X220 FHD Upgrade?

[theterminator93]

That is a thing of beauty.

Assuming enough stock when the last bits come in, send me info on where to send my money.

[nitrocaster]

Additional pictures and manuals are coming very soon along with the ordering form (and the new thread, I suppose).

[seasonshu]

Brilliant!!!

I know you will also be providing detailed instructions (many thanks!), at the same time I'd like to start buying the machine and any necessary components for this project.

[*] (Roughly) how many (and what type?) of soldering is required? I am trying to find a hardware repair shop that'd do the installation for me and want to be able to articulate what I expect from them.

[*] Any chance there would be support for WQHD? (2560x1440 .. or maybe 2160x1440). You mentioned that the board currently only has two lanes (for FHD) and depending on interest you'd look into it extending that to 4..
If it's not possible, I think I'd settle for FHD too...

[*] What LCD and more importantly, which LCD SELLER would you recommend? Are there any good sellers on Ebay/AliExpress?.. (I don't want to end up with a "compatible" model where screen brightness doesn't work).
- On reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... 30/d7ytsth) you mentioned that these are B125HAN02.0, LP125WF2-SPB3 and B140HAN01.3 will all work with your kit.
- "Antiglare" means Matte screens, correct?

[*] And yes, I am very much interested in purchasing the kit... actually, thinking of getting two (though I need to do some cost analysis first..).

[nitrocaster]

[*] (Roughly) how many (and what type?) of soldering is required? I am trying to find a hardware repair shop that'd do the installation for me and want to be able to articulate what I expect from them.

11 solder points in total. You'll need a soldering iron with somewhat fine tip to install the adapter board and a dremel to remove magnesium protrusions from the lid to fit the display.

[*] Any chance there would be support for WQHD? (2560x1440 .. or maybe 2160x1440). You mentioned that the board currently only has two lanes (for FHD) and depending on interest you'd look into it extending that to 4..
If it's not possible, I think I'd settle for FHD too...

It is technically possible, but requires more complicated board design and more expensive cables. Another thing is that I'm not expecting any substantial interest in WQHD version, which means it's rather going to be a waste of time and money. Personally I'm more than happy with FHD.

[*] What LCD and more importantly, which LCD SELLER would you recommend? Are there any good sellers on Ebay/AliExpress?.. (I don't want to end up with a "compatible" model where screen brightness doesn't work).

I haven't yet had a chance to try any other displays aside from B125HAN02.0 and LP125WF2-SPB3, which look pretty similar, but speaking of ease of installation I'd recommend the latter. It fits better and requires less lid material to remove.

- On reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... 30/d7ytsth) you mentioned that these are B125HAN02.0, LP125WF2-SPB3 and B140HAN01.3 will all work with your kit.

True. Keep in mind that B140HAN01.3 is a 14-inch display that just happened to lie around, and since it has the same 30-pin eDP connector, I tested my board with it.

- "Antiglare" means Matte screens, correct?

Correct.

[mils]

Amazing work. Big ups

Finally the X220 will be usable

[theterminator93]

I haven't yet had a chance to try any other displays aside from B125HAN02.0 and LP125WF2-SPB3, which look pretty similar, but speaking of ease of installation I'd recommend the latter. It fits better and requires less lid material to remove.

Thoughts on LP125WF2-SPB2 or LP125WF2-SPB1? According to first glances at Panelook, they have the same specs.

[nitrocaster]

Thoughts on LP125WF2-SPB2 or LP125WF2-SPB1? According to first glances at Panelook, they have the same specs.

LP125WF2-SPB1 suffers from burn-in effect, you don't want to get one of them. LP125WF2-SPB2 doesn't, but it also doesn't have mounting holes.

[mollz]

First of all congratulations, I really appreciate your work.
I do have some questions however:

1) Do you have any experience setting the mod up using a linux OS especially regarding backlight control?
2) As far as I understood backlight control basically relies on the LVDS signal, so LVDS and eDP signals are mimicked and both active at the same time? How does this affect battery life? Did you do any tests?
3) Any chance one will encounter serious problems using coreboot and SeaBIOS?

Again thanks for your effort.

[nitrocaster]

1) Do you have any experience setting the mod up using a linux OS especially regarding backlight control?

Haven't tried Linux on my X230 yet, but I definitely will do that and let you know my experience.

2) As far as I understood backlight control basically relies on the LVDS signal, so LVDS and eDP signals are mimicked and both active at the same time? How does this affect battery life? Did you do any tests?

That's right, LVDS output should be active in order to have brightness control. There's a kernel patch for Linux which disables LVDS output, but keeps its brightness control, which is most likely the perfect solution. Regarding the battery life tests - I didn't do any. Just because I finally assembled my X230 a few days ago. I'll let you know the results when I find out.

3) Any chance one will encounter serious problems using coreboot and SeaBIOS?

I have no idea. But, as soon as coreboot and SeaBIOS support external monitors, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

[nitrocaster]

I've just done quick tests and here are the results:



The brightness was set to maximum level so that it doesn't change between two tests. CPU power was limited to its minimum level using Windows power management. So after switching to single display mode the discharge rate falls from 10.16W to 8.55W, which means that 1.61W is wasted and disabling LVDS output does make sense.

[seasonshu]

LP125WF2-SPB1 suffers from burn-in effect, you don't want to get one of them. LP125WF2-SPB2 doesn't, but it also doesn't have mounting holes.

Thanks for the heads up! I am literally going in circles though: sellers either list all versions (B1 to B3) in their adverts or just simply state you'll get a "100% compatible model". Yes, I could try to contacting them one by one but that is no guarantee either, whatsoever.
I also tried going down the x250 FRU numbers (00HM745 and 00HN899) - they both seem to be B2 panels (whereas in theory they really should be different ones..?). I found that a B4 panel also exists but wasn't really recommended (don't have the link).

So would installing a B2 be possible at all? I'd like it to be as easy as possible.. Needing a dremel already freaks me out a little..
In general though, I believe I don't need to worry about whitelisting..? (my reasons: 1 - AFAIK no LCD whitelist for x220/x230; 2 - the signal goes through the custom board, anyway..)

Please recommend a reliable LCD source preferably in the UK.. or wherever on Jupiter...

[seasonshu]

So after switching to single display mode the discharge rate falls from 10.16W to 8.55W, which means that 1.61W is wasted and disabling LVDS output does make sense.

Many thanks for doing this test. Yes, I would primarily looking to use the machine away from a socket so power consumption is important. I have an X220, looks to be working. I also would like an X230, however I am not sure I really want that? I read the BIOS cannot be updated (only maybe with Raspberry PI which I don't have) thus there will be no chance for me to disable the LVDS output at BIOS.

I could install a Linux with the LVDS disabled patch, however I need to be in Windows and the extra VM layer might give unwanted side effects.. also, when I tried this, one of my programs simply refuses to work in a VM.. So, disabling LVDS in the BIOS would be the best solution for me -- (not sure if it's possible? also that might completely disable brightness adjustment, too, that way?)

[nitrocaster]

whereas in theory they really should be different ones..?

Not quite. Those may be different HW revisions, for example.

So would installing a B2 be possible at all? I'd like it to be as easy as possible..

Installing B2 would be more tricky than B3/B4 since you'll have to put custom made spacers in the lid so that the panel would sit in place.

Needing a dremel already freaks me out a little..

I've just finished installing the mod for the first buyer. He managed to install the panel himself without a dremel. Pliers did the trick. I only soldered the adapter to the motherboard.

In general though, I believe I don't need to worry about whitelisting..? (my reasons: 1 - AFAIK no LCD whitelist for x220/x230;

X220/X230 have no whitelisting for LCDs. Even if they had, FHD panel is connected as external monitor, so it would work anyway.

2 - the signal goes through the custom board, anyway..)

It does, but EDID is not faked.

Please recommend a reliable LCD source preferably in the UK.. or wherever on Jupiter...

I can't recommend any sources 'cause the only screen that I bought myself was bought here in Moscow. I'd try eBay or AliExpress.

[nitrocaster]

I could install a Linux with the LVDS disabled patch, however I need to be in Windows and the extra VM layer might give unwanted side effects.. also, when I tried this, one of my programs simply refuses to work in a VM.. So, disabling LVDS in the BIOS would be the best solution for me -- (not sure if it's possible? also that might completely disable brightness adjustment, too, that way?)

I suppose that power consumption could be reduced by reducing color depth and refresh rate for LVDS output. BIOS mod is possible (chinese thinkpadders did that), but I haven't attempted to do it myself.

[carcuevas]

Wow this is an amazing Project it will bring more life to our small x220/x230, with this mod I would not retire my x230 easily

Thanks for such a nice addon... I would follow this one and if you will be selling the boards, here you will have one customer heheh

[nitrocaster]

Chinese suppliers sent me knockoff eDP cables again, so I have to postpone the release for another week... or 2-3 weeks, I don't know yet. So far 20 adapter were assembled, flashed and tested, 3 kits were sold to local thinkpadders. Meanwhile, I'm preparing a second version of the user manual.

[seasonshu]

I have to postpone the release for another week... or 2-3 weeks, I don't know yet.

Bummer, I am eager to put my claws on this

Chinese suppliers sent me knockoff eDP cables again

Are you able to return the delivery? Can you make them at least pay for the shipping costs? Ordering something and getting something else makes distance buying really difficult. Rhetoric question: how do you even recognize the quality is inferior? (Well, for one you probably have way more experience than me).

[nitrocaster]

Bummer, I am eager to put my claws on this

And I'm eager to at least return my investments, which are approaching $1K. It's never gonna end

Are you able to return the delivery? Can you make them at least pay for the shipping costs? Ordering something and getting something else makes distance buying really difficult.

Sure I can, but return shipping cost would be my expense. Some sellers offer fairly cheap expedited shipping which takes 7-14 days, they respond quickly and provide detailed information about the goods just as you want, but others are not.

Rhetoric question: how do you even recognize the quality is inferior? (Well, for one you probably have way more experience than me).

Trust me, when you see a good cable and a knockoff cable, you'll know which one is knockoff.

[carcuevas]

Bummer, I am eager to put my claws on this

And I'm eager to at least return my investments, which are approaching $1K. It's never gonna end

Are you able to return the delivery? Can you make them at least pay for the shipping costs? Ordering something and getting something else makes distance buying really difficult.

Sure I can, but return shipping cost would be my expense. Some sellers offer fairly cheap expedited shipping which takes 7-14 days, they respond quickly and provide detailed information about the goods just as you want, but others are not.

Rhetoric question: how do you even recognize the quality is inferior? (Well, for one you probably have way more experience than me).

Trust me, when you see a good cable and a knockoff cable, you'll know which one is knockoff.

Those are bad and very good news bad, because of the 3 weeks of delay, and good becuase I thought that it was question of 3 - 4 month for starting selling them Thanks for the nice work once more

[RealBlackStuff]

I hope you didn't buy them from WWW.PCHUB.COM in Singapore!
They nearly killed my LED-mod business, due to sending me inferior cable-extensions.

[Easa]

I am currently looking for some nice X220 with 2640m and IPS, but i am very interested in this mod. As far as i understand, there is some soldering needed between the adapter and the mobo, after that, the new screen fits in the place of the old, or is there some additional mod?

And when all of this is done, the new panel works exactly like the old one, or is there a need for some special driver etc?

[nitrocaster]

after that, the new screen fits in the place of the old, or is there some additional mod?

Some additional work is required. See preliminary manual: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mH6 ... lIxOE5JQ00

And when all of this is done, the new panel works exactly like the old one, or is there a need for some special driver etc?

True for Linux users, almost true for Windows users. You'll need to use a special utility to fix banding artifacts.

[carcuevas]

after that, the new screen fits in the place of the old, or is there some additional mod?

Some additional work is required. See preliminary manual: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mH6 ... lIxOE5JQ00

And when all of this is done, the new panel works exactly like the old one, or is there a need for some special driver etc?

True for Linux users, almost true for Windows users. You'll need to use a special utility to fix banding artifacts.

Really pro manual Just is it needed to solder a couple of pads in the MOBO,??? wow this is even better, really looking forward to buy one of those adapters Amazing job

[nitrocaster]

That's 11 soldering points in total. Not quite a 'couple of pads', but nothing really tricky.

[carcuevas]

That's 11 soldering points in total. Not quite a 'couple of pads', but nothing really tricky.

Just some more patience

[evening_hunger]

See preliminary manual: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mH6 ... lIxOE5JQ00

Lovin the 3D drawing of sense wire solder. MSc level university report standard

[nitrocaster]

Lovin the 3D drawing of sense wire solder. MSc level university report standard

I didn't have unmodded motherboard in that moment, so I couldn't take an actual picture and had no choice but make some drawing. Second version will come with this:

[dogeitrade]

That's 11 soldering points in total. Not quite a 'couple of pads', but nothing really tricky.

TAKE MY MONEY

[svaber]

And where can i buy this mod? WHERE! i def need this..

[nitrocaster]

I have 19 boards ready, but a batch of eDP cables is on its way from China.