problem.

CKae · #5 Post by **CKae** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:59 pm

rkawakami wrote:Have you tried connecting an external monitor to see what the video signal looks like there?

Just did that, and the video signal is normal. So it's either the cable or the LCD panel.

So I searched ebay and got this, and it looks very different from mine. So probably it's the faulty cable. But the thing is it's difficult to get this cable locally in Hong Kong (ebay is so not popular here), and I guess international shipping will be quite expensive... Anyway, thank you for your help.

sjthinkpader · #6 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:11 am

I have my X40 open today and the cable looks similar. That metallic coating looks to be an EMI/RFI shield over the LVDS lines in the cable. That kind of ghosting can be from incorrect voltage to the LCD or failing controller in the LCD.

CKae · #7 Post by **CKae** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:23 am

sjthinkpader wrote:I have my X40 open today and the cable looks similar.

Just to be clear, as I don't know much about electronic actually, so you mean your cable looks kind of "burnt" too?

sjthinkpader wrote:That kind of ghosting can be from incorrect voltage to the LCD or failing controller in the LCD.

So do I need to replace the whole LCD panel, or is there a controller that I may need to replace?

sjthinkpader · #8 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Fri May 01, 2009 2:22 am

I wouldn't call that burnt, it is oxidation.

It is hard to said whether it is due to the panel or the MB. It would be nice to have a spare LCD to check it out.

CKae · #9 Post by **CKae** » Fri May 01, 2009 2:49 am

Alright, oxidation, that I can understand what it means, haha. So the oxidation's normal and doesn't mean the cable's faulty, right?

One other thing, I have problem removing the upper case, in the maintenance manual P.88, it says to push the upper case backward and lift it up. It seems it can't be pushed though. Or should I just push harder? But I'm afraid I will break it.

janko_wodnik · #10 Post by **janko_wodnik** » Sun May 10, 2009 9:58 am

CKae wrote:Alright, oxidation, that I can understand what it means, haha. So the oxidation's normal and doesn't mean the cable's faulty, right?

I am not sure. Please take a look on those:

CKae wrote:One other thing, I have problem removing the upper case, in the maintenance manual P.88, it says to push the upper case backward and lift it up. It seems it can't be pushed though. Or should I just push harder? But I'm afraid I will break it.

Well, let say it: original instruction for removing upper case in X40/41 is, hmm, bad? Unclear, faulty?

Problem with removing upper case is related to two plastic pins located in front of laptop, near lid locking holes (is this name correct?).

Simple way is to just break those pins and don't care anymore.

Harder way is to remove entire lid (disconnecting first: WiFi, BT, microphone, lid button, LCD ribbon tape, and so).
Unscrewing lid hinges from laptop base.
Unmounting upper case from lower case hooks over main battery pack.
The lid should be able to be lifted and detached (it is not easy, so be careful).

When lid is removed, you are able to lift rear of upper case, and entire upper case should be easily removed without breaking anything.

It is hard to me to describe all things.

JW

sjthinkpader · #11 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun May 10, 2009 1:25 pm

Duplicate removed

sjthinkpader · #12 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun May 10, 2009 1:38 pm

I replaced the LCD cable in my X41 yesterday and did not remove the hinges from the base.

With the LCD lid at roughly 90 degrees with the base, remove the two large front screws in the lower corners.

Lift out the LCD bezel in the normal way, separating from the cover by front center first, then work your way around the side then top.

Remove three screws each side under the black stick-on covers, the single screw securing the inverter. Then the LCD cover will come off giving access to front and back. There are three screws each side securing the LCD panel to the hinge vertical frame.

Since the hinge frame material is very thin, with the screws out, try not to move the hinge angle to avoid bending it. Some screws were missing in my eBay unit and consequently the hinge was bent out of shape.

When assembling the LCD lid, make sure the two large front screws in the lower corners are tight, these are the ones that rotate the hinges.

Other than the two large screws being #1 Phillips heads, others are #0's.

janko_wodnik wrote:...
Problem with removing upper case is related to two plastic pins located in front of laptop, near lid locking holes (is this name correct?).

Simple way is to just break those pins and don't care anymore.
...

These locking tabs are same as T41t. Use a knife and insert it between the KB bezel and case bottom. I have a nice tool made for watch repair to remove the backs. Yes, breaking these tabs have no major consequences but will make the X41 a little loose.

sjthinkpader wrote:I have my X40 open today and the cable looks similar. That metallic coating looks to be an EMI/RFI shield over the LVDS lines in the cable...

The metallic painted area on the LCD cable is actually over the inverter/LED traces. The high speed LVDS traces are not painted.

janko_wodnik · #13 Post by **janko_wodnik** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:25 am

sjthinkpader wrote:These locking tabs are same as T41t. Use a knife and insert it between the KB bezel and case bottom. I have a nice tool made for watch repair to remove the backs. Yes, breaking these tabs have no major consequences but will make the X41 a little loose.

And this is my tool:

And way of use:

And tabs in closeup:

If tabs are already broken, your ThinkPad was surely opened before by unauthorized (or just not smart?) servicer.

sjthinkpader · #14 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:43 pm

Here is my tool to release the front tabs:

It is made for opening watches.

CKae · #15 Post by **CKae** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:50 am

Thanks for all your advice.

I bought the LCD cable yesterday (which is not cheap by the way), and I managed to replace the cable without removing the hinges from the base, like sjthinkpader said. Sadly, the screen just looked the same, which means that it's the LCD panel which is faulty.

Now I'm not sure if it's worth to get my x40 repaired. I mean it's not that cheap to get a new LCD panel, and the x40 is more than 4 years old. It seems more practical to spend the money on a new laptop. I just hope that somewhere I can get a cheap 2nd hand panel in Hong Kong. Time to look around again!

P.S. I can't connect to the forum from time to time for 3 days already. What's wrong?

sjthinkpader · #16 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:52 am

Sorry to hear that, have patience and you may come across a reasonably priced LCD.

Looks like the website database crashed.

CKae · #17 Post by **CKae** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:43 pm

Just a little update. Got a used LCD from ebay for USD60 including shipping. It's cheap considering I have no idea where I can get one in HK.

The panel's not perfect, but it's ok. After replacing the faulty panel, my x40 is alive again! Thanks for all your advice!

P.S. The used LCD came with the bezel marked "x41", and I was too lazy to replace it with my x40 one. Consider it a little "upgrade" I guess, hahahaha~

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