Trying to upgrade Toshiba NB550D screen from WSVGA to WXGA

[carnbot]

Well bad news unfortunately. Ive tested every single combination of everything in both Windows and in Linux with custom outputs etc and its always the same.

There must just be some slight difference between the LVDS controller on these boards and the one on the older NB500 that lets the older one use the panels.

That's a shame, something to do with the fact that NB500 is intel Atom and NB550D is AMD C-50 maybe?
It's annoying that this graphics card, good though it is for a netbook can't scale easily. Maybe someone else will find a workaround sometime....
I'm still tempted to fit a WXGA screen as it was usable on mine for browsing reading and writing, only annoying if watching a film really and I don't do that on my netbook. When someone releases a thin usb powered hdmi touchscreen then we have another option.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Well bad news unfortunately. Ive tested every single combination of everything in both Windows and in Linux with custom outputs etc and its always the same.

There must just be some slight difference between the LVDS controller on these boards and the one on the older NB500 that lets the older one use the panels.

That's a shame, something to do with the fact that NB500 is intel Atom and NB550D is AMD C-50 maybe?
It's annoying that this graphics card, good though it is for a netbook can't scale easily. Maybe someone else will find a workaround sometime....
I'm still tempted to fit a WXGA screen as it was usable on mine for browsing reading and writing, only annoying if watching a film really and I don't do that on my netbook. When someone releases a thin usb powered hdmi touchscreen then we have another option.

There is always the possibility of a bad batch or a bad panel here. I guess try a new cable and see. Ive been reading up on lvds non stop and I really cant see a reason for this not working.

 

[Wrathlon69]

I think its something specific with the panel we are using - whats the model number on yours?

The reason being is I found a 15.6" laptop here thats LED 1366x768 and 40 pin LVDS cable and plugged it in to my NB550D and it works perfectly so its NOT a problem with 1366x768 specifically so much as its a problem with this laptop and that specific board.

 

[carnbot]

Well bad news unfortunately. Ive tested every single combination of everything in both Windows and in Linux with custom outputs etc and its always the same.

There must just be some slight difference between the LVDS controller on these boards and the one on the older NB500 that lets the older one use the panels.

I think its something specific with the panel we are using - whats the model number on yours?

The reason being is I found a 15.6" laptop here thats LED 1366x768 and 40 pin LVDS cable and plugged it in to my NB550D and it works perfectly so its NOT a problem with 1366x768 specifically so much as its a problem with this laptop and that specific board.

The screen I bought was sold as LG PHILIPS LP101WH1(TL)(A​3) TLA3

But I can't check the exact number on the screen as I don't have it any more. Also I can't be sure it didn't work because I damaged the connector or because of incompatibility, I'm guessing incompatibilty based on your experiments.
I've noticed there are TLA1 and TLA2 versions of this screen, do you know what these numbers mean? My original screen is TLN1 so perhaps it needs a TLA1...?

 

[Wrathlon69]

Not sure what they mean but I think the WH1 range is incompatible...mine was a LP101WH1(TL)(A2). The A3 is just the next revision from the A2.

I have a Toshiba C650D here with a 40 pin 1366x768 15.6" Samsung LTN156AT05-S01 screen in it and it works perfectly on my netbook. The LP101WH1(TL)(A2) works perfectly on the C650D as well so I think it's just that specific panel and our specific laptop.

There is a 10.1" 1366x768 Samsung LTN101AT03 Panel that matches ours (6 bit LVDS, 40 pin, TN TFT Panel) - I'm going to order one of these and see if it works.

Our laptop can obviously drive a 1366x768 panel just fine, Im typing this right now on a 15.6" 1366x768 LCD panel sitting on my bench next to my Netbook with a cable hanging out the side - I just think that specific panel is a no.

 

[Wrathlon69]

OK Seeing as Im Australia (No idea where you are) and the panel is coming from Canada it will be a few days before it gets here. Fingers crossed this one works.

 

[carnbot]

OK Seeing as Im Australia (No idea where you are) and the panel is coming from Canada it will be a few days before it gets here. Fingers crossed this one works.

Great, that sounds promising, fingers double crossed for this panel to work!
Seeing as this little netbook can handle full HD via hdmi out I'm confused as to even why Toshiba didn't put 1366 as the native screen as they barely cost much more than the wsvga screens.
I'm in the U.K by the way.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Well this panel is $9 more than the original OEM panel 😛

Really shits me, its an amazing netbook otherwise. The only problems really are the 1024x600 screen, 1GB RAM and Windows 7 Starter.

Windows 7 is neither here nor there, the RAM is a total non issue as its so cheap, just this panel.

At least Ive proved it CAN drive a 1366x768 panel just fine, which is a good start...just have to find the right panel 😀

 

[carnbot]

Well this panel is $9 more than the original OEM panel 😛

Really shits me, its an amazing netbook otherwise. The only problems really are the 1024x600 screen, 1GB RAM and Windows 7 Starter.

Windows 7 is neither here nor there, the RAM is a total non issue as its so cheap, just this panel.

At least Ive proved it CAN drive a 1366x768 panel just fine, which is a good start...just have to find the right panel 😀

Yes I think Toshiba really mis-sold this netbook as it's more capable than how they sell it. I've installed an SSD and 4GB of ram running windows 8 pro and it runs really well for something this size. I've even read that the 8GB sticks work too.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Just a quick update, the Samsung panel should be here on Monday (It's Friday now), fingers crossed 😀

 

[carnbot]

Just a quick update, the Samsung panel should be here on Monday (It's Friday now), fingers crossed 😀

Here's hoping.... I've managed to get my old display back up and running again with a new lcd cable for now.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Im taking this time to hack up a 4 port USB hub and rewire the data pins from my USB module so that the power is still supplied by the board but the data is provided by the hub to give me an extra spot to connect the touch screen panel I bought 😀

 

[Wrathlon69]

OK panel arrived and...

...the idiots sent me the LP101WH1 panel again. Despite specifically ordering the LTN101AT03 panel. So sent in a ticket to try and get this resolved. Fuck me.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Alrighty, just ordered yet ANOTHER panel, this time from a different source that isnt retarded. I'll keep you posted.

 

[carnbot]

Alrighty, just ordered yet ANOTHER panel, this time from a different source that isnt retarded. I'll keep you posted.

Only just saw this, that's frustrating. I hope the new one works.

I've had problems with the auto brightness of my screen since refitting the old one. Plugged in it works fine but on battery the screen flickers. Not sure if it's something I've done or if there's a fault somewhere. Anyhow I've managed to disable the auto brightness so on battery its stuck on 50 as a workaround.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Its controlled by PWM so if it works at all it's probably the panel itself. Fingers crossed this LTN panel gets here soon.

 

[Guest]

It was nice to find this thread! I'll wait to see if you can find a working LCP panel, as I'd like to increase the resolution of my NB550D screen.

 

[Wrathlon69]

Well the panel should be here after the easter long weekend so fingers crossed 😀

 

[Wrathlon69]

OK good news everyone - The Samsung LTN101AT03 1366x768 panel works perfectly. Just got it now, plugged it in, fired up, perfect - no corruption at all. Mounting screws are in the same spots, exact same fit as the factory screen.

The plug is on the other side of the panel but as the cable normall comes in from the far side this doesnt affect anything, its actually closer to the cable now.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230882407108 <--- This is where I got mine from, took 14 days to Australia but the Easter Long Weekend was in the middle there so that would have affected it. According to that he still has 4 left.

And to Brett, you might be replacing a few screens every month but doesnt mean you know everything

 

[Guest]

Thanks Wrathlon69!
Now I am tempted to risk a little more and order this - http://www.befr.ebay.be/itm/NEW-NETBOOK-LCD-SAMSUNG-LTN101AT03-EQUIV-10-1-LED-TFT-/150639454656?pt=UK_Computing_Laptop_Screens_LCD_Panels&hash=item2312cfa9c0

1280x800 instead of 1366x768. Is it quite strange that there seems to be at least three versions of the LTN101AT03 - the 1024x600, 1366x768 and 1280x800.
Well, I guess I'll try to reduce the risks and go with the 1366x768 one.

 

[Wrathlon69]

The LTN101AT03 only comes in 1366x768. That one you linked says Equiv, so basically its not necessarily that model, mostlikely it will be an LG WSH panel, which while it SHOULD be compatible, it has some weird compatibility problem with our laptop.

I strongly advise against buying a panel from anyone who cant guarantee an LTN101 panel, as I've already been burned by someone providing an incompatible "equivalent" LG WSH instead.

If someone lists an LTN101AT03 and its a resolution other than 1366x768, its a blatantly false and misleading title and I would NOT buy from that source.

 

[carnbot]

OK good news everyone - The Samsung LTN101AT03 1366x768 panel works perfectly. Just got it now, plugged it in, fired up, perfect - no corruption at all. Mounting screws are in the same spots, exact same fit as the factory screen.

Hey that's great news
Thanks for taking a gamble on the screen. I'll have a search for that panel. Luckily for the rest of us, you had the right kind of tech knowledge for this project, I'll be interested to hear about how you progress with your touch screen mod too....

 

[jbbandos]

Ok, I've ordered mine from ebay here, on the 3rd April, got it in Belgium this morning, and is installed and working perfectly! Thanks Wrathlon69, for having done the testing for us!

 

[carnbot]

Ok, I've ordered mine from ebay here, on the 3rd April, got it in Belgium this morning, and is installed and working perfectly! Thanks Wrathlon69, for having done the testing for us!

That's great! I'm going to order from there too.
Did you receive a Samsung LTN101AT03 screen or is it a compatible screen?
It says in the listing you receive a compatible version of that model, but hopefully all compatible versions of that model will work in the NB550D...

 

[jbbandos]

That's great! I'm going to order from there too.
Did you receive a Samsung LTN101AT03 screen or is it a compatible screen?
It says in the listing you receive a compatible version of that model, but hopefully all compatible versions of that model will work in the NB550D...

I got a compatible screen. I was ready to repack and send it back when I checked the ID on the lcd I received and couldn't find anything like LN101AT03, but I decided to test it first, and I am glad I did. It works perfectly, no colour washouts, no problems at all.

Correction - one issue- back-lighting is working the wrong way, increasing decreases the brightness, decreasing increases. Not a problem for me, but might be for some.