Z61m LCD Screen Shows Colored Vertical Lines (Pic)

[mcparente]

I have a Z61m a little over a year old. For the past month, I have experienced an intermittent LCD screen problem. The bottom 3/4 of the screen would show many vertical lines that cover the entire screen (see screenshot below). The computer however works 100% fine, and remote desktop and external monitor works fine. I did a PC Doctor diagnostic video test and everything is fine.

After the first time it happened, I left the computer running with the lid closed, and it worked fine after a day. The screen showed fine for the next few weeks. Then it happened again last week; however, when I closed and re-opened the lid, it worked fine again. The 3rd time it happened, the screen would restore after I moved the lid down and up a few inches. Now the screen stays the same no matter how much I move the lid or restart the computer.

What do you think the problem is? What would be the cheapest way to fix this (I would not be comfortable doing this myself). Also, my warranty has expired; however, I think I would be still be able to puchase a warranty upgrade.



MOD EDIT: Picture warning added.

[PiZzA EnGiNeEr]

Most likely it's the LCD panel itself that is defective and would have to be replaced. I'd check the hardware maintenance manual for a part number and see how much a replacement bare panel would cost

[KristianJ]

I sold a Z60m with a similar issue to forum user rek, who took apart the LCD to try and diagnose the issue (since I'd never had the time to do so). Based on the PM he sent to me, he saw that the problem came and went when the panel itself was flexed. So you'll almost certainly need to invest in a new panel.

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

I suggest that you contact the forum member jamiphar who does all types of ThinkPad repairs, and is a very trustworthy and capable young man with experience in all types of LCD-related issues...

This does sound like a bad LCD, but could also be a case od video adapter gone nuts. What's your 7-character model number?

[mcparente]

There is no effect when flexing the screen. When it happened the last time, I found that if I moved the lid down after a certain point, the problem appeared; however, if I raised the lid back up again right after, the problem went away. The product number is 9450-CTO.

[ajkula66]

Another possible culprit being the video cable, from your description...and now I'm going to say that it's unlikely to be the video adapter, after reading your latest post.

[rek]

Yep, with the 15.4" Z60m I bought from Kristian, I found that the problem was when the LCD panel itself was flexed from side to side. The LCD cable, connectors, etc. didn't have any bearing on the screen corruption, whether they were loose, secure, flexed around, etc..

There are a few differences to our screen issues, though. With this panel, only the first third of the screen shows a problem: that portion of the screen freezes and then appears to "fade to white". Pressing certain parts of the screen bezel made it go away.

My guess as to how my particular problem (and possibly yours?) comes about, is that each time the laptop is opened and closed, the panel flexes a little (due to the wideness of the LCD assembly) and eventually something inside starts to fray and causes an intermittent connection. It's a shame, these LG-Philips WSXGA+ panels are the best quality TN screen I've ever seen!

Does your Z have a Titanium screen cover? This Z60m doesn't, and it has a lot more screen flex than a Titanium-covered Z61m I used to own.

Fortunately in the case of the Z60, after re-assembling the LCD/bezel assembly with the screws tighter than normal, the problem is now quite rare, to the point where the only way to make it appear is to actively fidget with the bezel.

[mcparente]

Yes, it has a titanium cover. I tried pressing harder on the panel today with my thumb, and the screen restores momentarily while I press on it. When I let go, the problem reappears.