Problem with red tinted display

From ThinkWiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Information about the problem of red tinted display corners in T23 ThinkPads.

Problem description

If your screen is developing a red tint on the bottom left and/or right corners, this is the sign of a dying LCD and it will slowly spread to the whole screen.

The red tint is strongest when the screen is first switched on and it will fade away with the time your ThinkPad is running.

Affected Models

  • ThinkPad A22p (2629-Y2U, 15.0" TFT display with 1600x1200 resolution)
  • ThinkPad A31p (2653-H4U and similar with high resolution displays)
  • ThinkPad T21 T23 (with high resolution (SXGA) displays)
  • ThinkPad T40 T41 T42 T43(14.1" TFT 1024x768)and (14.1" TFT 1400x1050)
  • ThinkPad R50p T42p T43p T60p (all with 15" UXGA IPS 1600x1200 LCDs)

Affected Operating Systems

  • all

Status

Reddish/pinkish hue - mostly visible on "cold" startup - is due to an aging backlight (CCFL). A replacement LCD or a backlight swap will be required.

Solutions

You can have IBM fix the problem if your ThinkPad is still in warranty. Or: Change the fluorescent backlight, which has deceased. The phosporous layer of cold tube has a high spectrum in red, with the other spectra joining in after a few seconds, resulting in white color. this usually happens with aged tubes. The tube is different sizes in different models. It can be ordered from some supply stores, but not from IBM or Lenovo.