[IvanIV]

I managed to damage my old laptop's screen by stepping on it (don't ask) and now there's an area ~ 3x10 cm in the upper left corner that is dead. It's mostly white with one grey area inside and a few colour vertical lines going through it. Pressing on it shows some change, but there's no improvement. Apart from replacing the screen is there anything I could try to make it better? Some programmes that would change colours or anything else? Thanks. If everything fails I guess I will consider a screen replacement, but I want to try first before throwing money on it.

[s2k]

Does it improve at all when you squeeze the edges of the screen or tilt the hinge about?

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by s2k

Does it improve at all when you squeeze the edges of the screen or tilt the hinge about?

There are changes, it looks like some liquid moving around in that part, but no improvement.

[chrisjr]

New screen. It sounds like the internals of the display panel have been damaged. That is a hardware fix not a software fix as the pixel elements that physically create the image are damaged.

There is a chance it could be a connection problem in which case you might get it back by striping the lid down and reseating everything to make sure it is all in it's proper place. But I have my doubts that it would be that simple.

If you tell us the make and model of the laptop someone may know of a guide to getting into the screen. For example a lot of Dell machines have service manuals available on the Dell website that show you how to take it apart and put it back together again. And you might find a YouTube video showing how to do it.

[s2k]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

There are changes, it looks like some liquid moving around in that part, but no improvement.

You basically have 3 options...

• Put up with it
• The above, whilst posting pictures of it on the techsuportgore section of reddit
• Buy a replacement LCD (may not be worth it depending on the age of the laptop)

[IvanIV]

Thanks for info. It's a 13'' HP, I do not know an exact model atm, I'll check when I an home and decide what to do depending on the price of the new screen. I saw a video how the replacement is done, I may try at least open it and check if there is any visible damage that can be fixed and put it back together.

[Alan F]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

Thanks for info. It's a 13'' HP, I do not know an exact model atm, I'll check when I an home and decide what to do depending on the price of the new screen. I saw a video how the replacement is done, I may try at least open it and check if there is any visible damage that can be fixed and put it back together.

As it is an HP laptop you can get a Service Manual (not User Manual) from here ...

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...=SupportManual

Which will show you exactly how to take it apart and also give you the part numbers required.

Your best bet would be to buy a damaged laptop off Ebay (with good screen of course).

Good luck, it will be easier than you think.

[captainkremmen]

It also depends on the age of the laptop. On most older HP laptops it quite straight forward, and goes something like this:


Remove the battery and make sure the power cable is NOT attached.

Put the laptop on a flat stable surface and push the screen back as far as it will safely go (in most case it will go flat).

Carefully prize off the strip of plastic above the keyboard that holds the power button etc.

Carefully prize off the hinge covers.

Now identify and remove the screws that hold the screen hinges in place.

You should see the ribbon cable that connects the screen to the motherboard. Very carefully prize the small plastic clip open that holds the ribbon cable in place (this is very easy to break).

Pull out the ribbon cable and remove the screen.

Fit the new screen and just reverse the above to connect and secure it in place.

However, newer laptops have a one piece top cover over the motherboard. This can be a bit of a pain to remove as it normally involves removing the keyboard and/or in most cases even removing the bottom, finding the screws that hold the top cover in place and removing them, turning the laptop back over and then laying the screen flat etc. If that turns out to be the case get yourself a sheet or two of A4, draw a rough schematic and mark the screws (and anything else you need to disconnect or remove) on it so you know what goes where when it comes to putting it all back together.

Follow Alan's advice and get the service manual, read it a few times to ensure you understand the procedure. Check YouTube for videos on how to do it too.

New screens can be expensive, so check out Ebay. You normally find quite a few laptops that are broken, but may have intact screens and you even find sellers who take such laptops apart and sell the parts on their own too. The service manual will give you the correct part number, and often you don't need to buy the exact same model of laptop as the same screen might be used in other machines, sometimes even from other manufacturers. It;'s the part number that's important, not the model number of the laptop.

After all of that, it's fairly easy so don't be put off, you just might have to take your time.

[flagpole]

I've replaced a few laptop screens over the years. They are neither expensive not difficult.

You'll find videos on YouTube

[IvanIV]

Thanks to all. I will check how much for the display and will try to change it myself.

[Si_Crewe]

Originally Posted by Alan F

Your best bet would be to buy a damaged laptop off Ebay (with good screen of course).

Ooooh, I wouldn't do that.

You'd be very lucky to find a non-working laptop where the seller is willing to guarantee that the screen is still functional.

Far safer to just bite the bullet and buy a new screen if possible.
A new LCD panel should only cost between £50 and £90 so it's not the end of the world.

[flagpole]

I've paid £30 before.

[IvanIV]

So it's Probook 5320m and I can get a new screen for ~ £50. I think I'll go for it. I expected much more.

[alanwarwic]

Leave connected to a TV/monitor and use it that way with a keyboard?

Use a screen utility to make the damaged area redundant.
When web browsing resize the box to omit the damaged section.

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Leave connected to a TV/monitor and use it that way with a keyboard?

Use a screen utility to make the damaged area redundant.
When web browsing resize the box to omit the damaged section.

Thanks, I did try that, it's still annoying. Given the price of a new panel I see a bit of DIY coming

[flagpole]

I suggest you take the screen out before you buy the new one. Sometimes the part changes even within the same model.

[Si_Crewe]

Originally Posted by flagpole

I suggest you take the screen out before you buy the new one. Sometimes the part changes even within the same model.

This is good advice.

I've repaired a couple of HP laptop screens recently and both of them had different versions of the screen available.

If there's a chance this might be an issue it's likely that the advert will alert people to the issue by saying you need to confirm if your screen has the connector in a certain place or if it has a certain shape circuit-board or whatever but some unscrupulous sellers will deliberately avoid mentioning this in the hope of increased sales.

I'd suggest that when you take the screen apart you take lots of photo's, make notes of what type of screws (chrome/black) go where and generally treat it far more seriously than you think you need to.

You might think you'll be able to put it together again by memory but then murphy's law will be invoked, your replacement screen will get lost in the post, the replacement will be delayed and then, when you finally come to fit the new screen 3 weeks later, you won't remember how to do it properly.

Also, Top Tip: It's pretty common that you need to peel off little adhesive pads covering screws on the screen.
after you've peeled them off, stick them to the screen bezel, somewhere near where they're supposed to go, so you don't lose them or get the adhesive covered in dust.

[IvanIV]

FYI, I got the new LCD panel this afternoon and I already replaced it. Luckily it only took 4 screws to remove and put back. I was able to remove the plastic frame around the panel and swap the panels without needing to remove anything else. And it works, of course. I really feel proud about myself Thank you all for help and encouragement