Official "swapping the XPS 17 L701x screen" thread

Thank you Mitchell2.24v!
I did as you suggested and yes the knee jerk reaction is the screen seems pinkish, but right away my pictures and video are "warmer and fuller " in appearence. I have no issues with this profile. If anything, it presents "a truer image" for lack of better words. I also suggest to all who have tried and changed back, give it some time, and view some other pics that you have and you will see it.
Just my opinion,
Rooster

 

i got the same results as Redlance with the colour profile you posted Mitchell. i guess im really used to "blue" panels i didnt like it at all, but i didnt try it for more than 5 minutes.
i will set it again tomorrow n leave it for a couple of days, n see how it goes

 

Actually, my eyes seem to have adjusted now. The picture looks nicer and warmer than the default Windows colors.

So until I get myself a better screen, I'm keeping this profile.

 

I'm glad you're all getting better results from the panel!

 

I'v tried everything, it's not a driver problem. I use linux and also in this system when i use the nvidia module (that works for 1600*900 panel) it stuck like windows one and the screen stays in black. So, my results are, INCOMPATIBLE or DEFECTIVE (but there's no way that work vga and hd not because of the worng cable positiniong!).

 

Well I ordered a screen from Vancouver Laptop Inc., 1090 3rd St. W., North Vancouver, BC, V7P 3J6
Phone: 1-778-340-5658, FAX: 1-604-980-6269 Laptop LCD Screen 17.3-inch Wide Screen (15.5"x8.98") WUXGA (1920x1080) Full HD Glossy LED for p/n B173HW01 V.4 / 5 years warranty [$25] 1pc. @ $159.99. They said it would be an AUO so we will see.

 

now im getting all confused, decided im going to go for the AUO panel

but if you put in the part number B173HW01 V.4 you get conflicting info

some shops say that its a dell direct replacment like this one
B173HW01 V 4

and one says its a dell screen!! but doesnt mention if its an LED backlit screen

AU OPTRONICS B173HW01 V.4 17.3 DELL



if anyone else in the UK has ordered one would like to knwo which one and where they got it, pleeeease

i have emailed the last guys to get clarification

 

The screen you have listed as AU OPTRONICS B173HW01 V.4 17.3 DELL is not the screen you want as it has a 1 CCFL Lamp(s) as backlight and not LED backlight.

And the first one only has a resolution of 1600 x 900 HD. I would not buy either one of these screens.

 

Does anyone know why the B173HW01 V4 is not listed in the products list on AU Optronics web site?
The only 17.3" panel listed is B173RW01 which is 1600 x 900. Guess I'm a little timid about ordering a panel that the manufacturer doesn't claim to make.

 

In that case it is probably defective and you should send it back. But please also mention the specs and let them know it is *not* a better panel!

If it is not the V.4, you will probably get the V.0 which is also a good panel.

I actually emailed them to let them know their specs are wrong. There is only one type of B173HW01 V.4 panel, and it is LED backlit, FHD.

From both companies you will get a 'compatible' panel. So beware.

They just have the specs written down incorrectly. That gives off a lot of confidence, doesn't it...

 

I just updated my guide earlier in this thread. It should now be fairly complete

 

I ordered mine from here:

B173HW01 V.4 replacement Laptop LCD Screen. Brand-new screens (never used).

FedEx is on it's way to deliver it now, i'll post my results when I get it, and all setup.

 

Great! Let us know and post some pics if you can. Also let me know it you think my updated guide needs tweaking!

 

Just got the screen, they did ship the AUO except it's V.0 and not V.4 which I'm hoping that there is not a big difference between the quality of the screens.. I'll find out when I run Spyder against it.

 

The V.0 should also be a great screen. The only difference is 72% instead of 90% gamut.

 

I've updated the first post with the ordering links used and with a description stating if the person got what he ordered or not.

 

I reviewed your updated guide and all I can say is GREAT JOB! the indicators where the tabs are in the bezel are very helpful and are sure to save a lot of undue stress and add to future up grader's confidence when they do upgrade their screen. Nicely done.
Again, I cannot say how lucky we are to have such a dedicated owner willing to share his experience in such detail with other L701x owners, and if it were not for his thread, I would be still tolling with the notion of " what do I do now?"
The information that your thread has provided and your influence upon your readers to expand on what you started should be noted by the moderators and administrators of this forum. I hope somehow that they have taken notice of your work, for it has been exemplary. from my experience in the computer industry, to have access to such detailed information would have definitely required payment of some sort, either by subscription or by the page. If I were of more of the professional ilk, I would compile all your information and sell it as a "how to improve and enjoy your XPS 17 Guide".
But of course, this is just one man's opinion, though better educated because of your work.

Rooster

 

Updated the first post to reflect this. Great job!!

 

Ok, just got the screen installed and setup. I do have some notes to share though.

Overall the guide is great, it will give people a good understanding on what to do. I was really scared taking off the bezel but managed to get it off without breaking any teeth.

I would recommend modifying the reassembly instructions a bit. Mostly you should have people turn on the system once the display is mounted to test the new screen and webcam to ensure proper connections before putting the bezel back in place.

Hardware wise everything worked great. software wise, thats a complete different story. The issue i encountered was once the windows loader did that fancy ball bounce thing, the screen would go completely blank. after a little frustrations, and some diagnostic work my solution i came up with is that you cannot use the default dell Nvidia drivers. this was the cause.

I ended up having to use drive sweeper and install the modified drivers located in a separate thread on these forums. I'm not sure why this is, if somebody knows or knows what files need to be tweaked that would be awesome. but as it stands using the dell provided Nvidia drivers would just cause a blank screen.

Attached are some comparisons between the old 900p display with the new display. I've also included a calibration profile for this LCD. (AU Optronics B173HW01 V.0 Version.)

 

Thanks man! I got to where I am now by reading a lot and teaching myself the things I know now. Therefore I am in favour or self-study and sharing that which I know. It helps all of us.

Feel free to compile a book and sell it I'll PM you my account number if you do

You are completely right. And that is what I did myself. I just put back the two screws at the top and testes everything.

This is also great info. I have been running the 266.44 drivers on both my Win7 installs, so that's why I never noticed it. This will go into the preparation paragraph.

Maybe we (RedlanceEQ) could post all the profiles on the first page?

ANyway, I will take your advice and update the guide some more. Thanks for the great tips.

 

Have you tried the modded drivers from this post? They might solve your problem. Read soup4you2's post above!

Thanks!

 

Not a problem..

I'll load up my Linux partition later this evening; if the woman gives me a moment to breath, and check to see if there is anything different that needs to be done there.

 

I have done a comparison of the two AUO panels vs the LG one, and the v.0 panel has a nice improvement over the LG one, like soup4you2 already wrote in his post.



I have also created a new package with all three profiles (LG, AUO v.4 and AUO v.0) in one file, just in case someone finds that convenient.

 

*slaps forehead* Duh! I should have thought of that before.

I'll get that done as soon as I can.

 

great, thanks!

And for those still in doubt, now that we can compare the different screens, I think the v.0 screen is a very good replacement for the default LG screen. It has better viewing angles, and a larger gamut, but it is also easier to get. So if you don't specifically need the (little) extra gain in gamut the v.4 yields over the v.0, my advice would be to go for the v.0.

Now all we need is a profile for the two LG panels (the matte one, and the glossy one that doesn't yet work) we can do a full comparison! Oh, and someone needs to order the actual Hannstar screen

 

That is actually a pretty amazing difference between the V.0 and the V.4 I'm now in the mood to contact the seller and get a new display sent to me, I ordered the V.4, paid for the V.4, and now a little annoyed that they shipped out the V.0. At least they didn't ship out the LG display claiming it's better, so i'll give them credit on that one.

Sneaky Bast**ds. Story is once you get you're new display make sure it's exactly what you ordered. I'm sure most sellers get away with this because 95% of people or repair shops just care that it works.

 

There is indeed a significant difference between the V.0 and the V.4, and some people will need or appreciate the difference, but I also think that the V.0 is already a significant upgrade from the LG panel, so for some that might be good enough.

But technically you're right, you didn't get 20% of what you paid for (72% instead of 90% gamut). Good luck with this, I hope you get them to send you a V.4. With the spec sheets in hand you could argue / prove your point.

 

Soup4you2 let me know how it works out about the screen as I ordered one form the same people. I put on the order form that I only wanted the screen if it was an AOU B173HW01 V.4 and nothing else. They also told me through their support ticket that is what I would receive.

 

found this on Amazon recently. link below:
Amazon.com: AU OPTRONICS B173HW01 V.4 LAPTOP LCD SCREEN 17.3" Full-HD LED DIODE (SUBSTITUTE REPLACEMENT LCD SCREEN ONLY. NOT A LAPTOP ): Electronics


$177.98
AU OPTRONICS B173HW01 V.4 LAPTOP LCD SCREEN 17.3" Full-HD LED DIODE (SUBSTITUTE REPLACEMENT LCD SCREEN ONLY. NOT A LAPTOP )

no close up photos to see the actual V.4

someone want to take a chance on this? We all know we can return it to amazon without any problems.

 

I opened up a support ticket, lets see how it goes. I really only care because i do a lot of professional photography (i'm more of a hobby enthusiast.) but the extra color range does make a difference. For anybody else the V.0 is actually a beautiful display. it pretty much fills the entire sRGB range, with a tiny bit extra coverage.

However at least we know now the V.0 is compatible with the L701x.

Attached is an updated calibration profile. Spyder was telling me the best brightness on this display was 95%.

 

Here's what I got


-----------------------------------------
Me:
Sorry to bother you, except I ordered the AU Optronics B173HW01 V.4 display, and I had received the AU Optronics B173HW01 V.0. Normally i really would not care except for I do some professional photo work and require the extra gamut on the V.4 display. The V.0 only has 72% gamut instead of the 90% in the V.4.

BTW, thanks for the very fast shipping on the display. However can we do something about getting the V.4 model in which i had ordered.

Jan 13, 2011 13:07:13

------------------------------------------
Giedrius Tamosauskas wrote:
We only stock the B173HW01 V.0 model and we cannot not confirm the accuracy of your information about the gamut.
Other model we stock is by LG, although it is matte.
Cheers!

 

Maybe you could point them to the PDFs with the specs. They clearly state the gamut in the optical characteristics for both panels.

 

Thanks I just sent them another support ticket asking them to confirm that they are shipping me a AUO B173HW01 V.4 and not a similar model.

 

Just got an answer from them and all they have to ship is the B173HW01 V.0 . I have canceled the order and they are refunding my money.

 

Updated the first post to put the profiles and the guide on how to add them.

Also updated the second post to add pics of Mitchell's screen.

 

Since no one can find a place to purchase the AUO B173HW01 V.4 screen locally (USA) I was thinking about ordering 20 from were Mitchell2.24v ordered his. If I did this would anybody be interested in buying one?

 

I was actually thinking of a similar thing over here, but I'm not fond of the logistical side of a deal like this. If anyone in NL/BE/UK is interested, we could try and work something out though. If you're buying big, 20 is indeed the magic number. Anything less than that would be relatively expensive shippingwise.

For 20 pieces the price per panel could end up between $90 and $100, excl shipping to the individual buyer. The actual price depends a bit on banking cost and the cost of packaging for the final leg of shipping, I would have to calculate that.

It could be worthwile, but could also end up being a hassle.

Oh, and I'm not sure if we're allowed to discuss this kind of deal here on the forum.

 

I don't know about discussing it here also, but it seams the only way to get the best screen to replace the ones that come with the L701x.

 

count me in. I'm in US too

 

edited for incorrect info.

 

Thanks RoosterRed but I am not that into posting on different sights. As you can tell by how many post I have here.

 

Mitchel2.24 V
I sent an email inquiry including the spec sheet to Studio Technologies regarding availability of the B173HW01 V.4 panel and received this rather confusing reply;

Dear Edward
Do you want to use on Dell machine?
Your data sheet is for H/W: 0A, it is use on Dell. But we can offer 1A only.
Please check the attached photo.

Best Regards,
Danny Hung

The photo was to large to post but it is a picture of the back of the panel. Below the model number is - H/W:1A F/W:0
Seems likely that these are Hardware and Firmware revs but I don't know for sure.

Do you remember what was on the back of the panel you received?
Thanks

 

im looking to order one as well - did you email the Sales department (Simon Lin) or Purchase Department (Ingrid Huang) ?

 

I sent the original inquiry to Simon in the sales dept. The reply came from Danny Hung.
I'm still unsure about ordering from them though, since he told me that the HW:0A is for the Dell and they don't have it. I'm not sure that the HW:1A panel will work since I don't have a datasheet for that panel to compare with the HW:0A. I want to be sure they have the same physical layout.

 

Mine was also H/W: 1A and F/W 0

 

When you installed the H/W: 1A or since you've been using it, is there anything that you think might account for the sales guy's note about the H/W: 0A being for the Dell?

 

Not really, for me it has worked flawlessly. Maybe the Dell/nVidia driver thing could be a reason, but as I was already on the modded nVidia drivers, I never noticed a problem.

 

I've emailed Studio Technologies and asked them to send me a data sheet for the H/W: 1A so I can compare them. I'll post if they send it.

 

Mitchell2.24v is it safe to install the modded nVidia drivers for the regular Dell xps 17 screen? is there any improvement? or will i not notice anything until i upgrade my lcd to the one you brought from Taiwan.

Thanks.

 

Edrunci

I found a site that claims " We ship only the exact part as advertised to ensure quality and compatibility."

They offer the one that is "supposedly" for our Dell

Model: B173HW01 V.4 H/W: 0A

link - AU Optronics B173HW01 V.4 0A 17.3in. Full HD 1920x1080 LCD Display Panel