T520 LCD Issue on Boot

[CLWclw]

Hi, I have a T520 4239-CTO 15" laptop. As soon as the power button is pressed the internal LCD outputs as shown in this photo ( attempted to create a thumbnail and a link to the full size image).




https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B88G0B8 ... cslist_api

It is somewhat difficult to desribe the output, it's somewhat white but not completely white like a disconnected cable and it also has a replicated pattern if viewed closely.

Before this problem began it would properly display POST, the standard press F1 message, etc etc and then the OS would begin to load. I no longer see any of that... Instead just the output as displayed in the image

Thank you in advance for any assistance,

clw

[brchan]

Re-seat the LCD cable connections to the monitor and motherboard. Also, does an external monitor work? I believe the key combo is Fn + F7 to switch between the displays.

[CLWclw]

Hi, I reseated both ends of the LCD cable without change.

External monitor works perfect.

Oddly, this seems to have started when I first connected to the display port with an older non-widescreen LCD. That may have been coincidental though. When the trouble first began the lcd would sometimes work and sometimes fail but seems to have spiraled to a constant fail now though.

[CLWclw]

Additional information:

T520 with Optimus (1920X1080) with both nVidia / Intel chips.

I set the BIOS to discrete and then later integrated hoping one chip or the other would clear the issue, no luck.

I am preparing to replace the LCD cable and then the display if necessary. Really concerned it may be the motherboard but since the external monitor works I still have hope that it's not motherboard related...

Looking for help, thoughts, experience that anyone may have had with this or a similar issue.

Thanks!

[CLWclw]

Replaced the LCD cable without change. I have a new genuine Lenovo LCD to try next.

Fingers crossed it does the job as I can't imagine replacing the mainboard..

Has anyone seen a display output similar to the image posted?

[CLWclw]

Follow up post for completeness in case anyone else encounters a similar issue:

I replaced the LCD last night and I am happy to report my T520 thinkpad is back in service and working fine!

Happy happy happy!!

[amperu]

Hello CLWclw, i really need your help please.... i briked my laptop t520 flashing the wrong bios file..and i m trying to find a bios dump for this laptop..but no success.. If i give you a universal bios backup tool, run it to your machine and give the .bin file generated its ok? would you help me please?

[Quardah]

Hello CLWclw, i really need your help please.... i briked my laptop t520 flashing the wrong bios file..and i m trying to find a bios dump for this laptop..but no success.. If i give you a universal bios backup tool, run it to your machine and give the .bin file generated its ok? would you help me please?

Dear friend,

Check lenovo website. they have a Linux bios flashing utility that should be working.

If your laptop is really bricked and refuses to boot whatsoever then there is nothing you can do.

Check lenovo's website first.

[axur-delmeria]

@Quardah
I think amperu has an external flash ROM programmer and needs a raw .bin image of the T520 BIOS in order to proceed with his BIOS recovery.
The BIOS updates on Lenovo's website are in an encapsulated format (.WPH, .FL1, .ROM, etc.) and it seems that he is unable to convert those into the raw .bin format.

[amperu]

Yes , you are right axur-delmeria..

[Quardah]

@Quardah
I think amperu has an external flash ROM programmer and needs a raw .bin image of the T520 BIOS in order to proceed with his BIOS recovery.
The BIOS updates on Lenovo's website are in an encapsulated format (.WPH, .FL1, .ROM, etc.) and it seems that he is unable to convert those into the raw .bin format.

EDIT : Yes it should be possible.

Still, i hope you find a way to repair your device very soon.