Hi.

I've a laptop which has some discolouration running top to bottom on the screen. However, if you pinch the bezel front & back at the top of the monitor, the discolouration disappears, only to reappear when the bezel is released. Is this a fault in the lcd, or is something just loose? Is the answer just to tighten a few screws, or to replace the lcd screen?

Thanks.

The contact strip on top of the screen has come loose and the is no way you can glue that. Over time it will get worse; they just used bad glue. You have to replace the screen completely sadly enough.

Thanks. So I gotta replace the LCD, right? I've been looking high and low for a disassembly guide for the laptop, but can't find one anywhere. Any suggestions on where to learn to replace the LCD? Also, do I need special glue if I'm to replace the lcd? I haven't seen any online guides for replacing lcd's mention glue?

Do you think this is something someone with a mid-level hardware knowledge could undertake to replace, or should I steer clear?

(It's a Toshiba Equium L20-197, Part # PSL 2ZE.)

I'd really appreciate a few pointers.

Thanks again.

Edited March 7, 200917 yr by anlaoch

It's not difficult , if you have basic hardware skills.

You just need APPROPRIATE screwdrivers (do not use Philips 00 on a a Philips 0, do not use a Philip 1 on a Philips 0, if there are Torx screws use a Torx screwdriver, etc.) and in some cases a guitar pick.

Most laptops use the same (or very similar) assembly.

Here are a few examples:

http://fixthelaptop.blogspot.com/2007/06/r...ing-screen.html

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Tosh...digitizer_1.htm

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Tosh...een_removal.htm

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Tosh...sat1415_LCD.htm

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Tosh...sat2435_LCD.htm

http://www.screentekinc.com/lcd-removal-in...n,toshiba.shtml

A "generic" very detailed with photos guide:

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/cate...-screen-repair/

I am not familiar with the L20, but it should be similar to the L35 :

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Tosh...book-screen.htm

Only one WARNING:

DO NOT EVER use the lid (once the front cover has been removed) as a handle to change the inclination angle of the display.

Hinges are very tough, and the lid can only (and barely) support the torque induced stress when fully assembled, if you try rotating it once it has been partially disassembled, you will likely break the back cover/pull out the threaded inserts for the screws.

I wouldnt also be so pessimistic about the contacts , it is possible that there is enough space to glue with epoxy a "bridge" over the failing connection and insert between the "bridge" and the connector itself a (plastic) wedge, able to keep the thingie "pressed".

jaclaz

Edited March 7, 200917 yr by jaclaz

they just used bad glue.

Thanks for the pointer, but I'm not clear on if I'll need to use glue when replacing the lcd, or if the glue is part of the internal make-up of the lcd screen itself. So I'm thinking that if I buy a replacement lcd screen, I just remove the existing one, and screw in / connect up the new one. No glue needed. Is that right?

No glue needed. Is that right?

Yep.

You do not need glue of any kind if you replace the LCD screen with a new one.

As a standard comparison:

1 (one) scrap (aluminium) tin piece € 0.01

1 (one) new dual component epoxy glue € 3.50

Total amount (if applicable) € 3.51

A new replacement LCD screen for Toshiba L20 (example):

http://www.tdcomponents.com/shop/tdc_searc...otebook_id=7502

€ 143.66÷169.00

I am cheap , I know , but before parting from some € 150.00, I would at least try fixing it.....

jaclaz

Edited March 7, 200917 yr by jaclaz

Jaclaz,

Makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, my hardware knowledge is only mid-range and I wouldn't have a clue what to be attempting to glue to what. I'd be just about comfortable replacing the screen, but attempting DIY repairs seems somewhat out of my league.

Jaclaz,

Makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, my hardware knowledge is only mid-range and I wouldn't have a clue what to be attempting to glue to what. I'd be just about comfortable replacing the screen, but attempting DIY repairs seems somewhat out of my league.

Haven't you got a friend or a relative which is a bit more geekish/expert than you?

The idea, more or less, is that a connector of the LCD is somewhat not making contact properly if not connected to the LCD by some pressure.

Refer to 3rd picture here:

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/cate...-screen-repair/

On the left side you can see something "orange" that is a flat cable connecting the PCB to the LCD. (your actual LCD may be different)

These kind of connections are usually glued in factory, I don't know of a procedure to re-glue it "at home", but if there is enough space around the connector and eenough "thickness" over it, you can try the previously described fix.

You haven't much to loose don't you?

In any case, you may want to check e-bay for anotherwise broken laptop similar to yours to salvage....or for a spare part, examples:

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=toshiba+L...a&_osacat=0

http://cgi.ebay.com/TOSHIBA-EQUIUM-L20-197...%3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/TOSHIBA-SATELLITE-L20-...%3A1%7C294%3A50

jaclaz

That's brilliant advice. Thanks a million. I'm going to pick up a spare Equium, and poke around with the existing screen to see what happens.

Thanks again!

No glue needed. Is that right?

Yep.

You do not need glue of any kind if you replace the LCD screen with a new one.

As a standard comparison:

1 (one) scrap (aluminium) tin piece € 0.01

1 (one) new dual component epoxy glue € 3.50

Total amount (if applicable) € 3.51

You can stretch the life with it indeed, I know I would, but official the screen needs an replacement. The contacts are getting oxidised over time, especially when they get warm from the backlight. Over time it will look like this:

But hey, anlaoch, go for it if you can .