Laptop Lcd Repair

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.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.
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! 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! 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. 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.

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.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.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. 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.

12 Tips for Buying a New Laptop

1. Opt for an Intel Pentium 4 or an Intel Centrino processor. The processor forms the computing core of your laptop and is one area where you must not compromise.

Invest wisely here. The processor is the first component likely to get outdated and it is not possible to upgrade it.

2. Opt for a 256 MB DDR SDRAM. A RAM of lower memory capacity will make it difficult to run certain applications and software.

Upgrading from 256 to 512 MB DDR SDRAM could cost you between $100 and $150.

3. Choose an Active-matrix (TFT) display, preferably an LCD. The display is an active matrix if you can see the arrow while it traverses the screen. Most displays nowadays are TFTs as the Passive-matrix (dual scan) is now outdated.

TFTs are highly preferred because of their sharper images, better resolution and smoother images of motion on the screen.

Wide screen laptops are a visual treat and recommended for those interested in the movie experience. But they cost 8% to 10% more than the conventional laptops, are obviously bulkier to carry and slightly low on battery life.

4. If you travel extensively, take care that your laptop weighs under 5 pounds. If your laptop will be confined to your room, you could go in for a slightly heavier one. It will be cheaper. It will also have a few more features.

5. Check the battery life on the laptop. Insist that it is a Lithium-ion (Li+) battery (nearly all laptops will have this one). Choose batteries with a high voltage and a high mAh. Do not go for NiMH batteries, as you will have to keep charging them frequently.

6. If you have no intention of using a CD frequently, an external DVD and CDRW drives may be preferred to inbuilt ones. The main convenience being that they reduce the weight of the base piece and provide lesser complications later on.

If they are an integral part of your work, you might as well opt for an inbuilt version.

Incidentally, the prices of DVD drives are expected to fall considerably over the next one year.

Don't stress on your laptop having a floppy drive. Floppies are getting obsolete by the minute and will soon be terminated.

7. If you are on the move, buy a laptop with a spill-resistant keyboard and shock-resistant hard drives. This will ensure your hard disk does not crash and you don't lose data in the event of a minor crash or fall.

8. Ensure the laptop has two or more USB ports, as you will need them to attach your peripheral devices like printers and scanners.

You could even consider buying a pen drive to act as a reliable data transfer mode.

Choose a laptop with wireless connectivity in the form of Bluetooth and Infrared. These make data transfer very convenient and reliable and you can send data to multiple recipients at one go.

These facilities on your laptop would cost you around $30 more and are independent of any service providers.

9. Windows XP Professional is an ideal system for a laptop meant for office use. In laptops, it is very inconvenient to upgrade your operating system, so choose the latest one.

Windows is the most popular operating system, with XP Professional being the latest that supports all the software available today.

10. Some people prefer a touchpad mouse as the navigating option while others prefer the rubberised button situated between the keys G, H and B. Try working with both and pick the one you are most comfortable with.

Some laptops come equipped with both. You could also consider a cordless mouse, which is half the size of the regular one.

11. Insist on an inbuilt LAN card and modem.

There are basically two types of modems on offer -- internal modems and PC card-based modems. Make sure the internal modem is fast enough for your needs. Else, opt for the PC card-based one that sticks out of your computer, but is slightly better performance wise.

12. While budgeting for your laptop, bear in mind that a cheaper machine might prove expensive if you plan to upgrade it.

Do not compromise on the processor, the RAM and the operating system.

The memory capacity (GB) can be upgraded later on, so can the CD/DVD drives.

When you are buying your laptop check on upgradation. You can upgrade your machine with or without discarding it. If you plan to change your machine within two years, don't invest too heavily on it.

Where brands are concerned, do note that the IBM laptop division has been taken over by the Chinese company, Lenova.

HP and Compaq are the same brand when it comes to laptops. The good thing about this brand is that it is in a position to provide good service simply because of an established network of service centres.

Despite all the advice you get, make it a point to test your laptop before purchasing it. Don't just take someone's word for it.

Check if you are comfortable with the interface, the keyboard, the touch pad and the display. After all, it is you who are going to be using it and paying for it.