How to Fix Cracked Armada 100S LCD Screens

Learn to fix a cracked screen on a Compaq Armada 100S laptop.

It is a huge pain when your LCD screen cracks. Many laptop users wrongly assume they must get rid of a laptop with a cracked screen and simply buy a replacement machine. While this is not the worst idea in the world, you can fix your Compaq Armada 100S LCD screen by purchasing a replacement screen and installing the new screen yourself. You can purchase a laptop LCD screen online (see Resources), for a fraction of what it would cost to buy a new Compaq Armada laptop.

Things You'll Need

• Philips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

Removing the Cracked LCD Screen

1. Power down the laptop, and close the LCD panel. Disconnect all cables from the power and data ports on your computer. Place the laptop face down and remove the battery from the laptop. Allow 10 to 20 minutes for the laptop to cool down before attempting any disassembly.

2. Place the laptop face up, rotate the computer so the front is facing toward you, and then open the LCD screen as far as it will go. Use a small flat-head screwdriver to pry off each rubber screw cover from the front panel of the LCD screen. Remove the revealed Phillips-head screws from the front panel.

3. Insert your small flat-head screwdriver into the crease along the outer edge of the LCD panel. Begin to pry off the front panel. Work your way around the entire perimeter of the LCD screen until the front panel is separated from the LCD screen. Set it aside.

4. Remove the single Phillips-head screw from each corner of the LCD screen. Grasp the sides of the LCD screen, and then tilt the screen upwards until the back side of the LCD screen is visible. Don't lift the LCD screen too quickly, or you may end up damaging the video cable in the process.

5. Disconnect the LCD video cable from the back side of the LCD screen. Remove the LCD screen from the LCD panel and set it aside.

Installing the Replacement LCD screen

1. Connect the LCD video cable to the back side of the new LCD screen. Locate the inverter board near the bottom edge of the LCD screen on the back side of the screen. Connect the power cables to each end of the inverter.

2. Place the LCD screen inside the LCD panel. Align the screw holes on the four corners of the LCD screen with the four screw holes on the LCD panel. Replace the Phillips-head screws until the screen is fastened to the LCD panel.

3. Place the front panel over the newly installed LCD screen. Align the screw holes on the front panel with the screw holes on the LCD panel assembly. Replace the Phillips-head screws on the front panel followed by the corresponding rubber screw covers.

4. Close the LCD screen, place the laptop face down, and then place the battery pack inside the battery compartment on the bottom of the laptop. Flip the laptop over, re-connect all cables and peripheral devices, and then turn on the laptop to test the replacement LCD screen.

References

• Michael C. Jaeger: Bad Display on a Compaq Notebook
• PC World: Compaq Armada 100S Review

Resources

• ScreenTek Inc
• LCDs 4 Less