Alienware M17x R3/R4 LCD panel replacement guide

This guide will hopefully help people undertake the LCD panel replacement themselves which i know a lot of people would like to do, but there is no guide for it.
Also, allowing people to upgrade to a B+RG panel in their R3 and R4 laptops, finally being in the realm of the previous R2 RGB panel.

I took it upon myself to replace the rubbish 900p screen in my Alienware M17x R4.
This guide will not cover how to remove the screen assembly, since thats already available, see the link below:
Documentation

My aim was to install a B+RG panel made by AU Optronics. Model number B173HW01 V5.

Heres the spec comparison, between MY stock 900p panel (you may have a different 900p panel in yours) and the one looking to go in (the v4 is glossy, v5 is matte, only difference):
AUO TN Film B173HW01 V4 1920x1080 8ms 600:1 300 140/120 262k (6-bit) 90% Gamut B+RG LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B173RW01 V0 1600x900 8ms 500:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 60% Gamut W-LED Glossy

 

1- Remove the screen assembly from your base, using the link provided above.
2- Now your ready to go, remove the plastic lid panel by prying it off from the sides, best way to release the catches is to pry it off from the side where the rubber strip is. (the rubber strip stays with glass portion! only the back lid is coming off)
2- Once you have the lid off, its time to work on the PLEXI GLASS!! no need to remove anything at all, just the glass is coming off, begin in the top corner with something very flat, like a sharp blade or knife, separate the corner SLOWLY.
3- This process will take a while, so DONT BE IMPATIENT, work a little bit at a time. The way i did it, was separate a portion, then place a Q-Tip between the portion i separated so it wouldn't rejoin, and let it rest on top of a heater to loosen the adhesive for 5mins, then try seperate some more with the end of a ruler, pushing it in-between the plexi and stuck surface.
4- Now when you make it toward the bottom portion of the Plexi i.e where the alienware logo is. Then we have to move even slower, since that whole portion is stuck down, literally loosening about 2-3 cm at a time. This area is prone to cracks, i managed to sustain a crack along this area myself, but it doesn't reach the view able area, so i will leave it be.
5- Once you release the glass from the frame, your left with screws on the side of the LCD panel that is holding to the frame. You only need to remove the screws on the side, that are recessed to release the panel. But first remove the LVDS cable on the back of the panel, by removing the tape and pulling slowly (it comes out along the plane of the panel, not out and away from the panel)
6- Now the panel, should fall out and be replaced by your new panel, by working backwards. i.e. screw the panel in, reapply the glass, reapply the lid.

peeling off the residual adhesive from the glass and frame is a B***H!!!! thats it your done !!

CHECK MY PICTURES OUT!!!

 

I wonder how much better the B+RG screen is over the stock W-LED 1080p screen. Anyhow, thanks for the guide.

 

TBH, apparently not too much of a difference, the LG LP173WF1 and Chi Mei N173HGE-L11 all have great viewing angles, low black levels and amazing contrast ratios. (near 1000:1).

The AUO B+RG does have a higher gamut, but not by much oddly enough. These 17.3" panels are great as they are and very similar in overall specs.
The only difference worth noting in the 17" screen sector would be the RGB 17.6" 1200p screen, where the difference can be seen right off the bat. I miss my m17x r2

 

replacing the LED panel, the worst case scenario is a bust old panel?, since the 900p panels are as useless as cow crap anyway its no major loss.

i mean once that's off you can put on a new fresh panel and use fresh double sided tape?

cheers.

 

Here is a video that we made on how to disassemble the m17x.

 

i have ordered a entire front lid.

replacing the led itself is pretty impossible, unless you want a botched up laptop, even getting a new glass screen installed for 10 dollars would not be 100%,


unbelievable that dell made it such a mess of a job, and worse still that they allowed rubbish 900p screens to be sold on a laptop like this.

 

that video is useless, this thread is on replacing the LED screen. not taking apart the system, which is relatively easy so to speak.

and its for an older m17x, not a r3/r4.

 

will these other panels work in the m17x r3? looking into a panel upgrade. my current 900p panel is a sad sack of crap. and is in dire need of replacement

 

I've got the LG LP173WF1 pannel it's quite good.. In fact best LVDS display I've seen.. Would strongly recommend it

 

so i got the LG LP173WF1 (specificaly the TLE1 version) panel. turns out that's what was already in my laptop (laptop had tla1). it also turns out there are a gazzilion versions of this thing out there. the one i got and the one in my laptop were slightly different but the brightness on both was a sad 220cd/m. and both were 900p.

a heads up to anyone looking to get one. make sure the one you're getting is good. not sure which one you guys are talking about but the two i got suck.