Thinkpads Forum

Hi all.

I had a cracked screen on a X61s for some time and just now took a XGA-screen from an old X60T and hooked it up to the X61s. When powering on the computer just shuts down after a couple of seconds. After that I need to remove all power from the X61s for it to light up again.

I know the middleton bios is needed to get a SXGA+ screen from a X61T to work on a X61s. Does this have something to do with it?

regards

BIOS is different between tablets and standard units, as is the LCD cable.

You're lucky that you haven't blown a fuse or two on the motherboard.

The pinout of the LCD cable is different between tablets and non-tablets. You have to do this to make it work (courtesy of trmsw).

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=102432

I see. I really thought the XGA-screens between the units were the same. But now when I have started it all, i might as well try to finish it.

A couple of questions though:

- Doing the mod on a XGA-screen will eventually work on a SXGA+ screen later on, right?
- Flashing the X61s with Middleton's BIOS will make it work with both standard XGA, X61T XGA aswell as the T61T SXGA+ screen. Right?
- How does the vacom unit work? It does react exactly how on that pen? Is the pen magnetic?

Hi Rose,

"Doing the mod on a XGA-screen will eventually work on a SXGA+ screen later on, right?"

This is correct.
The Tablet IPS XGA and SXGA+ screens use the same connector.


"Flashing the X61s with Middleton's BIOS will make it work with both standard XGA, X61T XGA as well as the T61T SXGA+ screen. Right?"

Correct.


"How does the vacom unit work? It does react exactly how on that pen? Is the pen magnetic?"

I don't know how the Wacom Tablet touch screen works.
I don't believe the Tablet touch screen will work in the X61S.

Good health, Weogo

You don't have to flash any modded BIOS in order to use XGA panel from Tablet, the modified BIOS is just for enabling the SXGA+ resolution.

If you want to use IPS panel (XGA or SXGA+) from Tablet, you have to modify the cable like that on the link above. For XGA, nothing more is needed, for SXGA+, use modded BIOS. You cannot use Wacom digitizer because the panel will not fit into non-Tablet lid with one attached, you have to remove it from the panel.

I assume you already noticed that you have to machine the tabs off from the Tablet LCD panel, right?

Just FYI, I have modified few X6x cables the way it is done in that topic linked above and it works like a charm. Quite easy too.

Raceboy wrote:....You cannot use Wacom digitizer because the panel will not fit into non-Tablet lid with one attached, you have to remove it from the panel.

I assume you already noticed that you have to machine the tabs off from the Tablet LCD panel, right?

....

yes i noticed that already. that doesnt seem to be to much of a problem but how do you fixate the steel ribbons on the sides? Do you just tape them on there?

Im not planning on using the digitizer on the X61s. I just like to know how the thing works. I always thought that it was the glass that was sensitive somehow but apparently the digitizer sits behind the screen..

Rose wrote:Im not planning on using the digitizer on the X61s. I just like to know how the thing works. I always thought that it was the glass that was sensitive somehow but apparently the digitizer sits behind the screen..

Yes, the digitizer sits behind the screen. It uses an electromagnetic signal to detect the pen which is how it can work in the air. (And not need any batteries.) The downside is you must use the pen (unless you have a touch capable model), but personally I think that's a good thing since you can safely rest your hand on the glass and use it naturally.