T20 Screen flickers: Dying backlight or inverter?

[t20man]

Hi all,

The screen on my T20 has been getting worse. It first used to power up with a redish tinge to the screen but that would fade away. Now the screen not only starts out red, it flickers quite badly.

Is the backlight on the unit dying or is it the inverter assembly? Any easy way to check it?

Thanks!
T20Man.

[tfflivemb2]

Normally the red tint means the backlight (CCFL), however, the flickering is also (but not always) an indication of the inverter.

Given that you have the red tint, you're going to need a new backlight anyway, you should probably start there. If it is changed and you have a crisp screen with flickering, then you will need to change the inverter too. Normally trying the inverter first is the cheapest way to go, but again given the red tint....

So, in a nutshell...replace the backlight first.

[t20man]

tfflivemb2,

Do you have a prefered source for either the backlight or the inverter? I'd really like to avoid eBay and deal with someone one-on-one. Problem is the one-on-one guys want like $40 for things like the CCFL which is just robery.

Can anyone else reading this thread suggest a place to get either parts?

Thanks so much!
T20Man.

[jeffcrilly]

fwiw, my T22 has always flickered when I first turned it on.

Not too bad, just a subtle throbbing.

I found that if I dimmed, then brightened, the display the throb would go away.

(Maybe the inverter also needs replacing.)

Mine also needs a new backlight. I might replace it myself.
(It starts up orange, then gradually turns white after a while.)
Btw, cold weather makes it stay orange.

jeff

[tfflivemb2]

I haven't been brave enough yet to try to replace a CCFL (backlight) yet...my next undertaking.

There is a sticky under the Thinkpad 600 section, that explains how to replace the CCFL in a TP600E. This might work as an excellent guide. The person that performs the replacement mentions a website that he (?) purchased the CCFL through, but you would have to know the exact measurements of your CCFL.

Is your T20 a 13.3" or a 14.1" LCD?

If it is a 14.1", then you could always try this listing ($34.99 including shipping) on eBay (I know that this isn't your preferred choice, but I have used them in the past and have been VERY happy...also they have excellent & high quantitiy feedback):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thinkpad-T20-T21-T2 ... dZViewItem

If yours is a 13.3", then check their other listings.

[tfflivemb2]

I forgot to mention to also use your Hardware Maintenance Manual for removing your LCD.