Z61t video issues

[dwilsonfl]

Got a Z61t from another forum member at a good price and no worries about that. Knew it had issues with the video output to the LCD. PO tried to replace the backlight and thought he had not done a good job of soldering since that didn't fix the problem.

I decided just to buy a new panel - lid and all. Did that, got the machine today and did the swap. Still no output to the LCD but external output is fine. ??

And the only light that comes on on the clearplate display is the wireless.??? That's just odd.

Any ideas on how to proceed?

Something I could troubleshoot or should I buy a new MB and go all in?

Thanks,

David

[ajkula66]

I'd say try swapping the inverter.

If that doesn't fix the issue, you're looking at a planar swap or troubleshooting a blown fuse somewhere on the board.

Good luck.

[dwilsonfl]

George the inverter is in the lid/lcd unit?? If it is, then I wouldn't think that would help. If it isn't then that would be the cheapest next step??

This is going to my classroom so trying to get by with as little as I can.

Thanks, David

[ajkula66]

Inverter is hidden under the clear plate, in the lid itself, and AFAIK houses the lights...definitely the cheapest next thing...

I know the whole deal and hope that the other stuff has reached you OK...

Good luck.

[dwilsonfl]

Got the T43 and R60 Tuesday and haven't done anything but ooh and ahh over them. Got the Z61t today and had already bought a lid/lcd panel for it. Just bought an inverter off eBay so we'll see.

Thanks,

David

[dwilsonfl]

Just was checking some old thread and saw that the PO had already changed the inverter, cable, and ccfl so I'm thinking it must be a fuse on the motherboard. Any list of those out there before I buy another planar?

[ajkula66]

I'm nowhere near being a Z-series guru...for that type of info, you'll have to wait for Ed, Stan or Harry to chime in...and hope for the best. I've got nothing...

Good luck.

[dwilsonfl]

didn't buy it yet but would this help?

http://www.laptops-schematics.com/ibm-l ... -schematic

not an electronic tech by any means here - thus the question

[ajkula66]

If you're able to measure fuses, and piggyback one on the top of the other once you (hopefully) find a culprit, that might help...

Good luck.

[dwilsonfl]

I can test - I did get that far in the electronics tech course I took many years ago and dropped out of.

Trying to figure out what planar to use if I buy one. The LCD that came with the unit has the webcam and that limits the number of planars I can use. If I go with the LCD I bought to replace that, it doesn't have the webcam.

Just don't want to but one that won't work. The model number is 9442-EC1

[ajkula66]

ThinkPad Z61t (9442-EC1)
Based on 9442-EAU: T2400(1.83GHz), 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1280x768 LCD, Intel 950, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, IEEE 1394, Camera, 4c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Yes, locating a board for this orphan will most likely be a royal pain...been there with a camera-and-WWAN-equipped-top-shelf-take-no-prisoners-Z61m and ended up cursing in languages I don't even speak along the way...

Do the parts lookup, pull the HMM, compare notes and pray for the best...

Of course, pull the FRU off the current board itself to begin with....

Good luck.

[dwilsonfl]

HMM says 41W1284 I think, which of course is the most expensive on eBay right now. Might go with the noncamera LCD and a cheaper board. No one wants to see my mug anyway.

Thanks George

[ajkula66]

Beware of one thing:

Your LCD is NOT 14.1"

It is 14.0"

No I'm not kidding.

The difference is huge - a 1280x800 panel will NOT fit...take a look here:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=100657

Good luck.

[dwilsonfl]

The LCD and lid I bought does fit and it's off a Z60t.

[ajkula66]

Good. One less thing to worry about...

[dwilsonfl]

Bought a
THINKPAD P/N 44C3832 MODEL Z61t SERIES SYSTEM BOARD
off eBay so as to limit my frustration level. May not be compatible with the camera but that's okay with me.

Hopefully I won't have any issues swapping the planars and I can enjoy the machine. I like the Z series a lot and may use it personally and put the T60 in the classroom.

[emtee3511]

If I've been reading several posts about the Z60/Z61t's correctly, your Z61t will run Windows 7 very nicely -- the Z60t has a video driver problem and fights with W7 -- so your 'Z' will have options of XP or W7