Before Trashing your Old Laptop… Watch this!

#DIY #PC #Transformation #LCD #computer

[Fettsaeure]

As information who want to do this:
Check the Model Number on the LCD and search for the Model Number plus controller so that your sure that it works

[neelsmostert]

What nobody ever mentions in these videos are that fact that there are dozens of different sized connectors for LCDs. These range from 24 pin LVDS connectors to 50 pin LVDS connectors, and then there are other standards as well used in older laptops. While most LVDS screens can be driven from the controller board, the problem is getting the right cables.

[nakshtra]

In India we buy these modules for like 8 to 9 bucks, they has really reasonable quantity, we use these to repair TVs which got broken main pcb that can't be repaired

[drcybr]

You should habe said that every old panel has a different connector and you need to buy the correct one. More modern panels have eDP (embedded display port) which is a connector standard between panels so you can use one controller with all of them. But you need to select one of three connector sizes.

[VinzntR]

In practice, it's quite difficult or expensive to find a matching controller board.

[TecSanento]

Newer ones even feature a usb-c Imput for data and power - neat!

[DannyWilliamH]

The only problem, sadly, is that those controller boards are often expensive and hard to find (exact to match).

So the project has to have a hefty budget and a really specific, proprietary use case or you're just wasting time and money not grabbing a prefab screen.

I have imagined making something with the old laptop screens I have and every time I'm reminded of the cost as they dont get cheaper with time. So for an old 900p screen you're still looking at a $30+ driver board (if you can even find it).

[ataahmadi]

*That LCD needs a 1000nit backlight :)*

[aaryananand]

You sounded so sad up until the part where you said “done”. Are you ok? Was this really a hard project that upset you? :(

[ax-]

These boards usually just need resolution-specific firmware to be flashed through USB in order to use any LCD panels that have the same connector and voltage. The ones I bought came with default 1920x1080 firmware that matched my LCD so it worked out of the box

[kurtlindner]

Great project, this one reminds me of DIY Perks (a compliment).

[ethzero]

Done this with two panels, one now mounted on an IKEA peg board in my lab and one mounted with a couple of simple 3D printed stands as a super-thin secondary PC monitor.

[wowshorts]

It would be so Awesome if could do the same for smartphone display

[middleagebrotips]

Older scrwens also have a ccfl backlight driver to worry about.

[stevefox]

Ive been using LVDS driver boards for years, my FPV monitor is a 17" Laptop screen but anyone thinking of doing this please research your screen for compatibility with a given driver board as not all boards will work with all screens, ideally you want to also get one supplied with firmware specifically for your screen as the generic ones with many firmware's to flash can be a pain to get working and sometimes a fully compatible firmware isnt available and you will be forced to settle with a border down one side of the screen but one with firmware for your exact screen will work flawlessly.

[inherentlybadnoodles]

ive been doing this for the past 6 years. honestly the best way to get monitors on the cheap! aliexpress is filled with matching driver boards for all kinds of screens for dirt cheap prices. one thing i like to do is to stick these monitors back into the display part of the old laptops i get these from. its a free protective case thats already matching the monitor

[Duck_side]

Too bad the cost of that acrylic and all the other stuff needed makes such a build not viable. For less money you can buy a brand new monitor

Quick note, many modern screens rather rely on eDP. They just need external power but usually are electrically compatible to normal DP.

[AscanioBorsato]

this kind of driver cards are wonderful !!

[Babbages]

I made 2 like 4 years ago for my security cameras out of old laptop screens ones 10in and other is 14 in and just mounted to a wall between 2 pieces of wood I notched down center to hold them they work great.