In this guide I’ll be removing the LCD screen and inverter board from a Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop. You can use same set of instructions for a Dell Inspiron E1705 and probably some other Dell laptops. If my guide works for you, please mention the laptop model in the comments below.
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Like in most other laptops, in this model the LCD screen is mounted between the display cover and front bezel. You’ll find eight screw seals on the front bezel. Six rubber seals (red circles) and two plastic seals (green circles).
Remove rubber seals using a sharp object. Glue these seals somewhere on the front bezel so they don’t get lost.
Remove two plastic seals using the same tool. Also, glue them somewhere on the front bezel.
Remove all eight screws found under the seals.
When all screws are removed you can start separating the front bezel from the display cover. Use your fingers and a piece of soft plastic. In this guide I’m using a guitar pick.
Continue separating the front bezel.
The front bezel has been removed.
There are screws securing the LCD screen to the hinge bracket. You’ll find four screws on each side.
Remove four screw on one side of the display panel.
And after that remove four screws on the other side of the panel.
Now you can separate the LCD screen assembly from the cover.
Be careful, there is a video cable connecting the LCD screen and inverter board to the motherboard.
Place the LCD screen on the palm rest so you can access the video cable and unplug it from the LCD screen and inverter.
Place the LCD screen on the palm rest so you can access the video cable and unplug it from the LCD screen and inverter.
Press on latches on both sides of the video cable connector and pull it from the LCD screen.
Unplug the other end of the video cable from the inverter board.
Now you can remove the LCD screen and inverter board. As you see, the inverter board is attached to the LCD screen frame. It’s very common setup for Dell laptops
The inverter board is mounted inside the metal casing which is a part of the LCD screen frame.
Remove one screw securing the inverter board and turn the LCD screen upside down.
Remove one screw securing the inverter board and turn the LCD screen upside down.
Unplug the backlight cable from the inverter board.
Carefully remove the inverter board from the metal casing and replace it with a new one if needed. You can buy a new inverter board here for about $15-20.
When you buy a new LCD screen for your Dell laptop, it might come with the inverter board already attached to it. It’s very common. If that’s the case, you don’t have to remove the old inverter.
When you buy a new LCD screen for your Dell laptop, it might come with the inverter board already attached to it. It’s very common. If that’s the case, you don’t have to remove the old inverter.