Need help changing lcd panel on M17...from M9750

O.K. When I got my M17 I thought I would prefer the lower res 1440x900 screen over the high-res screen on my M9750 at least for better readability.

Turns out that..........the low res screen really sucks! Blacks are a dark shade of gray, viewing angles aren't as good, it's not glossy and generally just looks washed out.

What I want to do is switch the LCD panels between the two laptops.

Have any of you done this, or is there a how-to somewhere I couldn't find?

I'd like to have the info for either of the models I have or an OCZ whitebook.

I just don't want to break any plastic retainers or something.

I don't think it will be a problem but I will also be keeping the camera that came with the M17 cause the res is a little better.

Any help is appreciated

 

There should be screws under the rubber grommets around the LCD housing. Other than that, I've never been able to detach the LCD assembly from the rest of the unit on my former m9750. Although I'm sure there is a magically-clever way of doing it. There is very little documentation on the subject online; I would try asking a reputable ebay seller of M9750 or M17 parts how to install/ or whatnot. Pretend like your a prospective buyer, and they will be more willing to help.

 

ichime's done a lid swap on his m9750 and whitebook, which AFAIK requires disassembling the entire lid, so i guess he'd be the man to ask.

 

Thanks,
I'll try that if I don't get any firsthand info here.

 

Thx whizzo.

I'd just switch out the entire lid but I think the antenna for the intel 5300 mimo is different....I think.

 

Your current lid contins the wireless cables. If you were to swap the whole lid, you would have to get under the keyoard and pull out the wireless antennas. Otherwise, just changing the LCD is fairly straight forward. Just make sure that you disconnect the Web Cam and the LCD to Motherboard connector from the back of the LCD.

 

Actually, swapping lids between a M9750 and an M17 is MUCH easier than what I did. I wanted the Alienware look on a regular OCZ Whitebook, which warranted parting out the lid assembly. With the M17 and the M9750, just disconnect the two data cables and WiFi wires and just reconnect them. The inverters are compatible with eachother and their lids are exactly the same.

However, the M9750 has a 1.3mp camera while the M17 has a 2.0mp camera. If you want to keep the 2.0mp camera in your M17, then you will have to do a full part-out of the lid assembly.

 

I totally made the same mistake. But since I don't have a 9750 laying around, I'm going to have to buy one and swap it out.

Would this work?

http://www.screentekinc.com/Alienware_Area-51_M17--17-inch--1920x1200-wuxga-laptop-lcd-screen.shtml

 

well they say it does, so how would we know any better?

 

Well, I mean, swapping an Area 51 LCD into an M17 lid. Disconnect the cables, take the 1440 out, and drop the 1900 in and reconnect the cables, right?

 

if the connectors match, yes.

 

dude you can get cheaper ones off of ebay like 180 .....

i am doing the same thing just money is tight in college

 

Sorry I wasn't able to respond to all your suggestions as you made them. I'm babysitting my grandson and he's a handful.

And thaks a lot for all the info, I don't think it will be too difficult. I'll go ahead and put together a how-to if anyone is interested.

I never realized how crummy the 1440x900 screen looked. I guess I got spoiled on the high res on my M9750.

 

I'll let the .7 mp of the camera go if it makes it that much easier or gives me less chance of damaging something.

 

Or you could just sell your M17's to me with the WXGA+ panels? Go ahead, gut 'em and take everything out. The chassis w/ 3870's will do JUST FINE.

 

Hold your breath. Hold.........hold............hold................................................................

 

LOL........

At this rate, I'm going to end up buying a few close out Whitebooks and swapping in a WXGA+ AW Panel (which are always in eBay for <$150).

 

Wish I could help ya buddy,

I'm just not atthe parting out phase yet.

 

I just looked a ztronics and they want almost $300. for a LCD screen. I guess it's like auto parts, If you built a rig buying parts from them the $3000 rig would end up costing you $10,000. They want $65 just for the LCD cable!

I called A.W. before I got my M17 to check on getting a replacement video card for my M9750. They told me they can't get them anymore, but I should give ztronics a call. No thanks!

 

i told you look on ebay
here is the model nuber

lp171wu3
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=lp171wu3&_sacat=See-All-Categories

there

 

Yeah, I know, I was just looking at what they had.

I don't need one cause I'm switching screens between my M9750 and my M17.

 

no there was another guy look ing or was that a different thread?