Tindie

LCD replacement for TRS-80 PC-1 / Sharp PC-1211

(5 Reviews)

LCD replacement for TRS-80 PC-1 and Sharp PC-1211 pocket computers

Designed by The Half-Baked Maker in United States of America

This seller is on vacation. Please return after Oct. 25, 2019 to purchase this awesome product!

LCD replacement for TRS-80 PC-1 / Sharp PC-1211 1

2019-05-25T19:50:19.765Z-IMG_20190525_131950.jpg

$20.00

Shipping to United States of America starts at $4.06

Ships from United States of America

On Vacation

LCD replacement for TRS-80 PC-1 and Sharp PC-1211 pocket computers

What is it? This is a pin-for-pin compatible nearly exact replacement for the LCD module in the Radio Shack TRS-80 PC-1 or Sharp PC-1211 pocket computer released in 1980. Why did you make it? Many ...

What is it?

This is a pin-for-pin compatible nearly exact replacement for the LCD module in the Radio Shack TRS-80 PC-1 or Sharp PC-1211 pocket computer released in 1980.

Why did you make it?

Many PC-1 and PC-1211 pocket computers suffer from LCD degradation to the point where they are no longer useful. Apparently the seal around the LCD was of poor quality, and over the years moisture gets in and ruins the liquid crystal. The result is a display ranging from a few splotches to complete failure.

I decided that it was important to bring all these dead PC-1 and PC-1211 computers back to life by reverse-engineering the LCD and remanufacturing them.

What makes it special?

These LCDs were custom manufactured by Sharp for the PC-1211. Radio Shack had a rebranding agreement with Sharp, and named the computer the TRS-80 PC-1. Replacement LCDs were never available, and finding a working LCD is problematic, given the systematic failure of the seal.

I tried as much as possible to make the fonts and positions used for the indicators as identical to the original as possible. The color of the glass is different -- green rather than yellowish-brown.

Instructions for replacement

I've made a video showing how to replace one of these LCDs. There are a few crucial things you have to be aware of:

Be sure to remove the plastic protective sheet on the top before installation.
After removing the bezel+LCD assembly from the original computer, you'll need to soak the assembly in acetone for 12 to 24 hours to get the old LCD unstuck from the bezel.
Wipe the contacts on the new LCD and clean the elastomeric strips from your existing computer with isopropyl alcohol -- preferably the 99.9% purity kind.
Because the voltage thresholds differ between old and new LCDs, you will need to increase the display contrast resistance to its maximum. Unfortunately, the manufacturers glued the wiper down so it can't be moved without breaking it. That's ok -- go ahead and break the wiper off! After all, you won't be needing it anymore. The video shows how.
Replacing the LCD will not guarantee a working computer! There could be other faults.
Getting the positioning right is crucial. The video shows how to do this easily.

Rates to United States of America

Shipping Rate	Ships From	First item	Additional items
United States Postal Service: USPS First Class Package Does not include standard insurance, so if your package gets lost... :(	US	$4.06	$0.00
United States Postal Service: Priority Flat Rate	US	$7.90	$0.00

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (5.00)

Shipping: (4.00)

Communication: (5.00)

Laurent | Sept. 25, 2019

I just coul not believe someone did it

I own several of these Pocket Computers (either Sharp PC-1211 or Tandy TRS-80 PC1), and I have been an absolute fan of these devices since I was a teenager.
See my web pages dedicated to this wonderful device: https://www.aldweb.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=26
I never believed that the dying yellowish LCD issue of this first pocket computer would be solved one day.

I followed carefully the video, except that I decided not to use acetone or isopropyl alcohol.
I basically smoothed the defective LCD adhesive with hot water and liquid soap. Removing the defective LCD from its metallic case was a little bit harder than with acetone, but faster (I did not have to wait overnight for the acetone to activate).
I also did not need to polish any part with isopropyl alcohol, I just used a smartphone screen dust remover instead.
All other operations were really easy.

I am so happy that my first device is back to work.
I was right to buy several of these LCDs, I will now refurb my other devices, reviving them back to operating life, some 35 years after they were manufactured.

Thank you so much Robert for your great work and very clear instructions of how to proceed.

aldweb
https://www.aldweb.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=26 (my web pages dedicated to this device)

Andrew | Sept. 12, 2019

Fixed two PC1211s with these LCDs

I have successfully fixed two PC1211s with these LCDs. After a couple of false starts (putting zebra strips in the wrong way round) I managed to get two machines working with the new displays. They do seem to better than the old ones with respect to contrast. The installation is a bit involved, but definitely possible. Thanks Robert, excellent work.

The shipping was expensive to the UK (not Robert's fault), so I bought a few extras if there's anyone in the UK who wants to get them a bit cheaper.

Matthew | Sept. 11, 2019

I Almost Couldn't Believe It

My PC-1 was retrieved from my to-be-recycled bin about 5 years ago **at the very last minute**, even though the LCD display was about 75% "roached out". Boy, am I glad I did. Being the first computer I ever owned, I just couldn't part with it, even though it would probably never be functional again. What were the odds? Then I stumbled across these videos by some crazy guy who decided, "Hey, we can fix all these rotted LCD displays, NO PROBLEM!" after which he proceeded to create them and make them available to anyone who wanted one. Flabbergasted, I rushed to the store to buy some batteries to satisfy myself that the remaining 25% of my old LCD was "correctly" displaying characters, making an attempted replacement worth the effort. I then put in my order quickly (in case supplies should run out before I could respond!!) and a week later had the new part in my hands. My installation (having avoided all the cited pitfalls and possible missteps so well documented in the excellent video instructions) went smoothly. The computer works like brand new.

What's so surprising is that this unit is to this day a functional and useful piece of gear which after almost 40 years is a testament to its overall ruggedness and efficient design. One could wax eloquent on the ability of designers from that time period to squeeze the most usefulness out of the parts available for the purpose. I cannot thank the _Half_Baked_Maker_ enough for creating this excellent replacement part. It has provided no small amount of joy to this PC-1 user.

Marvin | July 17, 2019

Great product! Rejuvenated my TRS-80

After viewing the video a couple times I decided to refurb my old TRS-80 which had a bad display. This new one worked just like in the video and now I have a working TRS-80. My only warning is that the removal of the old display involves acetone. I was careless and let this sit on my sink. The sink is made of resin and damaged it. So keep acetone off your sink! Use some cheap basin to contain the acetone. Yes, the zip-loc bags leaked a bit. I would purchase this kit again in a similar situation.

Steven | June 23, 2019

Great restoration

It was really fun to be able to restore my old computer to better-than-factory condition by replacing the old dying LCD. The new display works perfectly, and Robert's video on the installation process covered all the bases.

$20.00

Shipping to United States of America starts at $4.06

Ships from United States of America