Introduction: How to Change a Laptop Screen for a HP HDX 16
When my motherboard died on my HP HDX 16 Laptop I decided to purchase another HP HDX 16 Laptop from my friend. His Laptop's screen was broken, but the base of his computer was fine. From that all I needed to do was to switch the screen and the hard drive in order to have one working laptop again. I documented the process with pictures, and then decided to make this instructable as a project for my New Media 104 art class at St. Olaf College.
In order to complete this project very few tools are required.
Philips Screw Driver (with a small head)
Flat Head Screw Driver (size doesn't matter, its used more as a pry-bar anyways)
Warning Before Attempting This:
This may void some warranties.
In order to complete this project very few tools are required.
Philips Screw Driver (with a small head)
Flat Head Screw Driver (size doesn't matter, its used more as a pry-bar anyways)
Warning Before Attempting This:
This may void some warranties.
Step 1: Step 1 (optional): Remove Battery and Hard Drive
First, make sure the computer is unplugged and the battery is out, then flip the computer over to get at the back panels. Because, I am switching my screen and hard drive into another laptop, this first step my be irrelevant for those who just need to change out the screen. Remove the hard drive cover with the screw driver placing the panel with all of the screws aside.
REMEMBER: Keep all of your screws organized and somewhere where they wont be knocked over.
Once the cover is out, the hard drive should be able to be removed. One end of the drive should be completely free and the other should be attached by a single plug. Unplug the plug and place the hard drive aside.
REMEMBER: Keep all of your screws organized and somewhere where they wont be knocked over.
Once the cover is out, the hard drive should be able to be removed. One end of the drive should be completely free and the other should be attached by a single plug. Unplug the plug and place the hard drive aside.
Step 2: Step 2: Remove the Wireless Card
This next step may seem odd that the wireless card needs to be removed, but for some reason the wireless card its routed to the screen.
First, take the wireless card cover off. Then using a small Philips screwdriver, unscrew the two screws holding the wireless card in.
Next, gently slide the wireless card out of its plug and unhook the two wires that are attached to it.
NOTE: the two wires attached to the wireless card should be marked positive and negative, if they don't have any kind of marking make sure that they get marked for the appropriate polarity.
Set the wireless card with its screws aside with the rest of the removed parts.
First, take the wireless card cover off. Then using a small Philips screwdriver, unscrew the two screws holding the wireless card in.
Next, gently slide the wireless card out of its plug and unhook the two wires that are attached to it.
NOTE: the two wires attached to the wireless card should be marked positive and negative, if they don't have any kind of marking make sure that they get marked for the appropriate polarity.
Set the wireless card with its screws aside with the rest of the removed parts.
Step 3: Step 3: Removing the Speaker Panel
On the back of the laptop there are multiple screws with different pictures next to them. We are only going to unscrew on the ones with a little picture of a keyboard next to them and the ones that have arrows next to them.
Once all of the screws are out, flip the computer over.
The top speaker panel should only be held in by clips at this point, so using the Flat Head Screw Driver as a gentile pry bar, carefully pull the top speaker panel off.
Once all of the screws are out, flip the computer over.
The top speaker panel should only be held in by clips at this point, so using the Flat Head Screw Driver as a gentile pry bar, carefully pull the top speaker panel off.
Step 4: Step 4: Removing the Touch Panel and the Keyboard
The touch control panel is only held in by clips, just like the speaker cover was.
Remove the touch control panel by gently pulling up, releasing the clips. CAUTION: There is a plug at the top of of the touch control panel, make sure that when pulling on the touch control panel unneeded stress isn't placed upon the plug.
Unplug the plug and place the panel aside. The keyboard has three screws at its top. Unscrew those and slide the keyboard up and out of its base. There is a plug underneath the keyboard that needs to be unplugged. CAUTION: Don't directly pull on the plug, lift the release on the computer side of the plug up and slide the wire ribbon out.
Remove the touch control panel by gently pulling up, releasing the clips. CAUTION: There is a plug at the top of of the touch control panel, make sure that when pulling on the touch control panel unneeded stress isn't placed upon the plug.
Unplug the plug and place the panel aside. The keyboard has three screws at its top. Unscrew those and slide the keyboard up and out of its base. There is a plug underneath the keyboard that needs to be unplugged. CAUTION: Don't directly pull on the plug, lift the release on the computer side of the plug up and slide the wire ribbon out.
Step 5: Step 5: Remove the Screen
To remove the screen, first unplug the plug on the left hand side of the computer.
The next step is to lift up the speakers and unplug them from the computer. The speakers may not easily come out on account of a sticker that is by where the battery plugs in. I peeled this sticker off so that the speakers just lifted out. Once they are free, unplug the speakers from the computer and set them aside.
Then, unplug the plugs that run from the screen to the motherboard on the right side of the computer.
Next, once the wires are out of the way, unscrew the four screws that hold the screen to the computer's frame. Once that is done place the new screen into the old one's spot and screw it in.
The next step is to lift up the speakers and unplug them from the computer. The speakers may not easily come out on account of a sticker that is by where the battery plugs in. I peeled this sticker off so that the speakers just lifted out. Once they are free, unplug the speakers from the computer and set them aside.
Then, unplug the plugs that run from the screen to the motherboard on the right side of the computer.
Next, once the wires are out of the way, unscrew the four screws that hold the screen to the computer's frame. Once that is done place the new screen into the old one's spot and screw it in.
Step 6: Step 6: Reassembly
Once the new screen is in place follow the steps I have already laid out in reverse order. When everything is together place the battery back into the computer and try turning it on. Everything should now be working like brand new, enjoy your fully functioning computer.
Thank you for using my Instructable, I hope it was helpful and informative.
Thank you for using my Instructable, I hope it was helpful and informative.