Z61p and (partial) yellowish screen tint

[Tim82]

I have a project Z61p, for which I recently acquired a new mobo. (The original was FUBAR-ed by previous owner(s), messing with the VGA chip.)

Yesterday evening I assembled together the machine and turned on. (I took in 3 GB RAM, T7200 and an Intel X25-M G1 80 GB SSD, which was earlier in my T60, therefore has a Windows 7 Pro 32bit installation on it with T60 drivers.)

So far so good, I'm pleased that the operation was successful, the test ride runs without unexpected problems (the expected problems are all driver-related, which'll be solved with a clean install with the proper drivers, like WLAN and SD reader). But I noticed a yellowish tint on the screen, it affects nearly two thirds of the panel, like a thick frame around the middle, which part is good.

I assume it's not a CCFL/backlight-related problem, I suppose it would affect the whole screen. Despite the yellow coloration, image looks bright and sharp (and on the unaffected middle part colors are really good: white is white, not yellow).

I suppose (but I don't know for sure) the reason is the previous owner (or owners) or the service guy who made an attempt to fix the bad motherboard were heavy smokers. (I didn't smell any particular nicotine odor on the laptop, but smell can fade away with time and I got the Z61p at last summer.) I tried to clean the display with LCD cleaner and microfiber sleeve, but I think it's inside problem.

I didn't tested the display in the BIOS settings, but I'll do when I get home. Another not-too-likely option is the driver: on the test run Windows started a message about the not proper display driver (but otherwise ran fine), which I'll check soon too, after the clean install.

Any thoughts, help appreciated. Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

If it were from smoke, you could clean that away, but that is not your problem.
Unfortunately yellowing is from the polarizer going bad from heat building up over time.
Only way to fix this is replacing the screen.

[Tim82]

Thank You for the answer! If that is the problem (most likely), that's bad news. I suppose I must live with this, or swap the LCD, which is pricey and I'm on limited funds.

If I would go on the LCD swap route, any 15.4" CCFL WUXGA panels will fit, or I must buy one with FRU?

I think of (for example) the Samsung LTN154U1-L01 http://www.panelook.com/LTN154U1-L01_SA ... _8675.html can be found for reasonable price in Hungary, instead of LCDs with FRU on eBay (which are mostly pricey).

[ajkula66]

Your current panel is a LG one, and miles ahead of its Samsung equivalent, which has horrible viewing angles and colour reproduction IMO...

Folks on the German forum have found a Sharp WUXGA panel that works wonders in T61 but...here's a possible caveat in your case:

Z61p is a sibling of T60, not T61. It would be somewhat reasonable to presume that it shares the same "whitelist" of approved LCDs in BIOS, and that you'd need to re-flash the EDID with the correct info in order for the new screen to work in your machine.

Please note that I don't know this for a fact. I've never flipped a screen on a Z6x with an unapproved one, but have (as have many others) ran into this issue on T60/p units.

Good luck.

[Tim82]

Thank You for the help.

I'm a little sad about this (I would like to see this particular Z61p shining in full glory), but I searched a little. There's a little confusion with FRU numbers, but as I sorted out, FRU 42T0612 seems to be that LG panel, which is better than the Samsung-manufactured ones.

There are some on eBay, but they are expensive (at least from the UK, because U.S. sellers generally do not ship overseas - and I cannot blame them for that).

However, if I find the correct panel (LP154WU1), but not from a Thinkpad (seems Dell used this panel on Latitude D820/D830 and Precision M65/M70), flashing the EDID is required or it's a straight swap?

Oh, and before I forget, I assume the Z61p and Z61e/Z61m use the same keyboard bezel, base cover and display lid, is that correct? (Exclude titanium lid, of course.) These parts have some scratches, so if I stumble upon one of these from a Z61e or Z61m for example, are they interchangeable? (Maybe the base cover is not compatible with a Z61e, because of the docking port, but otherwise...)

[ajkula66]

However, if I find the correct panel (LP154WU1), but not from a Thinkpad (seems Dell used this panel on Latitude D820/D830 and Precision M65/M70), flashing the EDID is required or it's a straight swap?

I'd check the pinout first, so you don't blow the board, but an EDID flash will most likely be required.

Oh, and before I forget, I assume the Z61p and Z61e/Z61m use the same keyboard bezel, base cover and display lid, is that correct? (Exclude titanium lid, of course.) These parts have some scratches, so if I stumble upon one of these from a Z61e or Z61m for example, are they interchangeable? (Maybe the base cover is not compatible with a Z61e, because of the docking port, but otherwise...)

Yes.

And while Z61p never shipped from the factory in Ti, you can actually put one in. Ed (underclocker) has done it.

Base is different for Z61e, with no docking station opening, beware of that one...

Good luck.

[Tim82]

I'd check the pinout first, so you don't blow the board, but an EDID flash will most likely be required.

EDID flash is unknown territory to me, so I think the safest way is the best.

And while Z61p never shipped from the factory in Ti, you can actually put one in. Ed (underclocker) has done it.

Hm, the titanium lid would be a *very* nice addition. I remember underclocker's thread, but I remembered about a very beautiful, state-of-the-art Z61m (he needed the webcam, which is not an option with Z61p mobos). http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=100010

Base is different for Z61e, with no docking station opening, beware of that one...

Sorry, my mistake (thanks to my English "skills"). I'm aware of that.

Thank You - I think this thing will ruin me financially, until I finish the process...

[ajkula66]

I don't know how's your knowledge of German, but I would look for a panel on their ThinkPad forum...likely the safest/closest option given your location...

[Tim82]

I understand German (though I haven't used a while). I searched that forum's marketplace, with no luck. From UK maybe I can order one,we'll see.

[Tasurinchi]

If you're registered there you may want to post a "want to buy thread" in the subforum <Suche>. You can contact the moderators if you don't feel comfortable writing in German, they may help you translating.

[Tim82]

Thank You. I can do that (language is like riding a bike, you can't really forget ), but I found someone who can order me a fitting LG panel (with FRU of course) from the USA for a reasonable price (overall it would be cheaper than ordering from the UK for example, and the ones I saw on UK & Germany Ebay cannot be verified as LG panels, even if there are FRU's in the descriptions).

Just before I order the display, could you check a photo of the faulty display? (Sorry if I seem being stubborn, but I rely on your opinion and if there's any chance that the display can be repaired without swapping the panel, I would try that route.)

PIC WARNING: http://prohardver.hu/dl/upc/2013-03/105 ... zohiba.jpg

Thank You for the help!

[ajkula66]

That is pretty bad. I' ve seen worse, but not on a 2007 or so machine...

[Tim82]

In that case, this is my candidate for replacement:

http://tinyurl.com/Z61pWUXGAreplacement (Ebay link shortened with Tinyurl)

I suppose it will fit without any problems. Maybe I'll throw in the basket a Ti lid as well. (I found someone who can order from USA without problems for a nominal fee, so that's no longer issue.)