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This guide will help you to remove the LCD screen and inverter board from a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ645 laptop display. I think these instructions will work for many other Sony Vaio models.
Do not forget to remove the battery before you start.
Related articles: In my previous post you’ll find how to remove the keyboard and replace the hard drive.
OK, let’s take apart the display panel.
STEP 1.
Using a sharp object (or small screwdriver) remove four rubber plugs. There is on plug in each corner of the display bezel.
STEP 2.
Remove four screws found under rubber plugs.
STEP 3.
Start removing the screen bezel as it shown on the picture below.
STEP 4.
Continue removing the bezel. Be careful, do not apply to much force because the the screen bezel is made of thin plastic.
STEP 5.
Remove the screen bezel.
STEP 6.
In order to replace the screen inverter you don’t have to disassemble the laptop any further. Simply unplug two cables from both sides of the inverter board. I pointed these cables with two red arrows. Carefully remove the inverter board and replace it with a new one.
STEP 7.
Here’s how you can replace the LCD screen.
Carefully remove the LCD screen from the cover and place it face down on the keyboard.
STEP 8.
In order to remove the LCD screen you’ll have to:
1. Unplug the video cable from the connector on the back of the LCD screen.
2. Unpug the LCD backlight cable from the right side of the inverter board.
Now you can replace the LCD screen with a new one if needed. Search for the replacement LCD screen here.
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March 16th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Great writeup.
I was wondering if you would be familiar with upgrading displays. I have a VGN-FW370S with the XBRITE-ECO Display. I know that there is a superior, optional display, the XBRITE-HD from the factory on a different model number FW series. They are the same size displays, but different resolutions, plus the HD display has 2 lamps vs. the 1 in the ECO-Bright. Do you know if I can simply upgrade mine by changing out the LCD display and inverter and any sequential drivers?
Thanks,
Bryan
March 15th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
J Edwards,
Here’s what you can try. Find where you can change the LCD brightness settings and reduce brightness for the battery mode (when AC adapter is unplugged). Let’s say set the brightness to 50%. Does it help? Will it still go off when you unplug the adapter?
March 15th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Ian Shuman,
Sounds like either a bad cable or LCD problem. It’s hard to tell without testing the laptop with another known good working LCD screen.
March 10th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
As a volunteer, I refurbish laptops for our school system for kids who can’t afford them. I’ve replaced/repaired quite a few SONY’s but this last one has me stymied. I replaced the LCD and the inverter, and the TXN-15P works great. Problem is that when the power block is removed and the laptop operates on battery, the LCD screen light goes out! The laptop still operates fine, just the screen light goes out. In a good light, you can see the normal operation and also on an external monitor.
Suggestions as to where to look? I’m comfortable completely disassembling these small SONY’s.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I have a Vaio VGN-SZ370P with a bad monitor. The laptop computer works because when I extend the screen to an external monitor, it works fine. The laptop monitor itself has a screen full of colored horizontal lines. It would be great if I could send you a JPEG of what this looks like. I took apart the monitor cover but no loose wires. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Kevin Manotham,
OK, if I understand correctly, let me restate your problem.
You accidentally cracked the screen and it still was working fine except the cracked area. You purchased a new screen, replaced the broken screen and now there is problem with the backlight on the new screen. The image is on the screen but the backlight works only of a moment. I hope my description is correct.
First of all, reconnect all cables on the new screen. Maybe it’s just a connection related problem.
You can try connecting the old cracked screen back and see if it still works as before. If the old screen works as before and the backlight is on all the time, apparently the backlight lamp inside the new screen is defective.
I assume the new LCD screen is compatible with your laptop. Right?
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
thank you so much for your response. what had happened was the original screen got closed when there was change on the keyboard and it cracked the screen, the screen worked just big blotches everywhere from the screen being broken. this screen i purchased from ebay it has dual connectors blue and pink the one in the illustration has i plugged it in the same way as the old screen reused all the tape except the big copper tape that was on the back of the old screen to the wire that connects to the back of the screen, i just taped it in the bottom corner. Thank you so much for your assistant.
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
Kevin Manotham,
Why did you remove the screen? Did you have any problems with the backlight before removing the screen?
It’s possible that you have a problem with the inverter board.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Cam,
I think it’s either one of the cables got loose or you’ve damaged the backlight lamp.
First of all, I would try reconnecting the video cable. Remove the screen bezel and make sure that cables on both sides of the inverter board are plugged in and secure.
If reconnecting the cable doesn’t help, most likely it’s the backligth lamp.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:04 am
hello there thanks alot for the instructions. i went ahead and removed the screen just as stated on this site. Everything worked great until i turned it on and no backlight. However the screen does come on for a split second after window loads to the desktop. Also After closing it for a few seconds then reopening it will force the backlight to come on and also in the display adjustment resolution screen if you change resolutions it will also come on for a seconds. I initially thought it was the door switch after removing the bezel again and completly taking the screen off the hinges i found no switch whatsoever only see the metal hinges exposing from the body, i notice it going to hibernate mode as it should wen the screen closes aswell. If it is the hinge why does the screen come on for 1 sec after desktop loads and help would please and thank you for such a great tutorial.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:20 am
Hi,
First, great instructions. You have no idea how happy I am now that i found this site. I had my SZ220 inside my messenger bag and dropped it slightly as I was trying to pick it up (~1 foot drop). It situated and dropped in a way that the laptop was closed, standing up, hinged-side of the laptop was on the bottom and it dropped right in the middle of a platform about 6-in wide (side of my car). I thought I cushioned the laptop really well with 4 layers (bag, notebook bag, and 2-layer cushion that came with the laptop originally), but it seemed like it did not hold up.
Yesterday, I turned on the laptop. I could hear the booting and barely the screen. Basically, the backlight did not go on (you know the computer booted windows but you can’t see too well).
My question is this: Do you know if the backlight of screen is the problem or the inverter? I have not opened up the screen yet, but the initial assessment did not show any cracks (I can barely see the text on the dark background). If opening it up, can you tell even if there’s no apparent/obvious sign of the problem? I am pretty sure that this SZ220 screen is based CCFL, not LED. Thanks in advance for your opinions.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Dan,
If you cannot find a new screen anywhere else, probably eBay will be the only place to buy it.
Just make sure to buy a new screen with the same resolution as the original one. I’m not sure, but if a new screen has a different resolution, it might require a different video cable. Just a guess.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Jenny,
This description sounds like a problem with the LCD screen.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Hi, thanks for the instructions, they’re really useful. I have recently cracked my VGN-SZ4XWN screen and would like to replace it. Do you have any recommendations on where to purchase a replacement?
The model number is LTD133EXBY and most companies seems to say it has been discontinued. There are a few screen floating around on eBay but some of them quote a different resolution (not 1280×800). Is this the best place to get one?
Thanks!
February 5th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Hi, I have a Sony Vaio VGN-CR220E the screen turn white when I turn on the laptop, only works if I press the top of the screen (the border). When I release the screen many white points appears and go intesifying until turn white all screen. In addition looks like in standby mode because if I move the mouse or press the keyboard nothing happend.
The notebook have 1yr and 1 month and doesn’t have warranty.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Nancy,
The LCD screen removal and replacement procedure is very similar for most laptops.
1. Power off the laptop.
2. Remove the screen bezel.
3. Unplug cable from the LCD and inverter.
4. Unscrew the LCD from the hinges/brackets.
5. Replace the LCD with a new one.
I don’t know, it depends on your technical skills.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Hi, my little brother recently dropped his laptop, although seemingly very light, the screen cracked. I want to replace the screen for him because it is so incredibly expensive to have sony fix it. His laptop is a VGN-NR498E/S. are the procedures the same? do you think I can personally do it? I’ve never dealt with fixing non-software problems for laptops before. Thank you for helping me out.
January 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Leo,
Not sure what’s going on. Sounds like a bad LCD screen. I guess could be a bad cable too, but I think most likely it’s related to the screen.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Great step-by step instructions, I was able to dis-assemble the lcd of my vaio vgn-fj270 to check for possible loose connections, but unfortunately the problem is still there…
There’s a black strip on the right hand side of my screen which has effectively reduced the resolution to 1000+ x 780+ or so… meaning the entire desktop is still visible on the remaining part of the screen at that reduced resolution most of the time. Strange thing is, when I lift up the screen at a certain angle or push it way back, the screen would sometimes become complete again.
Have you encountered a similar problem before? Thanks
Leo
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:11 am
Thanks… great instructions, very easy to change a vgn-txn lcd display.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Thanks for the step by step instruction. My screen was barely visible so we suspected either the backligth was gone or the inverter was not working. Luckily, the latter was the case.. A 60$ investment and this page saved my laptop.. THanks so much!!! Btw, Sony asked 100$ only to look at what the problem is. I fixed this by less than half of what they would have charged me.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
stephen light,
Most likely yes. I’m not familiar with your model but I’m pretty sure that’s hot the latch is assembled. I’ve fixed a few of them on Toshiba laptops and has to remove motherboards.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Hi, Great info! I have a Sony Vaio VGN-TX770p that has a broken battery release switch. From my research online, it seems that I’ll have to go in from the top down and basically disassemble the whole computer to get at the battery release switch located under the mother board. Would you agree with this?
Stephen
January 4th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Have you ever seen a laptop screen that has faint color lines at right angles with black streaks and a “black hole”. If you work the screen hinge a bit you can see the normal desktop icons along the left edge. the laptop is a Sony Vaio PCG-7X2L
Thanks,
Frank
December 29th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
charles adams,
I’m not sure if there is an upgraded fan for this laptop.
The backlight lamp installed inside the screen. The backlight lamp gets power from the inverter board. The inverter board gets power from the motherboard via a cable.
I guss in your case it’s either bad cable or motherboard.
Also, do you have a lid close switch on your laptop? When the lid close switch is pressed down, it cuts off power from the inverter/backlight.
Make sure the switch moves freely. When the lid close is dirty it might get stuck inside the laptop case and the laptop “thinks” the display is closed.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I have a Sony SZ48GN_C with a noisy fan (u can hear the bearing when it stops) where can I get an upgraded fan and what model should I ask for? Also the screen on another has lost its backlight but I can clearly see the screen itself is not damaged. I bought a new LTD133EXBY screen when in China but it exhibits the same symptoms, ie no backlight. Both old and new screens seem to have their own attached inverter board attached to it…and there is only one connector…..surely the new screen cannot be faulty….does the screen get its backlight from somewhere I cannot understand?thanks
Charles
December 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
R&R the LCD Inverter using these instrucions without a problem. Nice and clear. Salvaged a laptop that I was told, by a repair shop, would need a new screen and be more expensive than a new laptop. Thanks for the helpful guide to dissambly of the screen/top to access the inverter.
November 29th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Thank you for the guide. We used this for the Vaio SZ340 and it was almost identical except that the model number of the removed screen was a Sharp LQ133K1LA4A. We replaced it with the Toshiba LTD133EX2A. They seem interchangeable except that the new inverter wasn’t compatible with the SZ340. However the old inverter seems to be compatible with the new screen so we kept it.
Removing the Bezel was significantly more difficult than the one step shown, but in the end it just required running a screwdriver around the perimeter (carefully).
November 20th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
John,
The cooling fan is buried deep inside the laptop. You’ll have to remove the top cover if you want to replace the fan.
Here are links to laptop service manuals for some Sony Vaio models in PDF format. You’ll find step by step disassembly instructions in the manual.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Do you have a procedure for replacing the fan in the SZ series. I have cleaned everything the best I can, and have replaced the keyboard using your procedure for the hard drive. Will probably replace that soon too. However, I have pretty bad fan noise. Sounds like a bad bearing. Cleaned repeatedly with compressed air, but does not change anything. Looks like it is in there pretty good and did not want to damage the laptop trying to fix it.