Interest in upgrade your T420/T420s/T430/T430s to FHD 1080p

[Flemingo]

Good to know the s-kits are back in stock and on sale. Looking forward to T430 non-s kit!

[b1naryc0ven]

Can someone explain to me why the FHD kit will work in the more compact S models, but not in the normal T models. This doesn't make any sense to me. Thanks in advance

[fatpolomanjr]

Can someone explain to me why the FHD kit will work in the more compact S models, but not in the normal T models. This doesn't make any sense to me. Thanks in advance

It was posted just a page or two back:

Why it's so hard to get T420/T430 non-s kits working
The reason for flickering (check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmXKuObDZ4c) is the interference from main power supply, CPU power control and the power supply for the PCB itself, since those components are very close to each other and the space in T420 is so compact, enhanced shield won't work either. Javi-Jie has tried 4 layers PCB and there has been 5 revisions made so far and problem still persists (But improved a lot).

The kit is being picky on the motherboard as well. Some motherboard works fine with the kit even on the first version and with quad core CPU (like the one I had), some works fine with dual core CPU and not the Quad, and some just hate the kit so much

Having jumping wire as in the picture below can help but not completely resolve the problem
http://i1026.photobucket.com/albums/y32 ... whnq1m.jpg
But, I can assure you that the kit will eventually come out, since a lot of investment has already been thrown into the project. There's no way for us to quit now... :/

For those of you who got the flickering first batch, please try to lock your CPU at a certain clock speed and use a more powerful PSU if you want

[b1naryc0ven]

Thanks for pointing that out, but that post was actually the reason for asking the question. Maybe if I rephrase; what I don't get is why the FHD kit doesn't cause interference in the slimmer T420s / T430s but DOES cause interference in the normal, hence, fatter models of the T400 series. Is the component layout different?

[plympton]

Yes, very different layout. On the t420s, the connector is close to the middle of the machine, near the top of the keyboard, it's pretty isolated. When I saw that t420 image, it looks like a very tight fit, and I could see thr fan (mechanical, magnet, high electrical amperage) causing interference easily. Tough job for a hack!

[RMSMajestic]

Attention:

USPS has risen the shipping cost for first class international packages from $7.10 to $13.60. From now on I'll pause accepting orders outside USA. Many sorry.

[b1naryc0ven]

@ plympton

Thanks for explaining, it's clear now!

@ RMSMajestic

Why not add the extra cost to the price of the kit, $6,50 shouldn't put any of the interested people off I think?

[maynephrame]

Ill take a T420 non-S whenever they become available please.
Looking forward to future updates, great work!!

[Tasurinchi]

6,50 shouldn't put any of the interested people off I think?

Yep, I think the same. 6.50 is peanuts compared with the big improvement in screen quality you get with these panels...

[Alie]

I would really like to buy a T420 NON S kit when they are available, and i will gladly pay the higher shipping fee (because i live in Italy).

[teleshoes]

T430 (non-S) boards have never existed yet, right?
can i pay for one now or sign up for a preorder or make a deposit or whatever, for when they do? (maybe you could put up a pre-order on ebay?)

(EDIT: i misread about the flickering previous batch. i didnt realize they were actually sold.)

[pekmop1024]

May be solution for non-s kit is just place them not on the motherboard, but on the back of LCD?

Still waiting for T420 non-s kit

[theterminator93]

May be solution for non-s kit is just place them not on the motherboard, but on the back of LCD?

Still waiting for T420 non-s kit

Answered on the previous page...

Certainly seems like progress, esp. now that the cause of the problem is known for certain. Perhaps a remote module that doesn't attach to the system board, but rather one that fits in the LCD lid so that interference from the motherboard is much further away?

I asked Javi-Jie about that... and he said doing such could only make things worse.... :/

[Zeroin]

Attention:

USPS has risen the shipping cost for first class international packages from $7.10 to $13.60. From now on I'll pause accepting orders outside USA. Many sorry.

wa? dude, those kits will cost twice for outsiders like me minding shipping. Iif you need to cover more expenses - just say so. We wont care much for those extra 6,5 bucks.

[RMSMajestic]

Attention:

USPS has risen the shipping cost for first class international packages from $7.10 to $13.60. From now on I'll pause accepting orders outside USA. Many sorry.

wa? dude, those kits will cost twice for outsiders like me minding shipping. Iif you need to cover more expenses - just say so. We wont care much for those extra 6,5 bucks.

Dude you didn't take the postage from China to USA into account, total postage is ~$18 after the price rise.
Also, there is an alternative, which is USPS first class international large letters, cost is $8.36 in total, but I have been posting using first class letters before and it took 4 weeks/ 2 weeks/ 7 weeks for the 3 packets to arrive in Germany.

I'll experiment with large letters instead of letters this time and let you know any updates.

Besides, I still have ~20 kits left and Javi still have ~100+, so don't worry ATM

[munzab]

I will pay whatever it costs to send the kit to ireland. How do we get this going? What lcd do i need to buy in meantime?

[Norway Pad]

Just increase the price, I'm ok with that. When someone goes through the trouble of making a custom made part like this is available, I usually pay what it costs, period. Shipping to Norway and a pretty unfavorable exchange rate these days make everything I buy from the US very expensive, so this will be a drop in the ocean.

[funkpad]

Is there any appreciable difference between the B140HAN01.1 and B140HAN01.3 panels, and is there any preference for one or the other in this topic?

This seems like the trickiest part of the process. It looks as if there have been a lot of mixed experiences sourcing legitimate screens, so I'm keen to know if there are any recommended sellers.

Since it's my first post, big thanks to rmsmajestic for all the work you've put in, I'm looking at this as a fun side project.

[stave]

About getting the right LCD's I've been looking high and low for an AUO panel without success, getting a 'compatible' is easy but I wont go that way.
I've found a source that have LG IPS panels..

do anyone have bad to say about those, since I cant find AUO's ?

[stave]

Attention:

USPS has risen the shipping cost for first class international packages from $7.10 to $13.60. From now on I'll pause accepting orders outside USA. Many sorry.

Really just add cost the benefit of getting a LCD that's worth looking at is far more valuable - other (non)option is new high end laptop...

using some forwarding postal service inside the US will easy add $30-$40

Please just let us pay - we appreciate your teams effort of making this possible.

[thinkpadcollection]

What is involved to assemble your own using non s T420 kit and anything else to purchase besides getting a LCD?
I really wanted to help out on this problem because of my electronics background.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[Niklas]

Why it's so hard to get T420/T430 non-s kits working
The reason for flickering (check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmXKuObDZ4c) is the interference from main power supply, CPU power control and the power supply for the PCB itself, since those components are very close to each other and the space in T420 is so compact, enhanced shield won't work either. Javi-Jie has tried 4 layers PCB and there has been 5 revisions made so far and problem still persists (But improved a lot).

If the problem is in fact proximity to sources of interference (rather than interference being carried through the cables), then couldn't you wrap the PCB in a Faraday cage, rather than just using multiple layers of PCB? Perhaps something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Frequency ... 1466382483
or this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMI-RFI-Frequen ... 1574880364

Just a thought, I'm really a novice in this field, so please excuse if my suggestion is rudimentary. Also I don't know how safe those materials are in terms of flammability. But the general idea is to place your circuit board within a Faraday cage with the right properties.

Wouldn't that do the job?

[RMSMajestic]

Really just add cost the benefit of getting a LCD that's worth looking at is far more valuable - other (non)option is new high end laptop...

using some forwarding postal service inside the US will easy add $30-$40

Please just let us pay - we appreciate your teams effort of making this possible.

There are two options now for international buyers
1. USPS first class international large letter, Price for a kit is $51.5 and postage is $7.5 (*REQUIRE* payment as "for goods or services")
2. USPS first class international package, price is $50 each kit and postage is $17.5 (please send payment as "to friends or family members" , or add 3% for extra protection from paypal as payment "for goods or services".)

[djammin16]

Hi RMSMajestic,

When the T420 kits are available, I'd like to purchase one. I'm kinda jealous of my wife's T420S and her previously upgraded 1080P screen!

Thanks!

[jamisnemo]

So, I'm new here so forgive me if I step out of line...

I just picked up a T420 (non-s) and I'm really interested in this mod. I've got the 1600x900 Lenovo screen and it is pretty awful. I can't imagine it with a lower res.

As far as I can tell, if the T420 kit were working, I'd be able to put a better FHD screen in this thing, correct?

Now, as to the non-s kit's flicker issues, would you be willing to let me buy one despite the risk of issues? I'm really excited about getting a better screen and if it does end up flickering, I'd be totally down to dig into the issue and see what I can hack up as a fix.

Hell, I'll throw some extra cash your way if you're okay with this just to support the effort!

Edit: Duh. FHD is the upgrade not the IPS :facepalm:

[lembang]

So everyone,

I just upgrade my thinkpad t420 with the mod (*found second hand from taobao.com)
I got the screen B140HAN01.3 although the seller told me its B140HAN1.1
So the flickering a lil bit odd for me. Yes I do have screen flickering on Windows, but everything run smoothly on linux.
But I believe the power interference from what @RMSMajestic said its the valid answer.
Looking forward for the new revision of the kit for T420, although I dont use windows, but like it in perfect shape.


edit: Adding some info here I believe I almost have the same setup with what @RMSMajestic had
i7-2760QM - MB 4180MY4 - and Gskill low voltage. I do have my turbo boost of on linux as well. because the fan is too noisy for me.

Now, I'm wondering could that be the turbo boost actually causing and issue on my windows (fresh test installation just for this mod purposes.)

[RealBlackStuff]

In older T61 machines, Intel's turbo-mem quite often caused the machine not to boot.
By just removing that turbo-mem module, the T61 would boot again and behave as expected.
Probably need to switch off/uninstall Windoze Readyboost as well.
See also comments near the page-bottom here: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds001676
This happened with both 2GB and 4GB modules. The majority of them was lousy.
Apparently this should NOT be used if you have an SSD.

[Saucey]

Finally got around to doing a mod.
Got a T430s with AUO B140HAN01.3 M1WHV from a Dell E7440.
Laptop working fine out of the box, I didn't have to sand down any parts of the frame, I was able to reroute the cable though there might be some stress due to how the cable has been bent.

Will see if it is a good solution this way after a months of use.

[lembang]

Hey guys,

I'm not too sure if you guys already tried shielding the CPU power (using EMF fabric) on the t420 with the mod.
Has to be very careful, wrong placement might cause short circuit, as the fabric is conductive.
What I can say, the flickering on my windows OS isnt that bad anymore. It still happening now and then.
I have inform @RMSMajestic what could possible make it work. Let him and javi-jie give the best t420 mod revision for us.

This two videos is what after I did with shield them. Not completely perfect, but lesser flickering than before
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u85GuOiLKzU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q2BtiNBlUU

[b1naryc0ven]

Thinking about the flickering problem with the T420 and T430 non s, maybe its possible to place the chip where the standard wifi module is located. And then use the pci/msata for a better wireless card. For example, in my case it wouldn't be a problem since I use a 2,5'' ssd instead of msata. Maybe it's good enough of a compromise for most users.

Cheers