How to change LCD panel in M17/M9750/other Flextronics/Arima notebooks.

O.K. this is my first "how-to" and my first screen change as well so I hope it proves helpul to anyone who needs or wants to do this.

I already had a M9750 with a 1900x1200 screen to switch with the lower re screen on my M17. This worked out very well but did require twice the work.

It took me about an hour to perform the LCD panel change but would have been half that if I had just bought another screen.

What you will need:

-A clean workspace
-A jewlers screwdriver set
-Patience and a gentle touch

Step 1
Remove the power cord, battery, then depress the power button for about 20 seconds to ensure there is no stray voltage anywhere.

Step 2
Place laptop on workspace fully opened up flat with the keyboard side away from you. I place a micro fiber cloth under the screen side.

Step 3
There are 8 screws that hold the LCD bezel in place. They are under the small round rubber nubs which are held in place with a bit of rubber cement.
Lift each rubber pad with your fingernail and remove the screw directly through the dab of rubber cement. If the rubber cement comes off with the rubber pad that's O.K. too.


Step 4
Next it's time to remove the plastic LCD bezel. This is where a gentle touch is required. Start in one of the top corners of the screen by gently prying with a small flat tip screwdriver. It will come up quite easily. Use your fingers to lift the bezel free on the top and both sides. Getting the bezel free on the bottom is the most difficult part of this job. I used my fingers by starting on the inside of the bezel and ran them slowly from the outer, inside corners until they met in the middle of the bottom of the screen. This takes some doing because there is a strip of glue between the bottom of the bezel and the LCD surround. It will come loose, just be patient and don't force it.


Step 6
With the plastic LCD bezel removed, it's time to free the LCD panel. There are 4 screw that hold the panel in place. 1 in each corner. Once removed, lay the panel back onto the keyboard as if it's still hinged, because there are two sets of wires still connected.


Step 7
Now that the LCD panel is laying on a cloth on the keyboard, it's time to disconnect the wires. The first is the pair of wires that connect the LCD panel to the inverter. Just unplug the small white connector using a small screwdriver if necessary. Next is the LCD ribbon cable. Remove the two pieces of retaining tape so you can re-install later. Very carefully, use a small flat tip screwdriver to nudge each side of the ribbon cable connector until it's free from it's plug. The old LCD panel is now free from the laptop.




Step 8
This is the easy part now that you've becom familiar with the process. It's time to install the new screen. Remove the two metal retainers from either side of the old LCD panel Which are held in place with 4 screw each and install them on the new panel. To install simply follow these instructions in reverse.

If anyone needs more information or has any suggestions please let me know.

Edit:Just wanted to add that ichime helped me find some info so I could do this. +1 to ya buddy!

Rob41

 

nice work rob, hope i never need to do this but its good to know i have some steps to follow!

+1

 

Great guide. +1 rep. Let's see Chaz sticky this!

 

Thanks guys,
I appreciate it.
It rerally isn't a difficult job. Just gotta take your time so nothing gets scratched or damaged.

 

great! +1 rep

 

Thanks Kuntazzo!

 

i thinking about doing this as well just hard to get money lol ( college)

+ 10 from me

 

Appreciated Mr.Moo!

 

great job +1 rep...........always helpful for someone......

 

Good. I had plans to change mine so this will come in quite handy. Thanks dude.

 

Year! Realy great! When it's ok I'll put your thread in the "17 sticky"

Greetings
Julian

 

Cool, and thanks!

 

Nice guide man +1 rep

 

Your welcome WaR,
let us know how it works out.

 

NP Now it's done

Greetings
Julian

 

Ahh, excellent Smithers! (tapping fingers together)

 

Awesome job and thanks for taking the time to make a tutorial.

 

Thanks ichime, and thanks for the info on this!

 

Yo Rob,

Again, awesome guide. Let me ask you two things:

1. Does this void warranty? I think yes.
2. Is it that simple, to just remove old screen and place new one? I have the 1440x900 resolution, and I would just have to remove it, place the 1920x1200 instead and it will work? No drivers, no extra settings, it will just recognize it and give me the higher resolution automatically on boot?

I was kind of confused since I was reading info like: if you are getting this LCD make sure it is the same resolution you have or risk burning some stuff, or don't use it to upgrade res, etc... I don't know.

Now, where would I get the 1920x1200 LCD cheap? Actually, where would I get it? Is it the LG LP171WU3?

PS. Anyone interested in buying or exchanging for my 1440x900? My laptop is 3 months old

 

Hey WaR,

I suppose if your warranty issue had anything to do with the screen or it's inverter it would void the warranty. Might consider switching back before sending it in for warranty work. Only takes 30 minutes anyway.

Yes, it is that simple. No drivers or settings to mess with. The graphics cards automatically detect the new screen.

There is no risk of burning anything out when you are using any screen from a m9750 or M17 (maybe 17X but I can't say for sure) since they use the same inverter.

Not sure about the number, but you just look for WUXGA which is the 1920x1200 resolution. Cheap? I don't know, but I think they can be had from places like Ztronics for around $300.

The high-res screen really is an amazing upgrade.

 

Thanks for the warranty tip.

You know, I was worried since I do not have an m9750 and I am just thinking of buying it at any store and wanted to make sure it will work. AW's estimate is $600+ which is ridiculous.

One on eBay's Buy It Now

List of others

Like I said, I am mainly concerned about getting the right one. Now that I think about it, I should have upgraded when I ordered my M17. $200 was a good deal as I never play games full screen... I could've bought a smaller HD and 2GB RAM and upgrade via Newegg. That's $200 right there.

I guess the thought of my first AW didn't let me think logically.

 

Yeah,

hindsight is 20/20. I thought I would be happy with the lower res screen until I saw how terrible it looked compared to the high res panel.

I would have preferred the lower res screen if the only difference was the resolution.

Just take your time and don't get "ham fisted" when removing the screen bezel. It would be a shame to have to shell out another $65 bucks for a replacement.

Don't forget, on the bottom of the bezel (between the bezel and LCD panel) there is a strip of two sided tape which holds on really well.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

Nevermind, was on wrong page. Good job guys thanks?

 

Should I follow this disassemble method to remove the dust behind my screen..?! I have microscopic fly behind the screen, also. It's VERY annoying! Is that clever or.., can anyone suggest better method to get rid of that dust?! THANKS!!

 

Nice guide!

Thanks!

+1 rep!

 

Awesome guide Rob, plain and simple! And you knoz what, your tutorial come in 5 days before i was officially going to do the LCD change myself and look for answers on the net! so + 10!

by the way, I imagine this works both ways:

m9750 => M17
M17 => m9750

right?

 

i have the same issue that's anoying and to clean it it'd have to take apart the lcd it self