Broken Laptop Display - is it repairable?

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lokhor

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Topic # 86624 10-Jul-2011 16:03

My girlfriend's Sony Vaio has had the screen cracked pretty majorly. Is it viable to take to a repair center or should I be attempting to buy a replacement screen and do it myself?

The model is:
VPCY115FG PCG-41111W

I've found a couple of places that sell replacement screens online such as:
http://www.batterycentury.com/sony-vpcy115fgs-screen-p-349312.html

But not sure if I am capable of doing the replacement myself. Has anyone else had experience with this and know how easy/difficult it is?

Cheers in advance.

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All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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Chief Trash Bandit
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Reply # 491678 10-Jul-2011 16:10

You can get it replaced, but expect to pay a bit for it.

Was asked to get a quote on a Compaq laptop screen few years back, new screen was $600 inc installation whereas a new laptop was $1000. Advised the new laptop... but customer wanted new screen. (shrug)

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Reply # 491701 10-Jul-2011 17:02

Had a screen replaced on my old laptop a couple of years ago. It cost around $500 - $600 and only took around 30 minutes.

If you're struggling for money, and have a good amount of computer knowledge, you could do some research and do it yourself. However, it could be risky and, if you have the money, be safer to get a professional to do it for you.

blakamin

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Reply # 491704 10-Jul-2011 17:11

Common sense and a guide of what order to pull things apart (normally a service pdf) makes it easy to replace yourself, if you have patience.

I've done it heaps... the hard bit is finding the right LCD.

Batman

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Reply # 491709 10-Jul-2011 17:37

hmm there was another GZ thread not long ago - parts + labour around $199 - but i can't find it. the GZ search is not very good :(

lxsw20

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Reply # 491749 10-Jul-2011 20:20

I replaced a 16" acer screen with a new panel I brought off ebay for less than $200. Take the screen out and get the model of the screen off the back.

martyyn

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Reply # 492139 11-Jul-2011 17:55

Do a little research on the web, watch the odd video on youtube, buy the right screen and replace it yourself.

I did the same with an old Dell I had. Dell themselves put out excellent PDF's on how to pull your laptop apart and after taking my time with the first one I can now strip one completely in under five mins.

They really are pretty simple after youve done the first one.

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Reply # 492221 11-Jul-2011 21:56

how did the screen get cracked? did you drop it, or drop something on it? have you checked your house+contents insurance policy - chances are you can get it fixed/replaced under that.

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lxsw20

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Reply # 492230 11-Jul-2011 22:25

^ bet you it cost more in excess than a repair would be if you DIY.

johnr

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Reply # 492231 11-Jul-2011 22:26

I dropped my work laptop a few months back and smashed the screen and it was not cheap to fix, Glad I did not have to pay but I would not want to do it again or work might cut my salary in half

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Reply # 492232 11-Jul-2011 22:27

lxsw20: ^ bet you it cost more in excess than a repair would be if you DIY.

the average contents excess is around $100 to $200. The average screen replacement is probably more like $1000 to $2000.

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lokhor

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Reply # 492283 12-Jul-2011 07:51

I'd rather not use home and contents to get it fixed as then my premiums will go up. I'm looking at ~200 to import a replacement screen and do it myself. No idea why it would cost so much to get the screen repaired at a service center.

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lxsw20

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Reply # 492364 12-Jul-2011 11:26

Regs:
lxsw20: ^ bet you it cost more in excess than a repair would be if you DIY.

the average contents excess is around $100 to $200. The average screen replacement is probably more like $1000 to $2000.

That's cheap excess, pretty sure mine is around $500.

If you need an entire screen assembly then yes you're probably looking at $800+, but he probably just needs the screen panel, which as I posted above can be had for sub $200 if you know what you're doing.

martyyn

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Reply # 492375 12-Jul-2011 11:45

lokhor: I'd rather not use home and contents to get it fixed as then my premiums will go up. I'm looking at ~200 to import a replacement screen and do it myself. No idea why it would cost so much to get the screen repaired at a service center.

Premium schemium.

If you've had claim free insurance for a few years and they threaten to raise your premiums tell them were to go.

I hadnt had a single claim in 20 years, then my daughter stood on my glasses. No worries they said and they were immediately replaced. A year later she managed to scratch the LCD tv 'oh dear your premiums will go up' they said. I said I would take my business elsewhere and they immediately agreed to leave it as-is.

I dont understand why everyone just lets insurance companies do what they like. They are taking your money on a monthly basis, make them work for it.

You buy insurance for just this kind of thing. If your insurance cant handle a claim once in a while then you are paying for something you probably will never claim on so whats the point of having it in the first place ?

Sorry, I didnt mean to make it a rant again insurance companies.

soleil24

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Reply # 492398 12-Jul-2011 12:33

How difficult it is will depend on how the laptop is built. Nicely engineered kit like the Thinkpad (at least the older ones) which are assembled with screws are a breeze (with the help of a good service manual - again manufacturer dependent, a bit of common sense - as pointed out elsewhere, and patience - ok that's usually the tricky bit!). On the other hand, snap-together plastics have a nasty tendency to break so while you may get a new panel installed, the end result may not be pretty.

Never had to touch a Vaio so can't comment on the build method, but have done a couple of TP panel replacements (one broken, one simply to upgrade the display) with no problems.

As for sourcing the display, it may not be safe to assume the same machine/model used the same display panel through its lifecycle and (as with the TP) it may be worth looking if a "better" alternative is an option while you are at it. And probably worth considering a reputable overseas supplier for price.

stevenz

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Reply # 492424 12-Jul-2011 12:57

LCDs are expensive but for common models you can get them from eBay reasonably cheaply.

I can replace an LCD screen in a Toshiba Tecra laptop in around 10-15 minutes. Some of the HP ones are a complete b#stard. I've not tried on a Vaio so YMMV, but as a general rule they're not _too_ difficult. Usually the 2 things to look out for are not to exert any more force than you need to as they tend to be brittle (particularly the bezels), and don't let anything "drop" or you'll pull cables out of places they're not supposed to come out of.

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