by LaptopScreen.com

Shut down the laptop

The first step when replacing the LCD panel on any laptop is to make sure the laptop is
not plugged in and to remove the battery.

Remove necessary screws

Unfortunately, there is no easy access to the LCD on this model—the entire display
assembly needs to be extracted through partial disassembly. Let's start by removing all the
necessary screws: Two short screws on the backside, Four long screws on the bottom close
to the backside, Four short screws on the left side, Four short screws on the right side,
Two screws on the inner side of the battery compartment wall
Next, go ahead and remove the memory compartment screws and the compartment cover.
Inside, there are two more Torx screws. Please use a proper Torx screwdriver; otherwise,
you could damage the screws.

Remove the palm rest

Now we can open the laptop and remove the palm rest. Carefully lift from the rear and don't
yank the palm rest off right away. Instead, lift it like so to get a clear view of the
connection to the logic board. Disconnect the ribbon cable, leaving any tape on it, and set
the palm rest aside.

Disconnect the cables and separate the display assembly

Disconnect the video cable, then the Wi-Fi antenna cables, then disconnect the inverter
power and the iSight camera cables. Now go ahead and remove the hinge screws (and yes,
they are Torx as well). Support the display assembly on the last hinge screw, carefully lift the
display assembly, and set the laptop body aside.

Separate the top cover

All right, now that we have removed a total of 25 screws in order to gain access to the
bezel, the final two outside screws can be removed. Once the screws are gone, we can
separate the top cover from the display assembly using a spudger or a flat screwdriver. On
the right side, pry open the display assembly. Please make sure you're not trying to wedge
in between the aluminum top cover and the gray plastic—the gray plastic is a permanent part
of the back cover. Instead, we're separating the aluminum bezel from the gray plastic.

Remove the screen assembly from the back cover

Carefully remove the screen assembly from the back cover and set the cover aside.

Disconnect the cables

Place the display facing down and separate the green tape, then pull out the backlight power
from the inverter. Flip the assembly around and disconnect the iSight ribbon cable. The iSight
cable is latched on the connector; make sure to lift the tiny latch before pulling the cable
out. Failure to properly unlatch the connector will permanently damage it. Go ahead and lift
the tape securing the video connector and leave it handy, then disconnect the video cable.

Remove the LCD panel

Turn the assembly to get a better view of the four small screws holding the screen on the
side. Remove these screws, then turn the screen again to remove the four screws on the other
side. Flip the screen assembly over. Aside from the screws, the screen is also glued in on the
top and bottom edges. If you care about the integrity of the LCD panel, use an X-Acto knife
and a paper towel to properly remove the panel. If the screen is already broken, it is
easier to snap the screen out by force.

Prepare the new LCD panel

Take out the new panel and peel off the protective film prior to installation. Place the
new panel in the bezel, minding the tape and cables. Secure the four side screws, flip the
screen around, and secure the other four side screws.

Connect the new screen

Reconnect the iSight cable, making sure the latch is still up when making the connection.
Secure the latch and the tape. Carefully reconnect the video cable and secure it with tape.
Reconnect the backlight power. All the connectors are very fragile, so be extra careful.
Secure any and all other tape.

Install the screen assembly in the top cover

Place the screen assembly in the top cover, starting from the left edge (be mindful of any
protruding cables). Squeeze firmly around the perimeter, starting from the bottom edge.
The tabs make a distinctive click when clicked in properly. Replace the two bezel screws.

Connect the display assembly to the main body

Put the laptop body back on the table and carefully line up the display assembly hinges.
Refasten the hinge screws while supporting the display assembly. Reconnect the iSight and
inverter power cables. Reattach the video connector, then the Wi-Fi cables, and secure all
tape.

Replace the palm rest

Line up the palm rest bezel and reattach the ribbon cable. Start snapping the palm rest in,
starting from the outer edge. Make sure the screw tabs on the sides are lined up properly.

Replace all screws

Close the laptop and flip it over: Refasten the four short left-side screws. Flip the computer
around and refasten the four short right-side screws. Turn the laptop again to refasten the two
short backside screws. Replace the two Torx screws in the memory compartment.
Don't forget the final two short screws on the inside wall of the battery compartment.
Reinstall the memory compartment cover and replace its screws. Finally, replace the four long
screws close to the backside. Flip the laptop over and open it. Hit the power button to see if the
screen is installed properly. Once the Apple logo appears, you will know the screen is
working properly. Hit the power button again to cancel the boot-up, and you're done!