LCD dying on X60 - looks bizarre.

[andrea b.]

I left my X60 (non-tablet) for a 15 minute break, and returned to find the images on screen a bizarre, shredded-looking mass - double images, a piece 'torn' out of the graphics, strange blurs. Rebooting changed nothing. The cursor is visible and works fine.

I'm trying to find the dates of my warranty...I have a feeling I'm out of luck there.

Any thoughts on what's the matter?

What other info would you experts need to know - I'm a tyro.

Thanks!

andrea

[lead_org]

can you take a picture and post a link to this board?

Also, does this problem occur in the initial boot up of the laptop? i.e. in the bios menu.

[andrea b.]

The problem is omnipresent - bootup, etc. I tried going into bios - but the screen (whether bios or otherwise) is pretty much un-navigable. The appearance is a mix of horizontal and vertical lines (the top inch or two of screen is ok), with a weird irregular 'rip' in the background - much like a ripped piece of paper.

Examining the lid - there is a nick on the left hand inner edge. Can't recall an injury of any kind, but one often doesn't.

I'd considered finding a cable to try a hook up to an external monitor (laptop 2) but I haven't a cable at present.

I'll see about taking a picture, but - not sure I understand the link part (pardon my knowing nothing!). I have nowhere to link you *to* that I know of...?

And thanks, by the way.

[IvanAndreevich]

The problem is omnipresent - bootup, etc. I tried going into bios - but the screen (whether bios or otherwise) is pretty much un-navigable. The appearance is a mix of horizontal and vertical lines (the top inch or two of screen is ok), with a weird irregular 'rip' in the background - much like a ripped piece of paper.

Examining the lid - there is a nick on the left hand inner edge. Can't recall an injury of any kind, but one often doesn't.

I'd considered finding a cable to try a hook up to an external monitor (laptop 2) but I haven't a cable at present.

I'll see about taking a picture, but - not sure I understand the link part (pardon my knowing nothing!). I have nowhere to link you *to* that I know of...?

And thanks, by the way.

I'll ask the obvious question. Did you try it with an external monitor? If it's OK, something's wrong with the LCD. If not, the machine will probably need a new system board.

[andrea b.]

My plan is to scrounge a cable tomorrow and test the thing with an external monitor. Thanks for the guidance!

[billp117]

It sounds like someone dropped your X60...drat!!!!

If you can't find a forum member that will sell you an LCD...perhaps you will be interested in this entire lid and lcd assembly. Although you can replace the lcd...replacing the entire lid assembly could me much easier. As mentioned before...test to see that plugging into a monitor gives you a good picture.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Genuine-IBM-ThinkPa ... 41543753c6

Or, a simple eBay search will yield brand new lcd's for less than $100...but a little more work to replace. Not impossible if you take your time. Download the service manual from lenovo. Aslo it would be a good time to check for cracks in the lcd bezel and case...a little crazy glue can fix it. Make sure you use just a little micro-dab.

[andrea b.]

It sounds like someone dropped your X60...drat!!!!

If you can't find a forum member that will sell you an LCD...perhaps you will be interested in this entire lid and lcd assembly. Although you can replace the lcd...replacing the entire lid assembly could me much easier. As mentioned before...test to see that plugging into a monitor gives you a good picture.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Genuine-IBM-ThinkPa ... 41543753c6

Or, a simple eBay search will yield brand new lcd's for less than $100...but a little more work to replace. Not impossible if you take your time. Download the service manual from lenovo. Aslo it would be a good time to check for cracks in the lcd bezel and case...a little crazy glue can fix it. Make sure you use just a little micro-dab.

It's pretty clear I injured the lid somehow - but I can't recall any drops or klonks. And - as much as I love DIY - I have absolutely no time to figure this out! I really need to have the thing serviced. Arrgggh. Happy new year!

[billp117]

It is almost not worth servicing. Perhaps you would be interested in a nice X100 or X60. They are priced very nice these days.

Sell the X60 on the forum...that way you are back in action. If you get a good used X60 you can just swap the HD are you are back in business.

[andrea b.]

It is almost not worth servicing. Perhaps you would be interested in a nice X100 or X60. They are priced very nice these days.

Sell the X60 on the forum...that way you are back in action. If you get a good used X60 you can just swap the HD are you are back in business.

I agree. Looking at the dark screen now - the unit is turned off - it's evident that the LCD is completely - frakked up! Weird discolored shadows. No point in diagnostics.

[billp117]

Put a WTB on the forum...also do some shopping on eBay. You may find a nice deal that meets your needs. Also, check CL in your local area as that is how I found mine. You have not listed your US city and state name so I can't help you.

Good luck...

[andrea b.]

Put a WTB on the forum...also do some shopping on eBay. You may find a nice deal that meets your needs. Also, check CL in your local area as that is how I found mine. You have not listed your US city and state name so I can't help you.

Good luck...

I'm in New York, N.Y. (which may be why I know so little about ... everything!).

I know WTB, but ... what's CL?

I'm pretty good at taking things apart and putting them back together (except for that one screw that's always left over). But I don't have time to research / figure out / tinker etc. Seems such a simple wish - that someone who knows how to fix the thing could...fix it! For a reasonable fee that won't break my small budget. Any further suggestions are very welcome - and thanks again!

[billp117]

CL is Craigslist. http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/sys/2135137014.html

Can't get any more easy!!!! Also, you can make an offer which is normal on CL. You snooze you Looze.

Or, you can contact the Forum member BRAD in Long Island...he is very reliable.

[IvanAndreevich]

Oh, if you can see crap when the computer is off then you broke your LCD fair and square. Besides, it would be very unusual for the integrated graphics to fail on one of these.

Sell your screen less X60 to someone who needs a motherboard, and buy a new one for around $200 they go for on eBay right now. Better yet, get an X60s - my most favorite machine of all time

[Harryc]

Here's what I would get were I in your shoes...and I'd keep the old machine for spare parts, swapping the old hard drive into the new machine. I highly recommend this seller having done much business with them before. I have no direct affiliation with them. Unless you're willing to roll up your sleeves and get out the tools, this is the second best option over LCD replacement. X60's are very cheap these days on the used equipment markets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/X60-Ultramobile-Lap ... 4aa5c9face

[andrea b.]

CL is Craigslist. http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/sys/2135137014.html

Can't get any more easy!!!! Also, you can make an offer which is normal on CL. You snooze you Looze.

Or, you can contact the Forum member BRAD in Long Island...he is very reliable.

This is the plan, all right. I've got the HD out and am now looking. Thanks so much for the info and ... support.

[billp117]

Let us know how it all turns out...

[andrea b.]

Let us know how it all turns out...

Will do! Thanks for the guidance - it helped me think more clearly about my options, for sure!

[andrea b.]

Let us know how it all turns out...

Well, since you *asked*...it seems to have turned out well! Firstly - Lenovo has said they will do a repair - because the nice rep who arranged the purchase miscommunicated the end date of the warranty. Lenovo does generally hold up their end of the bargain, service-wise - but I still haven't gotten a sense of how this will work.

Secondly, I took you up, Bill, on checking out the eBay sale, and bought an X60 from tech.exchange. It arrived today - a 1707. With extra peripherals I hadn't expected - ultrabay, external optical drive...two adapters....I was pretty happy, unpacking! The battery seems to hold out for about 2 1/2 hours (with wordprocessing / browsing, / music playback) - at least today. I'm still checking out the machine - it seems to be in very good shape... but runs a little *hot*. There's definitely a 'burny' smell from the fan. I don't really know what that means...what should I check out here? I will try to contact the seller.

At this price, if it lasts a year, I guess I should be thrilled. (but of course, if it lasts three...)

And I did contact Brad about repairs; while I may not need to use his services for the X60 screen- I've now got three ThinkPads outta warranty - so it's great to have his coordinates.

Thanks, TPad.com people!

Andrea

[andrea b.]

Here's what I would get were I in your shoes...and I'd keep the old machine for spare parts, swapping the old hard drive into the new machine. I highly recommend this seller having done much business with them before. I have no direct affiliation with them. Unless you're willing to roll up your sleeves and get out the tools, this is the second best option over LCD replacement. X60's are very cheap these days on the used equipment markets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/X60-Ultramobile-Lap ... 4aa5c9face

Harryc -

Thanks for this lead! Followed up, and ... my 1707 arrived today. Great price! The machine seems to be in very good shape but for one thing - a singed smell coming from the fan. (I've contacted the seller.)

So thanks again! This board is great - especially for those of us who ... don't know much.

--Andrea

[Harryc]

The machine seems to be in very good shape but for one thing - a singed smell coming from the fan. (I've contacted the seller.)

They'll probably ask you to ship the whole kit back to them and they'll ship you another. Like I said....good seller.

[andrea b.]

[/quote]They'll probably ask you to ship the whole kit back to them and they'll ship you another. Like I said....good seller.[/quote]

Once I corrected the power settings to max battery, the system began to run a bit cooler, and the smell from the fan is now very faint. There *is* that 'hot right palmrest' issue - which I didn't have on my 1709 - perhaps they'd corrected it by the time the 1709 came out? This is a 1707.

Two more dumb questions?
1) Does it make sense to update Thinkvantage if things are 'good as they are'? (no critical updates, only 'recommended' ones - bios, hotkeys, modem adapter, power mangement etc.)

2) The screen brightness seems a tad duller than that of my 1709.

Ok, that's it! I don't want to exploit your good nature - you've been really helpful.

-- Andrea

[Harryc]

1.) My view on upgrades is do them if security is involved, or if there is a function you need, or to fix an issue, otherwise don't bother.
2.) Make sure that the LCD brightness is set to max in BIOS. It's an option in the configuration section. F1 on boot to get into BIOS.

[IvanAndreevich]

1.) My view on upgrades is do them if security is involved, or if there is a function you need, or to fix an issue, otherwise don't bother.
2.) Make sure that the LCD brightness is set to max in BIOS. It's an option in the configuration section. F1 on boot to get into BIOS.

What does that setting do in the BIOS exactly?

[Harryc]

It ensures that the LCD is always at it's brightest setting even if you are on battery. In other words it does not dim due to power management settings. Since the OP said "corrected the power settings to max battery", it makes sense that if they also desire max LCD brightness then this BIOS setting should be looked at/changed. It's one of those you can't have your cake and eat it too situations ... either you want max power savings on battery and a dimmer LCD or not.

[andrea b.]

What improved my 'dullness' problem, though - I hope - was tweaking the Graphics settings (color correction - gamma, brightness, contrast). (Whatever gamma is!) I left my BIOS at normal. I'd been afraid the lamp was maybe going...it's a used laptop, it has a right to a few crotchets.