HomeIn this post I explain how to replace a damaged LCD screen from a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop. In my laptop the LCD screen was cracked it could not be repaired. This set of instructions will work for Dell Inspiron 1520/1521 and many other Dell laptop. If it works for you, please mention the laptop model number in the comments below.
Before you start do not forget to turn off the laptop, unplug the AC power adapter and remove the battery.
STEP 1.
On the screen bezel you’ll find six screw seals. Four rubber seals and two plastic seals.
You can remove these seals with a sharp object.
Remove all six screws found under the seals.
STEP 2.
Start separating the screen bezel from the display cover with your fingers. You can use a piece of soft plastic to separate the bezel.
Continue separating the screen bezel on the top of the display and after that move to the lower part.
Finally, remove the screen bezel.
STEP 3.
Remove four screws securing the LCD screen to the left mounting bracket.
STEP 4.
Remove four screws securing the LCD screen to the right mounting bracket.
STEP 5.
Remove two screws securing the web camera.
STEP 6.
Separate the LCD screen assembly from the display cover. As you see, the web camera is still attached to the screen assembly.
STEP 7.
Plase the LCD screen assembly upside down on the palm rest.
The green ribbon cable is the video cable and it has two connectors. One of the is connected to the LCD screen and another one to the inverter board.
Carefully push on two latches on both sides of the LCD connector, release the cable and disconnect it from the LCD screen.
Pull the second connector up and disconnect it from the inverter board.
STEP 8.
Remove the screen assembly (LCD screen and inverter board).
The inverter board is attached to the bottom part of the LCD screen. The inverter board can be replaced separately.
The best way to find a new replacement screen is searching by the LCD screen model number or Dell part number. Both numbers can be found on one sticker with a barcode.
You can find a cheap replacment LCD screen for Dell Vostor 1500 and other Dell laptops here.
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February 15th, 2010 at 4:47 am
Many thanks for that – it’s works for the Dell Vostro 1400, with some differences. I’ve listed the differences here – with some photos: http://www.heath-whyte.info/david/computers/replacing-dell-vostro-1400-screen
Thanks again
February 9th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Orlando,
Sounds like the LCD screen is damaged and has to be replaced. A broken (cracked) LCD screen cannot be repaired.
You said the screen is white and I assume the backlight still works properly. It means the inverter board is OK.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I have Dell Vostro 1500 and my problem is the LCD screen looks white and look like a big crack all the way down with a big ink spot (but the screen is not crak from the outside). Wich one is the problem: the LCD screen or LCD inverter.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:49 am
I have a Vostro 1500 and I have a problem with the replacement LCD screen. My kids cracked my screen so we ordered one. It came last week and I installed it. When I powered up the computer I got 8 screens come up and then it would go blank. It would only keep going if i went into safe mode, but still showed the 8 screens. I hooked the broken one back up and it works fine.
Emailed company, they rushed me out another one. Hooked it up and same thing. The oem is a Chungwha and the replacement is a Chi Mei. Both 1280×800 glossy.
I am stumped! Here is a shot in safe mode of teh eight screens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13745394@N07/4316587558/
January 29th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I used your photo instructions for a Vostro 1000 and they were great. Thanks for posting the photos. Keep up the great work, it helps a lot of people. Thank you…
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:53 am
Do I need to remove the LCD screen to replace the inverter board on a Vostro 1000? I took the bezel off and can’t seem to get at the inverter board. It’s covered with a metal piece. Thanks.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:04 am
I had inverter problem and bought one from ebay. New inverter worked one week and gone. I bought the second one and tried to use that, not really working. When it works, there is a noise at right lower corner ( I mean the lower right corner of the lcd screen ). I even see very small sparks there. So, screen sometimes work sometimes not. Sometimes, it tries to work makes a clikk noise at that corner and does not work. Do you think st is not ok with inverter, not really compatible or problem is st else ?
Thank you,
Yakup
November 27th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
robyn,
Not sure why you are experiencing this problem. There is no trick to it.
I guess you are not pulling hard enough.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I am having difficulty removing the inverter connector.. im not sure if im not pulling hard enough or if there is something else i should be doing?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:27 am
No there is only one listed in the device manager. I suppose I could try uninstalling that one anyway. I did order a new inverter that should be here in a few days.
The part that boggles me in this case is the white screen during POST. It has a vertical purple bar also which would normally indicate some sort of hardware failure. Very strange. I’ll be back with any updates…and more suggestions are very welcome!
November 20th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Jason,
Check the device manager. Do you see two display drivers installed. Try removing them and let the system re-detect the LCD screen.
Try reinstalling the display adapter.
Let me known if it works. I knot that this method worked for some other guys. I doubt that replacing the inverter board helps in this case.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Having same problem as a few of you listed. Replaced cracked screen, now screen will be blank/white during POST/BIOS. If I then FnF8 the screen will work fine with the exception of the brightness going back down at approx 70%. I have ordered a different inverter to try. Have any of you had any luck solving this issue?
November 13th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
When I went into Device Manager, I found two Display Adapters. I disabled one of the two (the second, figuring it was added last) and now the screen is back to its normal brightness! That’s:
Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > Display Adapters
That’s for Windows XP. Not sure if it’s the same for other versions.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Gordon,
Try reinstalling the video driver. Check out this post. Let me know if it fixes the problem please.