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

[theterminator93]

The term flickering is what was used by the other folks regarding this issue, so I followed along for the sake of consistency; it's not anything worth debate IMHO. You can feel free to call it whatever you think is most appropriate.

I'm open to (will shortly) try with Optimus disabled in BIOS - but in the unlikely event that it fixes the issue I will not to run the machine with the NVS permanently disabled since I specifically sought out a T420 WITH it for the (minor) additional graphics performance it offers.

Edit: Disabling Optimus and setting graphics to integrated only does NOT fix the issue either.

[bit_twiddler]

I'm not trying to be argumentative - but is the only thing that you see those 2 glitches (for lack of a better term)?

You might also try running with discrete graphics only - if the glitches go away running with integrated and discrete
graphics without Optimus, then we'll know that the problem relates to the Optimus switching, and not
the graphics chipsets themselves.

[theterminator93]

Rather interestingly, I've not seen the artifacting/flickering/glitching etc. after having switched to the NVS GPU only.

System runs a bit hotter and uses a quite a bit more juice on battery - (roughly 18W idling at medium brightness vs. 11W in similar conditions)... but no signs of any problems in the 5-10 minutes I've been running so far (before the symptoms presented almost immediately).

I'm not sure what bothers me more - the occasional glitch or the heat/battery life.

[bit_twiddler]

At least now you have something that you can live with...

One combination that you did not mention that you have tried is with Optimus and both graphics
chipsets enabled. It's a long shot, but I'm sure that our friends in the Middle Kingdom can use
any information that we can provide to track down the problem.

Also, when you get into the BIOS, if you could write down the BIOS and ECP versions, that
might help them as well.

[theterminator93]

One combination that you did not mention that you have tried is with Optimus and both graphics
chipsets enabled.

That's how it was initially; I've got it set to use the HD3000 under all circumstances except for those days when I feel like loading up a game. I've reverted back to that configuration again and set the driver to "auto select" the GPU and it's only glitched once so far after nearly ten minutes. I'll let it ride this way for a while and see what happens...

BIOS is 1.46.

[bit_twiddler]

So, as far as you know, the glitches only show up if you run Optimus w/Nvidia disabled,
or with integrated graphics and no Optimus?

[theterminator93]

Glitches were showing up with Optimus enabled and integrated GPU preferred in the driver - and with the NVS disabled in BIOS. The only thing that's changed with how it is now and how it was before I started changing GPU settings was the preferred GPU setting in the driver. BIOS settings are how they were originally.

Much, much better now than it was. It was glitching 2-3 times a minute or more before. I've only noticed it once so far since the last reboot. Heat generation is back down where it was, light use power consumption is back down to about 10 watts. Problem isn't totally gone, but I think I can live with this for now.

[bit_twiddler]

I'm glad to hear this because I have a 2640m coming, and I was starting to wonder
if the problem was in the HD3000 in that CPU.

Someone should send a link back to China so they can look at your case and
see how it compares to other problem cases with T420 upgrades.

[RMSMajestic]

Glitches were showing up with Optimus enabled and integrated GPU preferred in the driver - and with the NVS disabled in BIOS. The only thing that's changed with how it is now and how it was before I started changing GPU settings was the preferred GPU setting in the driver. BIOS settings are how they were originally.

Much, much better now than it was. It was glitching 2-3 times a minute or more before. I've only noticed it once so far since the last reboot. Heat generation is back down where it was, light use power consumption is back down to about 10 watts. Problem isn't totally gone, but I think I can live with this for now.

@theterminator93
Thanks a lot for your information. I'll tell javi-jie about those. And I've sent you a PM regarding this matter. BTW are you using a 65W PSU or 90W PSU?

@bit_twiddler
Have you received your kits yet? Is there anything wrong with it?

@85101 @chubbyfatazn @antonizoon
How about yours?

[theterminator93]

I've been using the 90W. It didn't seem to matter whether it was on battery, charging or fully charged either.

[bit_twiddler]

Have you received your kits yet? Is there anything wrong with it?

I received the kit and did a visual inspection - everything looks O.K.
I won't have time to actually do the install until about the middle of
next week.

[Python.p]

this is amazing !

I want a couple of this kits Pls RMS let me know if you have some. Thanks

[chubbyfatazn]

@85101 @chubbyfatazn @antonizoon
How about yours?

Kit received, everything looks alright. Was waiting to see if you (or anyone else) had any news about the B140HAN01.0/B140HAN01.1/LG panels before I bought anything. Will pick up a B140HAN01.2 panel from ebay tomorrow if not.

[antonizoon]

Here's a WIP guide to installing this converter board in a T420/T430 non-s (text complete, just need pictures) : https://trello.com/c/GtAm93Rj/12-t420-1 ... stallation

Notice that you actually have to remove the heatsink to fit the converter board in the T420 non-s, so it's a good opportunity to apply some Arctic Silver or get that i7 processor you've always wanted. Also, I've found that electrical tape is quite useful for keeping the wires in place.

Will probably post it to the ThinkWiki.

@85101 @chubbyfatazn @antonizoon
How about yours?

I've just installed my screen, an AUO B140HAN01.2, and it works fine. What a gorgeous display! It compares very nicely to my UXGA LED Flexview FrankenPad. This T420 is now the device of my dreams.

Only issue is that at very rare moments, it does actually have a corrupt flicker (as you feared) for a split second, but it always returns to normal functionality.

I'm not too bothered by it, since it only appears once every few hours, but will it get worse?

http://www.thinkwiki.org/w/images/1/1f/ ... Screen.jpg

[chubbyfatazn]

I've just installed my screen, an AUO B140HAN01.2, and it works fine.

What's the config of your T420?

Regarding the "tab" on the roll cage that should to be removed - did you remove it? And if so, did you just snap it off with pliers like the guide you posted says? Was thinking of dremelling it off but I'm lazy.

[theterminator93]

The tab on mine was much more pronounced and defined than in the how-to guide. I snapped off most of it, but there was a reinforcement casting that was still in the way of the card fitting - so I had to use a cutoff wheel in a rotary cutting tool (e.g. Dremel) to cut it off completely.

[antonizoon]

Yes, it would be ideal to sand away the entire leftover tab with a Dremel. After that, the converter board fits right in.

I have a T420i with i3 processor I obtained from corporate surplus for $80. I would actually have just upgraded it to i5, but I didn't order it early enough, so some other time. I would much rather have a T420s or T430s, as I used to have that lightweight beauty.

The tab on mine was much more pronounced and defined than in the how-to guide. I snapped off most of it, but there was a reinforcement casting that was still in the way of the card fitting - so I had to use a cutoff wheel in a rotary cutting tool (e.g. Dremel) to cut it off completely.

Yep, same for me. Except I didn't have the luxury of a Dremel, I had to use a nail file. Hope you have some electrical tape as liner and compressed air to blow away the dust.

[theterminator93]

Hope you have some electrical tape as liner and compressed air to blow away the dust.

I'm a professional IT tech/engineer, sure I do.

[Python.p]

Sorry for OT, but I have to....

[RMSMajestic]

OK yesterday I observed the first flicker problem here,
the flicker was merely a blink of an eye, or more precisely 1/10th of a blink.
Given that human eyes blinks for about 15 times a min, one flicker every 3-10 mins is hard to observe.

Also, on this faulty kit I have, I think the flicker occurs more often when there is high contrast contents on the screen.


P.S. the slim kits are offically out of stock now, but more are coming within two weeks after Aug. 24th

[bit_twiddler]

OK yesterday I observed the first flicker problem here

That's on the same test setup that you have used previously?

[RMSMajestic]

OK yesterday I observed the first flicker problem here

That's on the same test setup that you have used previously?

It's hard to say, yes, same sort of test plus everyday use. And the flicker take place while I was watching some other videos on youtube.
I've also noticed something very different, will write about it later.

[bit_twiddler]

And the flicker take place while I was watching some other videos on youtube.

Did the flicker affect the whole screen, or just the area where the youtube video was being displayed?

[RMSMajestic]

And the flicker take place while I was watching some other videos on youtube.

Did the flicker affect the whole screen, or just the area where the youtube video was being displayed?

seems like just the area where the video was being played

[bit_twiddler]

seems like just the area where the video was being played

If you look at the video that the terminator posted, his whole screen glitched for an instant.
So, if you are just seeing a subset of the screen, such as the area where a youtube video
was playing, then something else is happening.

Do you happen to know if your video was HTML5 or Flash? And, what browser are you using?

[RMSMajestic]

seems like just the area where the video was being played

If you look at the video that the terminator posted, his whole screen glitched for an instant.
So, if you are just seeing a subset of the screen, such as the area where a youtube video
was playing, then something else is happening.

Do you happen to know if your video was HTML5 or Flash? And, what browser are you using?

I can confirm the problem was not with the kit now,

win7 64 bit simplified chinese+ firefox latest version (EN-GB) + HTML5, problem even occurs after I download the video and play it using Windows media player
ironically IE8 plays video flawlessly with flash

Same video plays flawlessly on my W701, P150em with HD7970m, or even on my T61 with NVS140m with the same software setups

So, I think I can conclude now that intel HD graphics drivers sux, any objections?

P.S. the first kit that I said was flickering was really flickering, I've tested two other kits today and apparently they are okay so far
P.P.S I also have to conclude that 16:9 sux after forcing myself to use T420 daily as my main driver for the past few days, even with a FHD screen. How do you guys cope with 1366*768??!!

[bit_twiddler]

So, I think I can conclude now that intel HD graphics drivers sux, any objections?

If you think that the Intel HD drivers on W7 suck, you would be apalled by how bad they are
on Linux. Still, they seem to have settled down and become stable on Sandy Bridge (it only
took them 3 1/2 years for this to happen.)

I'd like to think that this is the reason that Intel changed CEOs, but, somehow, I think not.

I'm looking forward to testing my kit with my T420, HD3000, Linux, and B140HAN01.1 towards the
end of this week.

[laowai]

P.P.S I also have to conclude that 16:9 sux after forcing myself to use T420 daily as my main driver for the past few days, even with a FHD screen. How do you guys cope with 1366*768??!!

I've turned this 420s into my daily driver. FHD, I'll be honest, I hate the 16:9, hate it hate it hate it. BUT, the 1080 is more than the previous 1050, and the 1920 is a fairly nice improvement over the 1400. I got more pixels, not less in my 14" and that's what matters most to me. WUXGA would be ideal, but it is what it is. 16g of ram, not running at 80C, far less lag for everything, lighter, still a good keyboard. I can more than tolerate it, it's overall an improvement from the T60.

[chubbyfatazn]

Ordered a B140HAN01.2 today, will arrive tomorrow. Let's see how it goes.

I can take pictures for the guide antonizoon posted if anyone wants.

[Tasurinchi]

I'm also going to try this mod!

Any consensus which of the panels is better? Any noticeable difference in image quality between the different versions of B140HAN01 ?

And yes, 16:9 s@cks big time, but I find FHD the lesser of two evils (I'm also a WUXGA fan, I missed that resolution in newer ThinkPads)