Possible failing screen with R60

[ajsanjuan]

I've had my trusty R60 for the past eight years and though I have upgraded almost all components of the machine, one of the last original parts remaining is the LCD assembly. Starting about a week ago, it developed a pink tinge, first occurring on the screen on its entirety upon startup that would disappear upon reaching the Windows startup screen (e.g. only during the "Thinkpad" opening screen). However, as of yesterday, the pink coloration would occur on-and-off well past startup during my computing sessions, usually limited to the bottom-right corner of the screen. As of today, the screen has exhibited a new symptom in addition to the above, with an occasional flickering of the screen, at times with or without the pink tinge.

Combing other forums, I've come up with a few possible outcomes, but none that the other forums could give me a straightforward enough answer. I would like to pick your brains that, based on the above symptoms, could the problem be due to a worn-out video cable, a failing backlight, a failing inverter or something else? I don't believe that the problem could be with the video card, since there aren't any streaks or complete screen failures (at least not yet). What do you suppose the problem might be and how would be the easiest method at diagnosing it?


Thank you in advance!

[ajkula66]

Failing backlight. Pink hue is a dead giveaway.

Replace the panel, sooner than later.

Good luck.

[ajsanjuan]

Failing backlight. Pink hue is a dead giveaway.

Replace the panel, sooner than later.

Good luck.

Hello, ajkula66. When you say to replace the panel, do you mean the entire LCD+inverter+CCFL assembly or just the backlight? Just curious since replacing the CCFL would be much cheaper.

Also, I've noticed upon scanning eBay as well as dedicated LCD suppliers that the backlight on the R60 may be need to be soldered from the existing leads to the inverter. Then again, I've also noticed pre-wired backlights on the market, so I'm a bit confused which to buy.

--Thanks!

[ZaZ]

replacing the CCFL would be much cheaper.

More difficult and tedious too.

[ajkula66]

What screen size/resolution are we talking about here?

Swapping the CCFL is a tricky business...and more often than not results in a damaged screen full of dust specs.

[ajsanjuan]

What screen size/resolution are we talking about here?

Swapping the CCFL is a tricky business...and more often than not results in a damaged screen full of dust specs.

It's a 14.1" with a 1024 x 768 maximum resolution.

[Saucey]

I'd upgrade the screen to a better res if possible...
I botched a 14.1" widescreen when replacing the CCFL, the slight differences in the panel from the 4:3 variants made it alot harder to do so.

[ajsanjuan]

I'd upgrade the screen to a better res if possible...
I botched a 14.1" widescreen when replacing the CCFL, the slight differences in the panel from the 4:3 variants made it alot harder to do so.

Okay, I guess I'll do that. Just one question - the screens I've been viewing on eBay that purport to be replacements for R60/T60, etc, are those complete screens with backlight and inverter? If that's the case, then it would be a simple removal of the bezel and switching out of the existing screen, that is, no complete removal of the entire screen assembly hinges and all?

--Thanks!!

[ajkula66]

Read the listings carefully. If it doesn't specifically state that cable and/or inverter are included, presume they're not. Backlight is a part of the screen itself.

[ajsanjuan]

Read the listings carefully. If it doesn't specifically state that cable and/or inverter are included, presume they're not. Backlight is a part of the screen itself.

I see. Supposing if I were to purchase a lone screen by accident, since the backlight is already integrated, theoretically, there should not be any problem in simply reusing the old inverter and video cable? (Although, you are right in that I should I should pursue a product whose components are as 'new' as possible.)

--Thanks!

[ajkula66]

You can post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum's Marketplace. Much safer bet than feebay...

Happy hunting.