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In this guide I explain how to remove and replace the broken LCD screen in a Gateway M7 series laptop. I’m fixing a Gateway M-6846 laptop. It also says Model No.: SA1 on the bottom. Most likely my guide will works for some other Gateway laptops. If it works for you, please mention the laptop model number in the comments below.
Need spare parts for a Gateway M-series laptop? Search for spare parts here.
Turn off the laptop, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.
STEP 1.
There are three hinge covers on the bottom of the display panel. We’ll have to remove these covers first.
Insert a sharp object under the hinge cover and lift it up. Continue removing the cover with your fingers.
The hinge cover has been removed.
Remove two other hinge covers.
STEP 2.
There are six screw covers on the screen bezel.
Remove screw covers with a sharp object.
Remove all six screws found under the covers.
STEP 3.
Start separating the screen bezel from the display cover.
Continue removing the screen bezel.
The screen bezel has been removed.
STEP 4.
The screen inverter board mounted below the LCD screen.
Remove one screw securing the inverter board.
Unplug the LCD screen backlight cable from the right side of the inverter board.
I’m not replacing the inverter board, so I’m not disconnecting the cable on the left side.
STEP 5.
Remove six screws securing the LCD screen hinges and mounting bracket.
Before you can separate the LCD screen assembly from the display cover, you’ll have to unplug cable from the webcam board.
Now you can separate the screen assembly from the display cover and access the video cable connection on the back of the screen.
Unplug video cable from the LCD screen connector.
STEP 6.
Remove two screws securing LCD screen to the mounting bracket.
Remove two more screws on the other side of the screen.
Now you can remove the broken LCD screen and replace it with a new screen.
I found a new LCD screen for my Gateway M-6846 laptop here. If you have a different Gateway laptop, just search by the model number.
In the next guide I explain how to remove and replaced defective keyboard in Gateway M-Series laptop.
December 13th, 2012 at 8:34 am
Thank you my daughters Gateway Series M-6337 had a bad screen problem, but your direction made dis assembly a piece of cake. Now I just need a screen cheap…
October 20th, 2012 at 12:38 am
I have a new Screen in the mail, should arrive soon. and I believe it has the Wires removed from the Motherboard. Do you know if it is hard to remove the wires from the motherboard. if that is where it connects.
and my computer is a M-7315u Model. Looks exactly the same as the computer in the photos
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@ Crhis Green,
Thank you for the donation. I’m glad to help.
December 17th, 2011 at 11:52 am
I donated $5. This guide was fantasic. Gateway.com has ZERO help when it comes to stuff like this, unlike HP, for example, that will have detailed maintenance/replacement guides. This was really helpful to me and the pictures and explanations were fantastic. Thanks for doing this.
September 30th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Can some explain what the differance is between a SA1 and a SA6 ? I see this alot on the M-series laptops that appear to look the same. Thanks in advance……..
April 7th, 2011 at 10:59 am
I have a gateway m-7348u laptop and it has a thin green line on the left side running vertical from top to bottom of the screen, do you have any idea whats the problem and how to fix it or what to replace. Your help will be very appreciated.
December 25th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I have a Gateway M465E & looks similar to my laptop removing the keyboard i’m persuming.
December 17th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I have an m7315U and recently, the screen flickers if the screen is at the angle you usually have it at to use it. If I keep it opened ALL the way, it’s fine..but not practical to use that way. Talked to 2 computer repair shops in my area today and they won’t touch laptops. I’m thinking either the ribbon cable isn’t plugged all the way in or is being pulled out when the screen is in an upright position. When it starts flickering, in the usable position and I “press down” on the top of the screen, I can get it to stop flickering. Would love your thoughts. I’m tempted to take it apart and take a look. Love your website…excellent directions and super good info. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
December 10th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Meredith,
It’s hard to tell without testing laptop with another working screen.
Most likely this is LCD screen related failure. If you have to guess, try replacing the LCD screen first.
December 9th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
We have an SA1 laptop, which was primarily used by my husband. He would often pick it up by the screen (Yes I’d always cringe and nicely mention that wasn’t a good idea, but he said it could handle it) and sure enough, a year later it started having screen issues. For a little while, he would bend it certain ways (yes physically bend the lcd screen) to get it to go from blue to the screen showing up. I believe this is what kept causing the problem to get worse, and eventually, it’s pretty much a fully non working monitor. It still shows color to it, like a solid blue, or lines of pink going through it. It’s now hooked up to the tv in the bedroom, using this as the monitor, and allowing for netflix watching and all. Anyway, I would LOVE to fix this, as I often go to sleep earlier than him, and having him surf the web on a 32 inch screen in the bedroom, is just not the best for sleeping.
I am pretty mechanically inclined (started taking apart my radio and atari in grade school and junior high) and for years worked in the electronics industry. Years ago, I built several systems, but it’s been long enough, that I just don’t know that I remember enough to trouble shoot.
Here’s my question. I’m wondering if this could be the lcd cable, and not the lcd. I guess I was wondering this, because of the way he’d treat the monitor and the strain he’d put on the connection between the body of the laptop and the monitor. Should I replace both, or start with one and then if it doesn’t work, replace the next?
Thanks for your help!!