Alienware 18 Screen Mods? is it possible EDP mod?

[TruenoG7]

Hello, does anyone have knowledge of how an EDP screen could be adapted with the necessary modifications, on the alienware 18? It makes me curious, I heard several people make this mod on the alienware M17x R2, and the alienware 18 "on this case only edp panel 4k 40 pin 60 hertz with this screen (NV184QUM-N21).

If anyone knows how to make these modifications, please let me know so I can carry out this project.

I also saw some adapters on Aliexpress, which could help it work: https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005003740168811.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.664c38daOsCGMb&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp4itemAdapt

 

[razor0601]

The AW 18 never had an EDP-Screen. With this adapter it could work but I think there would be many cables which you have to stowage inside the case. 

[DoenerBoy123]

I’m actually planing on doing this along with connecting the dgpu straight to the mDP connector. In theory it should be possible by adding the eDP and smBus lanes to the mxm slot. Thing is, I don’t know if software modifications are necessary for this to work(bios). There’s also the problem that the DP signal is fragile af. Both wires of each lane needs to have the almost exact same length and impedance

[Falinov]

On 2/2/2024 at 8:42 AM, DoenerBoy123 said:

I’m actually planing on doing this along with connecting the dgpu straight to the mDP connector. In theory it should be possible by adding the eDP and smBus lanes to the mxm slot. Thing is, I don’t know if software modifications are necessary for this to work(bios). There’s also the problem that the DP signal is fragile af. Both wires of each lane needs to have the almost exact same length and impedance

Someone in China already beat ya to it. The same guy who made the Nvme raptor buffer cards. He's been trying to get a 4k screen to work. With unfortunately  not a ton of success he's gone as far to send me one of his prototype PCBs he's developing to make it work. He modified the MXM slot directly and is using a light controller for the backlight it's all manual. I haven't checked on him in a while. 

[Derpmaster69]

I know that this is an old post but any updates on getting an eDP screen to work on the Alienware 18?

[Derpmaster69]

On 2/12/2024 at 7:11 PM, Falinov said:

Someone in China already beat ya to it. The same guy who made the Nvme raptor buffer cards. He's been trying to get a 4k screen to work. With unfortunately  not a ton of success he's gone as far to send me one of his prototype PCBs he's developing to make it work. He modified the MXM slot directly and is using a light controller for the backlight it's all manual. I haven't checked on him in a while. 

Any updates @Falinov?

[Falinov]

@Derpmaster69 in terms of the EDP screen? As far as I know, no. I've been rather absent of the community. Work, surgery, and general life stress has been taking a toll on me and I haven't worked on anything I wanted this year like I initially planned and I also slowed my own personal business down. That being said I told SSJ I would reach out to a contact of mine and see if he's had luck with that and another project of ours. See what happens just been not a great head space lately. Though I appreciate you tagging me and thinking about me as a go to. It's appreciated. 

 

Anyways, I'll try to get back to ya. For some reason didn't get a email notification for people tagging me.

[Rengsey R. H. Jr.]

On 10/28/2023 at 7:01 AM, TruenoG7 said:

Hello, does anyone have knowledge of how an EDP screen could be adapted with the necessary modifications, on the alienware 18? It makes me curious, I heard several people make this mod on the alienware M17x R2, and the alienware 18 "on this case only edp panel 4k 40 pin 60 hertz with this screen (NV184QUM-N21).

If anyone knows how to make these modifications, please let me know so I can carry out this project.

I also saw some adapters on Aliexpress, which could help it work: https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005003740168811.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.664c38daOsCGMb&mp=1&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp4itemAdapt

 

 

It is possible it will work as the board is small. I'm sure you can find a pocket somewhere in the chassis for the board. After that, you just need to find low profile usb C to A cable to run the board and you are set. 

[Falinov]

On 10/21/2024 at 6:17 PM, Rengsey R. H. Jr. said:

 

It is possible it will work as the board is small. I'm sure you can find a pocket somewhere in the chassis for the board. After that, you just need to find low profile usb C to A cable to run the board and you are set. 

Not entirely true. You'd still have to mount the screen, make bezels, and assuming that it even works. Which so far from what I have seen is not promising without extensive further modifications. And no one wants cables going out the side right back into the case. A clean solution RN does not exist and then ones I'm aware of are experimental at best. Such as the PCB in was given to test the exact concept we speak of. Of which it was a disappointment. But a step in the right direction considering that these laptops are going on what... 10 years or older by now?

[DoenerBoy123]

On 10/23/2024 at 11:53 AM, Falinov said:

Not entirely true. You'd still have to mount the screen, make bezels, and assuming that it even works. Which so far from what I have seen is not promising without extensive further modifications. And no one wants cables going out the side right back into the case. A clean solution RN does not exist and then ones I'm aware of are experimental at best. Such as the PCB in was given to test the exact concept we speak of. Of which it was a disappointment. But a step in the right direction considering that these laptops are going on what... 10 years or older by now?

Can you post some picture of the mentioned board you’ve got? I’d really like to the way it’s supposed to be implemented.
My way would be to just manually solder the eDP data channels and smBus lines directly to the MXM slot on the PCB. Another way might be to use the dell wireless display port next to the WiFi card(that weird long mPCIe port). The extra pins are for the video signal which is just eDP/HDMI. These signals do either come from the MXM slot or the PCH and are switched Via MUX. This might be the easiest entry point as you could just design a breakout board for the signals. 
Does anyone know if there are bios or EC limitations that would prevent this to work?

[TheSin]

16 hours ago, DoenerBoy123 said:

Does anyone know if there are bios or EC limitations that would prevent this to work?

In case of soldering wires to MXM slot you will probavly need to patch MXM SIS structures in system BIOS to "explain" GPU how display connector lanes are actually used. MXM slot design is "universal" and the same data lanes in MXM connector could be used to serve different display interfaces (depending on actual notebook board design).

[Falinov]

On 11/7/2024 at 9:52 AM, DoenerBoy123 said:

Can you post some picture of the mentioned board you’ve got? I’d really like to the way it’s supposed to be implemented.
My way would be to just manually solder the eDP data channels and smBus lines directly to the MXM slot on the PCB. Another way might be to use the dell wireless display port next to the WiFi card(that weird long mPCIe port). The extra pins are for the video signal which is just eDP/HDMI. These signals do either come from the MXM slot or the PCH and are switched Via MUX. This might be the easiest entry point as you could just design a breakout board for the signals. 
Does anyone know if there are bios or EC limitations that would prevent this to work?

I am not permitted to do so unfortunately, it is not my work and I honor the friends trust in me. That being said essentially it uses the DMC port converting the lines to a DP port and goes from there. It didn't go much further that I know of. You will find that there will be control issues and bios conflicts to smooth out. You could solder into the mxm i suppose but I personally would design a board PCB have it printed with the needed outputs going to pads less permanent in case it doesn't work.

[emcze]

I did experiment....

 

I have:

- my M18x R2

- EDP LCD 120hz from M17x R4

 

I bought one of the "ali" DP to EDP adapter and...

 

 

it's alive !!

 

I found 18,4 EDP LCD with the same dimmension as LCD from M18x R2.

I have spare LCD with frame and front glass

I have spare M18x R2 motherboard

I have old damaged M17x R4 motherboard 

 

I need to check if it is possible to remove or cut miniDP socket and take connection direct from PCB. If it is possible I can modify M18x R2 MB and prepare spare LCD frame and front glass for new LCD

 

🙂

[Maro97]

This WLED is 18.4” it was for asus GX800 water cooling laptop 60hz 4k ips with 40 pins 0.5mm ( I/F pitch ) 5.0v … I think it will works fine with m18x r2

 

I just found this on AliExpress: $183.90 | 18.4 inch NV184QUM-N21 4K 3840X2160 UHD LCD LED Display Screen 40 Pins NV184QUM N21 Fully Tested
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtxHMSJ

[emcze]

2 hours ago, Maro97 said:

I think it will works fine with m18x r2

 

It should but remember that DP - EDP adapter with 18,4" need more power than USB can give. I ordered another one type of adapter and will try to powered it from MXM line ( I have additional power connector in my MXM - NVMe module. )

[Maro97]

All you need is 5v and laptop Motherboard usb port can handel it and the wled needs 5v to run and your edp board up to 12v and there is no screen over 10v to run until this moment 

[Maro97]

[Maro97]

https://m.panelook.com/modelcompare.php?ids=29299

[Maro97]

USB 3.0 and 3.1 allow 5V at 900 mA (4.5W). Certified Hosts and Devices must limit their power delivery and consumption to these "default" power levels. * In 2021, USB-IF published the PD 3.1 specification, officially called Extended Power Range (EPR).

[emcze]

4 minutes ago, Maro97 said:

Motherboard usb port can handel it

 

Over 15W from USB ??... 

[Maro97]

USB 3.0 and 3.1 allow 5V at 900 mA (4.5W). Certified Hosts and Devices must limit their power delivery and consumption to these "default" power levels. * In 2021, USB-IF published the PD 3.1 specification, officially called Extended Power Range (EPR).

[Maro97]

I think ..  if you need more power then you can use this cable 

[Maro97]

https://a.co/d/3sIzMR4

[emcze]

I connected 17,4" LCD 120hz and takes over 10W... it is ok for Google but if I run something more than WWW... it started to blink because of not enough power.

 

 

in my opinion is better to connect it on MXM supply.

[Maro97]

7 minutes ago, Maro97 said:

I think ..  if you need more power then you can use this cable 

What about this