A31 swap XGA 15" and 14" LCD *PIC*

[CPC464]

Hi,
a friend of mine has got a still-in-use A31, it's a basic model, with 14" XGA LCD. I have got a dead A31 for parts, with a working 15" XGA LCD. Could I directly swap the whole LCD lid of both models? (my friend still uses his A31 for light office work and I wouldn't like to fry its motherboard).

[RealBlackStuff]

You could move the complete 15" lid onto the 14" machine, but you won't be able to properly connect the lid-hinges to the base.
It will work, but will be a bit awkward.
The LCDs themselves are different in size.
You could try to put a 14" LCD in a 15" lid, but NOT the other way around.
Alternatively, the 14" motherboard may fit in a 15" base. Lot more work, but if it fits, perfect!

[CPC464]

I think that what you say is valid for the t4x or the t6x series. But all the A31 are the same size and form, the only difference I can see between the 14" and the 15" models is that the 14" model has got a larger LCD plastic frame to cover the gap left by the smaller screen. It seems that the 14" A31 is just a cropped 15" A31.
Something like this happened with the 13,3" T2x, they were normal T2x with a smaller screen and a larger plastic frame.
So I think that physically there shouldn't be any problem. My doubt is, if the whole 15" LCD lid with inverter will match electrically the 14" motherboard. I think that both models must have the same board and it should work, but I'm not 100% sure about that...

Here are examples of a 14" and a 15" A31, where it can be seen that both are the same machine:
14":

15":


Admin edit: Added *PIC* warning and corrected 14" and 15" image titles (they were reversed).

[rkawakami]

While those photos do not necessarily prove that they are the "same machine", your best bet would be to wait around for an A3x series expert to offer an opinion. I don't have any experience with 14.1" A3x systems as all my A3x machines are 15".

Alternately, checking the A30/A31 Hardware Maintenance Manual seems to say that the A31/A31p systems use the same base between the 14.1" and 15" models (i.e, no distinction is made between those size screens in the listing of part #13, the base cover). This would imply that the physical layout (where the hinge mounts are located) are the same. That can be double-checked by seeing that the 2652-A3x came with a 14.1" LCD and the 2652-B3x had the 15" LCD. Both of those model type series are listed under the same base cover (46L5006). The lid hinges are also the same between 14.1" and 15" (FRU 26P9641). This indicates that you should be able to physically transfer the whole lid assembly from the 15" system to the base of the 14.1" system.

Then what's left is the electrical connection; the LCD ribbon cable. Here's where there may be a problem: the 14.1" XGA option uses cable 27L0680; the 15" XGA screen has cable 27L0681. So the question is, is the electrical interface between them the same? If you look at the motherboard FRUs (part #23) using the same model type examples of 2652-A3x and 2652-B3x you'll see that both are listed for the same motherboard. This should guarantee that the 15" panel will work with the 14" motherboard.

[RealBlackStuff]

Never knew that A31 14" and 15" were the same except for LCD, LCD-cable and Bezel.
I only know the 701c Butterfly, the Transnote, the 15" A31p and newer Thinkpads from T23 upwards.

[rkawakami]

While those photos do not necessarily prove that they are the "same machine", your best bet would be to wait around for an A3x series expert to offer an opinion.

Or, you can look through the archives...

ref: http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... =5&t=68112

[kfzhu1229]

Never knew that A31 14" and 15" were the same except for LCD, LCD-cable and Bezel.
I only know the 701c Butterfly, the Transnote, the 15" A31p and newer Thinkpads from T23 upwards.

I just noticed that it is only on the 14.1" A30 which I have that it has a thicker bezel while on the 15" A30 you get the beautiful thin bezel (Same thing for A31) and more resolution options.

[ajkula66]

I just noticed that it is only on the 14.1" A30 which I have that it has a thicker bezel while on the 15" A30 you get the beautiful thin bezel (Same thing for A31) and more resolution options.

Yep. I must admit that I was floored years ago when I first figured out - by sheer accident - that 14" and 15" A3x systems are actually one and the same bulky monster for the most part...

[TPFanatic]

IBM must have thought those browser keys were really worth something. Or there's not enough room to rework the mobo while maintaining dual ultrabays.

More likely, the smaller screen may have been a way to have a cheaper A - while maintaining all the other cool goodies.

[kfzhu1229]

IBM didn't come with the 14.1" and 15" idea of sharing nothing but motherboard idea (not even palm rest since 15" do not have separate palm rest and keyboard bezel) until T42 so they put a smaller screen into the same case. It does not look good but it is supposed to be bulky anyways and it also makes your life easier to upgrade to 15" SXGA+ or UXGA (for my T43 14.1" you have to take out the mobo and move it entirely into a 15" machine while on a A30/31 you only need to change its screen cable, screen and bezel)
Also machines like 600 and 390 and some I series are no exception (even though this wasn't the case for 770 vs. 770X/Z)