Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

6

Time Required

                          2 hours

Sections

1

  • How To Convert An iMac Into An External Monitor
  • 6 steps

Flags

3

In Progress

This guide is a work in progress. Reload periodically to see the latest changes!

Needs More Images

A few more images would make this guide’s procedures crystal clear.

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

  • BackiMac Intel 20" EMC 2105 and 2118

  • Full Screen

  • Options

  • History

  • Save to Favorites

  • Download PDF

  • Edit

  • Translate

  • Get Shareable Link

  • Embed This Guide

  • Notify Me of Changes

  • Stop Notifications

Introduction

This guide is a serious hardware mod. This is not target display mode. This is not a software fix. When this guide is followed, the user will be able to string a video cable between another computer and the iMac and have the iMac behave just like an external monitor.

In summary:

  1. Completely teardown the iMac, removing everything.

  2. Install a video control board, new inverter, and new power supply for the screen.

  3. install new video-in ports on the exterior case.

  4. Re-install the screen, reassemble the iMac case.

  • Having followed the guide How to Identify The Make & Model Of The iMac’s Screen For The Purpose Of Buying The Correct Video Driver Board and purchased the appropriate Video Driver Board and Power Supply for your iMac. Having completely disassembled your iMac. Following the guide for iMac Intel 20" EMC 2105 and 2118 Logic Board Replacement will allow you to teardown most of the iMac. The rest

iMac Intel 20" EMC 2105 and 2118 Logic Board Replacement

so that the case is empty.

What you need

Step 1

              Identifying Your Screen Model
  • Read and follow the iMac Intel 20" EMC 2105 and 2118 Display Replacement guide, and remove your screen completely.
  • Flip the screen over, placing it on a towel to keep it safe. Locate the manufacturer’s sticker on the back of the screen, which should contain the screen’s Model Number
  • The screen used in this particular iMac 20" A#### EMC#### is an LG-brand model-LM201W01, though yours may be different.

Read and follow the iMac Intel 20" EMC 2105 and 2118 Display Replacement guide, and remove your screen completely.

Flip the screen over, placing it on a towel to keep it safe. Locate the manufacturer’s sticker on the back of the screen, which should contain the screen’s Model Number

The screen used in this particular iMac 20" A#### EMC#### is an LG-brand model-LM201W01, though yours may be different.

1024

Step 2

              Sourcing A Video Control Board
  • Search either AliExpress.com or Ebay.com using the search phrase “Your-Screen-Model-Number Control Board”.
  • If your iMac is a 20", they should be around $30-$40. If 24", $60-$80.
  • Order the video driver board for your screen. It will probably ship from Asia, and take 2-3 weeks to get to you.
  • It probably will not come with a power supply. This is normal. Most video control boards require 12v 5A power supplies. You may have one in your spare electronics bin, so check there before buying one: Old routers, PC laptops, etc may have compatible power supplies.

Search either AliExpress.com or Ebay.com using the search phrase “Your-Screen-Model-Number Control Board”.

If your iMac is a 20", they should be around $30-$40. If 24", $60-$80.

Order the video driver board for your screen. It will probably ship from Asia, and take 2-3 weeks to get to you.

It probably will not come with a power supply. This is normal. Most video control boards require 12v 5A power supplies. You may have one in your spare electronics bin, so check there before buying one: Old routers, PC laptops, etc may have compatible power supplies.

Step 3

              Placeholder for  interim step
  • placeholder

placeholder

Step 4

              The Build
  • Follow X guide for complete iMac disassembly.
  • Placeholder for info about build

Follow X guide for complete iMac disassembly.

Placeholder for info about build

Step 5

              Tetris Time!
  • conception phase.
  • #show a pic of mine when it was done

conception phase.

#show a pic of mine when it was done

Step 6

              Solder Outlet Adapter To Internal Power Cables
  • Insert wisdom here.

Insert wisdom here.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      One other person completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 4 other contributors 


                    Olympia Mac Repair

Member since: 02/07/2010

868 Reputation

                                      3 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       16







                                                        +13 more badges

Team

                       Olympia Mac Repair                        

                                                  Member of Olympia Mac Repair 



                    Business                     


                                            1 Member                     


                                            3 Guides authored

Paul K - Mar 10, 2019

Reply

As my 2009 24” iMac just died (third, and maybe final, drive failure), I am very eager to see this completed.

C Bonney - Nov 26, 2020

Reply

It’s over a year since Paul K (above) asked if this page could be completed. I’d also be keen to see it. Any chance?

Adrien Martinez - Oct 29, 2022

Reply

Hi, will this page be completed? I would love to mod my 2011 iMac