T21, SXGA+ screen problem..

[ScoCul]

A friend asked me to look at her T21 (2647-9BU, PIII 850M, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050)

There is a border of "junk" pixels across the top (ca 1/4" wide) and the left side (ca 1/2" wide). Is the screen shot - what steps should I take to start trying to determine the fix?

TIA
Sc.

[rkawakami]

Possibly. There could be a couple of reasons why you have a bad display:

- LCD panel
- LCD ribbon cable
- motherboard

Before you start taking the system apart, I would recommend that you download a copy of PC Doctor for DOS for the T2x from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4YZM3F (diskettes)

or here:

http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t2x/ibm_t22_pcdiag.iso (CD .ISO image)

Run all of the default Video diagnostics a couple of times. This will check the video graphics controller and memory chips on the motherboard. Assuming that the tests pass, then the next thing to do is to re-seat (remove connector and plug it back in) the LCD ribbon cable on both the motherboard and on the back of the LCD panel. There could be a bad connection. If that doesn't help, then the LCD panel or the LCD ribbon cable could be at fault. The only way of proving that is to install a known working SXGA+ panel and cable. You can download a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the T2x from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4UYM3F

This will help you take apart the system (and put it back together correctly ).

[Harryc]

Assuming that video diagnostics fail, and that your friend has a bad system board, I have a complete T21 base that would make for a very easy swap. See this thread -

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=52834

[flashstar]

Also, lady_fixalot has numerous T23, T22, and T21 bases on Ebay.