Thinkpad 365X problems w/ LCD and keyboard

[Half-Saint]

I recently bought a used 365X and it turns out it has some issues.

1. Display is very dim and unevenly lit. Looking at it is almost like looking at a photo taken at a very high ISO setting.
Am I looking at a failed CCFL tube?



2. several keys don't work: Space, Left Arrow and Up Arrow. Trackpoint buttons don't work as well. I tried reseating all three ribbon cables but it didn't help. Is it possible to disassemble the keyboard itself?

Apart from that, the system boots into Windows fine and the 1GB hard drive is error free. No extra ram tho..

Cheers,
SainT

[Eric Giles]

1. What you are looking at is a passive matrix LCD screen, and this image quality is completely normal for that type of screen. The passive matrix screen was the cheapest way to get a color LCD screen on a laptop years ago. The 'active matrix' optional-and much more expensive at the time-LCD screen is the basis for what all LCD screens are today. Passive matrix screens looked very washed out and were very slow to respond-causing a large amount of 'ghosting' when there were fast moving images on the screen. But at the time, it was much cheaper and could save you anywhere from $500-1000 on your purchase price. Once LCD production became widespread, the cost to manufacture active matrix screens dropped so that they were offered as the standard LCD display technology.

2. You are probably better off purchasing a used keyboard, as it sounds like yours has failed.

[Half-Saint]

Thanks. I already ordered a replacement keyboard.

As for the screen, I'll try finding the whole TFT LCD screen assembly.

[Half-Saint]

UPDATE:
getting a new keyboard solved the problem.

However, after a while the metal screw posts that hold the hinge attached to the screen broke off. I'll try super glue but I doubt it will help.