changing out r500 to WSXGA+ or WUXGA: proof in the pudding

Hello all-

Yes, the guy in this thread did it. Looks fantastic! Link is here.

So, I got just got this great R500- happy as can be (for the most part) but the screen resolution just is no good for me. Too large of a step down from my T43 with SXGA+ res ( Flexview screen). Using Excel and Google docs is a serious drag. Complaint is nothing uncommon here....

So, what are the other success stories out there of people changing from 15.4" WXGA to 15.4" WSXGA or WUXGA? If so, please post the process, part #'s, etc. to guide the way for this upgrade. No interest in comparing screen brands here. I know there is concern about frying something permanently, thus turning the unit into a bad frisbee, so include your way of dealing with that.

My model is a common unit - 2717-ASU with the webcam in the bezel. The video card is Intel GMA 4500MHD. I am a beginner here, not afraid, & I can also build your house. Thanks!

Also, f you know something that makes this switch prohibitive (ie chance of success is 10%), please chime in.

 

the R500 can be ordered with the WSXGA+ LCD even with the intel GPU (not available in all countries).

You just need to follow the hardware manual for the parts listing.

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/43y6631_02.pdf

 

Seeing as the WSXGA+ was offered on the R500, and the same panel as well as the WUXGA screens were offered on the W500 (same chassis as the T500, which maxed out at the WSXGA+ panel), it should not be too difficult of a swap. Is your WXGA screen CCFL-backlit?

 

From my serial # & the ThinkWiki page my screen is as follows: 15.4" 1280x800 FRU# 42T0607 98.0 DPI 200 nit 300:1 Contrast made by LG-Philips model # LP154WX5 I believe it is CCFL-backlit.

 

R500 LCD don't have LED backlit as found in many T500.

 

Ok- I looked at the Hardware Maint. Manual- thanks for the reminder to look at that. Looking at the sequence again, there is a lot to keep straight. Still not too daunted, but still is there someone with actual practical experience who has done the switch? Just interested in minimizing my errors & risking frying some internal part....

 

Take a look at these videos (look under FRU Removals/Replacements and select LCD) for the T61/R61, which are nearly identical to the T500/R500 - hopefully that'll help you work up the courage to do the swap

 

OK- thanks for that! The videos just showed the LCD swap, that didn't daunt me as much as the replacing the LCD from within the bezel, & all the supporting wires & parts that go on it accordingly. That looks like a pretty substantial replacement, however.

With that said, does any body have input on the real/imagined possibility of frying any internal components from installing a higher res. screen onto a platform originally designed for an XGA screen?

 

The only things that you could potentially break with an LCD swap (that I can imagine) are A) the display connector, B) the plastic bezel, C) other wiring in the lid such as the webcam and WiFi antennas, and D) the actual screen assembly.

You won't fry the motherboard or anything like that - the most expensive component you could possibly damage is the panel itself, likely somewhere in the $200 range for a WSXGA+ or WUXGA panel by my guess.

 

Ok- I read somewhere that there was a real possibility of frying a video card, or something like that. I just do not have a solid grasp on all the technical aspects of the hardware's needs & compatibilities. This is one reason I put this question out to the forum.

I am still into someone posting their successful process, & the FRU's they used to do this. Thanks for all the help so far.

 

I am not sure you should go ahead with this upgrade, when you are second guessing yourself even after reading these instructions. There are not many people whom has R500 laptop on this forum, and certainly lot less people whom upgrades the screen on these machines.

As long as you got the right part, and ground yourself with anti-static wrist strap and anti-static mats, then you should be good to go.

Changing the LCD on the R500 is no different to that of the T61.

 

I am second guessing myself, & won't do it until I feel comfortable. I just know how these things seem straight forward (enough) but one off detail can blow it. Thanks for all the info so far.......

 

If you follow all the steps in order, take your time(this is an important one) and follow these few important safety steps I'll explain below, it's really not that hard.

Firstly, make sure your notebook is removed from all power sources, A/C and battery both. Secondly, make sure you have the right tools(#0 and #1 Philips and one small slotted drivers, all of them non-magnetic, and perhaps a screw grabber if you have one just in case) and a place to put and organize all the screws. Organize them by the steps you take to remove them, and you won't be missing/scrambling for them.

Make sure you're working in a clean, clear area and that you ground yourself. A friend of mine(who used to be an IT guy for a company who exclusively used ThinkPads) has told me that danger from static zaps have decreased since the old days, but I always like to protect myself as a good precaution. If you're really feeling paranoid you can use one of those antistatic wristbands, but I haven't found one necessary as long as you make sure to ground yourself often. You're not doing too terribly much around the motherboard so you should be fine.

Be gentle with the panels. They're not priceless vase fragile, but they can't be manhandled too badly. All you have to do to get to it is remove the screws in the LCD lid, remove the screws that fasten the LCD to the hinge assembly, gently pry it from the lid, and pop the connector off. If you're going from a CFFL panel to another CFFL panel, you'll most likely be able to pull the panel without even removing the lid from the notebook. Just take your time.

If you're mechanically inclined and are willing to be patient(especially if you haven't worked on a notebook before), there really isn't anything to worry about if you take a few precautions. While notebook internals are delicate, they're not going to break if you look at them funny.

 

intel 4 series integrated graphics can handle WUXGA by specification.

Even if the cable does not have enough wires running you can run more to get it to work. Often there are 30pin connector cables with only 20 wires but it does not seem to be the case here considering the success stories.

As far as the safety of the whole thing, I have gone from a 15.4" WSXGA panel to to a 14" WXGA panel while my laptop was powered on. Not that I recommend such things at all. Just as an indicator for how dangerous it really is, my system did crash after a few minutes because it was still trying to do wsxga on a wxga screen, but as far as long term issues, i'm sure there haven't been any caused by that.

Furthermore 200$ is way too much for such screens unless they are somehow incredibly high quality. I got my WSXGA panel for 40$ shipped, there are some WUXGA for 50$ in general.

 

Here is someone that changed the R500 LCD to a WUXGA resolution model.

Re: Change display type at R500 - Page 2 - Lenovo Community

The intel gpu can support WUXGA, otherwise the W500 with WUXGA LCD wouldn't have worked on the intel gpu.

 

This is all fantastic help, especially the link to the other success story! And I won't be changing the screen while the unit is on!! So it seems that there is a cable change, OK.

So, to divert the thread a little to the screen choice- my biggest interest in changing the screen to a higher resolution was for the real estate AND picture quality (the R500 WXGA screen is pretty darn washed out, and not good with color transference. I didn't believe it until I saw it in person.)

1. Can a CCFL or a LED backlit unit work in this R500?
2. Which screen type gives my the picture with truer blacks, reds, greens, yellows, etc.?
3. So then can I use ANY T500, W500, or R500 screen in my unit? I am not concerned about battery drain here.

 

There is no LED screen for WSXGA+ or WUXGA, they are all CCFL at this resolution.

LG is better than Samsung...

Check the LCD model no. here

TFT display - ThinkWiki