A31p LCD in an A21p ?

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fasterbybike · #1 Post by **fasterbybike** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:36 pm

I have an A21p with a screen which will soon need replacing.

Can I use the LCD out of an IPS UXGA A31p (FRU 05k9967) in a A21p ?

I'm assuming I'd need to replace the cable - but not sure if the connector is different at either end.

#2 Post by **schen** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:58 pm

The connector is definitely different.

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:28 pm

I second that. Not interchangeable under any circumstances.

Not to mention the fact that you'd get some very poor results running a FlexView screen on a 16Mb video card...

fasterbybike · #4 Post by **fasterbybike** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:27 pm

Thanks for that. I thought the connectors would be different but wondered if a cable change would overcome the problem. Obviously not - back to plan B

fasterbybike · #5 Post by **fasterbybike** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:42 am

Reviving an old thread .... but thought the forum might be interested in the outcome.

The backlight finally died on the A21P machine. I had a spare A30P screen so installed the panel from this. It was almost a straight swap: screw holes, ribbon cable etc matched. I only had to attach the thin spacer shims from the side of the A21P screen and also had to make a small extension to the CCFL leads, which were not quite long enough.

It's been running well for several months -so it appears that 16MB of VRAM is enough to drive a Flexview.

This Flexview equipped A21P is now surplus and will be up for sale soon.

virge · #6 Post by **virge** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:03 pm

Since an A31P LCD will work in a run-of-the-mill A31, and it also works in an A21P, does this mean that an A21P panel will also work in the run-of-the-mill A31?

fasterbybike · #7 Post by **fasterbybike** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:01 pm

The A21P has 16MB of video RAM. So in theory, as all A31 have at least an ATI® Mobility™ RADEON™ 7500 with 16MB VRAM, they should drive an A21P panel.

Though do bear in mind that the UXGA screen in an A21P is not IPS

proaudioguy · #8 Post by **proaudioguy** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:17 am

I have always been told the UXGA Flexview screen could not be used in a normal 32meg A31, and now this thread says different. WTF guys? You know who you are. I have had numerous opportunities to upgrade the screen for cheap and just knew from past threads it was impossible so I have suffered with SXGA+ non-IPS.

fasterbybike · #9 Post by **fasterbybike** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:17 am

I haven't tried the UXGA screen in a std A31 but it is working fine in the A21P. The screen panel FRU is 05K9967 which corresponds to the A31P part in the HMM [6 LCD panel, 15.0 UXGA (DBU)]
The A21P machine's model type is 2629-H2G.

I do have a A31 but I use it as an always-on server. It's a 2652-P3M which according to specs has 16MB of video RAM.

When/If I get the chance one day, I'll try an A31P screen in it. An interesting saga ... I think I threw the experts off initially because I mentioned connectors - and obviously the A21 series LCD cable connects with a different plug than the A31 series LCD cable.

HTH

sjthinkpader · #10 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:43 am

I have an A31 with a UXGA display from an A30p as my main machine for a few years.

virge · #11 Post by **virge** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:05 am

fasterbybike wrote: When/If I get the chance one day, I'll try an A31P screen in it. An interesting saga ... I think I threw the experts off initially because I mentioned connectors - and obviously the A21 series LCD cable connects with a different plug than the A31 series LCD cable.

HTH

I have an A22P panel that I am thinking of installing in my A31 and it seems like this might be possible. There's just couple things I'm not clear on. Did you use the original cable from your A21P or get one from an A30P/A31P machine? How about the inverter? It would be great news if I can get this to work!

fasterbybike · #12 Post by **fasterbybike** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:07 pm

virge wrote: I have an A22P panel that I am thinking of installing in my A31 and it seems like this might be possible. <snip> Did you use the original cable from your A21P or get one from an A30P/A31P machine? How about the inverter?

I replaced only the panel. I used the existing LCD cable, and inverter. The connectors on the cable are the same at the LCD end but different at the mobo end, as well as entering the laptop base in a different place.

The CCFL wires on the A2* panel are longer than the wires on the A3* panel so you'll need to route them to make sure they stay out of the way when you replace the bezel.

The A21P panel had thin shims fastened to the sides (that fit between the hinge blades and the panel). I stuck them to the A30P panel with doubled sided tape. Because you're going the other way you may need to remove them from the panel.

I'd probably upgrade your inverter to use one designed for the A30/31 SXGA+ or UXGA screens. FRUs are in the hardware maint manual. 26P8133 and 62P9872 should work.

Finally, note that the A2*P screens are not IPS, although they are still a nice UXGA screen and better than the awful 15" XGA screens fitted to std A31s.

Good luck.

virge · #13 Post by **virge** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:20 am

I finally got to try the LCD swap myself using parts I received in trade from another forum member.

I had an A22P lcd that I wanted to transplant into my A31. Using the UXGA cable and inverter from the A31 series and the LCD panel from the A22P I was able to get the display to light up and display an image properly.

The biggest problem is that the A22P panel is a couple millimeters wider than the A31P panel. I had to basically lop off the length of the metal support that's attached to the right hinge. I'm sure this makes the lid structurally weaker. Also, with the A22P panel the bezel doesn't fit quite right. Parts of it just don't snap into place where the support was removed.

Still though, I'm going to keep the upgrade. This machine is going to be used a media player for TV so the lid will stay closed most of the time anyway.

Andy

fasterbybike · #14 Post by **fasterbybike** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:53 pm

virge wrote:The biggest problem is that the A22P panel is a couple millimeters wider than the A31P panel.

The original panel on my A21P (05K9835 which should be the same as your A22P panel) was fitted with thin shims on each side, which I had to remove and then reattach to the A31P panel to make it fit properly.

For the reverse transplant, which you have done, the shims should have been removed and discarded. They were attached with a strong double sided tape and I removed them with a sharp knife.

I had to basically lop off the length of the metal support that's attached to the right hinge. I'm sure this makes the lid structurally weaker.

Ouch

virge · #15 Post by **virge** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:51 pm

fasterbybike wrote: The A21P panel had thin shims fastened to the sides (that fit between the hinge blades and the panel). I stuck them to the A30P panel with doubled sided tape. Because you're going the other way you may need to remove them from the panel.

I clearly need to learn to read a little more carefully before starting these projects. I'll open it up to take look again. Thanks for the info which allowed the project in the first place.

Andy

edit: Just an update. I bought a new set of hinges and opened up the A31 again. My LCD from the A22P did not have metal shims, instead the sides were slightly raised at the screwholes. By using a very thin screwdriver as a lever, I managed to wedge the LCD into the lid. Its a very, very tight fit, but it sure is nice having both hinges functioning again!

fasterbybike · #16 Post by **fasterbybike** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:03 am

This machine is now up for sale.

A31p LCD in an A21p ?

A31p LCD in an A21p ?

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