Dim/Yellowed T60 Screen?

[LexLocatelli]

I recently acquired a fairly clean T60 example, with one issue: At max brightness, the screen is dimmer than I think it should be, and also has a pretty bad yellow tint.

Is this a backlight issue, or an issue with the display itself? Will I need an entire display assembly, or can I just replace the backlight?

Here is a picture comparing it to another machine, both have 1400x1050 displays:

[atagunov]

Hi I understand replacing the backlight (CCFL tube I guess) is possible but is a rather delicate procedure. You'll be ripping some of the screen panel apart to do it. Some people have done this. My guess is this is backlight. What screen resolution have you got? There was a seller of 1600x1200 panels on AliExpress and they came bellow $100 I think inclusive of delivery.

[LexLocatelli]

Hi I understand replacing the backlight (CCFL tube I guess) is possible but is a rather delicate procedure. You'll be ripping some of the screen panel apart to do it. Some people have done this. My guess is this is backlight. What screen resolution have you got? There was a seller of 1600x1200 panels on AliExpress and they came bellow $100 I think inclusive of delivery.

It's a 14 inch 1400x1050 screen, but if I can get a 14 inch 1600x1200 panel that will work, I'd certainly try! I'll also look into replacing the backlight and see how involved it is. I also have some T61ps coming in with different issues, I might just steal a screen from one of the worse machines and add it to this one!

[dr_st]

How bad is it really when not viewed in direct comparison?

Personally, I've learned to accept lower brightness and some yellowing of aged CCFL screens. As long as the screen is otherwise fine, and the brightness is sufficient for comfortable work - I wouldn't bother doing anything.

[LexLocatelli]

How bad is it really when not viewed in direct comparison?

Personally, I've learned to accept lower brightness and some yellowing of aged CCFL screens. As long as the screen is otherwise fine, and the brightness is sufficient for comfortable work - I wouldn't bother doing anything.

It's absolutely usable, considering the cost of a new screen or difficulty of replacing the backlight itself, I might agree with you and just use it as is. I'll only swap it if I get a dead T60 with an otherwise working screen, for now.

[atagunov]

It's a 14 inch 1400x1050 screen, but if I can get a 14 inch 1600x1200 panel that will work, I'd certainly try!

I've got a 15" T60 with 1400x1050. Sadly the panel is too dim to be comfortably usable even indoors, but the resolution was fine in my view. In fact going to higher resolution might not go down that well with my eyes. Yours is 14" so your pixels are even smaller. If the brightness is okay-ish maybe indeed you can leave the panel be. The 1600x1200 screens I was referring to exist in 15" btw as far as I know, not in 14".

P.S. that screen of mine is yellowish too, but that is not my issue with it, it's the severe lack of brightness.

[mikemex]

Hi I understand replacing the backlight (CCFL tube I guess) is possible but is a rather delicate procedure.

I did it for an old lady neighbor, who isn't in the best financial situation to buy something newer. And because I already had a bunch of CCFL tubes I collected from cracked screens. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother (sourcing them at this point is difficult and expensive, and there is a big chance that they'll get damaged if not packed super-well).

It's quite a delicate procedure indeed. Not overly complicated but everything is fragile. You just unseal / unscrew the aluminum cage, take the old tube out, put the new tube in and back it goes. But here is a tip: if you're doing it at home, you better do it in the shower. Normally, the bathroom is the most dust-free space in the entire house and you really want to avoid contaminating anything. If even a small speck of dust enters the layered materials you'll certainly notice it in use.

Bottom line: I wouldn't bother at this point but it's not rocket science and entirely possible if you really want to.

P. S. CCFL contain mercury, which is poisonous.

[RealBlackStuff]

Old info, but still valid: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=88991

[natumbri]

I had the same problem with a 15" T60. I bit the bullet and replaced the backlight, but I stuck in a LED strip instead of a CCFL. I didn't have too much trouble doing this using cheap bits from AliExpress: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=131315#p859632

Brightness is good now.

[Ibm1024]

Hi,

If you don't mind a lower resolution, you can pick up 1024x768 screens on eBay for really cheap.

[mikemex]

Some people have done this.

I've only done it once (years ago for my neighbor who couldn't afford to buy a new laptop at the time). It's not complicated, but parts are so delicate that many things can go wrong. But if you're super careful, I don't see why it can't be accomplished.

I wouldn't bother, though. I think you can still get replacement panels.