X220 screen problem - causes, fixes? (details inside)

[qviri]

Hi all,

I have an X220 4290-WFZ (IPS) with a wonky screen. Every now and then, particularly after startup and if the lid has been opened carelessly, I get a vertical band about 1/10th the width of the screen, roughly in the middle, where colours are off, usually inverted or very dark, and the image is shifted. The colour fault varies, though the location is always the same.

It sometimes improves after I press down in various spots on the bezel below the screen and on the back lid. The problem has always gone away after a while so far, but it can be a couple of hours before it does. When the problem is not manifesting, the screen looks perfect.

Photo of the issue: http://bin.piorkowski.ca/2016/x220_screen_fault.jpg (400 kB). Sorry, this is a cell phone pic, ignore the weird texture, everything but the miscoloured vertical band looks fine in real life.

Obviously pressing random spots is not a long-term solution. I am guessing the problem is with the LCD data cable or with its connections. Is that likely? Are these known problem spots on the X220? What is my best bet for trying to fix this - I'm guessing/hoping replacing the LCD data cable is the first thing to try?

Thanks!
--Jarek

[tarvoke]

really sounding like cable issues.

I had a sort of similar issue with my beloved x61t and luckily reseating the motherboard end of the cable was enough to fix it -
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=115399

still no idea how it happened.

and I know that even though it's a minor and fairly straightforward procedure, it can still be a real pain to motivate yourself to open up the chassis. but well worth a try for a cheap and easy potential fix.

[qviri]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention I've opened it up and reseated the motherboard side. I recall the screen side was trickier and I can't remember if I've actually unplugged it on that end - I might not have, for fear of breaking something delicate (there's tape or a plastic shield around the piece as I recall?).

But that was also why I was thinking it might need a replacement cable. Is the cable itself likely to be the problem, or is it more usually the connections?

[Botticelli]

I had the same problem with IPS on my x220. Unfortunately, at lease in my case, the problem was not the cable. I actually tried to install the panel on another 220, and the problem persisted. The only solution I had (accept for sticking a coin between the screen and the body of the laptop, which worked but was not really practical) was to to replace the panel.