Replacing a laptop screen/lid - easy?

[swee'pea99]

The horizontal line running thru' my screen is hacking me off, so I've been thinking about getting a 'spares or repair' machine off ebay and replacing it. Is it reasonably straightforward, substituting one complete 'lid' for another?

 

[cisamcgu]

I don't know, but having had a quick look at mine, I would say no.. all the connections run through the case so I don't see how you would be able to replace the lid

 

[beanzontoast]

You do see them advertised on Ebay, but I'd be concerned about buying the replacement sight unseen. Is there a service manual for your laptop? Some have pretty good diagrams of the internal fixtures and anchor points.

The hinges went on my old laptop, cracking the hinge fixings that were part of the lid itself. The manufacturer replaced the lid twice under guarantee - but the third time they broke (manuafacturer ceased trading as far as I can tell) rather than replace it, I've effected a homemade bodge.

 

[HJ]

Depends on your laptop...

 

[Crackle]

I've done it but you have to dismantle most of the laptop, keyboard, mainboard etc.. And just getting a same model spare won't guarantee compatibility, you need the precise part.

 

[rusky]

I replaced the screen on my Acer, it was about 6 screws & 2 cable connections, took 5 mins. But, as HJ says it depends on the laptop

 

[swee'pea99]

It's one of these - can you tell anything from that?

 

[swee'pea99]

Does the fact that there's sometimes one line and sometimes two tell me anything? (I'm wondering, specifically, if it's just possible that the problem is to do with a loose wire/connection rather than a physical fault with the screen....?)

 

[rusky]

It does sound like a dodgy wire. What happens when you move the screen, open & close it slightly?

 

[swee'pea99]

It does sound like a dodgy wire. What happens when you move the screen, open & close it slightly?

Nothing really....which is to say, it doesn't change.

Sometimes it's one line, more often two. But whatever comes up when it boots, that's how it stays throughout that session.

 

[rusky]

could be knackered RAM or video chip?

Have you got 2 sticks of RAM in it, i.e. can you remove each in turn to see what happens?

 

[swee'pea99]

Really? Yes, I have. Could that really be it?

 

[marinyork]

It could certainly be graphics. It tends to be backlights that go on screens.

 

[swee'pea99]

Oops...turned out I'm wrong - I thought I'd added another 500 stick but turns out I replaced the existing one with 1 x 1gb. So that's a dead end. Thanks anyway.

 

[rusky]

I don't suppose you have the old one or know anyone who you can borrow one to test with?