The Failure:
If you are reading this page, you already know what this is about, the vinegar syndrome failure of the Citizen L6481L-FF CSTN LCD display on the IBM PC110.
Here are some of the resources I read to try and understand why the screens have failed and what attempts could be made at repair:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbrW7uUYpkw
- https://garakutaen.sakura.ne.jp/pc110/18thmLCD.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose_acetate_film
Failed Repair Attempt:
I spent some time removing top layer however the second layer would not come off together so I had to spend time carefully scrapping it away.
After I had removed enough I powered the screen up and used a polarizing lense to look for any contents. I was unable to see anything and I noticed some cracks, presumably I caused this while attempting to remove the layers. In any case I called this a failure and ended it here.
I have several more of the failed screens, at a later date I may attempt again carefully removing the “rotten” layers and applying a new polorizing film. Although the tft upgrades are nice, I would like to one day have a working unit with the origional display.
Replacement Module:
I’ve searched high and low, and there does not seem to be a drop-in compatible replacement module. There are some sites that list stock for the citizen origional module, however when I contact them to ask if it is “new old stock” i.e. they have been on a box and likely also failed, they tell me they no longer have it.
So it seems, replacement route involves installing a different display (TFT) along with an adapter. I will explore this route in other posts.
