Original 2001 TiBook G4 500 -- Screen Upgrade?

[Superdos]

I just recently liberated an original '01 500MHz Titanium Powerbook G4 from a relative in rough shape, bent bottom casing (seriously? bent titanium? How was that managed?) and missing plastic and cracks along such on the top casing... After some fiddling around with swapping HDDs out (it still had the 2001 48GB Travelstar, was running great too, now swapped for a much less-power-hungry and faster 80GB Fujitsu drive), getting a new palmrest casing and bottom casing for a steal on the internets, and a 1GB RAM upgrade, I now have a very usable blast from the past that I take with me places. (I have on more than one occasion had it mistaken for an older Macbook. when the person finds out it's from 2001, they compliment it even more!)

 

But, there's a problem with the screen, sadly. I'm not sure if it's a defect or not with this model (I read about something with a screen defect) but there is, in almost the middle of the screen horizontally , a bit of a blotchy bit of dead pixels or so, a line somewhat, and what looks like some surface scratches on the panel itself, like someone put something heavy on the lid while closed and let it sit there for ages and ages. The blotch is barely noticeable with a white background (like with typing this topic out and such) but the blotch is really noticeable on darker screens and it kind of bugs me.

 

I have two options. I can get another 1152x768 15.2" panel, or I can get another I also read about that was meant for I guess the later DVI model, topping out at 1280x864. My question is, if I can use this larger screen or not? My powerbook should be able to handle it graphics memory wise, I'm not doing anything graphically intensive (although mactubes runs fairly well on here...) and I really just want more screen real estate if I can get it, I guess... or at least it would help with my job, which I use this mainly at so as to not have a higher-spec'd computer for distractions and keeping focused on the tasks at hand.

 

Can anyone tell me if the higher-res screen will work for this model, or clarify if there's a difference in a connection or such for it so much that it won't be without extensive modification? I'm currently looking at the one here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290664961579 only because I've done business with the seller before and was satisfied with my purchase... this seems to be the cheapest screen available for this resolution by itself. I've done numerous screen replacements on PC laptops int he past so this won't be any different-- just need to know if it'll work or not.

 

Thanks a bunch in advance for any info~! :beige:

 

[Byrd]

Hi,

I don't think the higher-resolution "DVI" PB Ti screen will work:

http://www.applefritter.com/node/6650

http://home.comcast.net/~macdan/tibook_display.html#lcds

,,, it'll plug in but only display at the lower resolution. Some Open Firmware hacking might be the go though, noting how Clamshell iBooks can be "coaxed" to work with the right 1024 x 768 panel, but again this isn't perfect.

Keep in mind that taking apart the metal sandwich that houses your existing LCD panel is messy, and will most likely result in a very damaged-looking surround once reassembled. Your best best would be to find a "faulty" PB TI 500 and go from there, they are cheap now, having recently score a "faulty" PB TI 1Ghz for $20 recently. Just make sure the hinges on the screen are OK.

JB

 

[Superdos]

Faulty is how I got the top casing for this. the PMU board was just in need of a reset-- but it came with speakers, trackpad, new fan, an LCD inverter board, and airport antennas, as well, right and attached. I scored it for a little under $10 with free shipping.

 

I was looking to see if I could just get a new one and replace it, but from what you're telling me, it'll become a messy-looking hunk of ugly and I don't want that either. I guess I'll get a faulty machine or just a pulled screen with good hinges if I can find one reasonably-priced. Thanks for that.

 

 

[mcdermd]

The TiBook's LCD panel can be extracted cleanly but it takes a lot of care and a lot of patience. The whole thing is held together by glue.

Here's a page I used as reference in getting mine done.

 

[Bunsen]

noting how Clamshell iBooks can be "coaxed" to work with the right 1024 x 768 panel

Noted

Superdos: what's with the small text?

 

[Superdos]

I did some more reading into this among other events that have happened and I've just ordereed a used, fully working 1152x768 panel off eBay.

Goodbye blemish spot!!

Superdos: what's with the small text?

I wrote a lot of text, so I assumed making the wall smaller would help.

Noted that it's not the norm.