How to Replace a Dell 6000 Backlight

Laptop

A Dell 6000 is like many laptops in that it uses a backlight on its display. The backlight allows the laptop's monitor to illuminate itself rather than reflect light from another source. This is useful for working in low- or no-light conditions. The backlight is part of the display unit and can be replaced. However, the process can be time consuming and requires the ability to solder.

Things You'll Need

• Dell 6000 Laptop
• New backlight
• Phillips head screwdriver (non-magnetized)
• Small flat head screwdriver
• Rubber gloves
• Soldering Iron
• Solder

Instructions

Removing the Display Unit

1. Unplug the power cord and remove the battery from the laptop to prevent accidental shock.

2. Open the laptop display up to its full ability (180 degrees).

3. Remove the hinge cover by placing a small flat head screwdriver on the rightmost part of the cover and then gently lifting to un-clip and remove the cover. The hinge cover is at the very top of the laptop (above the keyboard) and is where the power and volume buttons are.

4. Remove the two screws holding the keyboard in place. The screws are above the F5 and Insert keys. Lift the keyboard up slightly, then disconnect the keyboard cable from the laptop to fully remove the keyboard. The keyboard cable is a flat ribbon cable and is connected above the trackpad.

5. Remove the four screws (two on each side) holding the display unit hinges to the laptop. The hinges are located in the top-left and top-right corners of the laptop.

6. Loosen the grounding screw and disconnect the display cable from the laptop. The grounding screw is under the second "L" of the "DELL" logo. The display cable is a ribbon cable located to the right of the grounding screw. Lift the display up to remove it from the laptop.

Removing the Backlight

1. With the screen facing up, remove the six screws holding the display bezel (plastic casing) in place. There is one screw in each of the four corners, and two at the top just inside the two latch holes.

2. Separate the bezel from the display unit by running a finger along the inside edge of the bezel.

3. Remove the eight screws on the left and right edges of the display unit, then lift the LCD panel out of the display unit. Note that the LCD panel is just the screen itself, while the display unit is the entire unit.

4. Remove the tape and foil from the edges of the back of the LCD screen. Save this tape and foil for re-installation.

5. Carefully detach the circuit board from the backside of the LCD screen. The board may be glued on, so take care not to bend the board. The circuit board will not completely detach from the top of the LCD screen.

6. Place the screen on its side and detach the metal frame and screen from the plastic base. There are latches on each side of the LCD screen that can be un-clipped using a small flat head screwdriver. The metal frame and LCD screen will separate from the plastic base. Be careful, as the base separates from the frame and screen, not to touch the inner components. Wearing rubber gloves from this point on may be helpful. Set the frame and screen carefully aside.

7. Remove the transparent layers from the plastic base and set them aside carefully.

8. Remove the backlight cover located on the bottom of the plastic base. The bottom is the portion with the wire sticking out of it. The backlight cover can simply be pulled away from the plastic base.

9. Uncurl the wires from the plastic base, then carefully remove the reflector and backlight. The reflector and backlight are one unit and they are under the backlight cover. The reflector may be glued or taped to the plastic base.

10. Separate the backlight from the reflector, making sure to note which color wire came from which side of the reflector.

11. Pull back the insulator covers on each end of the backlight to expose the point where the wires were soldered to the light. Unsolder the wires from the light.

Installing the Backlight

1. Solder the backlight wires to the new backlight, then pull down the insulator covers to cover the connection point.

2. Combine the reflector and the backlight, then reattach it to the plastic base. Press firmly to secure the reflector to the plastic base and curl the wires from the backlight back through the hooks on the plastic base.

3. Replace the backlight cover and the transparent layers to the plastic base.

4. Align the screen and metal frame to the plastic base so the circuit board will go over the back of the plastic base. The circuit board should go on the side of the plastic base opposite the side that has the backlight wire. The metal frame should snap into place after pressing the frame and plastic base together firmly.

5. Replace the tape and foil to the back of the plastic base.

6. Place the LCD screen in the display unit, then secure it by screwing in the four screws on each side of the display unit.

7. Replace the display bezel and secure it by screwing it in at the four corner points and the two top points.

8. Align the display unit to the laptop and connect the display cable to the board and screw in the grounding wire. Screw the display unit into the laptop at the four screw points on the hinges.

9. Reconnect the keyboard the mainboard, then slide it into place. Secure the keyboard by screwing it into the laptop above the F5 and Insert keys.

10. Snap the hinge cover back into place by placing one side on the laptop, then firmly pushing down on it until it snaps into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Touch a piece of metal before touching any inner components of a laptop to minimize the risk of static shock.

References

• Dell: Hinge Cover
• Dell: Removing the Keyboard
• Dell: Display Assembly and Display Latch
• Laptop Repair 1010: How to Replace Laptop Backlight Lamp (CCFL)