Where does a T20, T21, T22, T23 IBM Thinkpad LCD cable break?

Question

In the past year I've exploded to bits my faulty ex-trusty IBM T22 laptop, ruined the original screen by attempting to change the $$ tube (specifically mangled up the rubber isolation bits over the solder joins), wasted $$ buying second hand inverter boards, wasted more buying an LCD cable from china that was for a higher res screen, and finally $$$ for a new screen and LCD cable.

It was the cable that had failed ;-(

OK, I'm interested. Where exactly does this filmwire cable fail? Symptoms were lack of light but graphics can be seen faintly.

Picture here.

John Williamson · Accepted Answer

All the failures I've had on other machines have been where it flexes when you open the lid. If you look with a magnifying glass, you may be able to see where the tracks have cracked.

Not much help though, as they're not repairable in my experience.

Adrian C · Answer

Sorry, should have stated - the flexyprint is coated both sides with a woven mesh fabric so the tracks aren't viewable.

Seems so, but as it's a common model I was hoping someone could pinpoint the weak spot so I can avoid whatever happening to the replacement cable :-)

John Williamson · Answer

The only other way would be to check each track with a meter & find out which tracks have failed. You'll still not know *where*, though. They sometimes crack at the end of the strain relief, which is what the fabric is.

Don't move the lid? ;-)

I've an old Thinkpad 760 that needs very gentle treatment to get the flexible cable to connect, letting the backlight come on, after which it works fine until it gets breathed on. Then again, it *was* 10 years old before the failure happened. It still works fine as a desktop connected to a VGA monitor, though.

Where does a T20, T21, T22, T23 IBM Thinkpad LCD cable break?

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