Thinkpads Forum

I just checked the 51nb thread and leokim successfully was able to replace the X220 panel with the Dell XPS DUO 12.5" 1080P panel (LP125WF1-SPA1)!

Album: http://imgur.com/a/VIeM3

This is amazing, I hope he posts more details and the BIOS mod to make this happen.

Very exciting, the x220 is the last of the classic x series and with a 1080p panel, 16gb and the traditional thinkpad keyboard, I think I could be quite happy with it for a long time.

mrj47 wrote:Very exciting, the x220 is the last of the classic x series and with a 1080p panel, 16gb and the traditional thinkpad keyboard, I think I could be quite happy with it for a long time.

Awesome mod. Wow.

Does anyone know Korean? Looks like there is some more details of the mod here:

http://thinkpads.kr/xe/freeboard01/204035
http://thinkpads.kr/xe/REVIEW01/204307

Just a shame most of the LP125WF1 panels on eBay are with touchscreen. No sticky fingerprints on my notebook screens

Maybe I'll go for it. The X220 is the last X-series with a good keyboard layout (for now) and it still very good performance-wise. So far the only drawback was the screen, but with this FHD panel all that's lacking is the aspect ratio.

EDIT: oops I hadn't noticed there was a second page to this thread... well, nice mod. Kudos to Leokim.
The FHD LP125WF2 may be too far of a stretch, comfort-wise, so I'd still be interested in getting the HD+ version. Which, if I understand correctly, would still require rewiring the cable.

any updates on this?

jedisurfer1 wrote:any updates on this?

There is a short description on how he did the mod (using the internal eDP line and stealing some DP line from the docking connector via BIOS mod) here: http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 6-1-1.html and here: http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 4-1-1.html

Also, he managed to mod the X230 and the X220 Tablet to FHD. He says the mod is impossible on the X230 Tablet though, as it's missing the Port-D DP line, which he normally uses to control the backlight of the panel. More here: http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 1-1-1.html
Has anyone got a clue why one can't just use the Port-B or Port-C instead of Port-D? I think the DP connector wouldn't work anymore, but I'd accept this, if I could use FHD on X230 Tablet.

I still don't get why one can't just use the normal PWM signals that are used for the LVDS panel. If this is possible, there is no need to mod the BIOS to use the Port-D as eDP interface, only the part to set the eDP panel als primary output would be necessary. Also, the mod would work on the X230 Tablet, too. But I think LeoKim wouldn't have spent hours modding the BIOS if it was this easy.

Here can you find a few more links on the topic: http://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/146962 ... ost1758967
Just use a online translator or ask me if there is something you don't understand

Update: The 12.1" 1600 x 900 for the Panasonic toughbook sx has the same connector as the x220's screen, however the pin-outs are different. If you plug it in directly, it will fry the x220 motherboard. I do have another motherboard, and an intact screen, and spare cable, but I don't know how to rewire it.
I don't know where to find pin out information for either the x220 motherboard or the LCD screen.
I'd be willing to buy the 12.5" LP125WF1-SPA1 screen and do the mod, if I could read the instructions. Anyone who reads Korean willing to translate?

Following this thread!

ntw1103 wrote:Update: The 12.1" 1600 x 900 for the Panasonic toughbook sx has the same connector as the x220's screen, however the pin-outs are different. If you plug it in directly, it will fry the x220 motherboard. I do have another motherboard, and an intact screen, and spare cable, but I don't know how to rewire it.
I don't know where to find pin out information for either the x220 motherboard or the LCD screen.
I'd be willing to buy the 12.5" LP125WF1-SPA1 screen and do the mod, if I could read the instructions. Anyone who reads Korean willing to translate?

I don't think a 12.1" panel in a 12.5" housing would look well (remember LeoKim's X201 FHD mod with a 11,6" panel in a 12,1" housing: http://thinkpads.kr/xe/index.php?mid=RE ... srl=173817 )

Do you know the exact model number of the panasonic display? I could only find little on this laptop/display. Did you just fry your motherboard by connecting this panel?
The pinout of the original X220 panel can be reconstructed as one can find the X220 schematic (pm me if you need it).

As to understanding the Korean posts you could use Google or Microsoft Translator. Although you will be disappointed, as LeoKim (as so often) didn't publish important details needed for the mod. He only posted low-res pictures of the connecter, proof photos and in some other thread a vague instruction on how to do it (using the internal eDP lane and configuring another DP lane as 2nd display lane via BIOS mod). I don't think anyone unexperienced on the topic could accomplish the BIOS mod, as even LeoKim spent 5 hours a day for a few days to finish the BIOS.

Well, I'm not sure how they measured it, but it would actually fit almost perfectly. The screen is slightly taller, and a little wider, but part of that is the boarder.
If you trip the top/bottom of the casing it would fit just fine.
Here is a picture:(Large)
http://dreamphase.net/~nathan/public/x2 ... screen.jpg Screen model number: CL AA121UA01CW
Yes, I fried the motherboard by connecting it.
The motherboard still works, with the exception of the display. It only outputs a white screen. If you connect an external display, the motherboard works fine. (I ordered another and have that in there.)

A schematic would be awesome.
I've preformed the whitelist mod or the following computers: x60t,x61t,x200s,201s, and w500. I've also done some work for firmware drivers for Intel wifi cards.
I don't know all the details of this particular bios mod, but I am familiar with the modding process.

Another thing I'm considering, is getting one of these:
http://www.cables-oem.com/html_products ... t-151.html
And connecting that to either the screen I have, or the full HD version.

While it would take a bit of soldering, and I'd lose DisplayPort, I could take the leads from that connector and solder it directly. I was hoping for something possibly cleaner.

The screen is usable, but it's not a very clean solution. My plan is to ultimately perform the FHD mod to a X220 Tablet/X230 Tablet, but this would be much uglier as the digitizer would be a centimeter or two too big in the height.

I don't think your motherboard is entirely useless, I guess you just blew a fuse out. Remove the black plastik near the Display connector on the motherboard and check them. They are marked and for each of them is written how much ampere and Volts they hold, it should be something like 32V 5A. I think F6 is the one you fried (you see, I'm familiar with this matter ). Of course you should only plug in the original display as otherwise you will blow out your new fuse again.

I sent you the X220 schematic via PM, it would be awesome if you could create a detailed schematic for the LCD.

Interesting thing with the whitelist BIOSes. Is there much knowledge needed? Are there some basic instructions? As I understand it you can only read the byte code and then have to calculate it back to actual (Assembler?) directives. I am interested in learning this, can you provide me with sources to learn it?

As to the BIOS mod, LeoKim describes some steps in this post: http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1377696-1-1.html
I think the hardest part is to "say" the BIOS that DP PortD now should be another eDP and regulate LCD backlight (PWM) over this port. Just FullHD signals should work over the already available internal eDP lane. Another thing one ought to do is to set eDP as primary output.

It would be very interesting, if one could use the eDP for a LCD signal and some of the already existing LVDS signals for the backlight. Do you think this is possible? They are both LED displays with I think is PWM contol. If there is a standard and they both use it, it should be possible and would be a much easier solution.

Connecting the custom cable to your screen will not work, as your screen has LVDS and this cable converts/connects DP and eDP. If someone already has an LG 12.5" FHD screen it would be worth a buy of this cable to find out whether PWM control is possible in this solution, but I don't believe in it. If this would anyhow work, one could just solder cables to the pins of the docking connector and steal the DP signals meant for the ultrabase/mini dock.
To use your screen you need to know what pinouts the both LVDS ports have and create or let someone create a custom cable with this exact pinouts.

@Boggler:
there's no need to QUOTE every post you answer to.
Just click on the "post reply" button on the left, under the last post in that thread.

Okay, will do and I removed the quote in the last one.
I'm just used to it as in more active threads it can be confusing when a few people are writing at the same time and it isn't clear who's answering to whose post, but that's obviously not the case here

Interesting discussion got a x220 cheap with broken screen so I'm looking into getting something better than the bog standard. Here is a link I found of the x220 schematic that is free. From what I can see it covers details of model specific differences also which is considerate. http://elektrotanya.com/ibm_lenovo_thin ... nload.html be nice and click some banners its an awesome site. The schematic details a 28 and 30 pin mobo conn with the 28 carrying lvds sigs. Now if someone can tell me if it is possible to hijack the pcie rx tx clk used for usb 3.0 chipset on i7 on i3/i5 I shall

Enjoy

ntw1131 better option (check pg 37 schematic) is the base conn has 2 DP outputs so if you have not already considered you could take one of those (DPC prob) and keep it internal by soldering direct to base conn pins on mobo. you get to keep DP output from the sideport that way too.

Other option is if you are reluctant to solder to mobo is buy a used dock take the female conn from that and reroute a DP output from that back to you display. I have looked even on taobao and never found a discrete lenovo dock conn if anyone knows a source other than used dock dont keep it to yourself

If anyone successfully does this and can put together a kit with a BIOS CD/File I will buy 2 from them. I'm sure I'm not alone, and you'll likely find a hundred people on this site alone that will buy it!

Subscribed! I would be all over a high res screen for my X220, really the only thing missing for this little beast.

mrj47 wrote:I just checked the 51nb thread and leokim successfully was able to replace the X220 panel with the Dell XPS DUO 12.5" 1080P panel (LP125WF1-SPA1)!

Album: http://imgur.com/a/VIeM3

This is amazing, I hope he posts more details and the BIOS mod to make this happen.

Very exciting, the x220 is the last of the classic x series and with a 1080p panel, 16gb and the traditional thinkpad keyboard, I think I could be quite happy with it for a long time.

I don't use Lp125WF1-SPA1 for X220 FHD mods. I have successfully replace x220 HD panel with a LG 12.5" 1080 LCD ( LP125WF2-SPB1).

Summilux wrote:EDIT: oops I hadn't noticed there was a second page to this thread... well, nice mod. Kudos to Leokim.
The FHD LP125WF2 may be too far of a stretch, comfort-wise, so I'd still be interested in getting the HD+ version. Which, if I understand correctly, would still require rewiring the cable.

For this modification, You should make a new LCD cable for EDP interface .You should do a motherboard modification for EDP signals Assignment (It is very risky and Complicated ) and Bios modification for EDP LCD ( Specially VBIOS Modification).

iamdmc wrote:If anyone successfully does this and can put together a kit with a BIOS CD/File I will buy 2 from them. I'm sure I'm not alone, and you'll likely find a hundred people on this site alone that will buy it!

Can't put together a kit with a bios CD . ( Since motherboard modification is required and should make a new 0.5mm pitch 30pin LCD cable for Lp125wf2-SPB1 )

Referring to what Boggler wrote on Fri May 16, 2014 4:31 am:

As I comment before on 51nb.com, The Port-D (BD82QM77 South Bridge)and Port-A ( CPU ) can used as a EDP port ,since EDP encoder is allocated to only Port-D and Port-A.[ Refer to BD82QM77 and Ivy Bridge CPU Spec Sheet.)

Patiently waiting for more maybe some bios code or high res pics of connection areas. Amazing work.

microwave wrote:I don't use Lp125WF1-SPA1 for X220 FHD mods. I have successfully replace x220 HD panel with a LG 12.5" 1080 LCD ( LP125WF2-SPB1).

Nice work! Care to elaborate? A few high-res pics on the mainboard modification and a bios image would be nice. If this is openly available, I'm sure there will be a shop that offers custom display cables soon (just like when people used to mod X61 and X61s with X61 Tablet SXGA+ screens).

As to possible screens: 12.5" FHD screens are currently only produced by LG. The screen you used is the one that's used in Thinkpad Yoga and X240, but as the other FHD 12.5" screens also have an eDP interface, they should fit, too. In the last paragraph here I've put together a list of possible models: http://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/146962 ... ost1758967

microwave wrote:As I comment before on 51nb.com, The Port-D (BD82QM77 South Bridge)and Port-A ( CPU ) can used as a EDP port ,since EDP encoder is allocated to only Port-D and Port-A.[ Refer to BD82QM77 and Ivy Bridge CPU Spec Sheet.)

Do you know why only X230 Tablet has no Port-D? X220 and X220 Tablet have it, and even X230, which uses the same CPU generation (Ivy Bridge) and presumably the same chipset.

Boggler wrote: .............................
Interesting thing with the whitelist BIOSes. Is there much knowledge needed? Are there some basic instructions? As I understand it you can only read the byte code and then have to calculate it back to actual (Assembler?) directives. I am interested in learning this, can you provide me with sources to learn it?
.............................

you might check my thread bios-mods.com forum.
i did removing whitelist of T430 and document the process and software needed in the link on the 1st post.
hope useful for you.
http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-R ... programmer

Any updates on this ?
Has anyone got anywere ?

yeah this would be amazing. I have looking into the wiring of the monitor, through the photos that were posted above. it does not seem too difficult to pull this off. Is there anything i can do to upgrade the resolution on this machine?

Umm is anyone willing to replace a screen for me? Ill pay the money for the screen and shipping and maybe 50 or 100 bucks?

Perhaps slightly off topic, but as this is almost the only place I've seen a pwm pin discussed outside of a technical manual, I want to ask if there's a way to completely disable pwm on a given display and force it to use analog/variable brightness control?