Replacing Your Broken Laptop Screen
If you have unfortunately dropped your laptop, you may find that when you turn it on the LCD screen will have several areas that are darkened, appearing to be cracked from within. The good news is that if you see something on your screen, the rest of the laptop may still be functioning properly, making it worthwhile to replace the screen. LCD laptop screens can be purchased online or through a computer store and are relatively easy to swap on your own. Here are some instructions for you to use when putting in a new laptop screen.
Gather Your Materials
- New LCD screen - look up your particular laptop make and model to make sure you have the right size
- Small Phillips head screwdriver (preferably magnetic)
- Bowl to hold screws
- Flat head screwdriver
Preparing Your Laptop
You will need to disassemble part of your laptop to remove the screen. Some models are a little easier to take apart than others, but the screen will be placed inside in basically the same way for all models. If you have your laptop's instruction manual, you may be able to look up a diagram for your particular laptop, making the job a bit easier.
Work in a well-lit area. Place your laptop on a table so you will be able to have your hands free as you work. First, turn your laptop upside-down and remove the battery. Keep a small bowl handy to hold screws as you remove them during the repair. Turn your laptop back to an upright position.
Remove The Screen
Your laptop screen is held in place by a bezel, which acts much like a picture frame would to keep a picture in place. Remove the bezel by prying it from the screen using a flat head screwdriver. There should be a seam between the bezel and the laptop shell. It may take a bit of time to get your screwdriver (or a needle or open paperclip) into this seamed area in a way where you can separate the bezel from the shell.
When you are able to get a bit of a gap between the shell and the bezel, you will be able to pull the bezel loose from the shell pretty easily. It will make an unsnapping sound. Remove all screws from the metal frame holding the screen in place. Be sure to place your hand on the screen so it does not come crashing forward. Place the screen face-down on your keyboard. Disconnect the video cable by removing the tape holding it into place and gently pulling it from the pins holding it inside the connector. The old screen is now loose.
Replace The Screen
Take any plastic protection off your new screen. First, slide the pins of the new video cable into the connector and tape into place. Hold your screen in place and screw into the metal frame. Snap the bezel back into place. Replace your battery and boot up your machine. Your laptop should be ready to use! For more information on computer repair, contact a company like Computer Backup Inc.
