Advice wanted on replacing cracked LCD

[benrg]

After a recent international flight, I discovered that my Thinkpad (T40, 2373-72U)'s screen had cracked. It's still usable (the backlight is fine), but there's an interesting fracture pattern running diagonally across the screen and a rectangular band across the bottom which displays nothing but garbage. I don't know how it happened, since I coddled the laptop for the whole flight, as I always do. My best guess is that it was after the flight, when my luggage tipped over while riding on an escalator.

I bought this machine in the US but I'm currently in the UK. I called the authorized UK repair service, and the representative told that this is not covered under warranty. (Is that true? I suppose it is.) He also told me that it would cost me UKP 60 just to get a repair cost estimate, and a replacement screen was likely to cost upwards of UKP 200, and labor a similar amount. This is probably more than the whole laptop is worth, even with an undamaged screen.

Looking online, I found several US sellers offering the right FRU (11P8350) for around $150-$200, with UK shipping. So it's very tempting to buy and install a new screen myself. Do people recommend this? Can I trust any of these sellers? Will I get hit with import tariffs? Am I likely to damage the screen trying to install it? Are there other components that might need to be replaced?

Also, since I have to buy a new screen anyway, I thought that perhaps I might upgrade to 1400x1050. Is this actually possible, and if so what would be the FRU? If it's anything other than trivial to do this, I probably won't attempt it.

[Stargate199]

I have not taken apart a T40 (yet), but replacing the LCD is pretty easy from the computers I have worked on. Repair shops will always charge you an arm and a leg for any computer work. It is best just to stay with the orginal resolution because you may have to replace more parts in order to make it work (ie: the video cable itself) Here are the steps you will need to take it you want to try this your self. Keep in mind this is generic. Maye someone here can be more specific to the T4x series in performing this.

Once you have the new screen, You will need to remove the screws around the side to the lid and those that hold the bezel in place. You will see circles where those screws are. Simply pry those circles off (with whatever tool of your choosing) to reveal the screw heads. BE CAREFUL. These screws may be over torqued and you will strip the heads easily. After removing the screws, pry off the bezel carefully with out breaking it. Remove the backlight cable that is attached to the inverter, pull back the screen to remove the video cable, and the LCD should come out. Repeat these steps in reverse with the new LCD and power back on.

[GomJabbar]

You might want to consider replacing the entire display lid. This is what I did with a ThinkPad 600E that I cracked the display on. I bought a used display lid on ebay. From what I can fathom, this is easier than replacing the LCD itself.

[RealBlackStuff]

Either way, get the IBM Hardware Maintenance Manual for your model first. In there is an excellent description for dis/assembly.
Then buy a good philips screwdriver with a small head (this would be a #0), don't use the regular ones #1 or #2.
To change the resolution, you need both the LCD and the matching LCD cable. Partnumbers in the above HMM.
I've done it earlier this week, and it's no big deal, unless you have two left hands.
I got my used LCD on eBay from 'thinkpadsales', very well packed and shipped from USA to Ireland. Recommended seller!

[schen]

You might want to consider replacing the entire display lid. This is what I did with a ThinkPad 600E that I cracked the display on. I bought a used display lid on ebay. From what I can fathom, this is easier than replacing the LCD itself.

Based on the one's I've done, I think I'd rather do the screen itself. Many of them seem to require that you take the main case apart to get at the screen hinges.

[tfflivemb2]

You might want to consider replacing the entire display lid. This is what I did with a ThinkPad 600E that I cracked the display on. I bought a used display lid on ebay. From what I can fathom, this is easier than replacing the LCD itself.

Based on the one's I've done, I think I'd rather do the screen itself. Many of them seem to require that you take the main case apart to get at the screen hinges.

I agree...sometimes getting the entire hinges out can be worse than just removing the bezel and then replacing the LCD...unless you have to replace the LCD cable, too.

[GomJabbar]

I'll bow to you guys. I only have the one experience. I have not had the occasion to dismantle a display lid myself.

[mitchellst]

On a thinkpad, I'd much rather replace a motherboard than an LCD. The front LCD cover is pretty flimsy, and can have a tendency to not snap back down correctly. I've found that about 30% of the time, I have to replace that piece as well.

The wifi cables (and bluetooth) are intertwined with the hinges, which just means that you'll have to do some wire routing to get things to move the way you want them too. The LCD cable also attaches to the thinklight at the top, so there isn't much room to pull the lcd out from the back cover to disconnect it without putting tension on the cable (but it is possible). You can disconnect the thinklight (slide the assembly out of the slot that it fits in), but to do that, you have to move the latch assembly, because the ribbon and thinklight have to pass under it to get to the slot they fit in. That would be easy enough, but it's flimsy as hell, and if you bend it, your latch won't work right. To top it all off, everything has to be laying exactly right, or the mask won't overlap the screw holes on the sides, and you won't be able to get all the screws in when you're done. Then, you may have to take it back apart... which will increase the chances of the mask not snapping down correctly.


**edit**(by the way, I'm not recommending that you mess with the thinklight... you may find it easier to reconnect the LCD cable, but it's probably safer to leave it)**edit**

Truthfully, it's not difficult once you've done it a few times, but compared to other brands, it's a nightmare. Toshibas are super easy. IBMs... not so much. I agree that paying someone else to do something that you can do yourself sucks. Good luck.

Most places would probably do that for an hours labor (about $100). I just recommend purchasing your own LCD, so that you can get it at a reasonable price. Otherwise, you'll pay the markup on the LCD and the labor. Then it gets rediculous.