My W700 screen is bright again

[kaz911]

My W700 is from Jan 2009 - and the display had dimmed a lot so I was not using the screen very much - and left in the dock with my 2 HP 24" screens attached.

But since I was getting a lot of things from the US (I'm in Abu Dhabi, UAE) - I thought - lets find a replacement LCD screen on ebay

And I found a new WUXGA original Samsung screen with Lenovo FRU's stamped on it - and I ordered it

$80 later -and shipping to Abu Dhabi - I received my new LCD today.

I printed the LCD instructions from the Maintenance manual (W700ds) and started working. I'm okay proficient at taking things apart - no so putting them back together again.

Anyway - 1 1/2 hour later - my thinkpad had a new WUXGA screen - and now it is actually usable.

But the design of the cables etc. for the screen on the W700ds are a pain in the **** - especially the cable to the webcam! I think this was the hardest part exchange I have ever done in a Thinkpad. I would guess about 20-25 screws - cables - lcd opening hatch release.

But Im happy and my W700ds is nice and bright - and everything is working.

If you buy screens on Ebay - make SURE you find an original FRU - and not an A+ compatible model. Even if they are a compatible model - you never know what the real specs are.

Next project... can I upgrade to an WUXGA LED Screen? - Need new cable, LED "inverter"(i know - not an inverter) and an LED WUXGA screen.

Have a nice day - pm me if you want a URL the screen I bought - at $80 it was worth every penny.