DIY - Replace Broken Laptop LCD

Intro: DIY - Replace Broken Laptop LCD

Replacing a broken laptop screen is more often than not, a very easy project. If you have a broken screen, don't jump on ebay and sell it for considerably less than it's worth. Instead, go to ebay and try to find the replacement LCD, the entire cover for your computer, or even better, your computer with a blown motherboard but intact screen! The later case, you not only get a new screen, but extra memory, a backup hard drive and perhaps even a WiFi card you didn't have before.

It helps to know your computer. If you don't, do your research first. Some laptops have the LCD glued (epoxied) into the frame. In these cases it's usually much easier to replace the whole cover. Most don't have this problem though.

I'm going to show how easy it is with an Apple iBook G4. I've also replaced the screens on Panasonic, Gateway and other laptops just as easily.

STEP 1: Gather Supplies

What we'll need, besides the replacement LCD of course, are the tools to open the display enclosure. In this case, we'll need a tiny magnetic phillips screwdriver, a size 1.5 allen wrench and something to pry apart the snap together frame.

The later can be a couple of small (tiny) flat edged screwdrivers, a metal ruler or paint scraper with the edge filed to a sharper edge, etc. In my case, I use the tools that were included with a battery replacement for an iPod. The tools alone were worth the cost of the battery!

For some, a pair of tweezers would help.

STEP 2: Remove Power...

Anytime we work on a computer, it's best to remove all sources of power first. In this case, that includes the power supply and the battery. Don't forget to remove the battery!

STEP 3: Remove the Cover...

The next step is to remove the cover.

Examine around the screen. Look at all the metal and plastic parts. In some cases, the screws will be obvious. In others, you my have to remove stickers or rubber plugs to access them. Failing to find them, do a Google search for a take-apart instruction for your specific computer.

In this case, there were four obvious 1.5 allen screws on the sides. So I just remove them.

Note that I put my screws into an old ice cube tray. This is a handy way of keeping the screws in order of the steps they were removed. Makes putting things back together much easier.

This computer's cover was also snapped together. Using the prying tools, first separate the tabs holding across the top and work around and down the sides. The cover should just fall away.

Judging from the distorted tape and plethora of fingerprints, I'd say someone's been here before!

STEP 4: Remove Tape

There's always tape! It's purpose is to hold wires where they belong or metallic tape to connect RF shielding. Look over the panel carefully and make notes where the tape is and why.

Now carefully remove any that interferes with getting the LCD out. Note the shielding tape that's is screwed in here because we want to put it back the same way.

STEP 5: Remove LCD

Now, locate the screws along the sides of the LCD. There will be four to six of them and only on the sides. There's usually a nice notch in the casing allowing easy access to those screws. Hmm... It's like they're meant to be replaced! :)

Remove connectors as you can access them. In this case, the display connector is under the metal tape on the back shield. There's also the inverter wire for the backlight in the lower left corner. Use a tiny screwdriver or tweezers to get these connectors free.

There may also be some additional tape under the shield. Just note where it is before you remove it so you can put it back on the new LCD.

STEP 6: Compare Displays.

If, like me, you ordered the replacement display based on the Make and Model of the computer, you may have received a functionally equivalent LCD (different manufacturer).

Don't trust the seller! Carefully compare the old LCD to the new to be sure that they match. There's no refund if you burn out the new LCD!

Different manufacturers will have similar part numbers usually. This helps, but also check that the connectors are in the same locations and match.

STEP 7: Install the New LCD

This should be fairly straight forward. Just reverse the procedure of removing the old one. Try to avoid touching the face of the screen. Some laptops have another screen in front of the LCD. This would make it hard to remove fingerprints!

Note that the shield behind the LCD is sometimes a little tricky to fit. Take your time and make sure it's reinstalled the same way it was originally.

Replace connectors and tape wherever possible. Add tape if you need to. Also assure that all wires are where they belong. We really don't want to pinch and damage wires when we put the cover on.

STEP 8: Replace Cover...

Now, put the cover back on the way it came off. In this case I just closed the display, aligned and pressed the cover into place. Then I carefully examined the edges to verify that no wires are pinched and all gaps are closed.

Then reinsert the screws, plugs, tape etc to return the display to it's original look.

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

[KevinM299]

Hey i got a acer inspire with a bad screen but has and old hp with gd screen but connection is on the left hand on the scer and on the right of hp can anythong be done to make it wrk?.

[LasVegas]

It's very unlikely that the screens are compatible. If they have the same or very comparable part number, it's possible that the screen is simply installed inverted from the other brand. I would do intensive research before attempting to connect the display. Even if the connectors are identical, if the connectors don't have the same layout then attempting to use it would destroy either the display, the logic board or both!

[RajiaH]

I suggest you go and check here www.pro-comcomputers.co.uk for any kind of computer help and repair. You will get help difenetly.here have many helpfull tips about pc repair.

[ZaraM]

Hi

I have a Samsung laptop and the screen is damaged but is still functioning but half of the screen is fine and the other half isn't. The damaged part of the screen goes from the top left hand corner to the bottom in the middle. If I get my screen replaced will all my work, images, videos etc. still be saved on the same laptop.

[LasVegas]

All of your work, images, videos, etc. are located on your hard drive. Even if you fail to repair the screen, you can still access the hard drive and all of its data with another computer by removing the drive from the Samsung and either installing it into an external 2.5" enclosure or using a SATA/PATA to USB adapter (about $15 on eBay).

Good luck!

LasVegas

[mzansi]

Hi

I am new here ad the information you are providing its wonderful. I have acer laptop, the screen is damaged still functioning but half of the screen is fine the other half the display is like 16 bit colour and not 32 bit. The split is starting from the camera going down. How do I solve this problem?

[bobcross2]

I recently broke the screen on my Acer Aspire One 722. After doing 3 hours of research i found a site offering 0 Dead Pixels Humptydumptyservice. Repair was easy. Just pop off the rubber bumpers and unscrew.

[jtmjjj]

Hi.

I recently replaced the screen on my HP dv6-3216. It seemed easy enough and saved me over $150, but now it won't turn on. At first the light around the power cord was lit, but as I kept checking connections inside I finally wound up with nothing.

I did break one of the cable clips, but secured it with tape. Help me please.

[zack247]

i realize that you may have resolved this already, but you may have static shocked your laptop. you did touch a large metal object beforehand, right?

[Skippitte]

Recently my screen started getting dimmer. I tried a "hard reset" on it and when I start it back up it's perfect!... for about a minute.. then it goes back dim. I have check all my settings, did a system restore on it.. any ideas?

[OCkikin]

Hello i have been a computer tech for over 10 years and sounds to me like a faulty inverterboard and or backlit bulb, But most likely the inverter. Could be the screen cable itself but unlikely.

[patt39]

It might be a faulty connector, try open your laptop and reconnect it.

[Skippitte]

Sorry but any idea Wat the connector would look like?

[patt39]

It varies model-to-model. but it is always the connector that connects your screen to the bottom part, reconnect every connector that does just that.

[malvadoo]

Hello, I recently replaced my HP dv6214ea LCD matrix with this one http://whitenergy.com/Matryce_do_laptopow/CCFL/LCD_panel/CCFL_15_4_1280_800_matte/product/07362/113/117/
But results its bad, colors is to warm, little flashing and dots are to large. How I can fix it, and there are problem?

[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

[Tracker007]

How you doing Im sorry to bother with rookie questions but I need help asap. My laptop lcd is cracked and needs to be replaced. I have a HP G60-230us and I opened the laptop and found that its a Samsung LTN160AT02-H02 I found a good price on a Samsung LTN160AT02-B02 - $95 for a new pull? whatever that means. I hope it will work, does the H02 and B02 mean a different configuration or does it refer to a batch of some sort. Thanks to all whom can help and God bless.

[oompieter]

I have a Toshiba P100 with a broken screen - a WSXGA+ with resolution of 1680x1050. I can buy a replacement screen - a WXGA with a resolution of 1440x900. Everything else on the two screens are identical. Will the lower resolution works?

[prasasht]

Hi - I bought a screen from ebay which didn't match the model I wanted to replace but on confirmation from the seller that it would work, installed it. Looks like I was able to successfully install it but the issue is that when I switch on my laptop the screen appears grayish (I can see the desktop) looks like each alternate pixel is white. But as soon as I try changing the display properties on the screen the screen becomes clear and perfect. It works fine in all display settings its just that it triggers something. Also I observed that if I hibernate the machine the screen remains clear. But if I shut down or restart it it again goes back to the grayish look. Would appreciate if you could help. Model Inspiron 9300 (17") Original screen - LG171WX2 (B4) replaced with - LP171WP4 (TLP2)