How to replace screen on Dell Inspiron 1318 laptop

In this guide I explain how to remove LCD screen from a Dell Inspiron 1318 laptop.

Also, I’ll show how to separate the inverter board from the screen.

Dell Inspiron 1318 might have two different screen types installed:

1. CCFL backlit LCD screen – screen with backlight lamp inside. This screen requires the inverter board. That’s the one I’ll be taking apart in the following guide.
2. LED backlit LCD screen. This screen doesn’t require the inverter board.

I’ll explain how to find the correct replacement LCD screen at the end of the guide.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop and remove the battery.

STEP 2.

Start separating the screen bezel from the back cover on the top of the display assembly.

Insert your fingers between the bezel and screen and wiggle the bezel.

There are hidden plastic latches securing the screen bezel. When you wiggle the bezel you’ll be able to disengage the latches.

STEP 3.

Continue separating the bezel on the top of the display assembly.

STEP 4.

After that move to the lower part of the bezel.

Carefully lift up the part of the bezel which covers the hinges.

STEP 5.

Remove the bezel from the laptop.

STEP 6.

Remove six screws securing the LCD screen assembly to the display back cover.

STEP 7.

Separate the screen from the back cover and place it face down on the keyboard.

STEP 8.

Now you can access the back of the screen and LCD harness (video cable).

One part of the harness is connected to the inverter board. The second and is connected to the LCD screen.

If your Dell Inspiron 1318 laptop has a LED-backlit LCD screen there will be NO inverter board.

When you have LED LCD the video cable will have only one connector plugged into the screen.

STEP 9.

Unplug connector from the inverter board.

STEP 10.

Remove sticky tape securing the video cable connector.

Disconnect cable from the LCD screen.

STEP 11.

Now you can remove the LCD screen assembly from the laptop.

STEP 12.

Like in many other Dell laptops, the screen inverter is mounted on the bottom side of the screen.

In the following three steps I’ll show how to separate the inverter board from the screen.

STEP 13.

Disconnect one cable from the left side of the inverter board.

STEP 14.

Remove one screw securing the inverter board to the mounting bracket.

STEP 15.

Remove the inverter board from the bracket.

NOTE: most likely the inverter board will be glued to the mounting bracket with double sticky tape.

You’ll have to insert something between the inverter and bracket and separate it.

You can find a new replacement screen using the Dell part number from the back of the original screen.

You can see it on the following picture. The part number is six digits and letters after CN-.

In my Dell Inspiron 1318 laptop the screen has the following part number: 0C117J.

You can skip “0″ while searching for a new screen. Just search for C117J.

You can search for new Dell Inspiron 1318 replacement screen here.

If your screen has a different part number just use the search box.

Again, make sure to buy the correct screen type: CCFL backlit LCD screen or LED backlit LCD screen.

If you are buying a CCFL LCD screen, I would advice to buy one with the inverter board attached. In this case there will be no compatibility issues between the inverter and screen.