Thinkpad x201 always says lid is closed

[Ptq]

Hi! I have a Thinkpad x201 running Ubuntu 15.04

Some time ago the backlight of the screen has gone.
I can see very dark graphics - so it seems that the lcd itself is ok.

I've read a lot and found out that the problem could be in the hall sensor that handles the lid open/close state.

I've attached an external display to the vga port and

# cat /proc/acpi/button/lid/LID0/state

And it says:

state: closed

even when the lid is open.



I've tried to figure out where this hall sensor is and didn't get the accurate answer.
Although I've found some information that makes me think that it is a small thing located on the screen cable

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/image/serv ... bl-1&px=-1

So the question is:

1) is this small black thing really is the hall sensor

2) what should I do to bring back to life my old x201 friend

[FryPpy]

1) is this small black thing really is the hall sensor

2) what should I do to bring back to life my old x201 friend

1 - Yes it is.
2 - Replace video cable or check original video cable for fixable defects.

[Ptq]

Great, man!
Thanks for reply!
I was beginning to think that "I'm a lonely loner on a lonely road... alone" with this stuff.
Will try to change this cable tomorrow!

[le_mat]

Hi!

It appears that I have exactly the same issue. It great to not be alone.

Did you try to exchange the LCD cable? was it working?

[Frobe70]

I had kind of same issue, as I bought a X200 cable to "upgrade" my X201 LCD from TN-LED to HV121WX4-120 (AFFS) CCFL.
The cable came without hall sensor, and I had to use my soldering iron to move the hall sensor from my original X201 cable to the X200 cable.
The small hall sensor (black 2x3mm SMD with 2+3 pins) is located on the left side of the LCD, on a 4mm wide cable strip branching out from the LCD cable.