How difficult would it be to swap a backlight?

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thinkpac · #1 Post by **thinkpac** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:10 pm

The backlight on this 15" SXGA+ LCD screen for my T60 that I installed seems to be much worse than the backlight on my other LCD that has a stuck pixel. The two bottom corners are dark on an all white background. And looking at an all black background in the dark, there seems to be a large light patch on the bottom right, and even a dark blue patch in the center. I know light patches are caused by backlight bleed. What about that dark blue patch - would that be a backlight problem or LCD problem?

I wonder if I can't switch the backlights on the 2 LCD screens I have.

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:30 pm

IMO, it is somewhat difficult. If you have smaller hands and can work dexteriously, then maybe ok. I have larger hands, and my attempt was a failure. The backlight in my T42 is a glass tube about the diameter of a #2 pencil lead, about 11" long, and quite fragile. I broke the old one removing it. I had to solder thin wires to leads sticking out of each end of the tube (I broke the wires a couple of times and had to find more wire). The silicone insulator caps got damaged and the replacement caps I got were different and kept the backlight from fitting in the display lid until I trimmed them with a razor blade.

After I got it all together, the backlight still didn't light (and I had already replaced the inverter). I ended up buying a used display lid complete on ebay.

thinkpac · #3 Post by **thinkpac** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 9:01 pm

Are you talking about the bulb? I was thinking about swapping the backlight panel.

#4 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 9:47 pm

Yes, I am talking about the bulb. If the T60 has a backlight panel, then that's news to me. I've never owned a T60, so there could be a difference.

If you are talking about the LCD panel, then that probably is not so difficult, but maybe you should get someone else's advice before deciding to tackle the job. Personally, I would mostly be concerned about the LCD/cable connection, but it might not be that big a deal. Replacing the display lid as I did is the easiest route.

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:48 am

T60 has a bulb, CCFL. No panel there. And replacement is a PITA.

You need an extremely clean room. And lots of luck.

If the machine is still under warranty, send it in. If not, send it to a professional.

My $0.02...and I have replaced backlights in my days...

#6 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:57 am

Here are instructions on how to do it: http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccflinstallation.html
The CCFL itself only costs $9.99 + shipping: http://www.lcdparts.net/ccflDetail.aspx ... NOVOIBM15R

If you search further, you'll find that you can send in just your LCD for them to replace the CCFL for $75.-
http://www.moniserv.com/lcdpartsnet/panelnet.htm
(or send in the whole laptop, which costs more).

lcdparts and moniserv are the same company.

#7 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:13 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:Here are instructions on how to do it: http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccflinstallation.html
The CCFL itself only costs $9.99 + shipping: http://www.lcdparts.net/ccflDetail.aspx ... NOVOIBM15R

That's what I did, using parts bought from them. The biggest problem was that the silicone insulators were different than original and caused me a big headache.

#8 Post by **charles.atcher** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:15 pm

I've done it on a T43. I didn't find it difficult, more tedious than anything.

A clean work environment is a must, and patience. I reused the existing wire and insulators
from the old light.

#9 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:48 pm

I have done several T23s, T30s, R52s (all 14"), and a 15" R51, all in all I think about 15 in total.
I have another 4 or 5 sitting here waiting for a rainy day.
The 15" was the easiest, 20 minutes in and out (IDTech SXGA+).
The 14" Hitachi screens give me the most pain with about an hour.
The 14" Samsung screens take me about 35-40 minutes.
I've always used the old wiring and insulators.
Never broke a tube, and goofed only once (LCD was 'bleeding' afterwards, had to redo it).

It's definitely not my favorite job, but this DIY has saved me a bundle!

bhtooefr · #10 Post by **bhtooefr** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:26 am

Just buy a $59 QXGA refurb panel. You'll get a massive screen upgrade, and you'll get what I suspect is a new backlight.

Radioguy · #11 Post by **Radioguy** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:45 pm

bhtooefr wrote:Just buy a $59 QXGA refurb panel. You'll get a massive screen upgrade, and you'll get what I suspect is a new backlight.

But is it bright?

bhtooefr · #12 Post by **bhtooefr** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:51 pm

150 nits is what the QXGA panels are rated at. So, not as bright as your LG (which, AFAICT, is 200 nits.)

Radioguy · #13 Post by **Radioguy** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:14 pm

Not for me, then.

bhtooefr · #14 Post by **bhtooefr** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:30 pm

In your case, the bigger problem would be that it wouldn't fit in a 15.4" chassis, only a 15.0" chassis.

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