Laptop screen replacement

S

sonicboom

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 31, 2008
Messages
379
My folks purchased a pavilion dm4 laptop from costco a couple of years ago. Yesterday, the screen just stopped working. So I went over, restarted it, and now only half the screen is working, the other half seems to be completely broken. Warranty expired already, the rest of the laptop works fine.

Is there a way to replace the screen on my own, or perhaps even step up to a better res one?
 
HP makes most of their service manuals available online, so find that first. It's usually straightforward to replace a laptop screen, but it may be tedious. Typically you want to replace a whole screen assembly, not just the panel, because it will be easier to do and to find appropriate parts (and the service manual may really discuss dissembling the screen to get at the panel anyway). It might be that reseating the connectors will bring the screen back to life too.

HP will sell you a replacement screen assembly, but if the price is too high, look for the same model laptop (or those with a compatible screen) on ebay where the screen is fine, but other things are broken.

If the laptop was shipped with a higher res screen as an option, you may be able to upgrade to that screen (but try to verify this, either through a service manual, or emailing HP parts sales or something, because it might not work). But if it wasn't an option, it probably won't work; there are common connectors for laptop screens (a few different generations), but the video cards usually are setup only to handle the panels that were shipped with the computers. (I had an old high res screen from a compaq laptop that physically fit on a newer one, but the display was garbled because the video card was set up only for low res panels on the new model)

Hope this helps
 
Awesome, thank you toast0. I have been searching on ebay, seen brand new ones for around $55. I'll make it a weekend project once I buy a screen.
 
Sorry to contradict, but in my experience it's generally easier to replace just the screen rather than the complete lid (there are some exceptions). To replace the screen it's 0-6 screws to take the bezel off and then 2-3 screws on each side of the screen. To replace the complete lid involves removing the keyboard and topcase and sometimes the motherboard. Also you would have to be very careful with the webcam, touchpad, wifi cables and connectors as they are easily damaged.

The hardest part about replacing the screen is trying not to damage the LCD bezel clips when pulling it off.
 
laptop screens . com and select your model. about $85 when it is all said and done. DO NOT GET A HIGH RES SCREEN than what you have. The video cable may not have enough wires to support a higher res. Also make sure that you get the same type of screen baclight that you currently have for example LED or CCFL
 
YeuEmMaiMai said:
laptop screens . com and select your model. about $85 when it is all said and done. DO NOT GET A HIGH RES SCREEN than what you have. The video cable may not have enough wires to support a higher res. Also make sure that you get the same type of screen baclight that you currently have for example LED or CCFL
Click to expand...

I actually have experience with www.laptopscreen.com

had a 720p screen for my m14x and wanted the 900p. Found it after searching NBR.
Got the screen for around $60 shipped. First one had a few stuck pixels, they cross shipped me another. the second one had a couple of dead pixels, they cross shipped me another. The third was perfect. Their service is great. Prices are cheaper.

I wouldnt worry too much about getting a higher res as along as you do the research to make sure it fits with no adjustments. Mine worked without a hitch.
 
Perfect timing for this thread - just stepped on the daughter's Acer 5820t, cracking its screen. Replacement screen otw second day air for 82 bucks. Plus - its MATTE! :)

BB
 
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