How should I go about replacing a broken inverter?

[sly]

Hi!

I'm new to the site, and I am not sure where to post this question.

I have recently got hold of a nice i-series 2611-552 Thinkpad. It works fine, except that the display doesn't have backlight. I've disassembled the screen and figured out that it was the inverter's fault. I did take it to a repair shop, and they told me it was indeed the inverter's fault. However, I can't find a replacement anywhere at all. I have been looking for 2 weeks now, and the only listings I found were scant and abroad, with the delivery fees that were way out of my league.

How should I go about this? I'd love to have it repaired, but the repair technician said he can't troubleshoot it because he doesn't have the schematics for the inverter. I couldn't find any of those online either. I found that this same inverter was present in some Acer Travelmate model seemingly, but I couldn't find anything searching for it either.

I found some "universal" inverters that have 4 soldering pads, though my inverter connects to an 8 pin ribbon cable. I also found that the ribbon cable slot on the motherboard seems to look like the cable from my Dell, but that cable is too short. Should I just try to replace the whole thing? The screen, the inverter and the ribbon cable? Or is there nothing I can do?

Thank you in advance!

[onespeedbiker]

Try here. https://www.impactcomputers.com/ be advised if they don't have it in stock, they likely will not be able to get it in 3 to 5 days.

Edit: I checked and Impact does not list a i1552, but they do list a i1560. Since both models come with a 14.1" TFT display with 1024x768 resolution, I would think this inverter would be compatible. https://www.impactcomputers.com/10l1442.html

[sly]

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll keep an eye out for my model (T62.126.C.00). The other one you suggested has a different kind of connector it seems, so unless I replace the ribbon cable as well I doubt it will fit.

[RealBlackStuff]

You are looking for this inverter with IBM FRU: 10L1383, a.k.a. T62.126.C.00
Get the i1400 HMM manual here: https://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/hmm_pdf/37l5192.pdf

[sly]

Thank you very much! I'll look around for it again with that number.

[sly]

I found an inverter for sale on a website with free worldwide shipping. I've ordered it and it should be here in a month or so. Thanks again for the help!

[iamdmc]

I found an inverter for sale on a website with free worldwide shipping. I've ordered it and it should be here in a month or so. Thanks again for the help!

did it arrive and work? I have an X61s where I thought the inverter board blew out, but when I replaced it the backlight still wouldn't turn on. Turns out that it's a fuse on the motherboard that blew, and I might eventually dig the soldering iron out to replace it. For now the mobo's a spare part, which I replaced with another one

[sly]

I found an inverter for sale on a website with free worldwide shipping. I've ordered it and it should be here in a month or so. Thanks again for the help!

did it arrive and work? I have an X61s where I thought the inverter board blew out, but when I replaced it the backlight still wouldn't turn on. Turns out that it's a fuse on the motherboard that blew, and I might eventually dig the soldering iron out to replace it. For now the mobo's a spare part, which I replaced with another one

I received the inverter but it indeed did not help. I think I have the same issue as you, if you could, would you please let me know which part to replace? I'd love to try it on my machine, I still have it lying around! Don't have any spare motherboards here, it appears this particular model is not common in my country.

[iamdmc]

did it arrive and work? I have an X61s where I thought the inverter board blew out, but when I replaced it the backlight still wouldn't turn on. Turns out that it's a fuse on the motherboard that blew, and I might eventually dig the soldering iron out to replace it. For now the mobo's a spare part, which I replaced with another one

I received the inverter but it indeed did not help. I think I have the same issue as you, if you could, would you please let me know which part to replace? I'd love to try it on my machine, I still have it lying around! Don't have any spare motherboards here, it appears this particular model is not common in my country.

Check this out: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X ... td-p/73067
"Problem solved. If anyone lands up with the same problem, it is fuse F2 that needs to be replaced. It is to the left of the LCD cable on the motherboard." - check the link and email that user as he has photos he can share (although the post is from 2008!)

a more detailed guide here https://blogs.gnome.org/muelli/2012/04/ ... en-a-fuse/

Good luck! Post if you were successful

[sly]

I received the inverter but it indeed did not help. I think I have the same issue as you, if you could, would you please let me know which part to replace? I'd love to try it on my machine, I still have it lying around! Don't have any spare motherboards here, it appears this particular model is not common in my country.

Check this out: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X ... td-p/73067
"Problem solved. If anyone lands up with the same problem, it is fuse F2 that needs to be replaced. It is to the left of the LCD cable on the motherboard." - check the link and email that user as he has photos he can share (although the post is from 2008!)

a more detailed guide here https://blogs.gnome.org/muelli/2012/04/ ... en-a-fuse/

Good luck! Post if you were successful

Thank you very much! I'll try this as soon as I can and will get back with the results!

[RealBlackStuff]

Rather than replace, solder the new fuse piggyback style on top of the old one.

[sly]

Rather than replace, solder the new fuse piggyback style on top of the old one.

Thanks for the tip!