Thinkpad T420 Owner's Thread

Oh, wow! Didn't know they're that bad. And they're only 3-cell?
I guess I'm better off with a 9-cell battery.
Now having an msata ssd and sata hdd, don't know what to do with empty space...

 

Perhaps drop the optical for the travel bezel to gain some weight savings.

 

Dear all,

My t420 just arrived today! My question is if I will be able to clean install windows 7 on a new hdd/ssd (my t420 came w/out this) with the PatchySans ISO provided in this original post and activate it with the product key found underneath the battery? Thanks in advance

Tuff

 

It will work perfectly mate but you might want to consider backing up the Windows Activation once your done, so you don't have to re-activate again anytime you need to rebuild the ThinkPad - welcome onboard the T420 Train, still going strong!!!

EDIT - You can backup & restore the Windows Activation via the Advanced Tokens Manager Utility.

 

Yes, sure you may install fresh windows, and backup your activation key.

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

 

Hi,

I recently got a t470s from work. However, my mouse 1 button gives off a weird clicking sound

Anyone have a fix for this?

 

Dear all,

I have read about these removals of mPCI whitelists on Thinkpad BIOSes and the ability to use higher speed RAM. My t420 is currently running BIOS version 1.33. How can I achieve the above and what are the best WIFI cards available atm that will work with my t420. Thanks in advance!

Tuff

 

hello T420 owners.

i just pulled the trigger on a T420.

I read through most of this thread and its incredible the cult following of the T420.

I chose the T420 over the T430 because of the Classic 7 row keyboard.

This is a complete project laptop for me.

I was lured in by the amazing price / modification ratio

I paid $125 and here are the stock specs:

Condition 8 out of 10.
i5-2520m, 6gb Ram, 320gb HDD, 1600 x 900 LCD. intel HD 3000.

I will upgrade the following:

Alienware m14x TN 300 nits panel 1600 x 900
(2) 500gb 850 EVO SSD
i7 2720QM Quad Core
16gb ram
new 9 cell battery
new trackpad texture sticker

I am pleasant surprised at how great the trackpad is working with Windows 7.

I will also do a complete cleaning of the fan and heatsinks.my t420 is hovering around 65 to 70c tempature just with chrome open and browsing.

The class keyboard is a dream to type on and its amazing how this laptop is still very usable in year 2018.

 

It's great laptop indeed, but no updates for windows 10

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

 

I've lost track but has anyone ever swapped in a display for this machine that did not have PWM flicker?

Thanks.

 

Thanks.
And yes. No official windows 10 support but i know some people running 10 with no issue.

 

I'm about to do a swap for the glossy Alienware m14x r2 1600 x 900 display. so far from my readings, no flicker and a quick swap.

the flickering is from the FHD upgrade. i read that the LCD module / wire has some problems from a vendor called RMS (??)

but there is another china vendor who sells their FHD module that has no problems.

the module is about $100 USD and the FHD panel is about $50. I like the upgrade but its a pricey upgrade.

The glossy alienware panel upgrade should only be about $35 to 55 USD.

best of luck to you

 

hello T420 owners,

Battery life question:

i read through most of this thread and see some folks say they get anywhere from 6-8 hrs real world mixed usage battery life with the 9 cell 94wh battery?

Can anyone further confirm this?

Any when swapping to quad core CPU, it has negligible affect on battery as well?

thank you.

 

Thanks for the details. That's a very interesting project you have going on, good luck!

 

thanks powerslave.

lets see how this old thinkpad can do in 2018

 

RMS says the T420/T430 WQHD/FHD by javi-jie converter board will be available as soon as the T420-S/T430-S boards have break even in terms of cost.

There are kits out there, a copy of the T420-S/T430-S FHD converter board by javi-jie, with different cable lengths to accommodate the T420/T430 chassis. However rumored that the screen flickering problem is not completely eliminated due to EMI/signal interference.

Another solution by KK (51nb) is to use the dock's eDP lane to control an internal LCD, but you will not be able to use the eDP output on the dock. CMIIW this solution is similar to nitrocaster's X220/X230 "pepe board" converter.

I think you should just wait for the V2 kit, or buy the copy.

Current available kits (as of 12 Feb 2018)

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...vrpESU&id=555538738686&ns=1&abbucket=5#detail


https://www.ebay.com/itm/162887293940



https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LCD...27e6b15&transAbTest=ae803_5&priceBeautifyAB=0


@PatchySan still alive?

 

thank you for this mobius,

I believe the aliexpress and ebay vendor are the same. taobao is another vendor.

taobao has it priced around $43 USD and that makes it very affordable now!

ebay is close to $100 and aliexpress around $80.

These current kits are 'no flicker' kits?

 

According to rmsmajestic it does reduce the potential of flickering issue (I'm assuming the T420/T430 adapters that were made from -S boards), it still has the potential to develop flickering issue BUT less to an extent compared to the v1 of Javi's T420/T430 FHD mod.
Then again the V1 did work with zero issues for some people. So YMMV.




Take with a grain of salt because rms is javi's friend over at 51nb and also acts as javi's english sales representative (chinese forum). Whether or not he's saying this due to personal bias (includes being upset at other people copying javi's v1 -S FHD kit without permission) or the information is the actual truth is unknown.

 

great info. thanks again mobius.

is it worth the hassle? at least from a cost perspective, the taobao option you gave us makes it better (vs. $150 - $175+ USD for an FHD upgrade which is practically the cost of a T420).

OR just continue the path of the 1600 x 900 drop in panel upgrade (Alienware, etc) for about $50+ USD.

 

@yaonyc edited my post to make information clearer. Changes in bold text.

 

Well the 900p panels are all feces tier anyways. You can pick the best dung out of a pile of dung, but you'll still end up with a dung in your hand (or eye, for that matter).



Screens are usually not that expensive iirc, you can get ones that work with this kit from ebay.

I've heard mentions of screencountry being reputable in the US but haven't dealt with them personally.

Woodzstack (member here) also sells screens, have many selections.



Do note that if you're buying on ebay, you need to be careful because a lot of them is scam.

The seller will usually list the item that you want, with the picture of the item that you want. Ie: the screen revision of n AUO B140 version 2 for example, but they will say "or compatible" somewhere crafty in the description or send you a message upon shipping that the item is somewhat different etc. THEY WILL send you a non-conforming version of what you want or even a "compatible" panel but is inferior.



Several people over reddit have ordered the 1600x900 "compatible" lcd and received the inferior 1366x768 model due it being "compatible" with the thinkpad model. These ebay scammers have even went as far as putting 'exact model' in the listing title to deceive potential customers.

Take clear screenshots of the listing, but without the "or compatible" description included. You can use this as evidence.

When you have the item. You can play around with the screen and see if it works, if it works it's great, but if you don't get the revision that you wanted you can get your money back.

I usually claim that the item as being not as described, ask for a refund with covered shipping by seller. I just let it open no matter what the seller says, and maybe 1-2 days (disregarding business days) I will let the seller know that s/he needs to fully comply with my refund request or I will proceed to get ebay involved, request a bank chargeback, and leave the seller a bad review.

Don't have mercy for these sellers as they are scammers!

 

all good points.

IPS FHD is the best option (the IPS FHD panel on my Dell e6440 is outstanding. im always at 50% screen brightness indoors and 70% outdoors)

the 300 nits 1600 x 900 alienware option is a considerably better than the stock t420 1600 x 900.

And you are correct, the scammers who sell "compatibles" on ebay and amazon need to be dealth with accordingly.

i'm on panellook.com and there are some vendors in china / taiwan who have stock. again, must verify its 'actual' with pics of the panel and other verification means.

which would you do? would you go with the taobao FHD model and FHD panel or get a high quality HD+ tn panel? (plug and play).

 

If you don't want to mod, then go and get the hd+ tn.

But the taobao kit seems to just plug and play... It's only the controller board that needs extra work because you're arranging the wires inside the machine.


Might be worth to invest in EMI shielding tape for extra assurance, not sure exactly what they're called. Maybe @Khenglish can help.

 

The mod seems rather simple. the plug and play HD+ is about 10-15 minutes. the FHD mod could be 1.5 hr+ but its fun activity right?

and i agree with you, the securely mount the module inside the laptop is a important.

 

On taobao it's shown with a 3d printed board.

Haven't contacted seller to get more info.

 

i will be happy to contact taobao. what questions would you ask to verify it works perfectly?

 

Video of the said lcd board working, and showing screen no flicker + detected as internal + brightness adjustment working.

Maybe if not video, actual pictures. The ones put up for the listing seems generic and low quality.

Might be worth asking how to request the 3d printed bracket, I see no option for that in the listing page and/or the checkout page.

 

hi mobius,

just decided, i will go for the taobao LCD module. and see how it goes. its only $43 USD and perhaps i can get a hold of a AUO B140HAN01.2 for $50 USD range.

I'll take this plunge and report back to you

 

best of luck!

 

I would love to see these results as well. Thank you so much.

 

you got it powerslave!

i will update here when things get started. its chinese new year now so all these taobao stores are shut down for about 10 days

i feel like a kid in a candy store with this classic thinkpad t420.

its old but im enjoying the whole research and mod / upgrade process.

 

an FYI to everyone,

all the 300 NITs, better viewing angle 1600 x 900 panels that are direct plug play are all discontinued.

these 3 are the best 1600 x 900 and discontinued. I called 4 different vendors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

LG LP140WD2-TLG1
AUO B140RTN02.1
Innolux N140FGE-LA2

The only real option left if the IPS FHD module upgrade, unless you can find the high quality HD+ panel 2nd hand / used market.

 

So FHD mod it is?

 

yes. onto the FHD mod and i hope to report positive results to everyone here

 

godspeed

 

thanks mobius!

by the way, have you ever heard or tried installing an Express Card for USB 3.0? does it work well or at least doesnt give the T420 problems or drain the battery more?

 

I haven't.

I have T430, so native USB3.

 

ok thanks. nots sure if express card usb 3.0 is a good idea or not for the T420

 

A lot of people recommend this if you cannot source a T430. The challenge is to find the one that fits flush with the machine though.

 

the T420 or T430 are still great laptops!

Look at the latest review of the T480s. the FHD screen is still DIM. Why can't thinkpad get the screen right???

the laptop is nearly $1,800!

https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-t480s

$30 panel upgrade 1600 x 900 screen N140FGE-LA2 is 300 nits for T420 / T430

 

Why can't thinkpads have good screens ever.

 

They can, though you have to pay for it. Or get an X1, which always has the good display.

 

But soldered hardware

And by thinkpads I mean those that can still accept the 7-row keyboards

 

its so utterly strange. its been like 6 years of thinkpad T4x0 14 inch series and they can't get the screen brightness right.

the T420 / T430; all they had to do is go for a 300 nits panel but they chose not too.

now the T480s, FHD is less than 250 nits!!! in year 2018. that is MADNESS!!

Long live the T420

the 7 keyboard and thinklight are the BEST things ever. the main reason i keep using the T420.

 

yes X1 perhaps gets it better but the X1 is such a niche special laptop. can't upgrade anything

 

cheap lcds should stop being made

raise prices accordingly and equip good screens even on base config

 

yes! at least the T420 can be bought for less than $200, add a 300 nit LCD for $30 and you are in pretty good shape!

 

Not to forget PWM on most Lenovo displays.

 

Unfortunately, being a business-focused line not only has advantages like a better service or good keyboard. It also has some disadvantages and cheap displays on the base-models is one of those. If businesses buy the machines with the cheapest HD TN screens (which they unfortunately do), the manufacturers have to offer them to be price-competitive. Just raising prices isn't an option, be it Dell, HP or Lenovo.

I think Lenovo has solved this problem on newer generations (roughly since the T470).

 

I thought so too, but then I recall seeing them on some newer ones as well. I could be wrong though.