IBM T61 Screen Replacement Guide

I firstly looked at IBM's service manual to find out about replacing the screen on my Lenovo T61 after it got smashed, and to my horror they recommend removing most of the upper part of the laptop body to get to the screen.



But after speaking to someone who replaced the screen on their laptop, I was told it was possible to replace it by not having to remove so much.

IBM T61 screen replacement Removing the Screen

To begin with Remove the battery and make sure the laptop is disconnected from the mains power.

Earth yourself frequently

Open up the laptop screen as far as it will go.

On the top of the laptop screen there is two covered screws and three on the bottom, remove the covers with something with a thin point, this will enable you to get down at the edges and remove them without marking.

Now remove all 5 screws, make a note where they came from as screws from the top and bottom and different lengths.

Now gently begin to open up the screen from the bottom, I used a plastic needle to move along the inside of the edge, moving it out slightly, this opened up the catches to allow me to open all of the bottom of the screen. Once you have released all the catches the bezel may still feel as though it is attached, I found on mine that there was double sided sticky tape holding this. As the screen has never been removed it appears it arrived from the factory this way.

Next work on the left side of the screen (it should be wider than the right) and using the same principle as above release all the catches so they can easily be removed.

The top, this has catches holding the screen bezel in both directions so it means moving it up to get the top left catch to release and then down to get the next one to release and so on.

The final side the right hand (smaller side) the reason I left this until last was it is easy to remove once you have released all other sides, but it has catches that are easy to break off.

To remove this the whole bezel needs to move right towards to outside of the thin side, then the whole bezel can be lifted off.

Now remove the three screws holding the screen in place.

Remember to make a note of where all screws have come from.

If need be re-earth yourself too.

Partly lift out the screen with its cradle and remove the connector going to the green PCB (inverter).

Remove all the small screws from the cradle secured to the LCD itself.

You will find one side will not come out all of the way. but you should get enough clearance to remove the screw.

Now you can lift the LCD panel out.

Now remove the ribbon connection on the back of the screen, if you need a little more cable remove the little LCD light on the top, this will just pullout.

The ribbon cable removed from the rear of the LCD panel

That is it, the screen can now be completely removed and the other fitted in place by following the instructions in reverse if you need to.

IBM T61 Screen Replacement completed - just need to replace the front bezel

This is not a complicated procedure, you just need to be careful to make sure your earthed, take your time and make notes of where various screws go.

Please note we accept no responsibility for any damage caused what so ever and advise you only attempt this if you are very familiar with dismantling laptops.

If you have any reservations contact your local pc repair shop and ask if they can assist.

Notes

Even if your laptop is still under warranty if it suffers from dead pixels, like most laptop manufacturers they will not swap the screen until it has the following, and even 1 or 2 can spoil the look of the screen and is very noticeable on solid color backgrounds.

If your looking for a new laptop read our finding the right laptop for you guides

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