Thinkpads Forum

Hi all-

Got a great deal on a refurb X20 from the outlet and just received it. It has the IPS display, which is one of the primary reasons I chose this model.

I am seeing some strange issues on the display. I don't know how to describe it, other than to say it looks like it scanning, or sometimes blinking, very subtly. When sitting here staring at the white screen, I can pick out areas where it appears to be flashing, or have lines scanning very quickly upward. Also, when I look at an analog sync pattern (like http://randysimons.nl/overige/tftAutoAlignPattern/), I do see this same motion, only more clearly.

Another scenario that makes this issue apparent is when a Windows 7 UAC dialog pops up, and dims the screen behind the dialog box. I see the "scanning" in the dark background. Then, when I close the dialog, it appears to take a few seconds for the screen to return to full brightness.

I have been using LED displays for a couple of years now, and am quite accustomed to them. I understand that the IPS in the X220 is a CCFL. I am at a computer for probably 70-80 hours a week on average, so I am very accustomed to them looking a certain way.

So, people that are picky about your display: Does this sound like normal for this display, or is it defective?

Thanks in advance for help!

I have an IPS screen on my machine.

Whilst I must admit I have never come across your woes on my X220, the IPS panel in the X220 is LED-backlit. There are no inverters etc anywhere here and the screen cable for the IPS is exactly the same as for the TN panel.

Does your "scanning" effect have something to do with a particular lighting environment? Maybe the use of fluorescent tube at a certain frequency say 60Hz vs 50Hz? I notice on IP cameras and older CCFL monitors sometimes you can have a scanning effect due to this mismatch of frequency. I don't know if you mean the same effect though.

If this behavior occurs on battery then you may want to turn off 'Intel Display Battery Saving Technology.' You can find that in the Intel Graphics control panel.

JPH wrote:the IPS panel in the X220 is LED-backlit

I don't know how I gathered otherwise, but you are indeed correct. I probably got my wires crossed as I was researching.

I did realize that the refresh rate was set to 50Hz out of the box. I have no idea why. I changed it to 60Hz and that appears to have corrected most of the issue.

emeraldgirl08 wrote:If this behavior occurs on battery then you may want to turn off 'Intel Display Battery Saving Technology.'

And here was the other issue. I found this on the Lenovo forum. What an inane default setting. I don't see how a person could tolerate this without going mad.


All is well now. What an awesome little system. Thanks for the help!

Awesome



Glad to have been of assistance! Now if only you could take my final for Ochem tomorrow then I'd figure we'd be square

emeraldgirl08 wrote:Awesome



Glad to have been of assistance! Now if only you could take my final for Ochem tomorrow then I'd figure we'd be square

Yeah, um, no. I'm a computer geek, so you really don't want that, trust me. I will be happy to ask my pharmacist wife when she gets home, though.