X20 Restoration Stage 1

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whizkid · #1 Post by **whizkid** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:55 am

Hello gang,

I bought a used and abused X20 on eBay for what was probably too much money. But it dit come with an X2. I tested the floppy and DVD drive on the X21 I bought recently. (Thanks again, Bruce!)

Anyway, this X20 needs a LOT of TLC. Even though I should probably just sell it, hoping to get close to what I paid, I want to restore it, or at least look into it.

The first thing of note is that there's no backlight. The pixels seem to work in that an image appears in bright light, so I think the panel itself is good.

The HMM tells me to re-seat the cables (which I'll be doing soon), and if that doesn't fix it, replace the LCD assembly. Well, I'd rather replace the inverter, light source or both if need be.

I'd appreciate some help in determining exactly what to replace first. All tips greatly appreciated.

OTOH, if you want an apparently working 12.1" XGA from an X20 (2662-34U), motherboard, keyboard, case or any other parts, make an offer! (I'll hang on to the X2 for a while.)

whizkid · #2 Post by **whizkid** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:49 am

Doesn't anyone have any tips on determining whether the CCFL or the inverter has failed? Voltmeter at a certain key point perhaps?

whizkid · #3 Post by **whizkid** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:20 pm

I've never been this far inside a ThinkPad before. I used the HMM to remove the LCD assembly. I was surprised to find the CCFL inverter not fastened to anything. It's just held in place by pressure from other components.

Anyway, I have the LCD assemly out, but it's pretty scary. To proceed further requires TINY screwdrivers, which I have, but wow are they small. What voltage should I apply to the backlight connector to see if the CCFL works?

Or what voltage should I get at that connector from the inverter? Anyone?

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:30 pm

whizkid wrote:Doesn't anyone have any tips on determining whether the CCFL or the inverter has failed? Voltmeter at a certain key point perhaps?

The inverter will hum faintly if it's working, silent if it's not. The ends of the CCFL will glow faintly if the inverter is working but the backlight is dead.

CAUTION

The output from the inverter is equivalent to the output from a flyback transformer and will light you up like a Xmas tree!

Regards,

James

whizkid · #5 Post by **whizkid** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 7:14 am

Excellent! Thanks James. I put the whole thing back together to keep from losing parts and to see if reseating everything would help. No luck.

My next step is to make some short leads and hook them up to my voltmeter and check the output of the inverter. Accessing that point looks much easier than even exposing the CCFL. I spent about 20 minutes trying to remove the frame around the LCD panel before I gave up. It's obviously something that's not planned to be replaced.

whizkid · #6 Post by **whizkid** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:15 pm

Note that I am an electrical engineer by training, so I'm well aware of how dangerous electricity can be, as well as how to be safe.

I tested the inverter today and got bupkiss from it. So I'm shopping for a new one. Anyone got a spare 08K3222 or 08K3356 sitting around?

Riddil · #7 Post by **Riddil** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:05 pm

There's really not much you *can* do.

First, check to ensure the cables really are connected OK, and are in good repair. (eg, no cracking, connectors able to make a clean connection, etc).

Second take a look at the inverter. (Be careful, high voltage, etc etc) Pull it out and give it a close examination... check for any scorching or cracked solder. (Odds are it's fine, if the system is stressed enough for the inverter to blow, typically something else on the system would go first).

However, if you still get a picture on the LCD, just no illumination of the image, then there's a 99% chance that.....

Third, and where my money lies, is that the backlight is fried. Unfortunately this is assembled inside the LCD assembly and it's not even possible to replace the backlight. Those parts are supplied only as manufacturing stock to the LCD mfg'ers. Besides, getting that deep into an LCD would be problematic, since if it's not assembled perfectly you'd get discoloration & dust in the assembly.

Replacing the LCD isn't so hard. Just follow the HMM instructions linked off of the "online publications" list on ibm.com, and you're good to go.

The sad part is buying a replacement LCD will probably cost you more than you paid for the system on ebay. Those suckers ain't cheap.

whizkid · #8 Post by **whizkid** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:10 pm

I bought an inverter from eBay. I got it yesterday and installed it, and put the machine back together enough to power it up. I held my breath as I pressed the power button and the screen lit!

It's a BEAUTIFUL screen, with only a couple small ink lines from a pen. I'll try alcohol on them, because I know the screen can handle that. Then a good scrub (not really) of the case to get of the sticker residue, grime and smudges and stage 1 will be complete.

Stage 2 is to collect enough parts to complete the system and make it useable, and that has already begun.

whizkid · #9 Post by **whizkid** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 10:13 am

It turns out that my wife thinks the 12.1" screen on the X20 is too small.

I think the machine is too old and slow to hang on to.

So that means this X20 is for sale. I've tested nearly everything in it, and it all works. If interested, see my post in the for sale section.

X20 Restoration Stage 1

X20 Restoration Stage 1

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