Trying to deside on what to do about a dim T21 LCD...

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SaberX · #1 Post by **SaberX** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:43 pm

The T21 i just picked up has a dim lcd.It's like you set the brightness to the lowest setting.
I'm trying to figger out the best way to get a nice bright lcd.

1> get a new backlight and get someone to install it.
A few sellers on e-bay i asked for shipping to Canada said $13.00 for light and $30.00 for shipping to canada.So just over 40.00 to get it here. Then i friend of mine said he can install the light for $30.00.
So this option will be about 70.00 give or take a few bux.
And the screen in it now has a few hot spots.

2>Look for a replacement lcd panel.Love to get the SVGA+.
SVGA+ is about 80.00 to 100.00 on e-bay shipped.
XGA is about 50.00 shipped.
Then i'm takeing a chance on how good the lcd is,how bright the light is,any hot spots.ect.

I'm sort of leaning on getting the replacement lcd panel.
But i dont want to spend alot on this T21.It's only worth little ofer 100.00 in all.

Website · #2 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:37 pm

This is a tough choice, but one thing to keep in mind...if you order an LCD and it doesn't work, you might be able to get an exchange or refund. If the bulb arrives and it breaks, you have to spend another $43 to get one shipped...

SaberX · #3 Post by **SaberX** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:50 pm

Ya i dont want to spend alot on this laptop.I would say i'll just keep my eye out for a cheap BUT good lcd panel for it.

This brings me to another question,what other Thinkpads that use the same 14.1" XGA panel. I think i read befor the 390X does.
What about the T4x laptops,would they use the same panel?

I'm in the middle now of looking up the FRU #'s for the T2x 14.1" XGA's.And seeing if that FRU #'s match up with any newer thinkpads.
I'm looking in the HMM for T2x systems and on page 158 for 14.1" XGA it has a bunch of diffrent panels there.Some are marked as light weight.What is the better FRU to look for?

Website · #4 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:34 pm

390X - yes
T40/T30s - no...

The i1400 series uses an LCD that seems to work as well...atleast it did for me...

Robbyrobot · #5 Post by **Robbyrobot** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:07 am

A few sellers on e-bay i asked for shipping to Canada said $13.00 for light and $30.00 for shipping to canada.

You know, for that kind of money ($30) you can ship a whole computer. Although I also think your best bet is to buy a whole new display (less hassle), I think I'd do an intensive search for Canadian suppliers for the CCFL backlight. Or at least suppliers who don't charge such exorbitant shipping.

joester · #6 Post by **joester** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:25 am

I would suggest getting a whole new LCD, then try repairing the CCFL's on your own and at your lesiure. Having a "spare" wouldn't hurt, and you could always sell it afterwards.

I have changed CCFL's in desktop LCD's, and it's not to tough.

Just remember that the tubes don't bend.

Joe

dogma420 · #7 Post by **dogma420** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:08 pm

how dim is it?

Is it like it's on, and someone pressed function-dimmer until it doesn't get any lower, or is the light completely out and you can barely see the screen?

If its the 2nd one let me know, it is probably not the lcd that is broken.

iamdmc · #8 Post by **iamdmc** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:13 am

I just happen to be selling an XGA T23 screen that should fit your model. email me at dcotfas@ualberta.ca and I'll give you a good deal on it. Shipping will be about $15, packaged properly and insured.

SaberX · #9 Post by **SaberX** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:26 am

dogma420 wrote:how dim is it?

Is it like it's on, and someone pressed function-dimmer until it doesn't get any lower, or is the light completely out and you can barely see the screen?

If its the 2nd one let me know, it is probably not the lcd that is broken.

It's not realy bad.
You can see and use the system no problem.It's like if you turn down the brightness useing the "FN" key.Sort of like the lower end of the brightness scale....
Even on the lowest setting for brightness , you can still see the screen no problem.
It's like it's set to Max Battery proformance setting..

SaberX · #10 Post by **SaberX** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:29 am

I just got a e-mail back from thease guys...
http://www.lcdparts.net/ccfl.aspx
Anyone get a back light from them befor?
They have the new backlight for $9.99 and said $15.00 for shipping to Canada.
This is not to bad....about $25.00 for a new light shipped.

Website · #11 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:13 pm

SaberX wrote:I just got a e-mail back from thease guys...
http://www.lcdparts.net/ccfl.aspx
Anyone get a back light from them befor?
They have the new backlight for $9.99 and said $15.00 for shipping to Canada.
This is not to bad....about $25.00 for a new light shipped.

That's only $5 extra. They are the primary source for LCD parts...

dogma420 · #12 Post by **dogma420** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:55 pm

I wonder if it's at all possible to convert the backlight to a LED backlight, like on the newest notebooks.

That would be great, since the backlight on our Thinkpads is the #1 eater of battery juice!

Everyone take care,

Kaervak · #13 Post by **Kaervak** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:58 pm

SaberX wrote:I just got a e-mail back from thease guys...
http://www.lcdparts.net/ccfl.aspx
Anyone get a back light from them befor?
They have the new backlight for $9.99 and said $15.00 for shipping to Canada.
This is not to bad....about $25.00 for a new light shipped.

I bought a couple backlights from them for my T23's last month. Pretty quick shipping(I'm in the states, shipping time may be different for you) and the bulbs were very well packaged and friggin bright.

As far as actually changing the bulb yourself, it's not easy but it's not hard either. The biggest advice I can give you is, be patient. Don't rush taking apart the panel. Do it somewhere that's as dust free as possible. No ceiling fan or A/C running, close the windows, keep air movement to a minimum. It is absurdly easy for dust to get between the panel and diffusion layers. When I was handling the new bulb I put on nitrite gloves to keep skin oils from getting on the new bulb and possibly causing weird distortions with it. After you get the new bulb soldered in, test it before re-assembling the entire panel.

wireman · #14 Post by **wireman** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:32 am

It would be worth trying to scavenge any recycling centres for dumped LCD screens. My other Laptop, a 3 year old acer travelmate, recently packed in its backlight but I got 2 replacement ones from a dumped HP 15'' LCD screen in the local Weee centre.

Replacing the backlight was tricky though and be careful to check it for leaking light out of the sides before putting it fully back together. Buy some white electrical tape for the job rather than black as it reflects better if you decide to go this route over replaing the screen fully.

Website · #15 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:17 pm

I decided to give this a shot on my X20 that the CCFL died on.

We'll see what happens after the CCFL arrives...

tom_k · #16 Post by **tom_k** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:33 pm

tfflivemb2 wrote:I decided to give this a shot on my X20 that the CCFL died on.

We'll see what happens after the CCFL arrives...

I did that about 2 years ago on an X20 xga panel,
it was a cakewalk because i could pull the tube out
including the cable to the other end.

Most panels i know have the cable outside so you need to disassemble them up to a certain point

Unfortunately i dont know whether different x20 xga panels exist, so your mileage may vary.

Much success!

Website · #17 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:18 pm

tom_k wrote:I did that about 2 years ago on an X20 xga panel,
it was a cakewalk because i could pull the tube out
including the cable to the other end.

Well, thats encouraging...

Website · #18 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:50 pm

OK, update on my X20...I was able to succesfully replace the CCFL in the X20. It was MUCH easier to change than the ones that I broke in a 600E and T20!!!

I was going to take pics, but I was worried that it wasn't going to work....drats!

For the record, I am putting this here instead of in the X conference, because I wanted it to be beneficial to the OP. Then again, I might create a thread in the X conference anyway, just to help anyone there, too...

clickpoint · #19 Post by **clickpoint** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:03 pm

tfflivemb2 wrote:OK, update on my X20...I was able to succesfully replace the CCFL in the X20. It was MUCH easier to change than the ones that I broke in a 600E and T20!!!

I was going to take pics, but I was worried that it wasn't going to work....drats!

For the record, I am putting this here instead of in the X conference, because I wanted it to be beneficial to the OP. Then again, I might create a thread in the X conference anyway, just to help anyone there, too...

please do... I have a x20 that needs a new ccfl... have been debating on selling it or fixing it myself!

Trying to deside on what to do about a dim T21 LCD...

Trying to deside on what to do about a dim T21 LCD...

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