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.
December 29th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@ jeff,
No, this is not inverter related failure. You can see the gray screen, it means the backlight turns on but there is no data signal.
Are you sure the new video cable is compatible?
It’s possible your new cable is for a screen with different resolution. Make sure you got the compatible cable.
December 29th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I have a vostro 1310 and I just replaced the LCD Cable, due to the wires being broken from normal use (open and closing the screening). I made sure all the connectors were seated properly and I put it back together. When I went to start the computer up no splash screen only a dull gray screen. I did hook up an external monitor and the computer starts up fine. So what should I check now? Do I have a bad inverter? Thank you in advance.
December 4th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Thank you very much for posting this! I was able to fix my display, it got unplugged somehow..
December 1st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@ Sean,
Most likely it’s either failed inverter or bad CCFL (backlight lamp) inside the screen.
Here’s what I would try:
1. Reseat connection between the video cable and inverter board.
2. Replace inverter.
3. Replace LCD screen.
Also, it could be bad cable but more likely it’s one of the three mentioned above.
It’s hard to troubleshoot backlight issues without spare parts.
December 1st, 2011 at 7:42 am
I have a Vostro 1500. I can see the screen if I shine a flashlight on it, so it does still work but the light source is not working. Do you think the problem is the inverter board or the video cable/ribbon? Thank you very much for any help.
Sean
October 23rd, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Worked like a charm. Thanks very much.
July 25th, 2011 at 10:12 am
thanks! used your instructions for my vostro 2510. basically the same, with a few differences. i posted my process for 2510 on my blog here: http://thepanthatcan.blogspot.com/2011/07/replace-laptop-lcd-screen.html
June 5th, 2011 at 8:51 am
@ The Lacz Producciones,
Here are instructions for removing the motherboard.
June 3rd, 2011 at 6:23 am
Hey, thank you very much!
Remove the LCD display never was than easy (excuse me for my english, i’m venezuelan)
Now, only need to remove the mainboard to finish with this Laptop. Thank you for help me.
Nice website!
May 20th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Archeos,
Did you mean Dell Vostro 1015?
It depends. I searched for a replacement LCD screen for Dell Vostro 1015 and it looks like there are two types available.
1. Regular LCD screen with CCFL backlight lamp. If that’s your screen, it does have an inverter board.
2. LED-backlit LCD screens. This type of LCD screen doesn’t have inverter. This screen plugged directly into the motherboard.