X230i - Flickering vertical column and "blob"

[rayne]

The screen was working fine last night, woke up this morning and came to the following problems:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x7 ... fe0xcD.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x7 ... kgy47s.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1 ... CN9eIv.jpg

- In addition to the flickering column, there appears to be a faint "blob" which isn't a smudge from greasy hands (see red circle on third image).
- Warranty expired 2013-10-01 (1-year warranty).
- Took off the bezel and tried reconnecting the screen, but that didn't seem to change anything
- I have not recently dropped or jarred the laptop.

Is this just an LCD screen at the end of its life? Or is something else going on?

MOD edit: Please read Section 5 of the Forum Rules!

[rayne]

Note: this is an IPS screen.

This is the id on the back of screen:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x7 ... 9SQFl7.jpg

This is the id on the casing behind the screen:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x7 ... 5RVBvd.jpg

MOD edit: Please read Section 5 of the Forum Rules!

[dr_st]

Images can't be seen.

Don't buy good business laptops with 1-year warranties. That's a general statement. Always extend to 3 years (or more if possible). Although in this case, if it had been a 3-year warranty, this would be 100 times more annoying, since it would have literally expired last week and you'd still be out of luck.

Without seeing the images, I imagine you are looking into an LCD replacement here. Fortunately, for this model, IPS screens are both rather cheap and quite easy to replace, as you must have noticed by your little experiment.

[rayne]

dr_st,

Thanks for replying. I viewed the post on a different computer (while not logged in), and I could see the images--hopefully you can now as well.

My screen model is LP125WH2(SL)(B1).
The screen model you linked to is LP125WH2(SL)(B3).

Is your linked screen model just a newer generation?

[dr_st]

Yes, and by most accounts, a slightly better one. I have one in my X220.

[rayne]

dr_st,

Thanks again for the help.

A while ago (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=115595), you mentioned that the LP125WH2-SLT1 is another lcd model (newer than the LP125WH2-SLB3) for the X220/X230.

Do you know much about this model vs the LP125WH2-SLB3? I can't find much information on it.

[dr_st]

I don't have any first hand experience with the SLT1. I recall some forum posts (in a different forum) where folks mentioned trying it and being generally satisfied. It may be slightly better in quality, but, alas, I don't remember details.

[rayne]

dr_st,

I replaced the faulty LCD with a LP125WH2-SLB3. Works great (*knocks on wood*). Thanks for your help.