Disassembling a Dell Laptop display

Disassembling a Dell Laptop display

I had a major problem with the LCD display in my Dell Inspiron 600m laptop this past weekend. Everything was working fine all day Saturday. That night however, I went to use my laptop and the screen started acting weird. It looked fuzzy and things were flashing around. So I restarted the it to see if things would clear up. They only got worse. I shut down the laptop and decided to give it a day of rest. Sunday night I booted it back up. The screen was really bad now. The dell logo was all over the place on the boot screen. And when it got to Windows all that showed up were some vertical bars. I decided to take the lcd display apart and see if anything was loose, or if I could spot any other problems. I never figured out what was wrong, but I figured I would take some pictures and write an article about how to disassemble a Dell laptop lcd display.

First disconnect both the power and the battery. Then open the display all the way so that the whole thing is flat. Starting from the side with the display lights, pry the front panel off of the laptop, as seen below.

After the plate is removed, unscrew the five screws circled below with a philips screwdriver.

Then remove the keyboard, by pushing it forward and prying it up. It is a little tricky, but it basically just pops out. Then remove the display connector circled below.

Then you can pull the whole display out. Once it is away from the rest of the laptop, remove the six little protective rubber pads circled below and unscrew the screws hidden beneath. The pads peel off with a little effort, and suprisingly when they are put back on they stick nicely without any extra glue.

After the screws are off, carefully pry the bezel away from the lcd with your fingers. Start at the dell logo and carefully pry it all the way around.

Here is a picture of the lcd with the bezel removed. If you notice the tab at the bottom of the display, there are some components down there, but I didn’t remove the piece covering them.

Next remove the six screws that hold the lcd into the plastic backing. The are located along the sides. I have circled one below.

Then you can pull the lcd part away by itself. I have included a picture of the back of the lcd here. It says do not touch all over the top, because etched in the plastic is a warning that it contains mercury that is harmful to the touch.

Well now the display is disassembled. It can easily be put back together. I never figured out what was wrong with mine, but I think it has something to do with the little pieces at the bottom of the display. I found the following diagram from the dell manual very helpful in disecing my display.

Most of the Dell laptops that I have seen that are new, or made within the last four years have displays that look similar to what I have shown above. So I would assume that similar processes would be useful for other dell laptops. Remember to be very careful as it is easy to break the lcd. Also, if your laptop is under warranty (mine isn’t anymore) it is probably a better idea to call dell and have them repair it.

Disassemble Sony VAIO PCG-NV190 Laptop

Disassemble Sony VAIO PCG-NV190 Laptop
Tools required: Set of slotted/phillips screwdrivers , Needle Nose Pliers , Scratch Awl , 3/16 Nutdriver , Torx 8 Screwdriver , Guitar pick (heavy) , Container for screws.

Step 1

Raise the Assy Hood Keyboard – the piece just above the actual keyboard that contains the speakers, power switch, etc.

The Assy Hood Keyboard is held in place by four posts that are spaced along the edge just above the actual keyboard. Spring clamps hold the posts. I gently pried the Assy Hood Keyboard up with small screwdrivers at each end (see arrows in the picture) and then worked my way towards the center. Take care in doing this so as not to break the Assy Hood Keyboard.

Next gently rotate the Assy Hood Keyboard up and towards the top of the laptop. The Assy Hood Keyboard is attached to the motherboard by a small ribbon cable. Depending on what you need to do inside the case you can either disconnect the Assy Hood Keyboard and put it aside or leave it attached but laid out of the way. To disconnect the Assy Hood Keyboard ribbon cable pull up on the blue spacer that holds the ribbon cable in the motherboard connector. The ribbon cable should come out of the connector when the blue spacer comes out. Be sure to save the blue spacer for when you are connecting the Assy Hood Keyboard back to the motherboard.

Step 2

Disconnect the actual keyboard – the piece with all the character keys.

The actual keyboard is attached with a screw just above the keyboard’s center (see arrow in the next picture). After removing this screw you can gentle rotate the keyboard toward you – i.e. towards the bottom of the laptop. The keyboard is connected to the motherboard by a ribbon cable

Depending on what you need to do inside the case you can either disconnect the keyboard and put it aside or leave it connected. You disconnect the keyboard ribbon cable by gently pulling up on the ends of the motherboard connector (see next picture). However the motherboard connector does not come apart in the process so do not attempt to pull the connector release mechanism to hard – just enough to raise it a short ways which should release the ribbon cable.

Step 3

Remove the cover plate with cooling fan attached.

Sorry that the next picture isn’t very clear but it is too late to take another one. However you should be able to make out everything needed to remove the cover plate. First disconnect the fan from the motherboard by pulling up on the socket on the end of the fan wires (red arrow). Next unscrew the nine screws that hold the plate. Each screw is identified by an arrow inscribed in the plate (example in the red circle). Two of the screws are long and are identified by L1 and L2 inscribed in the plate (highlighted by an L1 and L2 in red). Three of the screws are at the bottom of wells identified by D1, D2, and D3 in red.

When the cover plate has been removed you will have access too much of the motherboard as shown in the next picture. I was able to accomplish my objective at this point so I did not do any further disassemble.

Hope this helps.

Removing and Installing CPU

The CPU is locked in the socket. Before you can remove the CPU, you'll have to unlock the socket. Use a flathead screwdriver and turn the socket screw to "Open" position.

Lift up the CPU by the edges. Be careful, there are a lot of fragile pins on the opposite side of the CPU. You should be able to install the CPU back into the socket without any force.

There is only one correct way to install the processor into the socket. Both CPU and socket are keyed. When you are installing the CPU, make sure to match pins on the processor with holes on the socket.
Before applying thermal grease on the CPU, clean the surface with alcohol.

After the CPU surface is cleaned, apply a small drop of thermal grease.

Spread thermal grease evenly and install the heat sink.

ATTENTION! If you forget to lock the CPU in the socket, the laptop will not boot. If you install the heat sink without applying thermal grease, the CPU will overheat.

CPU came out attached to heatsink

In some cases, when you remove the heat sink, the CPU might get out attached to the heat sink. DO NOT install it back into the socket like that, separate the CPU from the heat sink first.

CPU came out attached to the heat sink because thermal paste dried out and glued the processor.

Insert a flathead screwdriver between the CPU and the heat sink surface. Carefully rotate the screwdriver until the CPU separates from the heat sink.

Lift up the CPU and install it back into the socket on the motherboard. Now you can safely remove old thermal paste and apply a new layer of paste

Removing Modem Card

Usually the modem is secured to the motherboard by two screws. Remove them.

To disconnect the modem from the motherboard lift it up.

The connector is located under the modem and you cannot see it until the modem is remove. After the modem is removed, disconnect the cable (on the left side).

Disconnecting Keyboard

Before you pull the keyboard cable from the connector on the motherboard, you'll have to open up the connector.

Unlock the cable by moving the connector lock (brown piece on this picture) up.

After the connector is unlocked you can pull the cable. Be very careful with the connector. If you accidentally damage the connector, you'll have to replace the motherboard.

Removing Wireless Card

There are two antenna wires connected to the wireless card.

White wire connects to the main connector on the card.

Black wire connects to the auxiliary connector on the card.

To disconnect the antenna wire from the wireless card grasp the connector with your fingers and unsnap it from the card.
Carefully spread latches on both sides of the wireless card slot, just enough to release the card.

The wireless card will pop up at 30 degrees angle.

Pull the wireless card from the slot by the edges.

Removing Memory Modules

Carefully spread latches on both sides of the memory slot with your fingers.

The memory module will pop up at 30 degrees angle.

Carefully pull the memory module from the slot by the edges.

How notebook screws are marked

In Toshiba notebooks most screws are marked. Here are some examples:

F4 - flat-head screw 4mm long

B6 - button-head screw 6mm long

F16 - flat-head screw 16mm long

B8 - button-head screw 8mm long

When you are taking apart a laptop you'll have to deal with lots of screws. Keep everything organized.

A few things to know before you start taking your laptop apart

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can kill your computer

ESD can permanently damage your laptop. Always ware ESD wrist strap when you work with internal computer components.

How notebook screws are marked

For example In Toshiba notebooks most screws are marked. Here are some examples:

F4 - flat-head screw 4mm long

B6 - button-head screw 6mm long

F16 - flat-head screw 16mm long

B8 - button-head screw 8mm long

When you are taking apart a laptop you'll have to deal with lots of screws. Keep everything organized.