Potential U36 Mods.

What I've done;
120gb SSD
8gb of ram
Backlit Keyboard - complete on page 4

What I'm thinking about doing;
Change the screen (still researching this one)


Backlit keyboard;

After some reading, it looks like I should be able to swap the keyboard out by using the suggestions in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod.html
I'm currently looking into ideal places to solder the back light cable. I also still need to acquire the keyboard.

Anyone have any idea what this connector is for? I'm going to check it with a multimeter later today.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg123/Lucifur/photo-1.jpg
****Update***

Upgrade Wifi Card;

I see that gentech offers different wireless cards for my laptop, what are your thoughts? Is it worth the upgrade?

Source: System Help

***Update***
There seems to be no REAL advantage to doing this.


Change the screen;

I'm still unsure if this is worth it. But with the release of the UX31 and its 1600 x 900 resolution screen, and knowing that Asus likes to reuse the same internal connectors on most of their laptops, what do you think are the odds of this being a possible mod? I wont know more until I get a UX31 to crack open at work.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks- ASUS ASUS ZENBOOK UX31E

 

I don't think you can apply the UL30 Mod into U36 because the keyboard layout is different... way too different though... lol

 

I think the UL30 and U36 have the same keyboard size...302 mm. It's just that the U36 top part is one solid piece. You would have to find a way to remove the top of the UL30 keyboard to fit it under the u36 top frame.


I am interested in swapping out the screen though. Let me know if you find out what model of screen is in the U31x, but I am guessing it would be the same connector as the U36. However, most ppl say not to use a different resolution screen if it was not fitted on the original laptop. Still, if I could get my hands on the screen on the Samsung 900x3a, I would swap that into my U36 in a heartbeat even though it still is a 1366x768.

 

Any idea why?

 

Some LCDs @ different resolutions can sometimes have different absolute dimensions, and there can be fit issues. Doesn't always happen with Asus notebooks, but it's been reported off and on over the years.

 

This is what it looks like:

 

Well I ordered a keyboard, I am NOT looking forward to removing that shielding crap =/

 

Let us know how it turns out, I'm interested in doing this myself once I get some spare cash.

Oh and why don't you use the 3.3V from the sata connector like someone did towards the end of the UL30 backlit mod thread? It seemed to yield great results, plus involved no actual mod/soldering of the motherboard.

 

Im still curious as to what that connector is for in my first post. Any thoughts?

I'm considering doing it that way. That mysterious connector in my first post outputs 3.5V when the computer is on. I'm considering using it.

 

Please let us know how the keyboard fits/works out. I am extremely interested in doing this myself on my u36.

 

its going to take around 2 weeks for the keyboard to arrive, but I will let you know.

 

I upgraded to the Intel 6230. I am, however, having a problem with it not connecting from sleep or hibernation. It seems to be a common problem and I haven't found a fix. Are you seeing that problem with the standard wifi?

 

Not at all.

 

I have the Intel 6230 and have no problems reconnecting from sleep.

Fresh install w/ intel driver only from intel website.

 

Thanks, I had updated the driver but had not done an uninstall. That worked. I am happy again.

 

I will try that screen soon I hope LCD
and hope it looks better and works.

My U36SD has Intel WIFI 6230 Intel SSD 160 X25-M and AS5.

 

The only 13.3" 1600x900 replacement lcd I have found is CLAA133UA01:
CLAA133UA01 replacement Laptop LCD Screen $79.99 Brand-new screens (never used).

Its connector is on the same side as stock U36 lcd and it is 40 pins plus it can be matte or glossy, which ever you may prefer, but I am not sure if the absolute dimesions of this lcd are the same as the stock.

 

So back light mod is possible after all, we just need to take the whole key from the back light mod and put it on our U36 housing... Am I right?

 

In spanish version of U36SD, this port is used for fingerprint reader.

 

yes this makes sense.

also i think i thought of a "clean" solution if the keyboard fits in the housing and if you dont mind the backlight to be always on. anyways if you figure out which pins in the fingerprint reader's connector is vcc and ground, i think you should be able to file off or cover the data pins on the ribbon cable for backlight and just use the fingerprint reader's connector. someone correct me if im wrong i dont want someone to short their board.

 

I have contacted them and asked more questions like how thick it is and what not. It would be nice if it work's and is the same screen as the UX31 and it's over 400 nit's

After that is just a matter of hoping that the video bios support the 1600X900 Rez and we are set.

 

From the specs that I have seen on this screen I believe that the brightness is closer to 200 nits 250 tops.

Another 13.3 lcd that is 1600x900 is LP133WD1 made by lg. This screen is 300 nits but is a lot harder to find in stock anywhere.

 

Cool I will look in to that one also I will call them to day and get the price and ETA LG and 300nits sound's grate.

 

Ah that's what I assumed. Thankyou for clarifying.
Now, to look into if I can use it to power the backlight, and if I can use software to enable/disable it

 

The keyboard mod sounds interesting. Please let us know how it goes!

 

where/how much did you get your keyboard for?

I am so pumped for this mod that i cant wait =). i am looking at getting it from this seller on ebay:

ASUS U30 UL30 UL30A UL30V Keyboard - Backlit | eBay

The only problem is that i'll have to pay taxes on it since i live in ontario.

Also the keys look like they have a different texture then the one on our u36. Kinda like it better

 

This is the exact one I bought, still waiting for it.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/310209685290...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_6117wt_1163

 

Well, I have some bad news.
The keyboard has arrived and I was doing a quick test, just to make sure the U36 would work with the keyboard, so i plugged it in, and no go, the computer wont respond to any input from the new keyboard.


Any suggestions??


********UPDATE**********

So after I pulled my head out of my but, and flipped the ribbon cable over. the keyboard works now.

 

glad it worked out. curious to find out how this goes since i bought U36SD couple days ago. thanks for making this thread gl with keyboard and let us know!

 

Well, Good and bad news. The keyboard fits in the U36 Casing pretty well, and it works in windows.

Now the bad news, the way the U36 keyboard as gentech mentioned on page one is with 12 tiny tiny screws. I was only able to get 4 or 5 screws to line up with holes on the frame, this causes the keyboard to flex. I'm going to look into placing a non-conductive foam behind the keyboard to stiffen it up a little. Sorry for the lack of pics, but I haven't done anything worth taking pictures of yet XD

 

Is there anyway to somehow take the led lighting off that keyboard and somehow rig it onto the original U36 keyboard?

 

The backlight cover does peel off with the help of a little heat, I had to remove it to install the keyboard anyways. As far as I can tell, the backlit keyboard is opened up a bit more at the back to help the light shine through. You would also have to swap the keys over and just use the frame.

We'll see which route I end up taking. I may order another keyboard or two to mess around with.

 

Well, I've never done "non-compatible" swap (as far as parts are concerned) and I was wondering if you can tap to align these holes.

So 4~5 holes perfectly align with the old hole pattern. Are they scattered so that it's fastened properly? I am curious if it's really needed to screw all 12 screws. Just my 2 cents.

 

Also, any progress on the screen yet? As one of potential buyers of UX31 (until couple days ago), I am extremely curious to find out if it's possible. This will complete the package.

 

can you post a picture of what the back of the keyboard looks like when the plate is removed?

 

Right now the only 1600x900 13.3 in screen that I see in stock anywhere is CLAA133UA01. I have asked several sites about the LG LP133WD1 which is brighter, but no one has it in stock. The CLAA133UA01 looks slightly different physically than the stock screen, but given that ii is only about $75 I might order one after the holidays to see if it will work.

 

interesting. i am glad that we have more than 1 person working on u36 mod.

drinks on me! cheers!

 

Holy crap that was tedious.
I don't recommend the keyboard mod if you don't have patience. I ended up milling out more holes on the back of the keyboard so I could mount a total of 11/12 screws, they REALLY need to be there or else the keyboard flexes and feels really cheap.
I will apologize the lack of pictures, I simply do not have a good camera. These pictures are from my cellphone.

Someone requested a picture of the back of the top with no keyboard in it. Im sorry, I forgot. But to summarize it, its covered in tiny untapped holes, if you mill out a few holes on the back of the backlit keyboard you should be able to get at least 11 to line up.

You have to remove the backlight panel in order to install the keyboard, this can easily be done with a hair dryer and patience.

After you have the keyboard mounted follow the steps in the article my first post. I chose to grab power from the sata power connection.

So, I guess you want some pics?

 

wow that is awesome. I'm gonna order me a keyboard now lol great work.

 

also did you use anything to control the backlight or is it always on even when it goes to sleep? Any hit on battery life? Did you try taking power from the fingerprint connector?

Lol sorry i have a lot of questions and would really like to do this mod.

 

Its always on when the computers on, when you put it to sleep or close the lid the light turns off.

Not that I've noticed.

No, the most voltage I was able to pull from those wins was 3.3v, and that simply was not bright enough for me, so I took 5v from the SATA connector.
That and the pins on the fingerprint reader are tiny tiny things.

 

NICE!!! Looks AWESOME! great job Lucifur!
When you say mill out, did you mean simple drilling or does this also require tap? I have no idea if what keyboard attaches to are tapped or not. I was just curious if you can use a drill to line up holes for screw to go through. Thanks.

 

i ordered the keyboard. I got this one shipped for ~$30

New ASUS U80 Keyboard Arabic Black Backlit | eBay

looks like it has the same layout as US, but just includes arabic letters which i dont mind. + its $15 cheaper than the other one.

 

The only thing I could see difrent on that one it the inverter look's a bit biger there could be room in the bezel or we could switch from the original screen if it's the same connector. I am planing on getting it in matt also or if I could find the LG that would be even better.

 

I had to tap a few of the holes that already existed on the laptops chassis. The holes I had to mill out are part of the metal frame the keys of the keyboard are attached to.

 

looks like i will need more than just a simple tool.
i wonder if i can just grind out...how much did you mill out? (area, length, just rough guesses?)
thanks for sharing and did i say it looks awesome? yeah i did.

 

i would also like to know as well. Would it be possible to use the frame of the original keyboard and to mount the leds on the frame then swap all the keys?

 

I used a tiny file. I had to open up a few holes (on the keyboard frame, not the laptop chassis) a millimetre or so.

The keys on the backlit keyboard will not fit on the frame of the original keyboard. I tried.

 

thanks for all the info!!! now i just cant wait till my keyboard gets here

 

I had a wrong idea of "mill out" part Nice to hear that!