This is a hub page that links to various other install guides for the BennVenn LCD mod kit for Atari Lynx. Please make sure you follow the correct guide for your system. You can purchase this kit from our online store.

There are multiple revisions of the BennVenn LCD kits. The differences between these are documented here.

Lynx 1🕸

• Lynx 1 disassembly steps and Screw size chart
• Install Guide for BennVenn LCD mod kit for Atari Lynx model 1 (includes videos)
• A preview of the BennVenn Atari Lynx LCD mod for Lynx Model 1 (rev4)

The Lynx 1 kit doesn't have a ribbon so we created this handy soldering guide that shows where on the Lynx 1 motherboard you need to connect each wire. The laminated to-scale version of the guide is available for purchase from our store here.

You can download and print the guide yourself too: Lynx1-LCD-SolderGuide.png

Lynx 2🕸

• Lynx 2 disassembly steps and Screw size chart

• Installing and testing out the BennVenn LCD Mod for Atari Lynx (rev4)
• Solderless Atari Lynx LCD mod from BennVenn that installs within 5 minutes (rev5)
• BennVenn rev6 LCD mod kit for Atari Lynx with brightness wheel control (rev6)
• Using the Atari Gamer bracket with the Benn Venn LCD Mod for Atari Lynx model II

For Lynx 2, please follow the Rev6 TFT install guide above. The difference is for scanline support, you need to solder the SCANLINE pad to the backlight button pad on the Lynx motherboard.

For Lynx 1, please follow the soldering guide above as well as the Rev4 TFT install guide.

C104129-001 Motherboard🕸

Lynx 2 C104129-001 motherboard notes - Use this guide. The kit for this motherboard revision will come with the "Lynx 1 LCD driver board" but will include a Lynx 2 bracket. You will have to solder this kit, a solder-less kit does not work with this motherboard revision.

You can still use the 'solderless' ribbon with the '129' motherboard, but it will need to be modified first. The 'RES' trace on the ribbon needs to be cut. Make sure you cut it where indicated. All you need to do is cut out a 1mm piece of the trace. Be careful not to cut other traces.

With the ribbon cable modified, solder a wire from the RES pad on the LCD PCB to TP27 on the Lynx motherboard.

Some people reported that after installing the BennVenn LCD kit into a '129' Lynx, they don't have any brightness control. This is countered by swapping resistors "R46" and "R47" around. Then for the brightness signal use the brightness wheel middle pin.

Brightness Controls🕸

For those BennVenn LCD kits that support the brightness wheel - the controls are reversed vs the original Lynx screen. This means turning the brightness wheel towards the minimal position will increase the brightness on the BennVenn LCD. Following suit, turning the wheel to the maximum position will decrease the brightness.

IPS Lynx 2/1 Conversion🕸

The BennVenn IPS kits have the ability to work with both a Lynx 1 and a Lynx 2. There is a pad under the LCD ribbon that is labelled as "I/II". When this pad is bridged, the kit will be in Lynx 1 mode. If the pad is open (no solder across its two halves) the kit will be in Lynx 2 mode. The difference between modes is the position of the image on the screen as well as different clock timing signal being used. The video below shows how to convert a Lynx 1 kit to a Lynx 2 - of course you would also need a replacement bracket and a ribbon cable to connect to your Lynx (or you can solder it in).

Installation Issues🕸

Melted/Deformed Brackets🕸

We check all brackets for quality before shipping. However, it's come to our attention that some customers are receiving mounting brackets that appear to be melted and/or deformed. This is something that appears to happen in transit and we suspect it's due to high temperatures. If you happen to receive a bracket that doesn't fit properly, has screw holes that are misaligned, or it generally looks out of shape, please get in contact.

We have uploaded STLs for our 3D printed brackets for the LCD mod kits to our account on Thingiverse. (Note: these STLs are not compatible with the IPS kits, all IPS brackets are made with high temperature resistant plastic and do not have the previous warping issues.)

Image on screen fading to white🕸

If your LCD screen is fading out to a white picture, it indicates that there is an issue with the brightness circuit on your Lynx motherboard. A fix for this is to force the LCD brightness to maximum on start up. This is done by connecting the X1 pad to the GND pad on the PCB of the LCD kit. The screen should no longer fade to white and if the LCD brightness pad is connected, you can use the backlight button to still control how bright the screen is.

Image on screen fading to black🕸

There have been some reports that after installing the kits that use a ribbon connector that the Lynx powers on OK but then the screen fades out to black (sometimes to white). If this is happening to you, clean the ribbon fingers (the gold plated connectors) with some IPA (70%+). This should make connections between the LCD and the motherboard more stable and should prevent this fade-out from happening.

Garbled Image Fix🕸

There have been some reports of an unstable image after installing the Lynx 1 version of the kit. If you are getting an unstable or garbled image, implement the fix as per the wiring instructions below. The fix is to shift CLKA3 left one pin as per the photos i.e. The standard wiring is to have the A3 signal connected to pad 60 on the Lynx 1 motherboard - connect this signal to pad 59 instead. (ignore the incorrect positioning of the A2 signal in the photo below).

Alternative wiring shown in a working configuration, no garbage on screen.

Black round spot on screen🕸

If you see a black spot showing up on your LCD, it's the power circuit protection zener diode triggering and getting hot. This is an indication that your Lynx's power circuit is about to fail. You should turn your Lynx off immediately and repair the 9V circuit by replacing the MOSFET and zener and maybe the Q7/Q8 transistors. See the Repair and Troubleshooting Guides for how to do this.

Note: this zener diode is not fitted by default to the new LCD kits and must be purchased separately from our store. We recommend you spend the extra few dollars to help protect your Lynx to avoid the Lynx CPU from being burned out.

Blank screen after install🕸

If you're getting a blank screen after installing your LCD kit, but the Lynx works otherwise (sound works, it powers up, etc) then you might have damaged the LCD ribbon during installation. Refer to the image below where a small tear on the LCD ribbon cable is circled. This can happen if you drive a screw through or very close to the ribbon cable due to incorrect positioning of the screen. If you have a tear like this, you will need a replacement LCD screen.