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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.
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January 13th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Found this really usefull,
I have a t6330u and the screens recentcly started flickering and jumping around, it only does however when the screen is being moved / on certain angle so i presume its the ribon cable, is the ribon cable connector on the mobo of this laptop easy to find or is it burried as ive tried to have the front off it to gain access to the cmos battery only to fail at removing the top.
Thanks
Jimmy
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Great guide!
My parents recently broke their M-6878 screen.
My father wanted to throw it away and buy a new one!
Well with your guide and myself; We saved them a few $$$’s.
The guide was spot on; except for a small point.
Step 6.
There are two other screws on the other side of the mounting bracket and there is a velcro type adhesive that has to be pealed off the webcam video cable – Very small points.
Again thanks for the guide.
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Nthan,
I think I mentioned two more screws on the other side of the screen in the step 6, didn’t I?
June 7th, 2010 at 5:21 am
It worked for the M-7315U / SA6
June 14th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
AMAZING JOB! I WAS GOING TO THROW IT AWAY! I HAVE AN M SOMETHING ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE PICS WERE PERFECT! I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW EASY IT WAS.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Hi,
I do you sell any hinge covers? I broke one. Plz contact me
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:26 am
Dion Fridie,
I don’t sell any parts. I’m only providing disassembly instructions.
Maybe you can find hinge covers on eBay?
July 8th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
My son has a Gateway MD2614U 15.6″ LAPTOP with a black screen. Just yesterday his pc died, had to take it in for repair. After picking it up his monitor was on for about 8 hrs and then died again. We figure the problem is with the screen but can’t understand why it would have been lit after repair. The tech wants to charge over $200 to replace the screen. Yesterday’s repair was $200, Total it would equal more than pc cost! So he’s trying to see if he can replace screen himself. He has been using the laptop plugged into a desktop monitor.
1) Can we assume that there is no problem with the inverter or otherwise he would not be able to see image on desktop monitor?
2) If you have built in webcam is there a different screen to purchase?
July 10th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
BETTY NEWBOLD,
Didn’t he offer any warranty on his repair? Most repair shops offer at least 30 days warranty on labor and parts.
It’s possible the new LCD screen is defective.
Also, take a very close look at the laptop screen. Can you see a very faint image? If yes, there is a chance the inverter board is bad.
Nope, the webcam is located on a separate board. You should be able to use the same screen for laptop with or without webcam.
July 12th, 2010 at 9:52 am
TO CLARIFY STATEMENT BELOW – It wasn’t the screen that the repair shop worked on. The laptop had simply ‘crashed’ and that is what they ‘restored’. The fact that the screen was back on with images was simply a byproduct of that …. they indicated another $200 to work on or replace the screen.
Thanks
My son has a Gateway MD2614U 15.6″ LAPTOP with a black screen. Just yesterday his pc died, had to take it in for repair. After picking it up his monitor was on for about 8 hrs and then died again. We figure the problem is with the screen but can’t understand why it would have been lit after repair. The tech wants to charge over $200 to replace the screen. Yesterday’s repair was $200, Total it would equal more than pc cost!
Didn’t he offer any warranty on his repair? Most repair shops offer at least 30 days warranty on labor and parts.
July 12th, 2010 at 11:47 am
BETTY NEWBOLD,
Please provide more information about the laptop failure:
1. Can you start the laptop at all?
2. Do you see anything on the screen? Maybe a very fain image?
3. Can you use the laptop with video on the external monitor?
Your previous description “Laptop died” or “Laptop crashed” tells me nothing. You have to be more detailed.
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Sorry for the delay in responding the info requested. We purchased an inverter for the laptop. Once installed, there was visual on screen for about half hour. Then it went mostly black and just flikered. After a time, it will come back on and then goes off again. Yes, the laptop can be used with an external monitor.
So then, it appears it may be the backlight as was suggested before and, therefore, the entire screen needs to be replaced…….unless you have any other suggestions, that is what we intend to do. I appreciate your time and responses.
YOUR LAST RESPONSE:
Please provide more information about the laptop failure:
1. Can you start the laptop at all?
2. Do you see anything on the screen? Maybe a very fain image?
3. Can you use the laptop with video on the external monitor?
Your previous description “Laptop died” or “Laptop crashed” tells me nothing. You have to be more detailed.
August 8th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Laptop Tech-
I have a Gateway NV5302u. The screen went black so I took it in for repair. The tech assured me that it just needed a new backlight but it would take 2-4 weeks for them to send it out. The computer works with an external monitor, so I would rather just keep it and fix it myself. Your guide is helpful, but do you know where I can find some guidance on fixing just the backlight without replacing the screen? I have replaced an inverter on another laptop before but the backlight seems more complicated.
Thank you.
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Hey i got the same laptop. The same M-6846 but my model is SA6. If i buy the same series screen work it work and can you send me a link where you got your screen at?