Brightening up a CF-18 or CF-19 even more...

This is a simple mod, but not without risk. You need to take the screen out of your laptop, use water and patience to remove a part of it, and put it all back in...

So with that out of the way, you need some paper towels, distilled water, scissors, screwdriver, a good movie or two.

The idea:
These screens have a layer of diffusing plastic on the front of them. It's not perfectly clear and in my experiments building projectors from old LCD monitors I found you can peel this layer off, if you ware VERY careful...

The Way:

You need to get the screen out, be careful! Service guides are online out there, I found one easy enough. Once you get the screen out, we start.

Cut paper towels to fit the viewable surface of the screen, use 3-4 layers of towel and wet them. Carefully squeeze out as much of the water as you can, you might have to trim them more. Take some of your scraps and stack them up 8 layers or so thick and make these a fair bit wetter.



You can see how close it's trimmer to the edge. You can normally feel the edge of the top layer out with your nail, but do be careful.

This has to sit a few hours!! Keep it moist, but you dont want water running off it, if it gets between the glass layers it will push out the liquid crystal, and you'll be screwed hard.

The Results:

Once this has soaked long enough, the diffuser will lift right off, leaving you a clean shiny screen. That layer you see now is the polarizer, without it you got no picture. DO NOT TOUCH THAT! and DO NOT USE ANY SOAPS! If this layer has crap stuck to it, use a very soft cloth and only distilled water to clean it up.



You can see the shine of it. Once you got all that done, you should see about %10 more brightness with no harm. If you nick or pull off the polarizer.. well. it can be replaced. http://www.3dlens.com/shop/lcdpolarizer.php has replacements right from china, but its a real pain! [I had to replace one on a LCD my friend and I where using in a Projector because the bulb melted it >.<]

Anyways, I hope this helps someone out. I do have an anti-glare screen protector on my Toughbook, I noticed on my 18 with the touch this was less noticeable than my 19 tablet.

 

I would like to point out that unless you order, obtain and reinstall the correct double stick tape that you will lose the water resistance of the screen.

I would proceed with MUCH caution.

 

Actually, you arent removing the touchscreen at all, this is all one strictly to the LCD.

Here is proof it's still water proof. My Youtube Video of my Cf-18 I did this too originally.

Also, one more picture:

 

It should also be pointed out that the "diffuser" is called a screen protector and if you use your touch/digitizer screen a lot you might want to consider leaving it on. You do not need to take the lcd out of the bezel to renew the screen protector. EDIT, your picture proves that water will bead up on the screen. It does not prove that water can't find its way around behind the screen.
CAP

 

Capt, repeat that again? You DON'T need to take the LCD out of the bezel to replace the screen protector?!?!?! How do you figure?

 

This isnt about removing the screen protector. If you sit back and read it, its about removing the diffuser on the LCD its self... Try looking up how LCDs are made and put together, you'll find it in there, I promise...

Let me say it this way:
1) take apart the screen. Take out all the screws on the antenna covers and bezel to pop it apart.
2) disconnect wires for LCD and Touchscreen.
3) remove LCD Inverter and set aside.
4) remove LCD carefully.
5) cut towels to match viewable area on screen.
6) Soak. Dont make it dripping wet but moist, takes a few hours.
7) Test, try to peel up that outer matte layer of screen, be careful not to peel off smooth polarizing layer below it.
8) Let dry, clean with soft cloth and distiller water if needed.
9) Reassemble, just reverse what you did
10) Enjoy a little extra brightness.

Now I come from hard core modding and so on; This seems to be a bit much for most so far. YOU ARE NOT REMOVING THE TOUCH PANEL FROM BEZEL, THE SCREEN PROTECTOR OR THE GLASS FROM THE BEZEL. If you remove it, you're on your own.

GO GET YOURSELF A SERVICE MANUAL!!

 

Watch the video, and after reading the instructions I have now posted twice you will see that nothing taped down, glued or sealed is removed, altered or broken. Toughbook modding is easy, been doing it since the CFM34 when I added Wifi and my own antenna. Just got to not be afraid to use drill bits, JB weld and silicone.

 

Well since I have just woken up from my nap and am at my grouchiest time of the day I'll offer this.
I don't need to get a Service manual, I've had them all for a long time!
Yes Rob you can replace the screen protector without removing the bezel look carefully and you can see the edge of the protector just inside the bezel. Removing it requires a careful prying up of a corner and peeling off the protector as smoothly as possible. Sometimes a little heat from a hair dryer will help. This does not always go as well as might be hoped, and applying the new protector can be a PITA so you decide if you want to try it.
Next, just reread morganlowe's post, he's right, he's messing with the lcd, not the touch screen, still not sure its a good idea but you don't need to take the touchscreen out of the bezel to do it.
CAP

 

The service guide does not show what I am removing because its considered part of the LCD screen assembly. Havent you ever run your fingers across a LCD? You feel that little rough surface? Thats it. Its a protective layer and anti-glare on older screens with a matte finish. Take it off, you get a little more light.

I need to not be mean... But seriously... you guys here seem to stick hard to the book... even looking around you seem to think there is only one place to get toughbook parts, and I buy mine direct from Panasonic...

At any rate, read carefully, do this at your own risk once again.

http://beta.ivancover.com/wiki/index.php/Eee_PC_Internal_Upgrades#Removing_anti-glare_filter

thats another reference to this hack, considering I did add a touch screen to my EEE pc...

 

Personally I am challenged by a simple scratch sheet replacement
I always seem to get some dirt or something on the screen

I don't find an issue with the screen brightness on the cf-18's
I wonder why that layer is there though if it reduces some brightness, in the back of my mind I am thinking there is a downside to removing it


Alex

 

Every toughbook that I have seen with a touchscreen has a special LCD that has a mirror finish just like what you are showing after you removed the polarizer. I have noticed that these screens are very bright but without the polarizer or the touchscreen in front of it it really creates some wild optical illusions when viewed at certain angles kinda like circular rainbows. This is evident in some of the pictures in the eeepc link you posted. So I have to assume that the polarizer whether it is a part of the LCD or on the touchpanel itself prevents these rainbows. So I would agree that this is not a good idea but if it works for you more power to ya.

 

Heh, just a few months ago there was a visitor here (politely) accusing this forum of being full of reckless hackers and modders.

 

Well, I'll certainly be throwing my book away! But seriously...since you have a source for Toughbook parts "direct from Panasonic", how about sharing it. We have all been under the impression that Heartland, the official Panasonic parts distributor in the US and Panasonic's outsource for warranty work was "buying direct from Panasonic". Please aim us at your source.
CAP

 

Well, its easy, call them! I went online, chatted with them and said "hey, I got this CF18, the motherboard has a hole burned in it.. can I get parts?" the online chat sent me a phone number and said "Call parts depot" So I did. Guy picked up the phone said he was Panasonic and that he could sell me a board, but a MK1 CF18 wasn't worth it. I long lost the number but if you talk to Panasonic in online chat or on the phone they are nice and very helpful, even when doing things you shouldn't... I have asked them where to grab USB off the motherboard, and you know... I got an email reply... they just said they don't know, but it was something. I did buy one thing from Panasonic, the logo for my CF29.

About what I said, I was serious. I posted up a 9 out of 10 difficulty mod and got nothing but bad feedback. I seemed to have just passed up everyone's skill level at once. Not the warm welcome I am used too form the other boards I frequent, like PPCGeeks, XDA-DEV, and Ubuntu. Even the hobby helicopter guys where more helpful and positive.

Oh! Check the links in my signature for more of what I do and have done.

 

Nice paint jobs. Serious mods there.
CAP

 

Haha, good call, but still its not in the service manual so you wont try it!

 

Morgan, I for one appreciate the fact that you came on here to possibly help the members out, and to share your knowledge.

You hit the nail on the head when you stated that we are a little different. This forum is like no other that I visit either. There is a big chunk of guys here that take this stuff very serious, it's that passion that turns some people off. I for one seem to enjoy that passion. Don't let this one post turn you away, stay awhile and you will soon see us thru another eye.

 

Alex -

You ARE right, of course - there IS a drawback. That diffuser layer is there to improve lateral viewing angle; it makes it easier to see the screen if you're not sitting directly in front of it (Like when you're showing your coworkers that video of you trying to do the Bo & Luke slide across the hood of your car and landing on your keister).

If you like the gloss screen look, then sure you can take it off - but that does add one more glossy layer to generate glare. I've seen this "hack" posted elsewhere many times; it just seemed like a lot of effort to get a little more PERCIEVED brightness (this is why you see the gloss screens on "multimedia" laptops) when what you really should be looking at is replacing a screen that simply has too many hours on the backlight.

mnem
Road toad.

 

Ironically, it's that same passion that turn us on! I still get a kick every time I receive a package that's TB related (almost like a kid let loose in the toy dept). Less so, if it's normal comp stuff... go figure!

Morgan, I viewed the video in your link... some lego stuff but I'm no gamer, so I've no idea what that's about! I did like your 19 taking a shower tho

Oh yeah, and I did remove the anti-glare layer with petroleum and paper towels on a CF28 600mhz, only because I couldn't deal with the distraction. Now that it's all smooth, glossy and shiny... I can't deal with the glare & reflections!!

 

Welcome to the forum,

You will find we are an older crowd and not as easily impressed as the people on the other forums. Everyone on this forum has the ability to paint our Toughbooks and do a great job and some have, but like your mod it is not for everyone.

While I am sure that your mod would make my CF-28 screen brighter, if I lose my ability to see the screen at an off angle or the glare is so bad that I get a migraine, I have gained nothing. However when I get time I think I may try your mod on an old screen that I replaced just to compare and see.

While the members of this forum have done a lot of modding, no one on this forum has any interest in doing mods that will negatively impact the reliability factor of our Toughbooks.

I see that you are a linux user, maybe you can help us to get our touchscreens working under linux, there are several that have been working on it.

As far as throwing out the so called book, I am running a CF-28 with a 7200 rpm SATA hard drive, yes I said SATA. I have also been running Windows 7 quiet well and I assure you that these mods ain't in the book.

 

If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it. I obvioulsy wasn't speaking of the majority of people here. Plus, where did I say having passion is a bad thing? I believe I pointed out that I enjoyed it.

 

I am simply put off by bashers. Paint is not all I do obviously, if one would follow links and look around a bit. I came here to share my knowledge.

As far as readability impact, the touchscreen on the toughbook corrects the swirl effect, same with my EEE. It looks odd until you put that over it because the touchscreen can remove up to 10% of the light.

Passion is one thing, unwelcoming behavior is another. Maybe it's because I am 26, fast to learn and not afraid to rip apart things. I am already looking into drilling out the bottom of my screen bezel to pop in some LEDs attached to where the keyboard gets it backlight power because the rubber keyboard suck, and yes, 5.2v when the PC is on in that connector plus an easy way to run wires without effecting the waterproofing.

I love the idea of stuffing those little adapter boards into the hard drive bays too! I found those online and used one in a really old toshiba somethingorother... It was a Pentium 75 mhz laptop with windows 98 and a 80gb sata drive, thankfully it used the 12.5mm drive so it all fit.

Don't apologize for the "senior members" here though, I looked around, I noticed it... Lets get this back on topic. Peeling apart LCDs...

I wish I still had the 18 or took better pictures of it, I found pictures of my EEE pc but that screen is so small... CF18 had a hole burned in it when the powerline was hit by lightening... so much for a toughbook, ruined my toaster too. I liked that toaster...

 

Toyo, my interpretation of your post was exactly as you have explained it. I did not see it as a negative, and doubt that others did as well.

Morganlowe, I am a little amused with your discourteous tone with the older more respected members here. I think that it is somewhat telling of your personality that you have decided to interpret the posts of several members as apologists and not councillors...

Cap. Dogfish, among others, has been a huge help to me and most everyone that comes to this forum. For intelligent adults it is usually possible to disagree and diplomatically defend a position without the need to come off like a lout.

You have presented an interesting mod, but it is not for everyone. I would not risk the cost of screen replacement for a mere improvement of 10% brightness.

Because, I am afraid, hardly. No, because my screen is more then bright enough, for me it does not pass the risk to benefit analysis and I do not want a thinner more easily permeated screen. For you and others, this mod may make more sense! Thanks for posting it!

Now, was your reason for posting it here to draw interest and commentary, or an attempt to prosthelytize others onto the Holy Church of the Narcissistic Modder?

 

Ummm... Az... I don't think he said anything about putting artificial limbs on us, in Church or elsewhere... :wink:

mnem<~~~ Proselytizing AND Pro-Electrolyzing ~~~<<<

 

Thanks, Firefox changed my word because it does not know how to spell it...

But, as a plus, I learned something new about you today.