Weird X61s screen replacement?

[Sleepless]

My X61s screen cracked, so I need an LCD panel.

Looking up the Lenovo site and putting in my laptop's serial number, the part list says 13N7091 yet "Not serviceable", but I assume I need a 13N7092.

Googling the part number I came across a site that sells these part numbers at a (relativley) cheap price of ~ $150, but the resolution is 800x1280. I thought the screen is 768x1024.

What's going on here?

[Ken Fox]

My X61s screen cracked, so I need an LCD panel.

Looking up the Lenovo site and putting in my laptop's serial number, the part list says 13N7091 yet "Not serviceable", but I assume I need a 13N7092.

Googling the part number I came across a site that sells these part numbers at a (relativley) cheap price of ~ $150, but the resolution is 800x1280. I thought the screen is 768x1024.

What's going on here?

I'd assume that this is the screen for another laptop, a widescreen laptop, and not your X61s. As such it would not fit, as the dimensions would be wrong. Another possibility is that the seller has misstated the screen resolution.

[EOMtp]

... I assume I need a 13N7092.

Correct. That is an UltraLight (manufactured by TMD) LCD panel, 1024x768 resolution.

That's the only LCD panel which will fit the enclosure and LCD cable that you have. The non-UtraLight X6x/s panels will not fit your case and will not fit your LCD cable.

It is far likelier that you will locate a non-Ultralight LCD panel, in which case you might want to consider replacing the entire "top" of the machine, since the Bluetooth module and the inverter are the only common parts between the Ultralight "top" and the non-Ultralight "top".

Note: I think there is a thread on this forum in which someone noted that he had identified a Dell LCD panel which was identical to the 12.1" TMD UltraLight panel for the X6x/s units. Perhaps you can use one of those if you do not find FRU #13N7092.

Good luck!

[Sleepless]

Correct. That is an UltraLight (manufactured by TMD) LCD panel, 1024x768 resolution.

That's the only LCD panel which will fit the enclosure and LCD cable that you have. The non-UtraLight X6x/s panels will not fit your case and will not fit your LCD cable.

It is far likelier that you will locate a non-Ultralight LCD panel, in which case you might want to consider replacing the entire "top" of the machine, since the Bluetooth module and the inverter are the only common parts between the Ultralight "top" and the non-Ultralight "top".

Note: I think there is a thread on this forum in which someone noted that he had identified a Dell LCD panel which was identical to the 12.1" TMD UltraLight panel for the X6x/s units. Perhaps you can use one of those if you do not find FRU #13N7092.

Good luck!

Thanks! However, I couldn't find the Dell thread you were talking about. I did manage to find UL TMD screens at under $200.

By the way, how difficult is it to replace the screen? I was looking at the drawings in the HMM, and the note about the bezel adhesive kind of scared me. Can I break the bezel unintentionally by using too much force so as to separate the adhesive?

Also, how do you take out those screw rubber covers? How do I put them back on?

Any information as to the feasibility of a layman screen replacement would be much appreciated.
Thanks again!

[force]

The rubber screw covers (or plastic) should have an adhesive backing which sticks to the lip of the screw hole. In general, rubber covers are raised a bit and you can pry them out with your fingernail, but the small plastic ones should be done carefully with an exacto knife or similar.

The bezel adhesive is similar to a piece of double-sided tape. If I recall correctly, it was added in later models due to complaints of a gap between the bezel at the bottom of the panel. It's possible to break the bezel if too much force is applied, but if you take it slowly and pull the bezel gently away from it, the adhesive should give way. When I reassembled it, it seemed like the bezel got stretched out a bit. I used a piece of double-sided tape in place of the adhesive.

Replacing a screen isn't too difficult as long as you're handy with a screwdriver and can figure out and remember the order in which to do things. I'd say the most difficult portion is taking the bezel off, because care must be taken to not break off the plastic snap points. As long as you're careful and don't use too much force, it shouldn't be too hard.

Note that I've only done this with a X60s non-ultralight screen.

[Sleepless]

Since the price of a new TMD display is so high, and I can live with the non-Ultralight LCD panel, I wonder if the following plan will work:

1. Buy a broken/used X60/X61/X60s/X61s on Ebay or something - I'm fine as long as the screen works. It can be either Ultralight or non-Ultralight. They sometimes go for $100-200 or so.

2. Remove the whole LCD assembly (step 1180 in the HMM). No need to take apart the bezel, LCD panel, etc - only to disconnect the top-half of the laptop.

3. Put in a the new LCD assembly.

Am I missing something here?

[EOMtp]

3. Put in a the new LCD assembly.
Am I missing something here?

You are not missing anything!

Note on Bluetooth:
The Bluetooth module is inside the "top", and perhaps your unit has the module and the replacement "top" does not -- that's the only "non-obvious" effect of swapping "tops".

If the new top lacks Bluetooth and you want it, then you are back to disassembling the "top" ... and perhaps replacing the LCD cable of the new "top" in case that cable lacks the Bluetooth connector.

Note on WWAN antenna:
Primary WWAN antenna is in the "top"; get a "top" with the WWAN antenna built in if you need that antenna.

Finally, use a precision screwdriver; do NOT use a "regular" Phillips. Nothing beats the following, and every Home Depot has them at $5:
http://www.amazon.com/Husky-Precision-S ... 171&sr=8-2

[Sleepless]

You are not missing anything!

Note on Bluetooth:
The Bluetooth module is inside the "top", and perhaps your unit has the module and the replacement "top" does not -- that's the only "non-obvious" effect of swapping "tops".

If the new top lacks Bluetooth and you want it, then you are back to disassembling the "top" ... and perhaps replacing the LCD cable of the new "top" in case that cable lacks the Bluetooth connector.

Note on WWAN antenna:
Primary WWAN antenna is in the "top"; get a "top" with the WWAN antenna built in if you need that antenna.

Finally, use a precision screwdriver; do NOT use a "regular" Phillips. Nothing beats the following, and every Home Depot has them at $5:
http://www.amazon.com/Husky-Precision-S ... 171&sr=8-2

Thanks for the detailed answer.

This whole LCD thing is a major PITA. I called IBM, the LCD panel itself is ~ $500, and including labour this could be around $600. Then it seems that many LCD vendors are oblivious to the fact that not all 12.1" panels are created equal, and it's not easy to figure out whether the item is really an 13N7092 or the thicker panel.

In the meantime, until I sort this thing out, I'm hooked up to my X6 Ultrabase...

Thanks again!

[holdenburg]

Hi...

I am faced with the same dilemma, as I have an x60 that has a broken ultralight LCD.
I was wondering the same thing, if I can just remove the entire LCD assembly from another unit and swap it. I have searched for a solution and have yet to find stock anywhere within a competitive price.
Replacing everything appears to be the only thing left to do as the current prices on the ultralight FRU 13n7092 are over $500.00.


I ordered what I thought was the correct screen working with web supplier who asked for the LTD number but I just received the LCD and it has the cable in the incorrect place.


I am trying to RMA this one but was thinking if I can get the correct ribbon, would this work? Or, does the ultralight plastic backing/housing need to be replaced as well?
Can anyone shed some light on this issue?
Thank you...

[tim S]

Screen and lid replacement are a real PITA.
Things to consider are X60 or X61 and their appropriate S versions. Regular or Ultralight screen, bluetooth or not, wireless antennas and thinklight placement.
The easiest (eBay) way is to do a complete lid replacement with the exact same laptop. However many times
the LCD cable, which is quite fragile, has a broken part or a broken trace somewhere leaving only the screen usable.
My story was to get a complete X61 (regular screen) lid from eBay with the idea of simply replace the lid, snapping in
the connector and I'd be good to go. So the lid arrived and the seller had broken off the magnetic sensor tab rendering the cable useless (he refunded part of the price). So now I had to replace the screen but while I was at it I thought I'd use the new lid and bezel but with my old LCD cable. Then I found the X61 bezel has the thinklight slot moved further to the left and the old cable would only reach after some refolding. The the old thinklight was also wider than the new one so it wouldn't fit into the new lid slot! So back to the old lid and broken bezel. I eventually got everything in only to find that the bluetooth no longer worked, so presumably I'd broken my original cable somewhere!
Ahh ain't life great?

Tim S

[lovecomplex]

I have the same issue. I've been thinking about replacing the entire top, so I'm glad to hear it's at least possible. I just found some complete tops on ebay which I am too broke to buy atm, but very tempting over the $300 price for the ultratite screen. I too am kicking myself for spending the extra money for this screen