Recycle your old laptop screen, turn it into an external monitor.

[Peter Simpson]

Here is an idea for all you B4X developer with broken laptops but working screens. Don't throw your old broken laptop away, recycle the screen into something useful like an external monitor

Last week I had to drive up to Bolton to update a clients Windows formula mixing software package and their Android stock control solution, yes they both synchronise data through the same internal MySQL database, thank you Manfred

I opened my laptop rucksack and setup my laptop and my recycled laptop screen, the client was pleasantly surprised. The client had never seen a recycled laptop screen converted to be used as an external monitor before. I told them that last year I was going to purchase an external portable screen for between £175 and £195, but then I remembered that basically any none broken laptop screen can be recycled relatively easily and cheaply to run as an external monitor, so that's exactly what I've done.

I removed the screen and housing from the main laptop base (my spare laptop suddenly stopped working), I did some soldering to replace the original screen inverter with the one supplied in the kit. Moving a couple of components on the replacement inverter was not necessary, but I did it for a better fit inside the housing. The external monitor is powered using a DC-DC step down buck converter (stepped down to 12v) which in turn is powered from my 19v laptop power supply. I didn't cut my original power supply cable, I cut an extension cable instead and used that

My mobile setup in action, I hope that you like it...

Every time I create a new project, I also create a Google keeps list with parts and prices

Parts needed with prices in GBP (UK Pounds).

• 1 x Recycled laptop screen = Free
• 1 x LCD controller board with HDMI port = £18.56
• 1 x 50cm long HDMI cable = £1.88
• 1 x M-F 90 degree HDMI angle port saver (Not connected) = £0.86
• 1 x F-M DC Power plugs 55mm x 2.5mm (Male right angles) = £0.99
• 1 x DC-DC step down buck convert (I already had 2cspare) = £0.48
• 1 x Phone/Tablet stand = £1.49
• 1 x Carbon fibre effect ABS Sheet (148mm x 1.5mm) = £1.99

Grand total = £26.25

Why spend £175+ and throw away a perfectly working laptop screen. £26.25 later and 90 minutes work and I had my portable monitor fully working

Enjoy...

 

[ilan]

Why spend £175 and throw away a perfectly working laptop screen when £27.25 and an hours work will do the exact same thing

Its only for the "open a new product from the box" filling that is worth the extra 100 pound

 

[JakeBullet70]

@Peter Simpson Thanks for sharing this. Really nice work!

 

[An Schi]

I'm very impressed! I wanted to have a second screen for some time, but didn't want to spend the money.
This looks like a brilliant idea! I have two or three old laptops lying around here.

Do you have any online source or manual i can read? (I am absolutly not an electric guy. But with a detailed manual i am willing to try)

Thx for sharing!

 

[Peter Simpson]

I'm very impressed! Do you have any online source or manual i can read?

Thank you.
There are a few videos on YouTube on how to build yourself one, but I actually follow a guy on YouTube called Matthew Perks, his channel is here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQo7nzH1sXVpzL92VesANw and his recycle lcd screen video is below.

I've actually built a few of his projects as he likes to make things nice and tidy and usually as cheap as possible within reason. After watching Matts video below I decided to build one for myself. Unlike Matt though, I didn't build an entire enclosure from scratch (other YouTubers do that as well), I just used the original panel frame, bezel, back lid and I adapted it to suite. You need to get the take your panel out first to get the correct model number then send the panel model number to an ebay seller like this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2A-HDMI-...852712?hash=item3aef3cf528:g:e54AAOSwRJ1ZpQw9, they will let you know if they can supply you with an LCD controller board kit. You can also search ebay for 'lcd controller hdmi' + <your panel model number> and hopefully you will get a few results.

When I built mine last year, Joanne (my partner) said that I should make a video on how I will build mine as I would probably be the only person on YouTube that will use the original housing rather than making one from scratch, I declined to do so lol

It's funny as others YouTubers that have created videos like the one below have had silly comments like 'DIY Perks' version is better than Yours', I find those sorts of comments extremely unhelpful to video content creators.

Enjoy...

 

[Peter Simpson]

Here is a back view of my external screen @An Schi.

Back View - The buttons are for the OSD, the stand is just a cheap phone/tablet stand, cheap as in only £1.49.

Enjoy...

 

[An Schi]

Thx!

Will spam google, youtube and ebay the next weekend

 

[PABLO2013]

hi peter can you make a easy schema, tks.

 

[Peter Simpson]

hi peter can you make a easy schema, tks.

Hey Pablo,
I will not create a diagram for this as it's so easy to build just from looking at photos on Google.

Depending on the type of screen that you have, you may or may not receive a separate screen inverter that you will have to use if you receive one. I removed my old screen inverter and replaced it with the new one.

There are also some good videos on YouTube that explains how to connect everything together.

Example of LCD controller.

All you have to do is decide how to route the cables and that is it. I though about how I wanted mine to look as I wanted it to look as neat as possible, then I put it all together.

Enjoy...

 

[Cableguy]

This solution coupled with 2 more screens and a compatible video splitter, and you have a 3 screen foldable external display!

 

[Peter Simpson]

I've just purchased a broken Samsung laptop from a friend of mine for doing another external mobile conversion, the laptop only cost me £20.

My question to fellow developers is a simple one. Would you be interested in me taking optimised photos showing you how to convert a laptop screen for external use?

If yes, I'll do the conversion in about a month's time when I get the LCD controller board from China and any extra components needed. Just let me know in this post and as long as @Erel does not mind I'll post a new thread on here.

Cheers.

Peter...

 

[JakeBullet70]

@Peter Simpson very interested!!! My wife just killed her laptop (can you say coffee?) Anyway, I am pretty sure the LCD is fine and would LOVE to add that project to my keep myself sane list.

 

[Peter Simpson]

Hiya @JakeBullet70,
Below is the laptop that I purchased from a friend of mine for only £20 GBP. I've ordered the LCD controller board from China for a mere £18.12 including delivery. I've also ordered some other parts needed to complete this project, I believe that the total bill will be about £47. The previous project was less than £30 but that was because my previous spare laptop stopped working so I already had an LCD screen. I have now purchased a new spare laptop for when I go to clients, so this 2nd laptop screen could go in the same backpack bag as the spare laptop, or I could have this screen on the left side of my main laptop for a 3 screen solution

Broken £20 laptop from my friend Ian with a 15.6" screen.

Enjoy...