Replacing Flexview in T42p are all models/cables compatible?

[Utwig]

The backlight in my monitor has gone out. I've found a Sharp panel LQ150U1LH21 at a good price online (slightly more than baclight+inverter).

Questions: Are all Flexviews interchangeable with each other - is the cable the same?
Will Sharp LQ150U1LH21 fit in T42p?
If the inverter is still bad, will I probably have to replace inverter as well - due to symptoms (reddish tint that goes away after some time after powering on) I'm strongly suspecting the backlight and not inverter.

[Raceboy]

Sharp LQ150U1LH21 is not IPS panel, it is regular TN and you will be disappointed when you pop it in and turn on your T42p.

Your inverter is 99,99% just fine and you need just a backlight. Of course you can buy new UXGA FlexView panel also from ebay, it was 135usd + around 40 shipping to Europe, but if your current panel is OK other than failing backlight, you are much better off by just chaning it or having the work done by someone.

[ajkula66]

Also, you have an excellent chance of blowing a fuse or two with a non-ThinkPad screen...

[Utwig]

So the consensus is to either get a new lamp or buy new IDTech flexview screen. I will not get non-flexview since it was the main reason for keeping the T42p around for so long. I think only the optical drive and screen are original, motherboard, BT, wireless, HDD have all been replaced.

Where would you recommend ordering the lamp from?
Are there LED kits yet?

[ajkula66]

I doubt that you can locate a brand new ID Tech, but you should be able to find a Hydis one...

Good luck.

[Binh]

Here is a German guy selling his T43p UXGA screen for very cheap

[Norway Pad]

George: Just so I get you right here when you mention Hydis vs. ID-Tech in a T42: A panel from a newer Thinkpad can be installed in an older one?

I am asking this because I have a leftover SXGA+ from a T60 that (If it survives a DIY CCFL change) can theoretically be used to upgrade my 15" T42 XGA. I am aware of the difference in method for determining the resolution (Cable vs. EDID chip) so I assumed this was impossible. Or at least that it's only compatible one way, but not the other. The cable and inverter probably needs to be changed, but that's a minor issue if the swap works in theory.

[Raceboy]

Yes, you can use T60 panel on T4x but not the other way.

[Norway Pad]

Ok, that was the way I hoped it was.

Do you happen to know what cable and inverter I need to use? Or if I need to change these at all? The T42 panel is currently a XGA.

[Raceboy]

AFAIK you can use T4x cable and inverter but you have to modify the cable ("jumpers") so that LCD will be detected as SXGA+.

[Norway Pad]

Ok, so you can modify the cable? I won't be investigating this any further right now, since I am not sure I will be able to repair the SXGA panel, and that this transplant will happen at all.

Is it ok that I PM you to get further instructions at a later point?

[Raceboy]

Of course it is OK, no problem. I can send you link from this forum, settings for different resolutions have been posted here before, in pianowizards QXGA conversion topic IIRC.
For example, I modified SXGA cable to UXGA 15" cable when I accidentally torned it.