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Do any other LCD panels work with this iMac?

Hi Guys,

Does anyone know of LCD panels other than the LM171w02(TL)(B2) that work with these iMacs?.

Due to the vertical lines issue they are nearly impossible to come by and where i can find them they are selling for more than these units are worth.

Thanks in advance

Update

found this article on the apple support website, by the looks of it the only panels known to work are:

LM171W02-TL B1

LM171w02-TL B2

anybody know of any others?

Beantwortet! Antwort anzeigen Ich habe das gleiche Problem

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Hi everybody,

I apologize to bump this thread out but I would like to share my experience in this area.

To reply to the previous message even if the author might not be interested anymore, I would like to say the answer is closer to "No" than "Yes".

But, if you are a DIY, the reply is "Yes".

In fact, like told in the post "http://discussions.apple.com/message.jsp..., the LVDS cable is not wired like common laptop LVDS cable. You do need to change the wiring to do so.

Once done, you will have to change the EDID data in the eeprom. For my own, I directly took the eeprom from my old screen and I placed it to my new one (rather than trying to program the EEPROM).

Moreover, you must adapt the screen housing to fit in the Imac (mechanical part).

The original screen comes with two CCFL. If you use a screen with only one, you will need to take out one CCFL from the old screen, add black tape on it and place it in the Imac. If not, the inverter will shut down and you will not have back light.

If you are ready to do that, you can use near whatever screen you want. For my own, I had success with LP171wp4 and BP170W01 screen. I kept the LP171WP4 in my imac 17 finally.

If you are interested to learn how I did, let me know, I will explain it in details.

Best Regards

Guile

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yes please do! I would love to know how to adapt another lcd to work with this one. The original replacement lcd's are too expensive.

von

Hi Shawn,

Ok, I will take time to do it. But before to proceed, you should notice that some skills and tools are required to do so. This is not hard to do, but the FI-X30M connector is 1mm pitch, so a good iron and magnifier is required to do good job. It took me 3 hours to build the adapter.

I would like also to warn that I had success with LP171WP4 and BP170PW01 screen (I only had these two on hand) but they only have one CCFL!! The imac 17 regular screen has 2 CCFL and the inverter will not work if one CCFL is missing!!

I found that LP171wP3 and B170PW02 has two CCFL as required by the inverter and might be a good replacement even if I didn't try it!!

Then, please, do it at your own risk!!

The LVDS adapter is the more complicated part to do, but it's really easy when you have the right tools.

The mechanical adaptation is another challenge that I will not discuss here as I did it as I could without taking any pictures.

Last things: the original screen is mat, and I replaced it with glossy screen. Be careful when choosing the screen if this matters to you!!

Needed components:

1x prototype board 1mm pitch

1x FI-X30M ribbon cable (take it from an old 17" laptop or buy it on ebay http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/3285029... for example)

1x 30 pins receptacle (take it from your defect screen)

1x EEDID eeprom with LM171W02 TL xx data (24y02 or 24C02 TSSOP8 -> take it from your defect screen)

1x soldering iron with thin tip

1x good magnifier or stereo zoom

More soon.

Guile

von

keep it coming!! I have 3 Intel Imacs that need new LCDs. I'm not about to sink 300+ bucks into replacement parts. Still scratching my head as to why they're sooo expensive!

von

Hi guileukow, good job, thanks for you collaboration on this issue, where did you buy the screen replacement? I'll need two of them because I have one and my mother have another with same lines problem.

Thanks,

Victor

von

Hi Victor,

Thanks for your encouragements!! I did it like this by passion and also to proove to myself and others that it was possible to adapt a laptop screen to this Imac.

You can find these screen on ebay for a good price. Indeed, there is several laptop which had graphic card problem so you can be able to find one 17" cheap screen (LM171wp4-TLB1).

Moreover, I found that the wiring used by Apple for this screen seems to be standard for... LCD monitor. I mean, there is perhaps no need for this adapter if we can find the right LCD monitor which can fit to this Imac. Also it appears there is a wiring difference between laptop LCD and monitor LCD. By the way, does someone knows which LCD is behind the Dell monitor E1709W? It could be a good one.

The last but not the least, perhaps your Apple Store can replace your screen for free? In Europe (at least in France) this is a bit difficult but perhaps in your area they are more friendly?

Best Regards,

Guile

von

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I know its been a long time, but after multiple shipping snafus i finally got everything i needed to do the PCB. It works perfectly. Multiple CCFL output issue is resolved. Mechanical adaptation requires some modification but i dont think it is beyond your average DIY person's ability. EDID info is stored on 24c02 chip on PCB so no need to remove from screen. No soldering necessary with this PCB.

I am going to use this iMac on a daily basis for a little while but based on the past 12 hours i dont foresee any issues.

If anyone is interested i can produce more PCB and sell them pretty much at my production cost. i can also make an instructional document for recommended installation procedure.

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Making a guide to do the installation would be great! You can create a new guide here. You can put your contact information into your profile's About Me page so that everyone else can see it.

von

I have created a PDF guide for the install. It will be updated over the comming weeks, but should give a pretty complete path to a successful install

http://realmacmods.com/Files/unimacinsta...

von

INTERESTING FIND!:

On a whim i decided to reprogram the EEPROM on the adapter board with the timing info from a lg 1920x1200 17 inch panel i have from another system. Using this reprogrammed EEPROM and the 1920x1200 panel, the iMac now displays 1920x1200 (much higher resolution than stock). So for anyone desiring a higher resolution panel on there iMac it would seem it just takes dumping the timing info and transposing it to the original EEPROM EDID data. YAY it works!!

von

UniMac Adapter Version 2 is now complete and ready to ship.

Please see details at:

http://www.realmacmods.com/

von

I have published a guide for installing the UniMac Adapter Version 2, it is not fully complete at this point, but will be in the very near future. Feel free to let me know of any questions or concerns. iMac Intel 17" UniMac Version 2 Screen Adapter Replacement adam@realmacmods.com

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Just throwing this out there, is it possible that this can be done without the usage of the edid chip? While tracing and marking wires on the LCD cable i intend to use i noticed it did not even contain wires linked to the correct pins to read the edid info. I know most windows based computers if unable to read the info will report it as a generic monitor, but it will still work. of course when apple gets involved you can imagine they hard coded something into the firmware to allow only certain panels, though i cant find anything to confirm this.

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Hi SenorDingDong,

The EDID chip is the EEPROM. All the EDID data are stored inside the EEPROM.

I wanted to avoid the Imac to talk to the new screen EEPROM (new screen EDID). It's the reason why I've placed the old EEPROM (with EDID data from original LM171W02 screen) directly into the adapter: to be sure the Imac will boot. Then, I found no need to wire the EDID wires to the new screen.

To reply to your question: I don't know if the Imac will boot with EDID data other than those written in the LM171W02 screen? Or simply without the EDID data? To save the time to answer this question I've simply used the EEPROM with working EDID inside the adapter. The EEPROM with the EDID data of the new replacement screen is not used anymore.

Hope this helps to clarify

von

Ok, thank you for the clarification.

I do understand the concept, and i agree for testing it was a good idea to save time with multiple screens, had the first one not work, or to test others for compatability.

I have a large graveyard of desktop lcds to pull from, and will do some testing as far as pinouts and compatibilty.

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Great!

As Told previously, the wiring used by Apple for this screen seems to be standard for desktop LCD. Thus, for example, LM170E01 LCD:

http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&source=web...

Uses the same wiring (except the Apple one does not uses pin 10,11,22,23).

The problem is so far I didn't found any desktop LCD with right angle, resolution and so on which could fit to the mac. Except DELL E1709W but I don't have one on hand.

I hope to hear from your progress!!

Regards

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I just tried a hds170mgw1 http://www.yslcd.com.tw/docs/product/HSD...

This panel (while not the same resolution) contains an empty spot on the board to put the eprom and resistors (which i have not yet tried), so it seems like a good candiate.

results are a little unusual though, when plugged in if you hit the power button the fans will jump maybe 1/32nd of a turn and that is it. it doesnt chime, or power the hard drive. so no signs of life.

with no screen what so ever plugged in it will spin the fans as normal.

with the original screen it will boot as normal.

Pinout is conistant between the panels(besides the ommited pins, which seems irrelevant), the only difference i can come up with is the lack of any or the proper eprom (which i think it would still at least attempt to start), and the datasheet lists the VCC as 5v, where as you list the apple screen as 3.3v.

Do you happen to have the datasheet for the apple screen available? I was unable to find it.

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Will this work with the LM171W02(TT) screen? Mine has the TT and not the TL. (imac g5 isight).

I assume the TT is LVDS? the A4 is NOT. it is TMDS. (like the g4)

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everything thus far should be applicable to lvds panels, but keep in mind all pinouts are not guaranteed to be standard. It would be best to find the datasheet for your panel,and match pin to pin. If you can find it and post a link someone should be able to tell if the adapter is applicable.

In my personal experience any panel i have found from any imac g5 has been tmds.

von

Update

Removing the fuse on the VCC pin and feeding 5v from an atx power supply powers the screen. On my test setup ( old monitor guts)this will run fine. cutting the wires to 10 11 22 23 as expected, removes 1/4 of the pixels distributed evenly.

When inserted into the imac and powered externally still does not power up, same results as last test. So this is not a power issue.

The imac cable definetly omits 10 11 22 23, so this is most likely going to be a fruitless endevor, unless we can find a panel that also does not depend on that third set of signals. I have yet to find such a panel, but i have to imagine they exist. So any help is welcome.

Guile, can you possibly disconnect the power to your eprom and report the results? This should prove whether the startup issue is due to the lack of eeprom, without causing any irrepairable changes to your adapter. If not i understand (if it works why mess with it).

Im not sure if you noticed my question in the other post, but if you have the datasheet for the original imac panel it would be helpful for tracking this down.

I dont have much hope for this method with the monitor lcd at this point. having to step up the voltage from 3.3v to 5v will require building a circuit, and still the strange power issue persists, so most likely not worth it.

Something i am looking into is designing a PCB for a small prototype run, that will match your design, as well as have an empty space for the eeprom and pull up resistors. As this is your design and concept i would like your blessing before continuing, i dont wish to step on any toes.

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Hi,

Sorry I don't have the datasheet for this panel. However, the existing datasheet for LM171W02 A4 exists and says it is rated at 3.3V.

However, I must admit that I didn't check the voltage as I was convinced it was a 3.3V panel. Indeed, I have lots of defective panel in my house and the closest LCD panel I found with exactly same electronics components and same hardware (and with the same vertical lines failure) was a LP171WX2 A4, rated also at 3.3V.

I agree it would have been better to check first. I will try to do that next week and will update my post.

The hds170mgw1 screen could have been a good replacement for following reasons:

-> 1440x900 resolution is Ok

-> The mechanical design seems to be the same as the LM171W02

-> The pinout is almost the same

But, it will probably not work for following reasons:

-> Line 10,11,22,23 seems to be required and that probably means the LVDS configuration is not the same

-> No EDID data could force the Imac to bypass the internal screen. In this case, just adding the eeprom could save this point.

-> Perhaps the Imac needs 3.3V panel, and 5V makes the power supply to sink too much current (which also could explain why the Imac does not start when this screen is plugged).

Keep up the good work!!

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Hi,

Sorry, I've updated my post. I didn't find the right datasheet for this screen.

Regarding to the PCB, yes please, go ahead. I do appreciate your concern but it's okay: I've published my work in order to help. Thus if you can make it easier with your PCB, this will be better for everybody!!

However I didn't find any FI-X30M pcb mount connector. I mean the male connector will be difficult to solder to a PCB.

I think the best way (for an "industrial solution") should be to do an adapter with the motherboard socket (the one you attach the LVDS ribbon with 2 screws) and place the eeprom footprint on it rather than doing like I did.

However, all solution might have their balance. Indeed, laptop screen need also mechanical adaptation to fit into the Imac...

By the way, I didn't have time to check how to disable the second CCFL power line from the inverter (and thus disabling the security when only one CCFL is used). This might not be an issue if you can find laptop LCD with 2 CCFL (LP171wP3?).

I will try to disconnect the eeprom and see next week, but I give no guarantee for it.

Have a good week end

von

Update:

---> LCD and adapter both disconnected: the Imac seems to boot but the white LED remains ON. Perhaps the graphic card switched to the external monitor? --->

LCD disconnected and adapter connected: The Imac boots, and the white LED shut down quickly like usual. ---> Conclusion: The EDID seems very important.

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I cannot find any information on the LM171W02(TT) series display? They come stock in the Imac G5 isight that I have. and of course it has lines as well.

will this solution work? or no? I do know the A4 and TT panels are not the same. (cant interchange them, wont boot)

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Nevermind, I finally found the datasheet for the LM171W02(TT)(A1).

it IS TMDS.

http://www.yslcd.com.tw/docs/product/LM1...

von

I am unaware of any easy way of converting one to other, while they are both infact digital at least, its like two different languages.

Its not so much adapting as it is actively converting the signals.

I have heard rumor of some video cards being able to tell whether it is lvds or tmds and switching accordingly. Though i have serious doubts.

assuming you are repairing an imac g5

In your case i would instead focus on adapting another tmds panel. You can buy imacs (g4 g5) dirt cheap on ebay(i bought 2 for $40 once ha) because that widespread capacitor issue. And as long as you can find pinouts adapting should be possible, you may just have to switch or reprogram the edid eeprom with the correct data.

that being said, check your capacitors. I cant count how many of those things ive replaced the capicitors on over the years, and it gives them all kind of crazy problems.

von

its not the capacitors. I have one of the last imac G5s, where they put the iSight camera in it. 1.9ghz.

the motherboard was bad, I was able to use a rework station and reflow the CPU/GPU and both bridge ICs. Then the issues went away. However i was left with lines on the screen, it being an LM171W02(TT) panel, when the vast majority of imac G4/G5s were LM171W02(A4). they are different EDID because i tried to use an A4 in a TT and it will not work. However both datasheets are showing the same pinouts.

Now with this EDID thing, that explains why. I never knew about that until last week.

von

Hi Mike,

It looks like only the DCLK changed between the two versions of this screen. Perhaps in order to achieve better image quality? However this might work as which can do more can do less.

Have you tried to swap EEPROM (EDID chip) on both panel?

Please, let us know.

All the best

von

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Senordingdong,

I'd very much like to hear more about your results and the PCBs you can build. Did you find a compatible, easily sourced TMDS panel for your conversion circuit?

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My adaptation on the design , much like the original, uses a standard LVDS lcd from a laptop computer (exact model escapes me at the moment ). all in all it ends up being around $50 to produce. At this point i only have my prototype built but i dont see why i couldnt have another one ready to go in about a week.

von

Count me in for one, too -- or if it's too much trouble to make a small production batch, I'd be interested in your gerber files and parts list.

von

Its no problem at all, the only issue i forsee is the lvds ribbon cable is sourced from china, and the shipping can be a little slow. But all the same i will go ahead and get a batch ready to go, check here for updates or if you would like to provide an email address i will let you know when products are ready to ship.

von

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Hi senordingdong.

I'm glad to hear you've succeeded with your PCB.

On my side, I'm using this modifications for near two months for a daily basis use, and semi professional use, and it's still working fine. It looks like your solution is the best one to convince those who are in trouble with their screen.

@ Laurence Lee: Be careful!! TMDS is not LVDS!! If you need a TMDS screen replacement, take one from an old G4 or G5 (available on ebay). If the screen does not start, you will probably have to swap EEPROM (EDID) from your old screen and the new one. It looks like Mike Bates succeeded in this way. The adapter built by senordingdong and I are only for LVDS screen.

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Yes , thanks for catching that. This is not meant to convert TMDS to LVDS, it merely maps the pinout and stores EDID data to use a widely available laptop screen instead of the very hard to come by and expensive iMac screen.

Also looks like my post from the other day got removed? cool.

actually looks like my answer just got moved up, not removed. cooler

von

Yes, promoted ;)

von

Yea, my mistake on TMDS -- I was originally under the impression that the LM171w02(TL)(B2) was a TMDS panel, as the pinouts didn't correspond to standard LVDS.

Definitely looking forward to a usable solution for this conversion.

Seeing as how posts are 'disappearing', hit me up as rubyjedi at gmail when the PCBs and parts are available.

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Hi, senordingdong and all others, I'm just waiting for some guides to fix my IMac G5 with lines on the screen LM171w02-TL B2, you have been writing a lot about comments with some solutions but I'm really lost about the PCB and screen model used to replacement, can you please write like brief recommendation and steps to change the screen, thanks.

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@ Victor

Sure, a method has been developed to use a standard LVDS panel , such as the kind you typically find in laptop computers.

Basically it involves putting an adapter between the original cable and the new laptop screen to correctly route the signals and spoof the EDID information.

I have thus far made a successful prototype adapter board and am waiting on parts to do a small production run for those that want to do this replacement themselves.

That being said its not exactly plug and play at this point, the physical size of the screen does not fit the standard brackets used in the imac. a method has also been developed to adapt that as well, it just takes some skill and patience.

once i recieve the parts i am waiting for i will do a youtube video showing the installation, that way people can gauge if they want to attempt it.

That being said, this is not applicable to to the iMac G5, only the white intel Imac 17" model. Though based on your LCD model, i think you will be fine. To confirm prove the serial number i will look it up for you.

adapter board will be between $50- $60 US

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Appreciate all the thought that is going into these repairs, you're all very adventurous and clever as well.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to make an adapter that would allow the connection of a stand alone monitor? It would look terrible of course but would be much cheaper for those that don't have working screens to use. Also, I've read elsewhere that these faults are due to the fragility of silver solder joints used in the early days of shifting to ROHS compliance. A solution is to bake the logic board in an 375 degF oven for 8-10 minutes, which others have found reforms the defective joints. Is there such a board that is part of the display?

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Hi Blair

You can just buy a DVI - VGA adapter (mine cost me about £10) and connect a cheap external monitor to your iMac via the DVI port in the rear. If you then go to Sys Prefs > Display > Arrangement and then check the "Mirror Displays" box you'll be able to contnue to work as normal. I don't think this would work if there was a problem with the graphics card itself but I think most people here have an issue with the LCD screen unit as I do.

von

Although its a cheap easy solution for BGA reflow,it is a very bad idea to bake a board that has metal electrolytic capacitors. An adjustable heat gun, or even better a digital temp controlled re flow station is the way to go for that stuff. That being said to my knowledge there is no major issues with the BGA solder connections on this generation iMac. Certain serial number range G5 models had some pretty serious issues with that though.

As far as the controller board for the lcd, i dont believe it used any bga components, so reflow would not be possible.

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Ok, I took the lcd LM171W02 (TL) (B2) off my C2Duo Build 10K459, and put the lcd LM171W02 (TT) (A1) from my isight G5 build 9L319 onto the intel unit AND.. after a short burst of the fans - it would not power on. I pulled the lcd cable from the socket - and the C2D powers up. I return the cable into the socket and the C2D fails to power up. I put the G5 lcd LM171W02 (A4) (M1) from my other isight G5 into the C2D and once again it fails to power up after the short burst of fans. Sadly I was fooled by the identical design of the G5 isight and the C2D internals and believed I had the G5 Lcd in the intel unit. Its a pity for all the needful intel users that I was mistaken. Thanks for helping set the record straight here. Regards...

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Yes the EDID eeprom swap DID work between the A4 and TT panels. The only issue that I have is on the A4 panel, it seems the very bottom row of pixels is blank, you have to stare hard to see that. Otherwise its fine.

von

Thats very good to hear, wonder what that pixel issue is about, maybe a defect on the screen, and not an effect of the procedure?. I was also thinking using an i2c programmer( i got mine for $35) and soldering 4 wires one could reprogram the EEPROM in place and save the chance of destroying the chip, especially useful for inexperienced solderers. By tracing the signal paths the wires could be soldered far away from the chip to limit any potential for damage.

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Hi Mike, I've looked long and hard look at the G5 lcd LM171W02 (A4) (M1) that Is now working in my isight G5 imac - without any problems swapping the inverter needed for the isight unit and video cable - and I don't see any pixel line at the bottom of the screen that is blank or not any colour that it isn't supposed to be regardless what background or screensaver is active.? Maybe just an anomaly. Regards..

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I can't seem to buy an adapter board, are they sold out and where is this eeprom chip on the panel?

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Sorry about that, demand has been pretty high, and i am currently out of finished boards. I have an order in for parts and should have some more ready to go soon. if you want to give me your email address i will gladly notify you when they are ready.(week at most)

Also the eeprom is a small tssop(look it up if you dont know what it looks like) it is very near the lvds connector, and has a few smd resistors around it. If memory serves it is connected to pin 4,5,6 on the lvds connector.

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I am going to have a go and do the adapter myself. Can anyone share the knowledge of schematics or correct datasheets as my original panel is LM171W02 (TL) (B2) and will be using LP171WP6 with EEPROM (EDID) chip and connectors from my original panel. Any help would be appreciated.

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Hello,

I'm impressed how far things has moved on since my bread board adapter. All my congratulations Senordingdong.

To Justas: everything in my original post was done to help courageous people to create the adapter by themselves. Reading all my previous post, and especially the hidden one from my post dated on Aug 11 2011 will help you in your quest.

Regards

von

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("Post answer" doesn't seem entirely relevant but the only button there....)

I'd be thrilled if someone could post some sort of guide on sourcing a LCD that WILL work for the mod. I'm confident in my soldering skills and I have swapped parts around on things in the past in a similar fashion. What I'm having trouble getting to the bottom of is what LCDs will make suitable replacements for the chip swap to even work.

I just put a new 2TB drive in my Core Duo for barely over $100, and I have a C2D processor chip on the way for $10. I'm working hard to get some new life into my machine. It works great with my 37" 1080p monitor, but I'd really like to get have a 2 screen set-up again.

So far, I've been told specifically that the 875-2052-x DDC' panels are not a candidate because they are the wrong type.

How do we find ones that will work? What other machine models would be suitable donors, or where to find other makes/models that are compatible? A list or guide would help everybody, whether they swap chips or buy the convenient convertor kit.

Thanks,

-eric

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Ask and you shall recieve : http://www.realmacmods.com/complist.html

Let me know if you need anything else. I dont check this very often so feel free to contact me through realmacmods.com

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illPod wird auf ewig dankbar sein.
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