My first laptop screen replacement

My laptop screen and I replaced it myself after buying a screen at http://www.laptopscreen.com. My screen broke after my dog stepped on it. I had thought about taking it in for repair, but I decided I wanted to try to fix it myself. I have some experience with making some easy hardware changes on a PC, such as changing the DVD burner or replacing a sound card. I have never tried to modify a laptop, nor have I ever seen it done. It took me a long time - about an hour and a half. Most of that time was spent taking the old screen out. Once the screen was out it was a fairly quick process to get the new screen in. I'm glad I did it myself. Next time I could probably do it in 30 minutes. I priced screens before I found one at http://www.laptopscreen.com. The price was right and it was shipped very quickly.

• Unplug the laptop and remove the battery

• Remove the two rubber seals at the bottom of the screen that cover the screws and then remove the screws

• Pull the bezel off the screen by gently prying it away from the screen

• Remove the screws from the hinges around the screen

• Lay the screen flat against the keyboard and remove the LCD cable from the back of the screen. I had a tough time with this one because I wasn't sure exactly what I was supposed to remove. There is a piece of tape that holds the cable to the back of the screen. Gently pull the tape off and disconnect the cable.

• Remove the screws from the metal frame that holds the screen in place

• Once freed, discard the old screen

• Lay the new screen face down on the keyboard over a cloth to protect it. I didn't remove the screen protector at this point, but I ended up screwing it in place and therefore couldn't remove the tape holding the protector in place. If I had to do it again I'd have removed the protector at this step

• Screw the new screen into the frame

• Lift the lid while holding the screen in place; then reattach the screws

• Reattach the bezel starting at the bottom and snapping as you go. Be sure to tuck in any cables (especially at the bottom)

• Reattach the battery and turn it on! If you see the startup screen you've done it!