X300 LCD or backlight failing

[Insomniac1971]

Hi all, my beloved ThinkPad X300, has problem with LCD - first time it happened was 2 years ago when I just arrived in the Philippines, I forgot to adjust the fan speed for this climate so the laptop quickly overheated and showed horizontal stripes and shut down.

I let it cool down and put a fan directly on it(I don't use Aircon in my house) then adjusted TPfanco (the Linux version of TPfancontrol), so the laptop fan would run at a certain speed at startup and less, the lower the temperature went. This seemed to solve the problem.

A month ago I saw some flickering on the screen - this time not horizontal stripes, it was vertical and not stripes, but something else, like 2inch were bright and next one were dark and next on bright and next one dark and next one bright - so I did a reboot and re-adjusted TPfanco to run the fan a bit faster, and the problem seemed to go away.

Yesterday evening after it had been running all day playing movie from VLC to Chromecast, it started flickering again but when I adjusted the backlight it stopped, then later when watching a movie it started again, I think my screen or the backlight or both is failing.

I have some laptop screens here and would like to ask if if any will fit, physically and with cable, connector or with some mods and not overload the circut board:

T61 14.1" wide screen lp141wx1(tl)(a2) 1280x800 glossy, WITH frame and hinges.

R500 2735-W5Z 15.4" 1280x800 I don't know what model the panel is, but its the ATI 128MB GPU model.

Toshiba Satellite L40-139 15.4" 1280x800

Fujitsu-Siemens 19" resolution and panel unknown

I don't need the laptop lid closed and I don't need to travel with it, just need it to work, until I have enough money to buy a replacement LCD.

Or could someone point me to a good place to find a not so expensive new/used screen with casing?

I have looked for a very long time and have not really been able to find a replacement for this one, not even with the newer I5 or I7 or Ryzen - I am really not a fan of downfiring speakers or short battery life. I live in an area of the Philippines, where we have dayli brownouts/power cut due to our electric company who has monopol of providing electricity(long and borring story).

Maybe someone could suggest a replacement, in this case a bigger screen, just as light and portable, but with better battery life, preferebly 5-9 hours

Thank you in advance
Jan

[RealBlackStuff]

my beloved ThinkPad X300, has problem with LCD - first time it happened was 2 years ago when I just arrived in the Philippines,

It is high time you click on your Username (top right), then select Profile and change City, State (or City, Country) and Location from Denmark to Philippines!

[Insomniac1971]

my beloved ThinkPad X300, has problem with LCD - first time it happened was 2 years ago when I just arrived in the Philippines,

It is high time you click on your Username (top right), then select Profile and change City, State (or City, Country) and Location from Denmark to Philippines!

Its done I actually lived on/off between Denmark and Philippines for 19 years, just forgot to update this place with my new permanent address since september 2019

[Insomniac1971]

my beloved ThinkPad X300, has problem with LCD - first time it happened was 2 years ago when I just arrived in the Philippines,

It is high time you click on your Username (top right), then select Profile and change City, State (or City, Country) and Location from Denmark to Philippines!

Do you have a little time to help me with my problem with the screen Maybe you know someone here you could invite to this post, who has done some frankenpads with the T61 and the X300

Thank you in advance

Jan

[RealBlackStuff]

Try forum-member axur-delmeria, he's in Metro Manila.

[axur-delmeria]

I've been summoned!

Here in Metro Manila, you can get second-hand later-model Thinkpads for around 20k pesos. Last December, I helped my brother snag a T460 with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and IPS 1920x1080 LCD panel for 18k. Newer models like the T480 will cost more, of course.

About using the X300 with the laptop screens you already have...

That's a somewhat difficult proposition. The X300 has a LED-backlit screen, and I'm 100% sure the one from the T61 won't work (it's CCFL-backlit)
The R500 seems to have either LED or CCFL backlights, so you have to identify the LCD's model number and hunt down its datasheet; actually, you need to do that for all the LCD panels that you have, as the datasheet contains the pinout of the LCD connector, another thing that will determine compatibility.

I've done my share of LCD swaps between different laptop models, and haven't blown up anything fortunately.

[mikemex]

Try cleaning all screen related connectors first. I suspect high levels of humidity cause such things.

[Insomniac1971]

I've been summoned!

Here in Metro Manila, you can get second-hand later-model Thinkpads for around 20k pesos. Last December, I helped my brother snag a T460 with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and IPS 1920x1080 LCD panel for 18k. Newer models like the T480 will cost more, of course.

About using the X300 with the laptop screens you already have...

That's a somewhat difficult proposition. The X300 has a LED-backlit screen, and I'm 100% sure the one from the T61 won't work (it's CCFL-backlit)
The R500 seems to have either LED or CCFL backlights, so you have to identify the LCD's model number and hunt down its datasheet; actually, you need to do that for all the LCD panels that you have, as the datasheet contains the pinout of the LCD connector, another thing that will determine compatibility.

I've done my share of LCD swaps between different laptop models, and haven't blown up anything fortunately.

Thank you, I understand, but need to ask, because its. my understanding that the backlight panel is in the screen casing - So since I have the complete casing from the T61 including that backlight, could it not work?

Or am I missing some information here?

Regarding buying 18-20k laptops, that is not in my budget I bought this X300 some years ago for about 6300p in Denmark, and upgraded it with an 1.8" 160GB HP (intel) SSD, and it has served me well.

The 6300p(roundly 800dkk) is the maximum I ever paid for a. second hand laptop in Denmark. I'm still a bit baffled to why laptops are cheaper in Denmark than in the Philippines. Taking in mind that the VAT here is lower.

My. love for Thinkpads started with the ThinkPad 701C Butterfly modelAnd I have had a lot of models over the years

[axur-delmeria]

The prices here went up quite a bit due to the pandemic and the lockdown that ensued.

For example, back in December 2014 I got two second-hand X220s for around 14k each, and in 2019 got one for 5k. Last year, the price shot back up to 15k-- imagine that, a 9-year-old Thinkpad for 15k! Unbelievable.

Regarding backlights...

LCDs with CCFL backlights require an inverter board, which boosts the voltage (and converts it to AC) in order to power the backlight lamp (CCFL stands for Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp). Since the X300 is designed only for LED backlights, an inverter for it does not exist.

Another point of consideration is the LCD cable itself. It's very likely that the T61 has a different LCD cable from the X300, so even if there's a way to use the CCFL inverter, it might be a moot point if the panel itself cannot be connected to the system board.

TBH, the easiest solution I can think of is to get a second-hand monitor.

[RealBlackStuff]

No can do.
T61 motherboard has an 80-pin LCD-connector, the X300 connector is only 44-pin.

[Insomniac1971]

Thank you so much for the information, I will forget on using any those screens, instead I will buy another X300 and use for parts, found one on ebay and waiting to know the shipping cost.

Or get another lLED but so far the ones I found on the net cost more than a 2nd hand laptop.

Using external monitor will not work, as we have a very bad power company that makes daily brownout(powercut)
Its annoying, but I learned to live with it.

I wish SwiftKey would move the period key as I hit it constantly when using the spacebar

EDIT : Seller replied that he will not ship to the Philippines. I guess I have to find a new screen local then.

Is the one made by Toshiba, the only one made for the X300 or are there other brands, and which one is the best(I know, I already read in the forum, that none of them are really good)?

[axur-delmeria]

The Toshiba one is the only screen that came with the X300 and X301. Other members of this forum have mentioned that it was specifically designed for the X300, which means that it's pretty rare.

[Insomniac1971]

Is the X301 screen frame, hinges and motherboard connector and palmrest the same as on the X300?

I found an broken X301 online,and want to swap screen and palmrest(my touchpad just gave up, Pointing stick still work).

Jan

[axur-delmeria]

Even though I haven't seen an X300 or X301, I'd say yes.

Why Because the X301 is a mostly a platform update (from 965GM to GM45 chipset) so there's no need to change the other parts.

[RealBlackStuff]

Only the LCD itself is identical between X300 and X301, but NOT the LCD-cable and many other parts!
I suggest you get both X300 and X301 manuals (from the HMM link above) and compare the FRU numbers.

[Insomniac1971]

No can do.
T61 motherboard has an 80-pin LCD-connector, the X300 connector is only 44-pin.

Are you sure its 44 pin?

I saw a listing for a LED for the X300/X301 with 40 pin and Toshiba, thats why I ask.

[RealBlackStuff]

They use this 44-pin connector on X300: JAE FI-TD44SB-LE
They use this 40-pin connector on X301: IPEX 20323-040E-11
You can look up their datasheets if you like.

And different cables going to the same LCD.

[Insomniac1971]

Try cleaning all screen related connectors first. I suspect high levels of humidity cause such things.

I think you are right, the humidity is playing tricks on me, because now the screen is fine and the touchpad works again.

Its rainy season here.

Tomorrow I will take everything apart and clean.

Very strange.

Jan

[Insomniac1971]

They use this 44-pin connector on X300: JAE FI-TD44SB-LE
They use this 40-pin connector on X301: IPEX 20323-040E-11
You can look up their datasheets if you like.

And different cables going to the same LCD.

Thank you so much for this information, I could have bought the wrong panel just by reading the sellers describtion.

Maybe you answerred this already, but I am a bit confused - Is the complete screen with frame and hinges and motherboard connector, from X301 compatible with X300 or is there a difference there too?

[axur-delmeria]

Try cleaning all screen related connectors first. I suspect high levels of humidity cause such things.

I think you are right, the humidity is playing tricks on me, because now the screen is fine and the touchpad works again.

Its rainy season here.

Tomorrow I will take everything apart and clean.

Very strange.

Jan

You're not close to the sea, are you? Aside from the moisture, salty air can cause issues too.

[Insomniac1971]

I am, actually

[RealBlackStuff]

They use this 44-pin connector on X300: JAE FI-TD44SB-LE
They use this 40-pin connector on X301: IPEX 20323-040E-11
You can look up their datasheets if you like.

And different cables going to the same LCD.

Thank you so much for this information, I could have bought the wrong panel just by reading the sellers describtion.

Maybe you answerred this already, but I am a bit confused - Is the complete screen with frame and hinges and motherboard connector, from X301 compatible with X300 or is there a difference there too?

I give up.

[Insomniac1971]

Why?

I understand that the cable going to the LED is different, but what I asked was if the motherboard connector is different, and if not, could I then use the complete screen assemblyfrom X301 on X300?

[axur-delmeria]

Why?

I understand that the cable going to the LED is different, but what I asked was if the motherboard connector is different, and if not, could I then use the complete screen assemblyfrom X301 on X300?

I'm checking the FRU parts listing on the X300 and X301 right now. From the looks of it, the only FRU # that's different is the LCD bezel assembly. I'd say that they're 95% compatible. Of course, I'm only basing this from documentation and not first-hand experience. You could download the Hardware Maintenance Manuals and do the comparison yourself.

If the X301 you mentioned earlier is cheap enough, you can buy it so that you have a source of spare parts. If the cable turns out to be incompatible, at least the LCD panel itself will be compatible (there was only one LCD brand/model used in both models).

[shawross]

Keep in mind that modifying LCD panel cabling is not easy.

[Insomniac1971]

I thank you all for the information you have provided, it would seem that it was humidity causing the problems, because everything is fine now.

And I also got my Touchpad mouse buttons fixed, ordered new ones from shopee for 638p, link below if anyone else need this.
NOTE: The flexcable is a bit different, but can be made to fit. https://shopee.ph/IBM-Thinkpad-X300-X30 ... 1151350572

https://shopee.ph/IBM-Thinkpad-X300-X30 ... 1151350572

Now I just have to make Linux MINT cinnamon work on this one.

[Insomniac1971]

Linux Mint 20.2 Uma cinnamon work out of the box and no more issues with the LED.