Discussion on:

How to replace a broken laptop screen

Hi,
the HMM (Hardware Maintenance Manual) of my T60's describes clearly the steps to dismount and replace all the parts of the computer. This manual is availble on the net.
No more comments. J. Bouchard

Who makes that screwdriver set? It looks pretty sweet.

I use screwdrivers and tools from several sources, but the ones show in this video come from iFixit.com.

Great post Bill, just repaired a laptop that was playing up and then gave up display altogether 3 months ago. found the connector inside had come loose.

I have found that there are instructional videos on YouTube that walk you through changing screens of many different types of computers. Use a computer to fix a computer.

It always seems easy watching videos, but, after replacing some of them, the screws can really be a pain in the a**. On some of the older laptops, they can be very difficult to get loose. Sometimes, there's ALOT of patience needed in doing it.

while you have the bezel off, would be to check the hinge screws to make sure they are tight. This will ensure there is no extry play in the lid as it opens and closes.

Bill, Thanks for useful tips. However, this presentation does not clearly show how to disconnect and reconnect electrical wires (one more photo should have been added). Moreover, it is likely that same model of LCD may not be available after 2-3 years (for laptops mfd before 2010), so old broken screen may have two wires, whereas new replacement screen may have one wire. In such event how does one proceed?

Thanks for this presentation...

I Like the instructional. Thanks, as always, for your insight and help. Would you advise using this approach for MAC Laptop screens ? I have a MAC Book Pro that is fading and I don't know if it will be easier for me to do the fix, or get a MAC specialist to fix it.
Thanks

In the case of a broken screen, you have to replace. However, what would be truly helpful is instructions on how to fix these screens. I have repaired hundreds of screens by replacing backlights (available for $8 to $20), resoldering matrix drivers, reseating connectors and replacing fuses (under $2) on inverter boards. Now those are real fixes.
Most "techs" have no idea this can be done.

Actually the DIY hint does not help : to get the exact panel that will fit and work in your laptop, you won't have a lot of providers to get it, or the manufacturer will provide it only through international purchases, in other currencies, an in a very unsecure way.
More : the cost for getting it may even be higher than buying a new replacement laptop.

So the best to do is to connect a VGA or HDMI cable to connect it to another display, turning the builtin panel off with the function key. Then perform the necessary backups before your PC completely dies due to permanent damages to the graphics card which could easily overheat with the electric shortcuts in the panel (that's why you should turn the LCD panel completely off, to protect your internal graphics card, and even possibly your battery). Immediately you can disconnect the panel connector(s) from the moterboard.

May be you'll recycle this laptop only as a screenless storage storage solution, or to host an additional media DLNA center on your LAN, for playing musics or videos on your TV or on another PC, or to host a specific local web service, or as a firewall (connected to your In Internet router with the Ethernet cable, and hosting a wifi hotspot, which should be enough to connect your external smartphone or tablet).

May be it will help to simplify the maintenance of its installed OS : install some simple Linux distrib on it to replace Windows with an automatic maintenance scheme. Install an RDP virtual desktop server on it, so that you can administrate it from another PC, without having to physically reconnect it to its own physical display.

I was able to buy the replacement panel used in this video for $50 + shipping and taxes. As this machine was only two years old, it was well worth the cost to replace the screen. Had the machine been 5+ years old and the screen cost $250, then no, it wouldn't have made much sense to replace the screen.

Different manufactures have different rules. Replaced a cracked screen on an HP still under warranty for anything except dropping the laptop. Not as simple as instructions here, but still doable. Price for LCD from 3rd party $85 with free shipping. Repair manual easily found online. Once keyboard and miscellaneous components removed, able to disconnect cable to screen. Ninety minutes later, new screen looks like it was new.

I just replaced a screen to this model laptop and would like to add that you REALLY need to see how the old screen is attached before ordering the new screen. Although I was careful to match all the spec's from info in my +5 year laptop's original manual and purchase order, I still ran into a "little" problem when I opened up my laptop. It so happens that this model has an inverter board that's actually attached to a wrap-around metal band with what were 4 rivet-like attachments. Had I known the multi-rivet like attachments were involved, I may not have elected to try replacing the screen. Just separating the inverter from the the screen's band was really a slooooow pushing & pulling rivet popping process. I could have very easily cracked the CCA or caused ESD damage. Repeating: Check out the old attachment method BEFORE ordering. Luckily nothing went wrong and I now have a beautiful 17" laptop that's now missing all the vertical multi-colored lines that this model began to increasingly display a few years ago. Several internet searches revealed my 9300 wasn't the only one having this problem after the warranty expired.

My son's sony vaio screen is fine, but move the screen back or forward a tiny bit & the screen goes haywire (crazy colors & lines & chaos). Does that mean the trouble is in the hinge portion - or the wires inside that? Or is it the screen that's bad?

Either tape it securely or replace it

so I open up the hinges & the wires will be in there?

I couldn't resist the pawn shop $15 Think Pad with a cracked screen...SO found a supplier of a screen that was ALMOST the right size.Outside measurement the same, but display area about 1/4 inch larger all around . Hell at $35 bucks, go for it. They also included the converter stick.
Dissassembly was very careful and slow. matching things up very slow too so as to not make a mess of the very dodgey contact rubber gizmos. I shaved the bezel down the needed 1/4 inch, and got it all togeather. Vi va! Thinkpad,lives again. I could have used the video, but that was about 5 years ago.
Gained a lot of respect for the Thinkpad engineering, But don't risk a lot of dough, 'cause there are a number of ways you can kill a sick screen forever..

Suggest that you visit the mfgr.website to see if "dismantling instructions are available.
I found Dell's repair info to be very helpful.
Frank

Depends on the age of the machine, cost of the new screen, and how sure you are about your ability to complete the job.

I have twice looked at doing this. Once I decided to keep the machine but use an external display (am still using that one), the other time I decided the machine was too old to justify the repair, it was better to use the cost of the replacement screen as part of the investment in a better machine.

Hi, it is great help. Any best place to buy the screens?

But since that day i do not know how to fit the screen to the real size of what is shown...for the display is bigger of th screen itself...and i cant do the trick to make it fit....any help??


Please

Nice post. I was able to buy Laptop replacement screen at this site (http://www.laptopaid.com/lcd-screens.html) at the lowest price. And replacing laptop screen is now easy because of this article. Thanks to @Bill Detwiler.

I had 2 similar Toshiba both in disarray, although with different problem. This repair tip returned a fully complete laptop to my inventory thank you

My Samsung RV510 broke on the hinge. This is making it difficult for me either open or close it. Is there any adhesive or anything i can use to seal it?

Or can i get covers for it? Where?

Hi there Bill Detwiler! I always thought that replacing a replacement laptop screen was that hard so that i didn't try it. But when i read your article, I learned a lot. My old laptop has the same problem but i just sold it to CashForLaptops.com. Now, I know how to do this. Thanks.

thank

At first I was hesitant about replacing the screen but after some research I bumped into this article and decided to give it a try to save myself some money. I bought my screen at http://www.nylaptopparts.com and then proceeded by following the instructions in the article and was able to successfully change the screen. One word of advice, be patient so that you dont end up breaking some other parts. So thanks once again for the article. Cheers.