Backlight/LCD/cable/inverter replacement on a T21?

[ragefury32]

Folks:

I am running into an issue with a Thinkpad T21 (2647-5BU) where the LCD will have a pink/mauve screen, and if I press down on the region where the LCD connects to the motherboard, the pink will disappear and be replaced by complete darkness. It will previously boot up with a pink hue, then the LCD will look fine afterwards. External VGA display shows no issues (so the GPU is fine).

Anything I should check first before I order parts to repair/replace? I am suspecting a worn backlight on the panel (46L2493/95?), then maybe a bad octopus cable (27L0590) then perhaps a bad inverter (10L1402). Has anyone replaced a backlight/CCFL on the panels in question?

[onespeedbiker]

When you say "if I press down on the region where the LCD connects to the motherboard" do you mean pressing on the wire harness where it plugs into the motherboard? If so it's likely an issue with the wiring harness.

[RealBlackStuff]

Nah, "pink booting" is a sure sign of a dying CCFL.
Some people have managed to replace a T2x CCFL, but more often than not it failed.
Best thing would be to replace the LCD.

[kyletv05]

Nah, "pink booting" is a sure sign of a dying CCFL.
Some people have managed to replace a T2x CCFL, but more often than not it failed.
Best thing would be to replace the LCD.

Sort of off-topic, but do you know if it's possible to replace an 14.1" XGA LCD panel/cable in a T21 with an SXGA+ one? The cables are different but will the LCD panel fit and the LVDS cable connect properly on the motherboard? I already tried putting the LP141E2-A1M1 panel in, it doesn't work (inverter cable is too long). I'm going to try the LP141E2-A1.

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes, you can.
And if any cable is too long, just fold it.
Both XGA and SXGA+ use the same inverter.

[kyletv05]

Yes, you can.
And if any cable is too long, just fold it.
Both XGA and SXGA+ use the same inverter.

Do you know if the SXGA+ panels use a longer inverter cable? (the pink and white connectors). They shouldn't because they are both 14 inch panels.

[RealBlackStuff]

Like I said before:

Both XGA and SXGA+ use the same inverter.

[kyletv05]

Like I said before:

Both XGA and SXGA+ use the same inverter.

I know, but there's a connector that comes out of the LCD (a pink and white cable), and you can't remove it from the LCD. On an SXGA+ panel I tried to install, the cable is much longer than the XGA and doesn't fit properly. As far as I know, it's impossible to remove this cable.

[RealBlackStuff]

The LCD pink/white cable can only be put in in one way, but it's length is totally irrelevant.
Just fold/bend it any which way, as long as everything can fit in the lid. without pressure on any wire(s).
Where it goes has no influence whatsoever, assuming it's a functioning LCD.

[ragefury32]

Nah, "pink booting" is a sure sign of a dying CCFL.
Some people have managed to replace a T2x CCFL, but more often than not it failed.
Best thing would be to replace the LCD.

Yeah, I figured as much - the CCFL replacement requires an LCD disassembly that is frankly, risky and not easy to pull off. The LCD is still pink until it warms up, but until it dies completely I don't plan to replace it.

Turns out the original "If I press on this the screen goes black" was me forgetting to put the screw on the wiring harness back on (grounding point).