I thought it would be useful to post a thread that would help people who have enough technical skill to attempt replacing their Pronto touch screen. The following is a reply I posted to this thread:
[Link: remotecentral.com]

Here is the reply:

I noticed how fuzzy the display on my remote was ever since I've used it. I decided to try an experiment: replacing the screen I have with one available from Samsung. The difference was remarkable! Enough of a difference for me to order a spare screen for my own "warranty" repair. The Samsung screen is much sharper: particularly with the backlight. Here is a bonus: the screen exhibits no contrast drift.

The Samsung part number for the screen that was used for some of the early Pronto's was UG-24U01-WGHT3-C. The currently available part number for a new screen is UG-24U01-WGHT3-G. This screen (UG-24U01-WGHT3-G) will fit in the Pronto with a 5x5mm cutout in the battery compartment for the new location of L1 (a small inductor) and a 5x5mm cutout on the plastic screen support bezel for another surface mount component. A single edge razor can be used to make the cutouts. No soldering is required, just the cutouts.

If you want to replace the screen yourself keep in mind that any modification you make to your remote will void your warranty; however, a $150 warranty screen replacement is more than the $80 (including shipping) I paid for a replacement.

You should be able to order this screen through a Samsung distributor near you. Some distributors have a minimum order requirement.

Please don't contact me for a replacement screen.

UG-24U01-WGHT3-"B" screen information can be found here:
[Link: sdiamerica.com]

(I think the B, C, and G screens are similar.)

My son cracked my Pronto's display. I opened mine up and the display pn is UC-24U01-WGHT3-B (mine is 1.5
yrs old or so.)

Can anyone tell me where I can buy one of these? I've done a few web searches, and can't find anything. Mouser doesn't have it either.

Thanks in advance..
-Tommy

Hi Guys;

www.flat-panel.com has the "B" version listed on their site for $49.00 US. I have emailed them, tried their fax order form, and left phone messages there to no avail. Either they don't want to deal with the little guys, or are waiting for a larger order. If someone can get through and order some of these things, we would have this problem licked...the LCD's are easy to change.

Regards,
Ed

My screen developed a problem/defect and no longer works.

First I tried the Samsung number, but they didn't seem to know what I was talking about and couldn't reference the part number.

Next I called Earth Computer Technologies (they are the people at www.flat-panel.com) today. Had no problem getting them on the phone and they said they have the screen in stock for 49.00. I faxed them my order and it should be here this week. They ship Fed-Ex, so it should be as promised.

Will let you know how this works.

Paul V

I called them as well. Spoke w/ Fernando. I'm faxing him an order now. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

-Tommy

Glad its working!! I think my problem is I keep getting voice mail when I call, no one seems to respond to voice mail these days...:-)

I'll try again, wish me luck.

Ed

Hit 0, and talk to the operator. (In my case, Fernando answered.)

-Tommy

Got my screen today from the flat-panel.com guys.
They're pulls, but they look fine... and for $49/ea I don't care. I'll be installing it in my pronto when I get home and will let everyone know how it went.

-Tommy

I called Earth Technologies yesterday and finally got ahold of Fernando. I asked about my order that I had faxed in 3 weeks ago, and he transferred to someone else (the guy talked so quick I never caught his name), who told me it was just shipped out that day, the funny thing is I never gave anyone my name yet...Today I got a phone call from Fed Ex wanting to verify my address so they could deliver a parcel from California to me. Pretty neat, eh? One day shipping to Ontario, Canada. Quick!!

I can't wait to try it out to see if the contrast is any better than the old one. But at least if it isn't, I'll have a spare in case I break mine. I sat on the edge of my Pronto a couple of days ago and thought the jig was up, but luckily it still works.

So here's hoping that everyone with cracked screens have a more economical alternative for replacement that sending it back to Philips or Marantz for repair.

Ed

I just installed my new screen. Took all of 10 minutes, and it looks great. It's the same exact model screen as my 1.5 yr old Pronto. My wife said it looked 'crisper' and that the backlight was 'brighter' than our old screen, so I think it's a winner. ;-)

-Tommy

Tommy, could you please post the part number of the screen you ordered, and a brief description of what you had to do to replace the screen (was there any soldering required?).

Thanks!

David read the second post on this thread

Happy to read that some Pronto users have been successful with their own screen sourcing and replacement.

To give people who are apprehensive about trying this on their own I'm going to try to summarize the steps I took to replace my screen. I replaced my screen about a month ago but I think I've remembered the important details:

1) The Pronto case is held together by three screws. Two are under the battery compartment and the third is under the label on the back, centered, close to the bottom. The location of this third screw can be found by running your fingernail near the bottom edge of the label and feeling for an indentation. The tip of a knife can be used to pierce the label to give you access to the screw. The socket on the screws is a T6 Torx. Torx drivers are similar to Hex (Allen wrench) but have a star-like tip. Torx are available at most hardware stores (or in gift tool sets that you never really looked at).

2) Remove the three screws and gently work the case apart. Mine hung up on the rubber block that is the base for the five white push buttons. Be patient. Some of the components in the Pronto are sensitive to Electro Static Discharge (ESD). Make sure you are grounded before touching the inside of the unit. Use the same precautions that you would use to change out a board in your computer.

3) Now you have access to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). (If memory serves…) Two more screws need to be removed to separate the PCB from the case. Be careful here, there is a flat-cable (flex cable) that attaches the screen to the PCB. Lay the PCB and the top case out so that you can unplug the cable from the PCB. The connector on the PCB has two semicircular tabs on either side of the cable. With moderate pressure, slide the two tabs away from the connector until they stop (about 2mm). The cable should easily slide out now.

4) The screen is held in place with two more screws through a plastic support bezel. Remove the bezel and screen. There are some small hook features in the bezel that hold the screen in place so you will need to gently pop it out.

5) Now you are ready to reverse this process and reassemble your remote with a replacement screen. Be sure the flat-cable is well seated in the PCB connector before sliding the two semicircular tabs back in place. Make sure the cable is out of the way of the Left and Right buttons when you reassemble the PCB to the case. Your may need to bend it into an "S" or "W" shape. You can practice with the old screen if you like. Be careful to not over-tighten the screws during reassembly.

Hope this helps.

Aaron nailed it. That's all there was to replacing the screen.

To order one, go to http://www.flat-panel.com and download their fax order form. You want to order p/n: UG24U01WGHT3B (samsung pda lcd) for 49.00.

You can call them at 949-361-2333. Fernando was very helpful, and I had my order the next day.

Take Care,
-Tommy

What would happen if you installed a color screen????