global Laptop and motherboard repair tutorial | Page 29

Chapter 5
Laptop Screen Disassembly Instructions
Most screens can be disassembled without removing them from the bottom base, but some models
will not allow removal of the front bezel without first removing the screen away from the base. To
start the disassembly, you will need to remove any retaining screws on the front frame/bezel which
are typically located on all 4 corners of the screen and some in the upper and lower center area of the
frame. A lot of the newer laptops will have fewer screws used and more snaps. They will also use
flat – hidden screw covers that are thick sticker tab covers and not the typical rubber shoe screw
cover. Use a razor blade or extremely thin plastic tool to pry the screw covers away from the bezel
making sure not to scratch the bezel or not to ruin the screw cover. Once all the screws are removed,
(2 to 8), you can remove the front bezel from the rear lid.
This does not just lift right off now… it will be snapped onto the rear panel and you will need to
un-snap all the locking tabs all the way around the screen.
You will start this process using a guitar pick or similar tool and start at the upper right corner of
the screen. Wedge the pick between the bezel and the rear panel and pry towards the front – prying
away from each other, you will eventually unsnap the nearest snapping tab then continue around the
lid. I have found it easier if you slightly bend the area you are unsnapping inward toward the center of
the screen and the locking panel tab will release easier.
When you get to the bottom of the screen front bezel it can sometimes be tricky to remove this
area. This area will sometimes also have double sided tape securing the 2 pieces (front and back)
together, and you will need to pull on the bottom bezel piece while lifting in an upward motion to
release the piece. The way I do it is I will loosen the top of the bezel, then, I will go down each side.
When I have the top and sides all unsnapped, I will pull outward (towards yourself) on the screens
front bezel, and doing this will help me see what I need to do to remove/release the lower portion of
the screen front bezel. Take a look at the hinge area, some laptops are built so that the front bezel
curves around and under the hinge, so if you are removing the bezel without first removing the screen
and hinges, you will have to bend the bezel outward and then upward to pull it away from the hinges.