Thinkpads Forum

I just got an X220. It suspends when you touch the screen frame to the right of the built-in camera. This is exactly where I grab it to adjust the screen angle. At first it was very sensitive, now it seems less so, but it's still easily reproduced. I changed Windows to do nothing when the lid is closed. What this actually means is that the laptop will no longer suspend nor hibernate, but will still turn off the screen when you close the lid. It now merely turns off the screen while you grab it to the right of the camera as well. In other words, it behaves as if I was engaging the sensor that detects the closed screen, except the screen is fully upright and merely some pressure (not all that much) is put on the plastic to the right of the camera.

For further clarification, if I close the lid slowly, while peeking into the gap, the screen turns off about a centimetre before the display lid is fully closed. In other words, the machine detects the lid closing before any pressure is put on the display frame. At first I thought the area to the right of the camera might be part of the sensor mechanism, but this behaviour contradicts that theory.

I find this very disconcerting. I could probably live with it, but I'm worried whether this is an early sign of backlight wiring failure. It doesn't really seem that way. From the way the machine behaves it seems more like the screen-closed-detection-switch acting up (but see above). Is this a fault with my X220 or do all of them behave that way?

You're going to have to find someone who has taken one apart. In the maintenance manual there is no mention of the location or function of the lid close switch in an X220.

I tried various approaches with my X220 lid but could NOT replicate the condition described, I also covered the camera and then lowered the lid and the shutdown was consistent and correct.

The shutdown mechanism does not appear to be mechanical, however 3 short slots exist on the base above the battery and positioned very close to the lower frame of the display lid and these may contain sensors.?

I suggest you better visit the services center or call the service guy if your warranty is onsite.
Your case is unusual.

My understanding is that the newer Thinkpads (say from the T60/X60 series onward) use a Hall-effect switch to detect the lid closure. There's a magnet located opposite of the switch that provides the trigger; there's no physical contact being made to the switch. Maybe it's your magnetic personality that's making the screen go off? . Seriously, you should investigate a warranty fix if your system is covered.

Very good! I used a paper clip to find there's a magnet in the bottom right corner of the trackpad, so the switch must be in the lid, right where the problem spot is. Unfortunately it's not merely my magnetic personality. Depending on where I press on the lid, the display can actually be turned off permanently, with hands off thereafter.

The machine arrived today. It's brand new, a custom build from Lenovo's web-site that took 7 weeks to arrive. Right now I'm angry. I loathe the fact that it's going straight to repairs. Can they put the screen back together again perfectly or can I (should I) ask for a new replacement? Even if it means another wait, I think I might prefer that.

Could it be your watch and/or ring and/or bracelet causing this? If not, and you just got it, I would reject it. In a repair you may or may not get a new part. I'm sure they will fix it properly and use proper parts but the parts may or may not be used ie refurbished. While that is good as new, its not as new as the one parts which came with your PC.

I know this is an old thread but just in case this information is useful to others...

I had exactly the same problem though it only started happening a couple of months after I got the X220. I won't go into the long story of IBM's woeful service, just to say...

As other's have said there is indeed a magnetic sensor to the right of the camera & "thinklight", in my case no replacement parts were required; despite IBM changing the LCD video cable when that obviously wasn't going to help and then bringing the same cable again on their second visit ([censored], said I wasn't going into that). The cable running to that sensor obviously hadn't been routed correctly at manufacture and one of the lugs on the back on the screen bezel was moving it when the frame was touched. Reseating this cable seems to have fixed it, fingers crossed it doesn't reoccur.