After four years without any major problems, my X220 was finally showing its age. However, it's really easy to replace the LCD panel on the X220 (or any Thinkpad for that matter)!
Tools required:
- a small Philips screwdriver
- a flat-head screwdriver(for prying)
Finding the Correct Replacement LCD
Lenovo provides a system service parts list document for most of their products. Each document contains a diagram of all the components and information about each part. This is part of the diagram from the X220 System Parts List:
Navigating through the diagram, I found the LED Premuim LCD Service Parts List. (Note: This is for X220s with the IPS screen option.) By clicking the LCD panel on the diagram, I was redirected to the following table:
| LCD panel, 12.5-in. HD LED backlight | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | FRU | CRU | |
|
4286-CTO, 23x, 24x, 25x, 36x, 37x, 3Ux, 3Yx, 42x, 4Nx, 4Qx
4287-CTO, 2Ax, 2Dx, 2Ex, 2Fx, 2Lx, 2Mx, 2Sx, 2Tx, 3Hx, 3Kx, 3Px, 3Qx, 4Rx, 4Vx, 4Wx,59x, 5Ax, 5Xx, 5Yx, 6Cx, 6Fx, 6Gx 4289-CTO 4290-CTO, 2Hx, 2Jx, 2Mx, 2Nx, 2Qx, 2Wx, 33x, 34x, 35x, 3Xx, 3Zx, 42x, 47x, 48x, 4Fx,4Lx, 4Sx, 4Tx, 4Ux, 4Xx, 4Yx, 4Zx, 52x, 53x, 57x, 58x, 5Gx 4291-CTO, 2Ex, 2Ux, 2Vx, 2Wx, 2Zx, 42x, 47x, 48x, 49x, 4Ax, 4Bx, 4Cx, 4Xx |
93P5675 | N | |
Let's break down and define each section:
| Product ID: | The Product ID can be found on a sticker underneath the laptop, over to the left. Depending on the configuration of the laptop, this ID will vary. |
|---|---|
| Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) ID: | An FRU ID is a 7-digit number used to identity specific components in a system. Service technicians can use this number to easily find and ensure a direct replacement for a defective part. |
| Customer Replaceable Unit (CRU) ID: |
A CRU ID is a single-digit number used to specify the difficulty level of replacing a component in a system for a customer. The following describes what each value means:
1 = easy to replace with little or no tools 2 = more difficult to replace N = customer should not replace |
My Product ID happens to be 4286-CTO. However, the table tells us it doesn't matter what the Product ID is. The FRU is the same for all of them! Using the FRU, 93P5675, it should be relatively easy to find a suitable replacement for my broken LCD panel!
Shopping for a Good LCD
There are several places online you can find decent replacement laptop components. I've only had experiences buying LCDs from two stores: Screen Country and East Coast LCDs. Both are really easy to use and have decent pricing. A quick search for the FRU on East Coast LCDs led me to the exact LCD panel I needed!
There are many other online vendors that sell replacement parts (eBay, Amazon, AliExpress). A simple Google search of the FRU yields some pretty good results!
As of now, the average price for an X220 replacement LCD is about $45-$70, shipped.
LCD Panel Removal and Replacement
Lenovo provides instructions on how to remove and replace the LCD in the X220 Hardware Maintenance Manual. I found this Youtube video extremely helpful.The following is my step-by-step process.
Remove the battery.
Using a flat-head screwdriver (or knife), gently pry off the screw covers on the front bezel of the LCD housing.
Using a Philips screwdriver, remove the screws holding the bezel in place.
With the aid of a flat-head screwdriver, gently pop the bezel off along the edges. The bottom is tricky. Be patient!
There are four screws holding the LCD panel to the housing. Remove these with a Philips screwdriver.
There are three more screws attaching the LCD panel to the hinges. Remove these with a Philips screwdriver.
Using a flat-head, gently lift the LCD panel up and off the housing, but not all the way off! It is still attached to the motherboard by the LCD cable.
Flip the LCD panel over to the backside and locate the LCD cable near the bottom.
There is a piece of tape securing the LCD cable to the panel. Gently remove the tape and slide the LCD cable down and out.
Voila! The LCD panel can now be fully removed from the LCD housing.
This is the new panel, packaged very securely by East Coast LCDs!
Now, just do the reverse! Reattach the LCD cable to the new LCD panel.
Before screwing everything back in, make sure things work. Looking good so far!
After screwing everything back in, remove the protective plastic left on the new LCD panel.
Good as new!
Conclusion
Thinkpads are really easy to modify and repair. In addition to replacing my broken screen, I ripped out the keyboard for cleaning and installed a new 128 GB solid-state drive. I have even more plans to upgrade the memory to 8 GB from 4 GB. My X220 has never been better and will, hopefully, continue to last a very long time!Have any comments, questions, critiques? Let me know below. Happy tweaking!
Perfect manual! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis was a really great and helpful blog post. Breaking my hardware always presents me with a dilemma of whether to try and fix it myself or to seek professional help (which is often very expensive!), however this blog is very clear and decisive in its instructions. I appreciate the clarity of the diagrams and pictures used, the instructions on which specific parts to order and the way in which the explanations are worded in layman's terms so a non-expert can feel confident reading through.
ReplyDeleteRaymond @ CKS Global Solutions LTD
The X220 will accept 8gb dimms, so you can upgrade to a max of 16gb.
ReplyDeleteI recently found a used x220 for $90. It has some cosmetic glitches, a crack on the LCD bezel (screen is OK), missing pc card flap, battery latches don't hold (had to scotch tape the battery in place). Battery is worn down to %70 percent of original capacity. Still, not a bad machine. I can live with the TN display for now, I'd like to put an mSata drive in the available slot to improve boot times. The machine runs Linux Mint well.
Thanks for shearing about this I thinks its very hopeful post and very important post for us.thanks for your great and helpful presentation I like your good service.I always appreciate your post.
ReplyDeleteμ μλΆν