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.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Thanks a lot for the detailed instructions. The only problem was how to deal with the invertor portion at the end. My new monitor did not have little metal brackets to house the invertor or the camera. I was able to squeeze everything in and it seems to work just fine.
BB
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 am
Hi, I have a question similiar to what someone else asked. I am replacing a cracked screen and i’m finding cheaper WSXGA+ dell vostro screens than WXGA+ screens. Can i upgrade, and if so, do i need to replace both the screen and the inverter, or can i just replace the screen.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Thank you so much for your pictures! I have a Dell Vostro 1500 and the screen wasn’t lighting. You could faintly see the items on the desktop, but the screen was very dark. My computer repair person said it was probably the screen going bad, but it wasn’t worth fixing. A little research on the net led me to believe it was the screen inverter and not the screen itself, since it was working at times and/or the screen would flicker. Your pictures gave me the confidence that I needed to try and replace it myself. I found the inverter for under $9 with free s/h on ebay. With the help of your pictures I was able to replace the inverter and now my screen lights perfectly!
July 16th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Hi,
I just bought a DELL LATITUDE D531 FOR £40 ( US$ 90 ) , the SCREEN was history i.e. cracked! , but the rest of the laptop was as new! , so I bought a screen off ebay.co.uk for £70 free postage, installed it using the above guide , and voila! my laptop works fine , all i now is to re-install XP! I also needed a charger for a d531 , again I used my favorite acution site ebay , bought one for £16.99 free postage.
Thank You.
Regards
JOEY
July 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I’ve been researching replacing my dell screen (vostro 1500/inspiron 1520) and have not been able to find out this info, so maybe the community here will know.
when you replace the screen, is it possible to upgrade it in resolution? (from 1200×800 to 1900×1200 for example) or does it have to be the exact same screen?
Thanks in advance.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Your instructions seems easy to follow. I have a dell inspiron 1521. This the second time my screen is going bad. The first time happen only a month after i bought the computer (should av taken it as a sign). Only 1/2 my screen is showing; the bottom 1/2 have white lines going horizontally across it. The first replacement was covered under the warranty. The warranty is now up! I have notice now that on both occasions the problems with the screens are identical; could it be that my computer have a problem beyond what simple replacing the screen can fix? In other words: Could the faulty lcd be a symptom of something else? Cause i don’t want to replace the LCD and it end up with the same problem. Thnaks
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
kirk,
I cannot tell without looking at your original screen. You have to make sure that the replacement screen is the same type and has the same resolution.
To make sure your new screen works with the original cable, I would suggest buying the exact replacement.
Before you order a new screen, remove the old one (it takes only 10-15 minutes) and look for the part number on the back of the screen. That’s how do it.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
hey i have a dell inspiron 1520 and i found it on your link to ebay but it says 1500 or something else but yea, i wanna get the right screen but would rather wait to take it out until i get the new one thanks abunch!! will those screens work with mine
June 29th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Devon,
No, it’s not necessary to replace the inverter but usually new Dell screens have a new inverter attached to it. It depends where you buy the screen.
If you can find just the LCD screen, replace just the LCD screen. The old inverter should work with a new screen just fine (I assume you buy the same type of screen as the broken one).
If your new screen comes with the inverter than it’s easier to replace both.
June 29th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Devon,
The webcam is attached to the video cable. When I replace the LCD screen, I leave the webcam in place (attached to the cable) and replace just the screen. You are not replacing the webcam when replacing the LCD screen.