Thinkpads Forum

My odyssey with x220 displays continues. (after one bent during shipping)

I was sitting happy with my genuine "sl b3"-type x220 ips display when I realized that a "glitchy"(rainbow colors, white, black, etc.) vertical band (roughly 1/6 of the display in width) appeared if I pressed the lower plastic bezel of the screen or when I tilt forward (but not when I tilt back) the screen.

I opened the screen and I can't understand if it's the display or the video cable's fault. (I sold my old TN display so I can't test the cable)

Or more precisely, if it is the LG control board just beneath the panel (protected by the insulating tape of the display assembly) or if it is the LVDS cable.

The defect stops by pressing a finger against a particular spot of the display board near the LVDS connector.

I heard this kind of issue was common in the T410 era.

Not sure if I'd be happier with the defect costing me 10€ for a new cable and an afternoon to disassemble the machine or 50€ for a new display and a 5 minute panel swap.

By the way if it actually IS the panel, I have a piece of advice for everybody out there shopping for vintage lenovo IPS displays: don't bother with genuine 2010-manufactured panels with lenovo FRU and all, because you will risk facing whatever widespread issue Lenovo had at the time, except nowadays you don't have a warranty. I will 100% buy a 2017-manufactured compatible IPS screen next. If it actually is the screen's fault.

The consensus appears to be it is the panel's fault but I think I will try replacing the cable first. Any help or experience is appreciated.

I forgot to add, the LVDS cable had a small drop of transparent glue where the black wire meets the golden connector, like the cable had already been repaired (the laptop is a refurbished from a local shop). Not sure if that's normal.

Welcome to my world with 1080p and an X240, I feel ypur pain all the way. The LCD is a fault and there is no choice but get another one.

Thinkpad4by3 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:34 am

Welcome to my world with 1080p and an X240, I feel ypur pain all the way. The LCD is a fault and there is no choice but get another one.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'll probably order both a new panel (as I said, a modern compatible IPS, not a genuine FRU: fool me once) and a new cable, as I don't wanna wait too much and chances are the problem is in the panel.

Sad part is probably the tft panel is perfectly fine and the problem lies in its control board (the thin strip of green pcb hidden by tape at the bottom of the panel), I wonder if it can be swapped with another display assembly but I would bet no unless it's exactly the same model.

The next logical question would be: can a LVDS cable in bad shape damage a good display? Maybe I ruined my panel because of the LVDS cable?

I was in love with my genuine (SL)(B3) panel, although not particularly bright (with a same era 2011 Macbook Air 11.6" you need sunglasses at max brightness, but that's a TN, admittedly a good TN but still a TN).

By the way now that I've seen those thin LVDS wires and that delicate display control board just below the lower bezel, I don't feel these semi-vintage thinkpads are the rugged workhorses I expected them to be...in particular I am now very afraid of stacking anything on that display lid...

xserieslove wrote:

Thinkpad4by3 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:34 am

Welcome to my world with 1080p and an X240, I feel ypur pain all the way. The LCD is a fault and there is no choice but get another one.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'll probably order both a new panel (as I said, a modern compatible IPS, not a genuine FRU: fool me once) and a new cable, as I don't wanna wait too much and chances are the problem is in the panel.

Sad part is probably the tft panel is perfectly fine and the problem lies in its control board (the thin strip of green pcb hidden by tape at the bottom of the panel), I wonder if it can be swapped with another display assembly but I would bet no unless it's exactly the same model.

The next logical question would be: can a LVDS cable in bad shape damage a good display? Maybe I ruined my panel because of the LVDS cable?

I was in love with my genuine (SL)(B3) panel, although not particularly bright (with a same era 2011 Macbook Air 11.6" you need sunglasses at max brightness, but that's a TN, admittedly a good TN but still a TN).

By the way now that I've seen those thin LVDS wires and that delicate display control board just below the lower bezel, I don't feel these semi-vintage thinkpads are the rugged workhorses I expected them to be...in particular I am now very afraid of stacking anything on that display lid...

Doubt it, Ive beaten Lvds cables to my hearts content and they still work fine.

For your seconds question, if you have a week of free time and a professional electronics rework lab you could swap the board on the bottom, two things you probably dont have especially the latter.