Apple PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17 – How to replace the LCD screen
Apple PowerBook
G4 Aluminum 17
Remove
the two 6.3 mm Phillips screws near the lower left and right corners of the
display.
Removing these two screws may be difficult. It is helpful to open the display as much as possible for clearance to use a screwdriver. Also, a combination of #00 Phillips and small flathead screwdrivers along with a pair of tweezers may aid in removal.
Removing these two screws may be difficult. It is helpful to open the display as much as possible for clearance to use a screwdriver. Also, a combination of #00 Phillips and small flathead screwdrivers along with a pair of tweezers may aid in removal.
The
picture at left (rear panel already removed) shows the locations of the metal
clips (shown in red) that snap on to the front display bezel. In the next few
steps, you will use a small flathead screwdriver to release these clips from a
ridge around the perimeter of the front display bezel.
When
prying in the following steps, be sure not to damage the antenna cables that
run around the perimeter of the front display bezel.
Insert
the flat end of a spudger between the rear display bezel and the plastic rim
attached to the front display bezel near the lower right corner of the display.
Do
not try to insert the spudger between the front display bezel and its plastic
surround.
While carefully prying the rear display bezel away from the display assembly, use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the small steel clip nearest the bottom right corner of the display away from the edge of the front display bezel.
Repeat the above procedure until you've released all the clips along the right side of the display.
While carefully prying the rear display bezel away from the display assembly, use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the small steel clip nearest the bottom right corner of the display away from the edge of the front display bezel.
Repeat the above procedure until you've released all the clips along the right side of the display.
Slightly
lift the recently-freed corner of the rear display bezel to separate the clips
with a spudger along the span of the clutch hinges.
Insert
the flat end of a spudger between the rear display bezel and the plastic
surround of the front display bezel near the lower left corner of the display.
Carefully
pry the rear display bezel away from the front display bezel to expose the
metal clips along the left side of the display.
Repeat the previous procedure to release the clips along the left side of the rear display bezel.
Repeat the previous procedure to release the clips along the left side of the rear display bezel.
Slightly
lift the lower edge of the rear display bezel and push it toward the top edge
of the display, releasing the clips along the top edge of the rear display
bezel.
Remove
the rear display bezel and set it aside.
If
necessary, remove the tape covering the display inverter.
Carefully
lift the display inverter board from the side nearest the display data cable
connector.
The display inverter is an extremely thin circuit board that is easily broken. Do not excessively bend or twist it during removal.
The display inverter is an extremely thin circuit board that is easily broken. Do not excessively bend or twist it during removal.
Use
your fingernails to pull the ears on both sides of the inverter cable connector
away from its socket on the inverter board.
Carefully
lift the display inverter out of the clutch cover.
Don't
try to remove the inverter just yet. It is still attached via the backlight
cables.
Use
your fingers to pull the backlight connector away from its socket on the
inverter board.
Remove
the display inverter from the display assembly.
If
present, remove the piece of tape covering the display data cable.
Pull
the display data cable straight away from its socket on the LCD.
Remove
the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws securing the left side of the
LCD
assembly to the front display bezel.
Remove
the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the top portion of the LCD assembly.
Remove
the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws along the right side of the display.
Carefully
peel the protective translucent shield off the antenna board.
If
you damage this during disassembly, be sure to tape over any tears or cracks to
avoid unintended shorting.
Use
the flat end of a spudger to pry the the antenna cables straight up off their
sockets.
Remove
the single 2.5 mm Phillips screw securing the display data cable ground loop to
the front display bezel.
Remove
the two 10.3 mm T8 Torx screws securing the left side of the clutch hinges to
the front bezel.
Remove
the two 10.3 mm T8 Torx screws securing the center of the clutch hinges to the
front bezel.
Remove
the two 10.3 mm T8 Torx screws securing the right side of the clutch hinges to
the front display bezel.
Press
the display release button to release the top edge of the display from the
upper case.
Carefully
wiggle and lift the display assembly straight up off its positioning pins on
the clutch hinges.
In the following steps, you will use a heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the metal LCD frame to the front display bezel. Heat guns have the capability of producing an extremely hot jet of air, so be sure not to overheat the LCD panel.
With the heat gun set to low, start by heating the front display bezel near the upper left corner of the display panel.
In the following steps, you will use a heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the metal LCD frame to the front display bezel. Heat guns have the capability of producing an extremely hot jet of air, so be sure not to overheat the LCD panel.
With the heat gun set to low, start by heating the front display bezel near the upper left corner of the display panel.
Insert
a plastic opening tool between the metal LCD frame and the front bezel.
Be
sure you are prying between the metal LCD frame and the front bezel, not between
the metal LCD frame and the LCD. It may be necessary to reheat this area until
the adhesive yields enough to insert the edge of a tool.
Use the flat end of a metal spudger to gently pry up the adhesive securing the metal LCD frame to the front bezel, taking special care not to scratch the LCD panel.
Use the flat end of a metal spudger to gently pry up the adhesive securing the metal LCD frame to the front bezel, taking special care not to scratch the LCD panel.
While
it is still inserted between the metal LCD frame and the front bezel, run the
edge of your metal spudger along the top edge of the display to separate the
adhesive securing the two pieces together, heating the area you are working on
with a heat gun as necessary.
If
the adhesive is hard to separate, use a heat gun to lightly heat the area you
are working on.
Continue
running the edge of your metal spudger between the LCD frame and the front
bezel until the right, bottom, and left sides of the LCD are free.
Lift
the LCD by its top edge only. Lifting the LCD by its lower edge will damage the
backlight cables. Lift the LCD out of the front display bezel, using your metal
spudger to release any adhesive if necessary.
With
the LCD partially removed from the front bezel, carefully push the backlight
connector through its tunnel in the front bezel.