In 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.
Static electricity can kill your laptop. I recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap while working with internal parts of your laptop.
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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.