Laptop Screen Cracked :-(

Diamond78

Hello,

Was hoping for some advice please. I tripped up while holding my son's laptop and went flying along with the laptop. The outside screen is fine but when we switch it on, it shows all cracked and ink leaking type of weird thing.

I have no insurance on the laptop and no home insurance. I went to PC World today and they said it would cost at least £120. I cannot afford this at present as I am going through a hard time with finances. It is my son's birthday in a few weeks and I am hoping to move in the next month so I am struggling as it is.

I searched the net and have seen some posts about ordering a replacement screen and fitting it myself. Although it is recommended if you are not good at doing things, not to attempt doing it yourself.

I am not brilliant but not completly rubbish at things. I watched a clip on youtube. It does look hard but I think with patience, I may be able to do it.

But I would like your opinions and would like to know if anyone has managed to fit their own screen.

My son's laptop is an Acer Extensa 5235. I have found a few replacement screens on eBay at app £40.

I really need to get the laptop fixed as soon as possible as my son is being home educated at the moment, so any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

Myser

I have replaced an Acer LCD - it's isn't too difficult if you follow the instructions on some of those videos.

It might help if you know someone who's a bit more handy - sorry, no offense intended. You may need some specialist screwdrivers (hex/torx) too.

If you need to access documents on the laptop, you can still plug it into a monitor if you have a desktop computer.

McKneff

No idea about the lap top, but please get basic contents insurance, flood, fire, etc. etc, etc.
Basic wouldnt cover the accidental damage but it can be so cheap to cover your home.

Youre struggling now, how would you feel if you had to leave your house in the middle of the nght because an electrical fault had set your house on fire, unfortunately these things happen.

macman

Do you mean that you have no home insurance at all i.e. no building insurance or contents insurance? Insane.
Your first mistake was going to PCW-they cannot repair laptops (basically they can't repair anything). Take it to a specialist local laptop repair shop who know what they are doing.

Diamond78

Thanks for your replies. I do not have a monitor and no offence taken. I have asked around with friends but none seems confident that they can do it. I did have home contents insurance, which I only cancelled in December as it was due to be re newed but because I knew I would be moving, I thought I would wait until I knew where I would be moving too.I am not a home owner, I am in private rented. I had home insurance for four years and thankfully never had to make a claim. Of course when I know my new home address, I will be getting contents cover again.

macman

But you can move your contents insurance address mid-term...

Myser

Diamond78 wrote: »

I do not have a monitor

Some flat screen TVs have a VGA computer port on them. It's a D-shape with about 15 pins.

If it's an older Acer, it may even have an S-video output connector (yellow) which you can connect to older TVs too.

Diamond78

macman wrote: »

But you can move your contents insurance address mid-term...

I didn't know I could do that. Thanks for letting me know, at least I know for next time.

Diamond78

Myser wrote: »

Some flat screen TVs have a VGA computer port on them. It's a D-shape with about 15 pins.

If it's an older Acer, it may even have an S-video output connector (yellow) which you can connect to older TVs too.

We don't have a flat screen TV. Will check my TV tomorrow morning, it is an older TV, I really hope it will connect to the TV, that way I can wait to get the screen done. Thanks

Myser

I'm not sure if the Acer Extensa 5235 has an S-Video output. It'll look like a circular yellow connector on the side of the laptop.

Failing that, you may be able to obtain a free CRT (old-style) monitor from Freecycle or Gumtree. They are the box-type old ones!

Notmyrealname

Screen is easy to change. Its 4 screws to take the bezel off (plastic surround) then four screws on each side of the panel that hold it onto the hinge arms. Tilt it forward, undo the cables.

Hardest part is separating the bezel from the lid. Easiest way is to go to a guitar shop and get a pluck. Once you've taken the bezel screws out, pull it away from the lid inbetween the two lid catches, put the pluck in the gap a couple of millimeters and then slowly go all the way round the edge of the bezel and it'll pop the clips that hold it in place.