Interest in upgrade your T420/T420s/T430/T430s to FHD 1080p

[snus]

I know I'm late to the party but I would like to purchase a T420 (non s) kit when they become available.

[Kasm279]

Oh, I looked more into the kit and it won't fit a Latitude. Darn, I was really hoping to replace this crappy, dead-pixel riddled display.

[whitelabel]

I'm also interested in the converter kit for T420. However the full package (kit + screen) would be also nice.

[Lockheed]

I tried ordering the kit directly from javi_jie on TaoBao, but while the kit itself is only 22 USD, the postage cost to Europe is 56 USD!

[kk99]

I think that this shipment cost is not calculated properly e.g. if you order something with similar shape and waight from aliexpress the cost of shipment is typical around 10 USD by China Post Register Airmail.

[Lockheed]

I think that this shipment cost is not calculated properly e.g. if you order something with similar shape and waight from aliexpress the cost of shipment is typical around 10 USD by China Post Register Airmail.

I know. But perhaps it's simply because of what the seller set as the cost of shipment. Either that, or TaoBao really doesn't like Poland.

[kk99]

I think that this shipment cost is not calculated properly e.g. if you order something with similar shape and waight from aliexpress the cost of shipment is typical around 10 USD by China Post Register Airmail.

I know. But perhaps it's simply because of what the seller set as the cost of shipment. Either that, or TaoBao really doesn't like Poland.

I think that it is a matter of talk with seller.

[kony]

I tried ordering the kit directly from javi_jie on TaoBao, but while the kit itself is only 22 USD, the postage cost to Europe is 56 USD! :o

Could you link it, please? I cannot find it on taobao.

[Lockheed]

I tried ordering the kit directly from javi_jie on TaoBao, but while the kit itself is only 22 USD, the postage cost to Europe is 56 USD!

Could you link it, please? I cannot find it on taobao.

https://world.taobao.com/item/444011008 ... 0.0.BqJFhZ
I'm from Kraków, so if you figure out shipping, we could share the shipping cost.

[ji2o0k]

I am happy to report that I finally was able to complete this screen mod on my T430s today!!

A big thanks to RMSMajestic, he shipped out my kit back in Feb but I haven't gotten around to doing the mod and also I took my time buying the AUO screen.

I ended up buying a used Dell Latitude E7440 LCD Laptop Screen Matte 14" B140HAN01.3 (Grade A) from a US seller with high feedback. Seller is listed below:
http://www.ebay.ca/usr/discountedlaptop ... 2749.l2754

Pics of the screen I purchased below:




Took me a better part of this Sunday to do it - I really took my time to read the instructions that RMSMajestic provided (great instructions btw!) and was really careful and meticulous when taking the T430s apart and also handling the kit.

Happy to report that I have been using the laptop for most of the day and no flickering or problems whatsoever (lets hope this continues - crosses fingers).

Hard for me to take photos of the screen to do it justice - maybe tomorrow when the lighting is better.

Here is a screenshot of the device manager page and the driver it is currently using:


Just awesome - still playing with some of the colour calibration - I like it a bit richer\darker - still trying to get it right (RMSMajestic does provide a ICM profile that I am using which I am tweaking)

Thx again RMSMajestic!!

[alnews]

I'd like to take advantage of this topic to introduce myself to the community and give everybody a big hello.
Just yesterday I bought off eBay a T430s and only today I discovered the opportunity to upgrade it with a FHD display.
Since I'm very interested in the upgrade kit I'd like to reserve one if possibile, obviously only when RMSMajestic have the opportunity to take care of the orders since I understand how much time and patience this requests.
Thank you nevertheless, wish everyone a good day.

[gabriddle]

I would be interested in a kit for the t420. I would love to upgrade from 1600x900!

[ariolis]

Hi there!
interested for a t420s kit.
Any ips panel supplier to recommend? I am located in Europe, do you think this is a proper display for t420s upgrade?

When do you estimate for the kits to be available?
Thanks!

[ikaros]

I am pretty new to this world... so this may sound stupid, but how is it possible that there is only one producer/provider in the world of the kit? This guy called Javi-Jie...

[Frobe70]

Hi there!
interested for a t420s kit.
Any ips panel supplier to recommend? I am located in Europe, do you think this is a proper display for t420s upgrade?

When do you estimate for the kits to be available?
Thanks!

Your link is to a seller with a "compatible" IPS of undisclosed brand. The screen you will receive may be compatible with the custom kit, or not compatible enough...

[turomini]

I am pretty new to this world... so this may sound stupid, but how is it possible that there is only one producer/provider in the world of the kit? This guy called Javi-Jie...

Well, he may be the only one with the interest, time, knowledge, and tools to make this product.
Yeah, I would like to make it for myself, but I highly lack the time, and I don't have the exact knowledge of how it works or anything. So for me, I'm more willing to pay $50 - $75 and be done with it.
I'm sure a lot of other people are the same way too, either limited by time, or skill, or knowledge, or whatever combination of things it may be.

Don't forget, thinkpads aren't cheap, they don't have the cult following that apple has, and they are more in a niche market, which makes them not as common as other brands, hence why there is a lenovo cheaper brand laptop now. This really narrows the pool of people down that will be willing to put time into this product, then there is the fact that its like a 4 year old product, not the latest product, and then its just the average laptop of thinkpads, not the W series powerhouse, or the tiny X series, just the T series which is a balance of the rest. My point, not many people who have the skills, time, knowledge, etc. own a thinkpad T420/430 that want to improve it, so just be glad that there is one person out there who is doing the effort for us. I am, I am ok with the screen I have, but it gets annoying at time when I can't see it.

[ikaros]

I am pretty new to this world... so this may sound stupid, but how is it possible that there is only one producer/provider in the world of the kit? This guy called Javi-Jie...

Well, he may be the only one with the interest, time, knowledge, and tools to make this product.
Yeah, I would like to make it for myself, but I highly lack the time, and I don't have the exact knowledge of how it works or anything. So for me, I'm more willing to pay $50 - $75 and be done with it.
I'm sure a lot of other people are the same way too, either limited by time, or skill, or knowledge, or whatever combination of things it may be.

Don't forget, thinkpads aren't cheap, they don't have the cult following that apple has, and they are more in a niche market, which makes them not as common as other brands, hence why there is a lenovo cheaper brand laptop now. This really narrows the pool of people down that will be willing to put time into this product, then there is the fact that its like a 4 year old product, not the latest product, and then its just the average laptop of thinkpads, not the W series powerhouse, or the tiny X series, just the T series which is a balance of the rest. My point, not many people who have the skills, time, knowledge, etc. own a thinkpad T420/430 that want to improve it, so just be glad that there is one person out there who is doing the effort for us. I am, I am ok with the screen I have, but it gets annoying at time when I can't see it.

I am glad that there is somebody that is interested in doing this kind of things. I am glad there is this forum where ignorant people like me can get some juicy information.

I was just curious as to why is this kit such a strange thing to find. I somehow found it strange because obviously no individual can assemble chips at home, and though it seems the kit is some sort of homebrewed craft. I guess it is the assembly of the components...

[thatonegeekguy]

So how difficult is this process of upgrading a ThinkPad T430s panel for a newbie like me. I work with computers all the time but not modding them. I have a T430s with Nvidia Optimus, will that interfere with the panel upgrade in any way?

[mkylau]

Do you have a suggestion for how we can spot if displays we have bought is genuine?

I have received a display with a sticker B140HAN01.2 H/W:0A F/W:1 Manufactured 14/8.
It has stainless steel frame, not spotted (zinc plated?) as I hace seen in some pictures when I google it.
On the green PCB visible through cutouts in the black plastic foil there are some component identifications, may this be used as verification?
I have R254 located over the center of the LCD connector.


Edit: According to photos online it looks like I have received a BOE NV140FHM-N41 with a fake sticker. Seems like the M16830NEEDCDB**** sticker in lower left part of frame is original from manufacturer, and the frame design look identical to BOE: http://www.panelook.com/NV140FHM-N41_BO ... 26179.html

It was purchased from this seller, claiming it to be "Exact / Original Model B140HAN01.2 Matte 14.0" LED Screen 1920*1080 iPS Panel":
http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&L ... t&_sacat=0

did you get a resolution to this? I purchased the exact same product from the same seller (before you had posted this) and just received my screen recently. Same issue, not working with the kit. Were you able to get a refund on the product and how did the process go?

Any suggestions on reputable sellers of the B140HAN01.2?

[excal32]

eBay suggests " This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. " - will these be available again?

If I ever bring my T420 back to life, but I don't, maybe it's an excuse to get a T420s finally.

[zarpanzur]

So how difficult is this process of upgrading a ThinkPad T430s panel for a newbie like me. I work with computers all the time but not modding them. I have a T430s with Nvidia Optimus, will that interfere with the panel upgrade in any way?

If you've ever taken apart a laptop, this will be easy as cake. Even if you only build PCs, this will still be a fairly easy mod for you. Make sure to take your time, don't rush, think 3 times, do once.

[plympton]

So how difficult is this process of upgrading a ThinkPad T430s panel for a newbie like me. I work with computers all the time but not modding them. I have a T430s with Nvidia Optimus, will that interfere with the panel upgrade in any way?

If you've ever taken apart a laptop, this will be easy as cake. Even if you only build PCs, this will still be a fairly easy mod for you. Make sure to take your time, don't rush, think 3 times, do once.

The hardest part is un-routing and then re-routing the antenna cables throughout the assembly. The lower case is 2 parts that are split in the middle, unlike other Thinkpads. You have to take the display assembly out, and the antenna cables are routed in the top half of the body through to the bottom. Taking care of those cables is the hardest part.

I've done 3 now, and could probably do it in an hour with an X-Acto knife (for the screw-covering sticky bits), and 2 nice Philips Head Screwdrivers, and a pair of nice scissors (for cutting the black sticky tape to size)

-Dan

[turomini]

So how difficult is this process of upgrading a ThinkPad T430s panel for a newbie like me. I work with computers all the time but not modding them. I have a T430s with Nvidia Optimus, will that interfere with the panel upgrade in any way?

I never worked on a T430s, but I've done Toshiba, IBMs, lenovos, HPs, Dell laptop tear downs and just going slow, keeping track of the parts (not that many anyway, besides screws, which are almost always the same screws), etc. and you will be fine.
For my T420s with Nvidia graphics, there is no change in how its taken apart, so I doubt the T430 is any different.

I will say my least favorite part of my T420 is the 5 antenna cable wires I have. Taking apart is fine, but putting them back is a pain. That may be my fault though, I have to make sure they go in perfectly, and always in order (just a little OCD).

If you are thinking of any other mods to your laptop, this is a good time.
You have the T430s, you may want to do some other upgrades. RAM, hard drive, wifi card, etc.
Just watch, the T430s have a whitelist, so you can only use approved parts. I don't know the exact details of what is allowed in the T430s, but if you want, make a new post and ask.
The whitelist can be removed, but starting with the T430, its much harder: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=113414
on earlier models, you just have to flash a custom bios, which is easy to do.

Or, if you are like me, I noticed that from the factory, one of my wifi antenna wires had a split in the wire, it doesn't affect the performance, but I might just update the antennas any way, maybe to a better set up if it exists, or just so I don't have to worry about the wire breaking more.

Do leave yourself enough room on the table to work on everything, when laptops are apart, they take up more room, and you don't want to drop anything. Also, the worst thing for electronics is static electricity, so either ground yourself, or make sure you wont have any issues with that. Personally I've never had a problem, and never did anything to stop it, but your risks may be higher.

[Frobe70]

Do you have a suggestion for how we can spot if displays we have bought is genuine?

I have received a display with a sticker B140HAN01.2 H/W:0A F/W:1 Manufactured 14/8.
It has stainless steel frame, not spotted (zinc plated?) as I hace seen in some pictures when I google it.
On the green PCB visible through cutouts in the black plastic foil there are some component identifications, may this be used as verification?
I have R254 located over the center of the LCD connector.


Edit: According to photos online it looks like I have received a BOE NV140FHM-N41 with a fake sticker. Seems like the M16830NEEDCDB**** sticker in lower left part of frame is original from manufacturer, and the frame design look identical to BOE: http://www.panelook.com/NV140FHM-N41_BO ... 26179.html

It was purchased from this seller, claiming it to be "Exact / Original Model B140HAN01.2 Matte 14.0" LED Screen 1920*1080 iPS Panel":
http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&L ... t&_sacat=0

did you get a resolution to this? I purchased the exact same product from the same seller (before you had posted this) and just received my screen recently. Same issue, not working with the kit. Were you able to get a refund on the product and how did the process go?

Any suggestions on reputable sellers of the B140HAN01.2?

When I sent a question to the seller through eBay and told the seller I recognized I got the wrong panel the seller apologized, and I was offered to cancel the purchase. No further proof than my description of the BOE panel, and I could ceep the panel instead for returning it to the seller. I got a refund from PayPal the next day.
Later I purchased an IPS panel for my X230 from the same seller. I have no idea if this panel was original or compatible, but it works in my X230 and it is IPS.

Tried to order another B140HAN01.2 from another eBay seller today, and added a note telling them to cancel the purchase if it was a compatible clone panel. No response yet exept the automatic messages from eBay.

[kony]

Could you link it, please? I cannot find it on taobao.

https://world.taobao.com/item/444011008 ... 0.0.BqJFhZ
I'm from Kraków, so if you figure out shipping, we could share the shipping cost.

Oh, I would need a kit for T430, not T430s version. Perhaps I misread what was said. I don't have any use for the linked adapter. Moreover, I don't need to order to Poland as I am currently living in China ;)

[sda]

At last kit is available at TaoBao
For those, who live in Europe we have services for shipment at lower cost. For example yoybuy.
I'll pay 4$ for internal shipment in China to their storehouse. And about 3$ for shipment to Russia.

Look's like we need seller for right screens. Who have buy screen from Ebay and it works with the kit? Link us to right sellers plz.

[Fastrack]

Hey.

I'm in Canada and interested in this mod. I have a T430s, and the screen is broken! I lifted my machine by the screen and it seems my thumb cracked it!

I checked TaoBao and it appears the conversion board is sold out!

I can purchase a replacement standard screen for $76 CAD, but this seems like a worthy upgrade.
Ben

[Frobe70]

I got lucky on my second attempt from China, a B140HAN01.2 arrived today:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111780404830? ... EBIDX%3AIT

I have not tested it, but it looks genuine. The AUO frame looks different from all competitors.
Asked for a matte model, and told them to cancel my order instead of sending me a compatible panel.
I can't guarantee genuine panels for others, but thought I should share the link anyway.

Now I just require buying the adaptor kit from RMSMajestic, but I can wait for him to finish his school obligations before spending time on hobbies...
I can even test compatibility with the BOE NV140FHM-N41 I received from the first seller.

(One of my reason for buying from China is that Customs in Norway add 25% VAT to all items valued over $40).

[dejx]

I found the displays, but i cannot find the converters. I need two converters? Anybody knows where i can buy them, on taobao i think they are sold out.
Mayestic, do you have maybe two converters?

[hoonyeah]

PM'd RMS Majestic a couple weeks back, but I think he's still swamped with school work. Haven't heard back yet.

It's a worthwhile upgrade, but we'll just need to wait it out.

I keep checking every week in hopes to have them in stock again!