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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.
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.