NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) › Newbie question - changing LCD's
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Newbie question - changing LCD's

post #1 of 16
12/3/06 at 7:39pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

I've got a very newbie question - I have a 1705 with the matte style screen (standard wxga screen?) and I was wondering about obtaining and installing one of those ultrasharp lcd's (wuxga?) - I was hoping to locate some info on what it takes to put one in (photo tutorial?), and if it's worth it for me, or if I might just be better off seeing if I could send it in to Dell and pay for a screen changeout?

-T
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 16
12/3/06 at 8:04pm
you asked for it

you got it

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1022270

every dell product has a matching service manual online in both HTML and PDF format here

http://support.dell.com/support/syst...=12&~subcat=86
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 16
12/3/06 at 9:35pm
Thread Starter 
Hi!
Thanks for the links - another question tho - do you know if I can just swap lcd types? does it require anything changed in the case or motherboard or connectors to support the different lcd's? I didn't see anyhting in the service manual that seems to describe a difference between the two beyond really the two types that exist...

-T
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 16
12/4/06 at 3:30am
you can swap them out without any modification other than the panel
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 16
12/4/06 at 12:48pm
Just so you know, to my knowledge Dell will not allow you to send the old in and have the new sent to you for installation. *even if you pay the difference* I personally don't think its worth the money, since it'll probably cost you $500-600 for the new panel (correct me if im wrong)
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 16
12/4/06 at 12:59pm
You can go the cheaper route by buying on eBay Here is one for $350. Just search eBay with your model and what part you're looking for and you can find just about anything.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 16
12/4/06 at 9:01pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I was looking at some of these ebay auctions, and was considering one - but I started to wonder if I was going to need something else - a lot of these state no inverter included (for the backlight I assume) - do I need one, or is that integrated in the motherboard, or can I take the one from my existing lcd, even tho it is the matte lcd?

sorry for the newb style questions - I just want to make sure I understand everything before I risk my display.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 16
12/5/06 at 11:02am
I've done this a different way round. I took a WUXGA non glossy screen from an Inspiron 9100 and fitted it to a M1710.

The inverter was NOT compatible - but the display was 100% fine. If you keep your inverter, and attach it to the glossy screen (the screws in my experience don't line up perfectly but it still fits fine.) then you should be good.

The Dell instructions for removing the display are spot on. Be very careful when you remove the outer bezel. It requires a fair bit of pulling with your fingers very close to the screen! I've done quite a few times now and never had a problem but it always feels like it's gonna break!
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 16
12/5/06 at 1:42pm
i switched out the screens no problem.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 16
12/5/06 at 1:43pm
oh, and your best bet is to buy a uxga screen, dell charges too much.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 16
12/7/06 at 12:26pm
Thread Starter 
well, I bit the bullet and ordered a screen - I'm a little nervous about removing the front bezel, but I should be able to do it. Now my only question is - the bumpers, the little rubber things over the screws - does anyone know where I can get more incase the sticky stuff isn't strong enough to reattach them?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 16
12/7/06 at 5:42pm
Inverters won't swap. Try a bit of glue on the screwhole covers
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 16
12/7/06 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Luckily enough, the new lcd has an inverter with it - so I'm covered there
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 16
12/8/06 at 2:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tancor
well, I bit the bullet and ordered a screen - I'm a little nervous about removing the front bezel, but I should be able to do it. Now my only question is - the bumpers, the little rubber things over the screws - does anyone know where I can get more incase the sticky stuff isn't strong enough to reattach them?
i just do the dell chat thing and get more, ordering them from dell and paying is retardedly $$$$. like 100 bucks, i almost passed out when i saw the invoice.

i have some extra, if you want em
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 16
12/8/06 at 2:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tancor
Luckily enough, the new lcd has an inverter with it - so I'm covered there
ya, they send them with the lcd and stress you need to actually need to replace it when you do the screen, but i never have, i just swap out the lcd with no problems (4 times now)
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 16
12/13/06 at 12:54am
Thread Starter 
I just wanted to give you all an update.

First off - thank you to everyone that posted, it supplied me with a lot of good information for doing the replacement, and Bal`thzar for the direct links to the service page for taking the unit apart.

The screen showed up last night, but due to unforseen illness, I wasn't able to try it until tonight.

Aside from some severely frayed nerves, and 1 MIA rubber bumper, I was able to do the screen swap. The new WUXGA screen is in place, and it looks gorgeous. I marred a little bit of the white plastic between the face bezzel and the rear of the cover (I gave up on the finger pushing to release it, and took a small screwdriver and pryed gently near the hinge - after it popped up, the rest were fairly easy. I chose that spot as it would be the least noticable as it would be "underneath" when the screen was up for viewing).

Now, I just need to know - where can I get a replacement bumper other then Dell? I've heard that dell charges a small fortune for these things, and I was hoping I might be able to buy one somewhere cheaper.

-T
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) › Newbie question - changing LCD's