Upgrading X220/X230 to FHD 1080p

[Mrtn]

Yesterday the package arrived!

The removal of the resistor (x220 I7) was the most difficult part, followed by the sense wire. But after all the mod is quite easy to do!
Very happy with the full hd display! Thank you very much!

I only have a 1 pixel vertical line in the screen, not sure if it's the cable or screen... Will do some research tomorrow.

Tomorrow I'll try to tape the pins of my dock. Is there any guide? I saw a picture, but it wasn't very clear which 2 pins should be untaped?

[RealBlackStuff]

ANY FEDORA/LINUX USER'S WITH THE FHD MOD?

My one existing issue is with fedora. When I bootup, I need to press FN+F7 to switch displays to cycle to the display showing the fedora login.

I'm unsure how to get Fedora to use this new FHD display as the primary display for the OS boots up.

On my X230 with FHD-mod, BIOS Config/Display is set to Thinkpad LCD.
Running W7-Pro/SP1 64-bit with 8GB RAM, 256GB mSATA SSD(W7) and 500GB/7200rpm(Storage).
The storage HD (in the main bay) is set to power off after 3 minutes of non-use, to save battery.

In W7 there were NO display changes made at all (other than resolution lowered to 1600x900).

When I first started this mod, there were all sorts of instructions/discussions/questions about Windows Display Settings:
- Dummy Display
- Mobile Display
- External Display
- Multiple Displays
- Duplicate Desktop
- Extend Desktop
- DP0/DP1
etc.

In the end I ignored every single one of the above discussions, left everything as it came, and it's working great OOTB.

[RealBlackStuff]

I only have a 1 pixel vertical line in the screen, not sure if it's the cable or screen...

That is with almost 99.9999% an LCD problem with a column-connection that has become unstuck.
All along the top of the screen, the electronics from the backside PCB are connected to the liquid crystal layer.
The smallest distortion/pressure/knocking can cause such a disconnect.
You could try to gently rub along the top of the LCD where that line is, to get it to disappear.
Or get it "reconnected" by putting something (a folded piece of paper might be all that's needed) between lid and LCD-rear.

[nitrocaster]

I got the rest of the 2nd batch assembled (70 pcs), so some of you will be reading payment emails soon!

[Fusion]

Which laptops can the LCD come from for installation into an X220?
I have the original display, so I have the rails, but apart from X240 I'm not sure which laptop screens to look for. I want to browse some classifieds and look for dead laptops with the correct screen.

Nevermind, at $60 it'll be best to buy from china.

nitrocaster: Are any kits still available?

[nitrocaster]

They're all pre-ordered, but the 3rd batch is coming soon.

[lunakillz]

When can i order the batch 3?
Can I get the batch3 if I write pre-oreder form now?

[Raccoon]

I only have a 1 pixel vertical line in the screen, not sure if it's the cable or screen...

That is with almost 99.9999% an LCD problem with a column-connection that has become unstuck.
All along the top of the screen, the electronics from the backside PCB are connected to the liquid crystal layer.
The smallest distortion/pressure/knocking can cause such a disconnect.
You could try to gently rub along the top of the LCD where that line is, to get it to disappear.
Or get it "reconnected" by putting something (a folded piece of paper might be all that's needed) between lid and LCD-rear.

I am having a similar problem, only with two columns that occasionally flicker blue or yellowish colors and then go away after a second or two. I suspect you're right about this since the black cover material for the display's logic board looks sort of roughed up and scuffed on the left (the same side of the screen as the afflicted columns). I hope I can fix mine. I'd hate to have to buy another.

[nitrocaster]

When can i order the batch 3?
Can I get the batch3 if I write pre-oreder form now?

Read the first post, please.

[xash]

anyone here with fhd mod and sierra? trying to boot, but no picture yet.
jfyi: tried Ubuntu 14, Windows 10 and Mac OS Sierra - fhd mod works. hanks nitro! )
jfyi2: ultrabase 3 works only with 1 external monitor. Internal screen is blank.

[sheinz]

Hi All,

Just came across this mod and, as everybody else, want to buy the kit
@nitrocaster will you produce kits from batch2 (with sense wire) for those who feel confident with soldering it?

I tried to read both threads about this mod and couldn't find more detailed information how the converter works. There're two chips on the board. As far as I understand one of them is responsible for video signal conversion. And another for backlight handling. I'm just curious how all that works I also understand if the author wants to preserve implementation details. We all know the stories when Chinese knock-offs of cool inventions appear on alliexpress.

Update: The first chip is the EEPROM for EDID. One question is left what function does the microcontroller perform.

Once again, thanks @nitrocaster for all the effort you put into this!

Cheers,
Yuriy.

[Mrtn]

jfyi2: ultrabase 3 works only with 1 external monitor. Internal screen is blank.

Q: Can I use docking station with this mod?
A: You can use UltraBase Series 3 without any problem. However, when using Mini Dock Series 3, the internal display will go blank (and second DVI/DisplayPort on dock will be non functional). To overcome this issue, you can tape a row of DP#2 pins inside the docking connector. A guide for this will be posted soon.

Hmm, UltraBase 3 should work fine?
I'm in doubt about buying a UB3 or taping the pins of my MiniDock 3.

[xash]

I think that you should try. Because users reporting that it works. But my own - doesn't. Do not know why, but this doesn't means that any other ultrabase 3 won't work.

[ThinkingCreator]

@nitrocaster sending greetings to Mother Russia from the Mother City (Cape Town)
This is a very professional mod you have, well done, and thanks for supporting all of us X220 fans so well!
I love my X220. I have taken it travelling around the world with me and work on it every day.

I have some suggestions for your FAQ & guide. Maybe you are interested. If you are not interested then I mean no offence, it's just suggestions to help you do what you're doing well, even better. If you make your FAQ/Guide clearer you can probably sell more units and you will get less questions. You can spend your time making cool stuff instead of answering unnecessary questions.
To improve sales on the internet it's important to communicate quickly and clearly to people so they can see as quickly as possible if something will work for them.

Suggestions for your FAQ:
1. "Q: Does this mod affect internal DisplayPort?" I think it will be more clear if you say "left-side DisplayPort connector".
The word "internal" is not clear because both DP busses come from inside the laptop, and have external connectors, one is on the left-side on a DisplayPort connector, the other is included in the docking connector underneath. So it's possible to say that both DisplayPorts are external.
2. It would be good if you have a diagram with green ticks or red crosses for what you can and can't do after this mod. Or alternatively a list showing all the displays that can be used and what their limitations will be.
A picture is worth 1000 words. Pictures communicate information much faster than words.
So a diagram also showing what docking stations will work and what they can do when modified or unmodified with the tape will also improve your sales.
3. Your first post mentions a BIOS mod is under development but it would be good to explicitly say that you can do XYZ without custom BIOS.

Suggestion for your guide:
It looks like your guide doesn't show the step of soldering your PCB to the motherboard and cutting the plastic covering.
I think if you show every little step it can make more people feel comfortable to do the mod.
Louis Rossman is a very cool guy but his video for this mod is not very good. If you make a nice, calm, quick and concise video I think it would also help you sell more kits.

General idea to improve sales
Selling on a forum is difficult because there are 15 pages on this thread. As a newcomer it feels like it's kind of necessary to read the whole thread to read all the questions and answers.
I really don't want to read the whole thread, it's a hassle and unpleasant. But I only spent the time to search through this thread about the things I care about because I really love my X220.
Many people probably think it's too much hassle to read everything and either ask something that's been asked before, or leave.
You've done a good job of providing 99% of information in your first post in this thread. But if there's a way to simplify all the noise of everyone's posts I'm sure it would help.
Everyone is asking about their particular problem. I think if the information you provide is really clear, explicit and easy to find then people won't need to ask.
Maybe it would be good to make a simple site on weebly/wix.
I don't know the answer. But for now your first post is good. Maybe the most effective option is to keep improving it.
I actually think if you put your guide on Github it could work really well.
Because at the moment if someone has a question about any random subject (LCD selection, how-to) or a problem (not working, screen issue, software issue, etc etc) it all gets dumped into this big messy thread.
If you have your guide on github, then people can make an issue for their particular issue, than that issue can be discussed separately from other issues. So people won't have to spend so long to read through 15 pages of information that is mostly useless to them.
Open source software projects handle this very well.
Also if you post your guide on github, then your fans can improve your guide and make pull requests, and you can improve it without doing any work yourself.
The community can support you by buying your kits, but we can also support you by improving your guide. If you spend less time answering unnecessary questions you can spend more time making awesome mods.

This is my work setup:
Ubuntu 14.04 with 3 monitors. 1 VGA on the left 1920x1200 + Sunix DPH2000 to drive 2x 1920x1200 HDMI displays.
So I have 3 displays at 1920x1200 each.
Mods:
1. Hardware: Added 3.3v step down aux power to DPH2000 so it runs stable like the new DPH2001.
2. Software: I split the 3840x1200 display into 1920x1200 x2 with fakexrandr, so my DE thinks I have 3 physical displays while my hardware knows I have 2.
BTW:
When I work on 3 screens, the 12.5" LVDS panel does not work (but I don't need it)


Please excuse this probably dumb question, but I want to make absolutely sure before I buy

Question 1:
After I finish the mod I would like to have 3 operation modes
1. 1920x1080 on the 12.5" screen (brightness adjustable)
2. 1920x1080 on the 12.5" screen (brightness adjustable) + 1920x1200 VGA
3. 12.5" screen off/disabled + 1920x1200 VGA + 3840x1200 from left DisplayPort connector
Will this be possible?

Question 2:
Is the eBay screen that you linked LP125WF2 SPB3 SPB4 eDP clear/glossy and easy to read?
I get eyestrain from the matte 1366x768 standard X220 screen. I hate matte screens, they are blurry, and this one is really bad.

Batch 2 or 3 kit okay
I will be happy to buy either kit.

[bhove]

(Sorry I may have missed it in previous posts, but) are all three of the screens you recommended matte? Or are they glossy. I work around a lot of bright lights and I can't stand glossy displays.

[x3kcl]

Since it is not stated in the info post I wonder will I need a 30 or 40 Pin dispaly? For this mod the cable stays the same so it should be 40 pins right?

[RealBlackStuff]

The new/FHD screens have a 30-pin LCD-cable, which is included as part of the kit.

[mr.rhtuner]

ANY FEDORA/LINUX USER'S WITH THE FHD MOD?


My one existing issue is with fedora. When I bootup, I need to press FN+F7 to switch displays to cycle to the display showing the fedora login.
When I run xrandr, I get the following output:

Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1920 x 1080, maximum 8192 x 8192 XWAYLAND3 connected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 280mm x 160mm 1920x1080 59.96*+

I'm unsure how to get Fedora to use this new FHD display as the primary display for the OS boots up.

Thanks!!

My other issue that I've noticed with Xubuntu now since doing the mod.

Shutting the lid doesn't enable the laptop to go into sleep. I've verified the power settings and they are set to sleep mode
Brightness doesn't work in Xubuntu

[sheinz]

When is the kit expected to be available to order?
I'am eager to buy a panel but couldn't find any information when a new batch of kits is going to be ready.

Thanks.

[jacobtc]

Just got the kit installed, reinstalled Windows, and it worked right until the HD3000 drivers got installed, now when Windows boots, it ends in a black screen with backlight, anyway around this? Using Win10 X64. Also the dithering link in your guide is not reachable anymore...

EDIT, I might have found the error, is this solder joint necessary? http://imgur.com/a/hSTDS
I forgot to solder that one...

[nitrocaster]

@nitrocaster will you produce kits from batch2 (with sense wire) for those who feel confident with soldering it?

I tried to read both threads about this mod and couldn't find more detailed information how the converter works.

rev.4 is out of production. I'll focus on rev.5 and make it available ASAP.
There are two chips on the board: EEPROM (which stores EDID for fake display) and MCU (which does the backlight control business).

[nitrocaster]

Thank you very much for your suggestions, @ThinkingCreator! I agree with every single point and I'll try to do that when I get some time to work on it.

When I work on 3 screens, the 12.5" LVDS panel does not work (but I don't need it)

X220 supports 2 displays and X230 supports 3 displays.

Question 1:
After I finish the mod I would like to have 3 operation modes
1. 1920x1080 on the 12.5" screen (brightness adjustable)
2. 1920x1080 on the 12.5" screen (brightness adjustable) + 1920x1200 VGA
3. 12.5" screen off/disabled + 1920x1200 VGA + 3840x1200 from left DisplayPort connector
Will this be possible?

1. Works
2. Probably works when using Linux with kernel patch
3. Works

Question 2:
Is the eBay screen that you linked LP125WF2 SPB3 SPB4 eDP clear/glossy and easy to read?
I get eyestrain from the matte 1366x768 standard X220 screen. I hate matte screens, they are blurry, and this one is really bad.

Batch 2 or 3 kit okay
I will be happy to buy either kit.

All these screens are matte. I prefer and recommend SPB4. IMO SPB4 looks very clear.

[nitrocaster]

(Sorry I may have missed it in previous posts, but) are all three of the screens you recommended matte? Or are they glossy. I work around a lot of bright lights and I can't stand glossy displays.

All suggested screens are matte.

[nitrocaster]

My other issue that I've noticed with Xubuntu now since doing the mod.

Shutting the lid doesn't enable the laptop to go into sleep. I've verified the power settings and they are set to sleep mode
Brightness doesn't work in Xubuntu

You either have to use dual display mode (mirroring) or patch your kernel to reassign brightness control to FHD display.

[nitrocaster]

When is the kit expected to be available to order?
I'am eager to buy a panel but couldn't find any information when a new batch of kits is going to be ready.

See the first post.

is this solder joint necessary? http://imgur.com/a/hSTDS
I forgot to solder that one...

It is!

[Fusion]

Anyone running this mod successfully on macOS Sierra?

[jacobtc]

is this solder joint necessary? http://imgur.com/a/hSTDS
I forgot to solder that one...

It is!

Yeah, I figured so, works perfectly now!

[nitrocaster]

Yesterday I sent payment instructions for about 40 orders. So, check your emails and make sure to make the payment within 7 days.

[nitrocaster]

So after 2 days (not weekend or holidays) more than half of ~40 orders still are not payed: instructions sent, no responses received. That is why I wasn't for permanently open pre-order form.
I'll wait 7 days and then retry with those who are next on the list.

[remir]

So after 2 days (not weekend or holidays) more than half of ~40 orders still are not payed: instructions sent, no responses received.

Awe, That's a pity.

Anyway, another 40 orders being processed, awesome!