Thinkpads Forum

I recently acquired a 770Z with a few problems and wanted upgrades. I got the original hard drive and caddy so I don't need that.

The 13.7" SXGA panel has a vertical line going though it so I assume the panel is faulty if not the cable. I've tried finding a replacement but it seems like the panel was made by IBM and not a OEM part (e.g manufactured by LG or Samsung) and it doesn't seem like any other laptop other than the 770X/Z had a 13.7" SXGA panel so it must be some kind of special part.

I'm also looking for the DVD-ROM drive for a decent price. Again looking online I haven't been able to find one for sale.

I'm also planning to repaint the LCD lid and palmrest because the rubberized paint is sticky and exposing the bare aluminum. If anyone has replacements that are in near mint condition and aren't sticky, I'd appreciate any options but I think repainting is the best solution because all the rubberized paint is going to degrade eventually and it's better to put on a coating that isn't rubberized like the 300 series.

Located in the US, can pay with PayPal.

Good luck, the 13.7 in screen and the 8mb video card that went with it are even harder to find than the caddy.

It is easier to find a whole working laptop with good screen and DVD drive than to buy these two things separately. And probably also cheaper. Look for P/Ns on pictures in any announcement you can find. Many sellers do not know so much about the laptops and this special resolution on 770X/Z models. Another thing is just to look on the picture of the screen... hires screen has wider bezels on the sides, the difference can be easily seen, especially on the right side.

HiRes P/Ns (Model numbers)
770X
9549-7AU - DVD
9549-7BU - CD

770Z
9549-8AU - DVD
9549-8BU - CD

Last letter/number - "U" here - can be different - custom orders

Not my auction but there is a caddy on eBay now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335622956029

At least from my experience the seller isn't 100% truthful with descriptions and when he states the drive is untested it probably means it doesn't work. But the caddy and connector still may be something someone is looking for.

In my experience, it's not worth replacing the stock 770 DVD drive with a similar model, they are simply getting too old to read reliably.

Following Pkiff's posting from a few years ago, I replaced mine with a Panasonic UJDA750 DVD. Works every time, on every media, as opposed to the 25-50 percent rate of the original model. Modification of the original DVD shell and face-plate replacement are a bit of a PITA, but at least the DVD works as intended.

My 9549-8AU 770Z has both floppy drives (Ultra Bay and external with cable), CD-ROM and a spare original DVD drive...the spare DVD drive works equal to the first one I had...very hit or miss on ANY CD/DVD, be it stamped, pressed or burned. (read: shi**y!)

Follow this thread to gain more insight:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=132258&p=856690&hi ... 50#p856690

Regards.

Dave

Replacement of 13.7" SXGA is seldom seen in any auction/online store. If I were you, I'd try fixing the vertical line (by COF bonding). Do not use a heat gun to fix it as some youtube video suggested.