T20 Backlight / LCD Issues

[erikill]

I have an older T20 which a few months ago started making a sizzling noise from around the area of the inverter board and made wierd colors (red / blue) all around the screen. Eventually it completely gave out, and I ordered a new inverter board. It worked for about 1 week then the same stuff happened and it died out. I ordered a 2nd replacement and nothing happened (from ebay) and then ordered a 3rd repalcement and nothing happened. The inverter gets VERY hot but doesn't make any sizzling noise. I am at wits end here since I can't keep ordering inverters in the hopes they work. I am open to any suggestions - worst case scenario is I will part it out and just buy a used T40

[ninjapirate350]

Were you ordering used or new inverters?

Did the replacement inverter get as hot as your original?

I've noticed that my inverter gets extremely hot as well but it doesn't impact quality of the LCD. I'm kind of worried that it's going to fry out one day soon and I'll have to replace it.

[Highwayman]

Were you ordering used or new inverters?

Did the replacement inverter get as hot as your original?

I've noticed that my inverter gets extremely hot as well but it doesn't impact quality of the LCD. I'm kind of worried that it's going to fry out one day soon and I'll have to replace it.

I replaced the inverter on my T20 recently. I got a brand new one for $10 on E-Bay. Pull your inverter and get the IBM fru # and match it up with inverters being sold.

[erikill]

Were you ordering used or new inverters?

Did the replacement inverter get as hot as your original?

I've noticed that my inverter gets extremely hot as well but it doesn't impact quality of the LCD. I'm kind of worried that it's going to fry out one day soon and I'll have to replace it.

I ordered used inverters which were "in good working condition"
the replacements did but now I get nothing.

Yea the heat issue def bothers me - doesn't seem right at all!

[erikill]

Is it possible that the LCD ribbon may be bad also? I can see everything on the screen, just can't get the backlight to come on - and all the inv boards i bought make squeeky noises now when i plug them in for about 2 seconds and then nothing.

[djpharoah]

the backlight not coming on means the CCFL cathode is gone. The same thing happened to my LCD on my T20. I found out that you cannot replace the CCFL in the T20 LCD since it was made as one piece to keep the LCD thinner.

The solution was to get an XGA LCD from ebay.

[tfflivemb2]

Actually, you can replace the CCFL in the T20. You can get the CCFL from here, for $9.99, plus $10 shipping. If you loosely follow the instructions in the the 600/770 conference on how to replace the CCFL in a 600, you can get to and replace the CCFL in a T2x.

I removed the CCFL from a T20 that the CCFL died on. Unfortunately, I broke it while removing it, but I wasn't trying to be too careful since it was dead. Replacing it will require soldering skills and careful hands.

I am actually getting ready to remove the CCFL from a Dell 14.1" LCd that was smashed (but has a working CCFL) and put it in the Dead T20 screen, then put the T20 screen into a T23.

[erikill]

How can I be 100% sure its the CCFL that's gone, I am planning on checking the output voltage on the inverter board - is there an output range it should be in? Soldiering doesn't bother me - just time consuming - and I'd like to instead of spending $$ just fix it. Can I upgrade to a SXGA screen while I'm at it? I'd like to have a higher res than 1024x768

[dsigma6]

im getting that sizzle noise too on my R40...but no discoloration on the screen.

is it going to hurt anything if it keeps sizzling? it doesnt do it all the time.