Thread: Nothing but blocks on 4x40

No no no no....

Do not remove the Header pins on the display, when you do, you are only making it harder to yourself to fix it.

True, the pins on the display are not long enough to make a decent connetion with a ide-connector. I had this problem too.

This is what I did.
I cutted the connector so that it would only leave me a 9x2 connector. Then,
Just 'shave' off a bit of the ide-connector it's bottom (2-3mm should be fine, when you go further than this you are able to see the pins IN the connector, when you see them, they always will make a decent connection) then it would slide on perfectly. put a ribbon cable on it, and you are ready to go. I tested this with a multimeter if all the pins had a decent connection, and they had one so it worked.

You are right about the pot-meter, it's a bit strange to connect it like this, but I connected it like the diagram (btw. yep that's the correct schematic), and It worked. You should be able to put the backlight at full brightness (which is really bright) or almost completely off.

Hope this helps you out !!!

Greetz

What about my ground and +5v wires. Is it normal to act like they do.

IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got it to work. I was not making a connection with all of the pins. I shaved a little off the ide connector and then it worked. One problem still. The ide connector does not stay on the pins very well. Is there some way that I can make it stay on it better. I dont want to solder the wires to the pins because I am not the best at soldering. I have also heard that they have a tendency to break off. Thanks for all the help!!!!!!!!!!!

hot glue works wonders

I have the same LCD unit and am going to be working on it, but it's been a while since I've worked in this far of detail in electronics, so halp me out here.

I want to make sure I understand the open circle where it says +5V. Now, does that mean that I have to supply that from else where, or is there a pin on the LPT port I can use for +5V? It looks to me like I have to supply it from the PS or something...

Any help appreciated. Thanx!

You can use a floppy power cord. That is were I am hooking mine up.

I got it working but then I went to solder the wire directly to the pins and a drop solder got on one of the controller chips. Now I am only getting junk on the display. I went to datainternational and am seeing if I will be able to get a free 4x40. Does anyone one know what type of controller chip these use and are they +5v or -5v.

Solder directly to the pins ?????
why is that ???
Did the connector come loose or what ???
(I think when there are header-pins you should use a connector.. easiest way to go)

Anyway too bad you ruined your display, but

Did you drop the solder on the connection-pins of the controller chip (so that some pins would make a short-circuit ??) , just in the middle of the chip and 'fried' it ?? (I think when you only are making a 'short' between some pins, try to isolate them. (if this can be done..) maybe it helps)

Greetz

I shorted some pins. I have already tried to seperate them. I could not get a connector to fit them good and have it stay on.