DIY - Replace Broken Laptop LCD

Step 9 Test It!

Now's the exciting part. Reinsert the battery and power. Now turn it on.

Hold your breath! It might take longer than you expect. If all went well... You'll see the display. It should need no adjustments since it's unlikely the settings have changed since the old one was broken.

Likely, because all power was removed for a period of time, you'll have to reset that time and date. Not a big deal, is it? :)

Note: The child belongs to the owner of this iBook. I don't know any details... Cute though, huh?

Comments

[pblanscet]

Thanks a bunch! I'm planning to repair a laptop for a friend, and this was all the enlightenment I needed to do so!

[lithodir]

Hey, I was wondering - I have an old ibook G4 with a good LCD but an old operating system. I was considering buying a used ibook G4 with a higher operating system, but a cracked LCD and putting my old screen into the cracked screen. One issue is that I inherited my ibook from my sister, who bought it in New Zealand and I have a power converter on the end of the plug in for the power cord, but everything else seems the same - do you know if they all use the same parts all over the world? Assembled in Taiwan model A1055 - if that's helpful... I'm really keen to try this! Thanks!

[LasVegas]

All Macs worldwide use universal power supplies. The supplies will run on 100 to 240 VAC at 50 or 60 Hz. This means that any plug adapter that is connected to the supply will work.

LasVegas

[inrumford]

Is there a way to tighten the hinges as the lid has a tendency to fall back a little

[LasVegas]

On most notebooks, this can be adjusted once access to the hinge mechanism has been acquired. Each manufacturer is going to be different though....

[bweezy]

LasVegas, I replaced the LCD on my Compaq Presario A900. The screen works fine, but now windows isn't functioning correctly. It's mostly non-responsive and I can't even get it to shut down on it's own, I have to do a hard reset. Any ideas?

[Kasm279]

install linux?

[kalizascope]

So.. just replaced the LCD on my iBook G4 (it got run over by a semi). The install went pretty smoothly.. but when I turned it on - there were multiple images of the desktop on the screen and the right 1/3rd of the screen was black. It would stay on for a minute and then go to sleep (this could be because of battery being low) BUT I'm at a loss of what to do now.. :( Any help would be grrrrreatly appreciated!

[LasVegas]

Run over by a semi! And the only damage was a broken LCD? Now, That's engineering! Verify that the connector isn't plugged in backward or offset by a pin. Fully charge the battery or test it plugged into the power source. There may be some damage to the logic board. Unfortunately, that type of repair is way beyond the scope of this Instructable. I'd have to include quite a bit of complex diagnostics procedures and techniques. Much more than I could put in a single post.

[kalizascope]

Thanks for the quick reply! I took it to a mac guy here in town and he verified that screencountry.com sent me the wrong screen - and that the going to sleep issue was because the power adapter's pin had broken off inside the computer (I tripped over the cord awhile back.. of course.. ah.. I'm brilliant!) Anyhow - he fixed the whole thing for about the same price I paid for the darn LCD. Niiiiiiice :)

[Kasm279]

lol, nice

[elyseainsworth]

Your instructions were so helpful! but we ran into a small issue, when we booted up the Ibook after replacing the screen, it lit up but doesn't show anything from the desktop, its just gray. Any suggestions?

[JGwizdz]

Hi Las Vegas; Well I did everything you said (mine is an HP Pavillion) and while it powers up and shows Windows XP with the flowing status bar - it then goes black and does not refresh to anything. Suggestions?

[LasVegas]

Start up your computer in Safe mode by pressing F8 during post. When you get it up and running, go to your desktop settings (right click on the desktop and select "properties") and set the screen to a low setting. Restart normally and then set the display to that of the screen. I hope this helps, Las Vegas

[osurfc]

Mr Vegas, My LCD went black (you can still see the desktop faintly) on my inspiron 6000 and I want to by the LCD on ebay and replace it myself using your how-to. I found one with the exact same specs but with a slightly lower resolution for very cheap. The manufacturer (dell) is telling me I need to replace the LCD with the same exact LCD or it won't work. Seems to me if the size, bulb, connectors are the same and the only difference is the resolution I should be fine. What's your take? Thanks!

[LasVegas]

You display is okay. You've either lost the backlight, the inverter that lights it or the wire that carries the power to it. It's most often the inverter or wire.

[osurfc]

I don't believe the replacement LCD comes with a new wire and inverter. Can you order these items seperately? Also, can you please advise on the resolution issue? Thanks!

[LasVegas]

No. It doesn't. Those items would be purchased separately and should be attempted before replacing the LCD. The lower resolution would probably be a problem since the firmware expects the higher resolution it may not display at all on your notebook. I wouldn't know how to change the parameters on your notebook to adjust for the different display.

[osurfc]

One more thing. The display is fine for about 30 seconds (i.e dell splash screen, windows splash screen and then it fades to black). Would this be furter evidence of the inverter?

[LasVegas]

Yes. A bad wire would not work at all. Your inverter is bad.

[osurfc]

Well, I got screwed again by a power seller on ebay. I purchased the inverter and installed it today. The machine boots up fine but now the screen is red all over. I checked the part number on the inverter the seller said was compatible with my laptop, however, the part number is different. Has it been your experience that the exact inverter part number is required? The seller states it is compatible, but obviously they could be wrong.

[LasVegas]

Hmm... I'd say to check your cables. Back lights use white cold cathode fluorescent bulbs and cannot light red. If it's lighting up, the inverter is working great. It sounds like perhaps your other "data" cable has been pulled so that it's not fully connected on one end or the other.

[osurfc]

Man your good. Well that fixed it. Not completely. I reconnected all the wires. It powered up fine. After an hour. The light went out again, back to square one. If I close the laptop and open it again the light sometimes is back on but then it goes out after 10 secs or 2 minutes. I'm wondering if it is the backlight?? I now have a new inverter installed. I don't think I should try to install a new backlight but sending it out is the same cost as a new LCD panel on ebay. Do you think it is the backlight??

[LasVegas]

Take a close look at the electrolytic capacitors near where the inverter connects to the logic board. These capacitors (caps) look like cans standing up on the board. The top of the caps should be absolutely flat and clean. A blown cap will be bulged (even slightly) and perhaps have some brown leakage on the top. Replace all that are bulged. Note the stripe on the side. This indicates the negative lead. Be sure to replace with the exact same value (µf), at least the same temperature rating. and you may want to increase the voltage rating (v) to prevent future problems. This information will be on the label. For instance, a bad cap may be labeled "470µf, 25v, 85°C" and could be replaced with "470µf, 35v, 108°C".

[osurfc]

Also, could there be a short in the wire (on and off with opening/closing)?

[LasVegas]

I doubt it. That wouldn't produce the intermittent problem you're having.

[osurfc]

Thanks Vegas! I ordered the LCD yesterday and the inverter today! I hope I can send the LCD back... Now, what casino do you recommend on my next visit to LV?? Looking for some omaha and hold'em. HAHA!

[kikioncloud9]

OH MAN! U make it look so easy!! I dunno if im gonna be able to do it ! i just dont have the extra 200 bucks to take it in! Wish me luck.. lol

[f_m]

Very helpful.

[cellobob]

Hey Las Vegas thanks! I am so glad to have found this info, it has saved me time and money. So easy, never thought it would be.

[mrsgadget]

I am absolutely SHOCKED at how easy this was!!! I had bookmarked this page several months ago, purchased the new LCD and let it sit in the closet. Today I decided to just go for it. I had taken the time to collect all the right tools, as well which made the job a WHOLE lot easier. The computer is updating as I type this. This saved me hundreds of dollars. Thanks, very well written instructions!

[LasVegas]

I'm very glad it was of help! :)