Lynx LCD Replacement/VGA-Out by McWill

[Level42]

I plan to put together a How-to for the Lynx I mod, but so far life has gotten in the way. I've done two of these mods and have learned a thing or two in the process. First of all, don't even attempt this if you are not good with a soldering iron. I consider myself a pro at soldering, but this was challenging.

 

I just finished giving my "Ugly" Lynx I a face lift (e.g. new front cover) and will post some pictures tomorrow showing two ComLynx'ed together playing Xenophone.

 

I'd also recommend you do the 5 Volt mod at some point as the Lynx power system is a bit of a ticking time bomb. If the voltage regulator goes bad, it will send 9 volts and fry many internal components as well as your beautiful new screen. I plan to document that process as well. Oh well, the best laid plans of mice and men!

 

In the meantime, if you or anyone else has questions about installing the screen, or how to do the 5 Volt Mod, just PM me.

 

I documented via pictures what I did to complete both of these.

 

I'll help as much as I can!

 

I've had the Lynx I screen mod for several months now for both of my Atari Lynx I's and love it! It is how the Lynx should be from the beginning (had they had the technology back then).

 

Thanks for your offer for help and efforts !

 

However, do remember that there is already this:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/256525-how-to-install-a-mcwill-lcd-into-your-lynx-model-i-or-ii/

 

Also, I'm allergic for the 5V mod ......and did something a bit more drastic..... http://atariage.com/forums/topic/255254-the-perfect-lynx/

[Orange-Phantom]

Amen to that Orange-Phantom !!!!!!!

 

This 5V mod idea started to float around and it seems hard to kill.......please people STOP the 5V mod. It is NOT the solution to the problem....in fact it introduces more problems.

 

Just replace the MOSFET and Zener diode instead.

 

Thanks Level42.

 

I was the first on this forum to go against this new "wisdom" after measuring the voltage vs current draw of a modified Lynx (McWill screen Recom Reg) vs a stock Lynx. After measuring this plus the fact that the Lynx never got hot on the power circuit I immediately knew it was a switching reg. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247305-old-stock-lynx-vs-new-mcwill-screen-recom-power-reg-power-consumption/

 

Yes I did the mod myself but wasn't impressed with the results of it. (I've since put it back to stock after replacing the FET and Zener diode, it works much much better now).

 

I then went through the circuit diagram, (I've been doing electronics since I was a kid as my dad is a fully qualified electronics engineer) and oh yes it's a switching Reg, the choke after the FET is a huge give away! Furthermore the FET is the component that separates the 9v to the 5v side, it cannot be any other way when you look at the circuit.

 

People were still adamant that I was wrong and it was an emitter follower design etc. despite the power circuit never getting warm. The user "Mojado" came along and further confirmed I was indeed correct.

 

I just want the truth out there that the original Lynx power circuit is actually very well designed and is much better at it's job than doing a botch fix to your Lynx by fitting a 5V reg. in it's place.

 

It's taking a while to revise peoples thinking on this but we'll get there. Why shouldn't the Lynx community know the facts and have the best solution after all!

Edited September 14, 2016 by Orange-Phantom

[cowdog360]

I'd love to edit my 5v mod tutorial to tell people to judt do the other parts, but can't edit old posts. Makes it tough to revise things when you find a better solution.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

[Orange-Phantom]

I'd love to edit my 5v mod tutorial to tell people to judt do the other parts, but can't edit old posts. Makes it tough to revise things when you find a better solution.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Methinks we need your most excellent "Lynx Power Circuit Upgrade/Repair - Better than 5V Mod" post pinned at the top of the forum!

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/254446-lynx-power-circuit-upgraderepair-better-than-5v-mod/

[pixelperfect]

Just got my refurbed Lynx in the mail today with new McWill screen. Cowdog did an amazing job with a full overhaul (recap, zener + mosfet, new speaker, new conductive pads, flex circuit), and also I gotta give McWill big props on the screen. You can see pics of cowdog's work on it here:

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOgMXAZlSoUHFaEpG6_YU33qbEpF01I0n0LcGgEPO0-SEtfLtrk2SNIOt3A1XuaPA?key=Sk05TS0zck9zRm9SVVNwWU5Pb1JjdmFrZDNKdm9B

 

One question: is there a way to default with scanlines on, and use the button to turn them off? I definitely prefer them personally, seems more authentic and not too bright. Thanks!

[leonk]

So am I the only one wondering when the Nomad LCd would ship!?

[Guitari]

Mcwill, please could you start a fresh thread on the Nomad project when you are ready?

[mckafka99]

So am I the only one wondering when the Nomad LCd would ship!?

Nope - I have been interested in this as well.

[Level42]

Mcwill, please could you start a fresh thread on the Nomad project when you are ready?

 

Yes PLEASE because to be very honest......I hated going though all the Game Gear related postings here when I read ALL pages of this thread a while back....

Nothing against that system, but it would have been nice to have things separated....

 

I think I will be shipping my "perfect" Lynx to you McWill.....are you ready to receive a really non-standard cat ?

[McWill]

So am I the only one wondering when the Nomad LCd would ship!?

When I have finished the NOMAD mod kit, I will post it in a seperate thread.

 

 

Yes PLEASE because to be very honest......I hated going though all the Game Gear related postings here when I read ALL pages of this thread a while back....

Nothing against that system, but it would have been nice to have things separated....

 

I think I will be shipping my "perfect" Lynx to you McWill.....are you ready to receive a really non-standard cat ?

Yes, I am ready to receive it. I hope it still looks like an ATARI LYNX

 

[Level42]

When I have finished the NOMAD mod kit, I will post it in a seperate thread.

 

 

 

Yes, I am ready to receive it. I hope it still looks like an ATARI LYNX

 

Oh, yes definitely, that was one of my goals from day one, it should look as much factory as possible, I've always been a fan of keeping external looks original (especially with my arcade games and Atari 8 bits).

 

Here two,pics I just made. I haven't replaced the outer casing yet, figured it would be smarter to do so after the return trip to Germany.

 

Only when you remove the battery cover you can see there's something quite different with this Lynx

[Level42]

Mmmmm....I might remove the Lipo battery before shipping it and may include the Raspberry Pi micro USB PSU instead. (Unless you have a PSU with micro-USB at at least 1A).

 

There are some regulations about shipping Lipo batteries and well.....I don't know.....just don't wanna take any risks that it gets "picked out" by German customs and I don't want to deliver you any trouble when shipping it back.....

 

.....which also makes me realize........I probably better not take this baby on a flight.....they might think I did a different mod to the Lynx....

:(

Edited September 18, 2016 by Level42

[McWill]

I have some micro-USB with 2000 mA, no problem. I know the shipping problems with batteries (especially to the US), but within the EU (especially the Netherlands) it wouldn't be a problem, because it will be sent on the road by truck instead of plane. Please PM me the tracking number once you sent it

[matchstickman]

Few questions about the Nomad screen. Although the Nomad is originally NTSC 60hz it's possible to mod the unit to make it PAL 50hz. Wondering if the screens will support this. Also, some PAL games operate in 320x448 resolution like Sonic 2. Will the screens be able to display this? Also possible to mod so that Master System games will operate with the converter or by using an EverDrive. Therefore may be necessary to be able to have a toggle for those resolutions as well, like the Game Gear screen?

[Level42]

Sigh.....Looks like it's already time for the Nomad screen separate thread Marco......

Edited September 19, 2016 by Level42

[matchstickman]

Sorry to discuss the Nomad here but I guess this the best place for McWill to respond to questions. Anyway I have done some reading and it seems that an RGB connection should allow the screen to operate in either 50/60hz modes. Perhaps McWill can confirm this? Also, it seems the 320x448 resolution was only used by a couples of games for the 2 player split screen mode so shouldn't be necessary.

 

A couple of other suggestions I will make though -

 

With the new screens the brightness control becomes ineffective. This webpage here shows a mod for gaining the control back. It would be really good if you could provide a solution like this with the screen so a replacement dial could be fitted straight into where the original goes. But I am probably asking too much.

 

Also, a solution for turning the screen off. This can save a lot of battery power if one has to pause a game for a while. And if you want to play connected to a TV there isn't really any use to have the screen on either.

[McWill]

Sorry to discuss the Nomad here but I guess this the best place for McWill to respond to questions. Anyway I have done some reading and it seems that an RGB connection should allow the screen to operate in either 50/60hz modes. Perhaps McWill can confirm this? Also, it seems the 320x448 resolution was only used by a couples of games for the 2 player split screen mode so shouldn't be necessary.

 

A couple of other suggestions I will make though -

 

With the new screens the brightness control becomes ineffective. This webpage here shows a mod for gaining the control back. It would be really good if you could provide a solution like this with the screen so a replacement dial could be fitted straight into where the original goes. But I am probably asking too much.

 

Also, a solution for turning the screen off. This can save a lot of battery power if one has to pause a game for a while. And if you want to play connected to a TV there isn't really any use to have the screen on either.

I will start a new thread when the time has come.

BTW: Yes, the mod kit will support 50/60Hz and the interlaced mod 320x448. Turning off the screen should also be no problem.

[fourteen-four]

Just completed my order with Marco for these upgraded Lynx screens, thank you 'McWill' for seeing these projects through!!

[alienkidmj12]

is someone able to help me out with my lcd mod, im getting no voltage on the 5v check.

 

dave

 

 

[bdoi]

You have to put a game and the control panel ribbon and push on

After you will have 5v

[alienkidmj12]

You have to put a game and the control panel ribbon and push on

After you will have 5v

yes, that worked, okay, it says connect back light, do i connect it to the leg of the chip or to the round small pad (next to where it says q10)

[bdoi]

you can connect it directly to the leg of the chip

[HuskyTE]

Hi all,

 

today I've received a Lynx II prepared by McWill himself.

LCD changed, 5volt mod and VGA output.

 

What can I say... It's PERFECT!!!

 

Thanks a lot for your work.

 

Next week it will be shown on Retrobarcelona 2016.

 

Check it at www.retrobarcelona.org

 

Thanks again for all the joy you bring to us!

 

Live Long and Atari!

[alienkidmj12]

got it all working

[Turbo Laser Lynx]

I received my screenmodded Lynx a few days ago, and damn, it's so freakin' awesome! I'm back playing Lynx all the time now. In real life it looks even better than the videos or photos. This is the way the Lynx always should have been really (obviously it was not possible in 1989). Finally the Lynx got the screen it deserves! Sorry for all the exclamation marks, but I'm really blown away by the new screen

 

Thanks again for this fantastic contribution to the Lynx scene McWill!