Comments on: Backlight replacement for IBM Thinkpad T42p http://www.mymegabyte.com/2008/06/backlight-replacement-for-ibm-thinkpad-t42p/ Random tech things that I come across. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:20:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Hario'' http://www.mymegabyte.com/2008/06/backlight-replacement-for-ibm-thinkpad-t42p/comment-page-1/#comment-156 Hario'' Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:41:20 +0000 http://www.mymegabyte.com/?p=22#comment-156 RE: cpu looking chip. Its the Northbridge, cpu is to the left, gpu below and of course memory above. All coordinated by the aforementioned chip. Unusual that it isnt actively or even passively cooled though! Byee. RE: cpu looking chip.
Its the Northbridge, cpu is to the left, gpu below and of course memory above. All coordinated by the aforementioned chip. Unusual that it isnt actively or even passively cooled though!
Byee.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.mymegabyte.com/2008/06/backlight-replacement-for-ibm-thinkpad-t42p/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Ryan Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:55:15 +0000 http://www.mymegabyte.com/?p=22#comment-20 If you are comfortable soldering tiny connections go for it. If you disassemble carefully the most you risk is making an already not working screen not work. It will take several hours though so set aside plenty of time. Just a couple days ago I was considering replacing mine again to get rid of the blue/green tint. I would probably replace the inverter too if I go in again. I would recommend staying away from ebay for the bulbs. I did some research and other sites sell the bulbs. I don't have any firsthand experience with this site but they seem to have most types: http://www.ccfldirect.com/ Another option, once you find out the specs for your laptop's bulb (length in mm and diameter in mm) you can go to a major electronics distributor. For example, my 15" T42p is 305mm len w/ 2mm diameter. I got that because it was the size listed in multiple ebay auctions (different sellers) as compatible with my t42p. Both of these retailers are big operations that are more than trustworthy for electronic components. I have past orders with both. They normally do not specialize in very small orders so there may be a small surcharge for a 1 item order. A plus to these two sites though is that they ship from US, most of the ebay ones ship from China so you will have to wait a couple weeks. If I decide to replace my backlight again: 1) I will order from one of these two sites 2) I will take more pictures so that I can post a more how-to like article (don't wait for me to do this it may be months) http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=524570;keywords=ccfl http://mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?N=254231&Keyword=ccfl&Ns=P_SField|0&FS=True One last thing I learned is that I probably didn't have to remove the flat panel from the laptop body. I learned this by looking at these similar tutorials: http://www.ccfldirect.com/lcdtutorial.html http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/09/replace-laptop-backlight-ccfl-lamp/ Hope this helps! If you are comfortable soldering tiny connections go for it. If you disassemble carefully the most you risk is making an already not working screen not work. It will take several hours though so set aside plenty of time. Just a couple days ago I was considering replacing mine again to get rid of the blue/green tint. I would probably replace the inverter too if I go in again. I would recommend staying away from ebay for the bulbs. I did some research and other sites sell the bulbs. I don’t have any firsthand experience with this site but they seem to have most types:
http://www.ccfldirect.com/

Another option, once you find out the specs for your laptop’s bulb (length in mm and diameter in mm) you can go to a major electronics distributor. For example, my 15″ T42p is 305mm len w/ 2mm diameter. I got that because it was the size listed in multiple ebay auctions (different sellers) as compatible with my t42p. Both of these retailers are big operations that are more than trustworthy for electronic components. I have past orders with both. They normally do not specialize in very small orders so there may be a small surcharge for a 1 item order. A plus to these two sites though is that they ship from US, most of the ebay ones ship from China so you will have to wait a couple weeks. If I decide to replace my backlight again:
1) I will order from one of these two sites
2) I will take more pictures so that I can post a more how-to like article (don’t wait for me to do this it may be months)
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=524570;keywords=ccfl
http://mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?N=254231&Keyword=ccfl&Ns=P_SField|0&FS=True

One last thing I learned is that I probably didn’t have to remove the flat panel from the laptop body. I learned this by looking at these similar tutorials:
http://www.ccfldirect.com/lcdtutorial.html
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/09/replace-laptop-backlight-ccfl-lamp/

Hope this helps!

]]> By: Matt http://www.mymegabyte.com/2008/06/backlight-replacement-for-ibm-thinkpad-t42p/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Matt Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:28:23 +0000 http://www.mymegabyte.com/?p=22#comment-19 I have the same issue. I can now remember the drop that caused it. Did the inverter deal first no luck. Lucky for me my company just replaced it and said keep the old one for your kids as it works great with a monitor. I am considering doing the backlight install so it can be used for a college kid. My question, would you do it again or was it too much a challenge? It's a ~$20 expense and my time and as you said this little thinkpad smokes most others. It's too good to trash. I have the same issue. I can now remember the drop that caused it. Did the inverter deal first no luck. Lucky for me my company just replaced it and said keep the old one for your kids as it works great with a monitor. I am considering doing the backlight install so it can be used for a college kid. My question, would you do it again or was it too much a challenge? It’s a ~$20 expense and my time and as you said this little thinkpad smokes most others. It’s too good to trash.

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