Thinkpads Forum

I tried a search and didn't find the answer so I ask the cognoscenti:

I have a T400 that had a broken LCD (2768-EK9). I put on another lid and the thing is working OK (except that the new lid is 1280 x 800 and the original was 1440 x 900).

The lid with the broken LCD has a camera, which I'd really like to use.

Can I use a 1440 x 900 LCD from a 14" wide form T61 (with the T400 cable and inverter, of course)?
Can I put a 1280 x 800 T400 LCD on the cable with the camera? I know some Thinkpads get display information from coding in the cable; does the T400?

To my knowledge, as long as the backlight technology is the same (e.g. if your T400 uses fluorescent), you can swap LCD panels between the 14" T61 and the T400 (using the machine specific cable, of course). I don't believe there's a difference in cables between the WXGA and WXGA+ panels. This would also apply to cables with cameras; a T400 CCFL cable/inverter with camera should be able to support WXGA and WXGA+ panels.

If I recall correctly, the panels differ - in the respect of the connector position - between the T61WS and T400.

As for the camera vs. screen resolution: I know that the cables differ on R500 - which is T400's cousin - since I've gone through hell in order to find the proper cable that supports camera, BT and WSXGA+ panel for my own machine. Check the T400 HMM and the answer will most likely be right there.

Good luck.

Well, I got part of my answer. I pulled the old screen out and discovered it's the LED lit so the T61 panel is out.

I have a dead T400 with a 1280x800 screen and I'll pull the top half apart to see if it's also LED, but I'm not hopeful. It's 7663-CTO (W15).

Repacement panels run $60 (glossy) or $85 (matte). A little more than I think I want to spend for just adding a camera and a little more resolution to the beast.

You can put matrix from T61. It fits.

EDIT: LED screen in T400? It's rare, congratulations
The best way is used matte screen in A+ condition, it costs about 30, max 40$ with 2-3 months warranty.

Well, I managed to score another T400 with a working display that includes a camera. The whole setup now seems to work fine although I'm 1280 x 800. The machine cost less than a used screen. And now I have another whole machine to see what I can combine to make a working system.

Problem with the "donor" T400 is that one of the USB ports is broken. Has anybody managed to replace the double USB ports on a Planar? I have a couple of dead T400 and T61 boards that could provide the part.

I've done it once, never again!
To do so, you need to cut the 'old block' into small bits without doing damage to the mobo.
Remove each bit carefully, until you have only minimal metal frame bits left, which are still attached/soldered to the mobo.
Use a powerful soldering iron with a small tip! to remove the leftovers.
Then solder in something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/140775133802
Have fun!