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The WUXGA PowerBook G4 17"
- Thread starter netsrot39
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Yes. The ones that came with the LCDs are incompatible since they have different connectors. I can btw confirm that even inverters from 15" PowerBook G4s will work with a 17" PowerBook G4. Though I have only tested if it works meaning I can't say if they would fit nicely in the display assembly (but from visual inspection it appears so)
ojfd
macrumors 6502a
netsrot39,
It would be extremely nice if you could write a summary of which LCD panels have the correct CCFL cable lenght and do not require cutting metal and which don't. I've read all your posts regarding this matter, but am still a bit confused.
Also, what do you think of this MicroScreen 17" LCD panel offering that's floating around? Are they any good or is this a generic chinese replacement cr@p?
I'd like to restore two early 17" PowerBook G4s that have dead/damaged displays 🙂
It would be extremely nice if you could write a summary of which LCD panels have the correct CCFL cable lenght and do not require cutting metal and which don't. I've read all your posts regarding this matter, but am still a bit confused.
Also, what do you think of this MicroScreen 17" LCD panel offering that's floating around? Are they any good or is this a generic chinese replacement cr@p?
MicroScreen Additional Notebook Components (Monitor, 17.1", HD) - Notebook Display - MSC-171W30-107M
(1680x1050 CCFL, 30PINS top right connector, W/O Bracket)
www.amazon.de
I'd like to restore two early 17" PowerBook G4s that have dead/damaged displays 🙂
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Hi, I'd recommend cutting the metal (as described here) no matter what LCD panel you're using since putting the display assembly together with all the hooks (which will get severely bent in the process of disassembling) is a very hard task. At least I've found it impossible to get the backlid and the front bezel back together otherwise. Also I wouldn't want to unhook all the clips again in case I decide to swap the panel again. By removing/ripping out the metal clips and reglueing some of them you can swap the panel in matter of minutes and it has come in handy for me again when I built my second WUXGA PowerBook. Moreover, the mod will not really impact the sturdiness (meaning it will be held together just fine) With that said, regarding the correct CCFL cable length you have to look at the backside of the panel where the CCFL cable comes out. Let me explain with pictures:
You want to look it like that:
The CCFL cable comes out very near the edge of the LCD.
You do not want to look it like that:
The CCFL cable is much further away from the edge of the LCD and that makes routing it through the intended hole impossible.
If you decide to cut the metal like I'd advise you to do anyways, you can also put LCDs like above in (because the metal clips are no longer in the way and that makes routing the CCFL cable in other ways possible). With the metal sheets still in place you would most likely pinch or even cut the CCFL cable when you try to route it in a different way.
I can't really comment on that due to lack of experience with such LCDs. I'd stick to the LG Philips ones though.
ojfd
macrumors 6502a
Thank you very much, netsrot39, that really helped! Now I know what I should be looking for.
I took a trip to ebone and indeed, many LCDs have backlight cable, that comes out not at the corner. I also got an impression, that the cable is simply taped to the LCD panel, but the real opening is more or less close to the corner. Since you have seen several 17" panels in person, is it so or am I just imagining things?
Here's one of my patients https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/club-17.1959812/post-32144565
Cheers!
I took a trip to ebone and indeed, many LCDs have backlight cable, that comes out not at the corner. I also got an impression, that the cable is simply taped to the LCD panel, but the real opening is more or less close to the corner. Since you have seen several 17" panels in person, is it so or am I just imagining things?
Here's one of my patients https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/club-17.1959812/post-32144565
Cheers!
You're welcome.
You are right. On most LCD panels the cable is taped to the LCD panel making it appear even more away to the corner than it actually is. What you need to pay attention to is where the cable actually comes out. LP171WU1(TL)(A1) is a good example where the cable comes out perfectly for installing it in a 17" PowerBook G4. The LP171WU1(TL)(A2) isn't but you can still install it when you mod the lid.
To be honest I have yet to find a 17" panel that didn't work with my 17" PowerBook G4. As long as the LVDS pin count matches and the panel is CCFL backlit you should be good to go.
You are right. On most LCD panels the cable is taped to the LCD panel making it appear even more away to the corner than it actually is. What you need to pay attention to is where the cable actually comes out. LP171WU1(TL)(A1) is a good example where the cable comes out perfectly for installing it in a 17" PowerBook G4. The LP171WU1(TL)(A2) isn't but you can still install it when you mod the lid.
To be honest I have yet to find a 17" panel that didn't work with my 17" PowerBook G4. As long as the LVDS pin count matches and the panel is CCFL backlit you should be good to go.