LED LCD Screen Replacement Early 2008 MBP 2.4GHz with Pictures

[faciem]

I accidentally closed my MBP screen on a pen Went to the Apple store to find out the price. They quoted me $800 +tax for them to do it in the store (replace the entire display assembly) or $1200 +tax for them to send it away. DAMN! I decided to think it over. I read the full applecare agreement, and it said that if the computer is accidentally damaged, then the applecare is void. Needless to say, I took the plunge. I looked on ebay for a new screen....

$199 for LG screen from ReBound Trading on ebay, free shipping
$2 for cheap precision #0 screwdriver
$0 for Disposable wrist strap (found it in a drawer @ school/work. Static elec is a bitch this time of year!)

Here's what I started with:

 

[faciem]

You need to get in there and pry off the back case. I used a maxed out credit card to get it off. Start at the bottom (by removing the two screws) and work your way up. When you release it, pull the case up and out.

 

[faciem]

Next, remove the 8 screws that are holding the screen to the bezel. I put them on a piece of tape inside the back case.

 

[faciem]

Remove the yellow tape from the iSight cable and the video cable and then carefully unplug them by pulling gently.

 

[faciem]

Getting the screen away from the bezel is annoying. They use really sticky glue on the top and bottom. I was going to use some double-sided tape to secure the top and bottom of the screen, but didn't need to...

 

[faciem]

Returned the screws to their homes, plugged the cables back in, replaced the yellow tape and put her all back together.. She is great! Lovely! And the LG screen is better than my original Samsung

Edit: I forgot to mention the sleep battery. You must be sure to put it back when you install the new LCD. Here is my pic and apple's official pics.

 

[faciem]

First pic is the test of the new screen. Second is the whole package. I'm so happy!

 

[AR15MBP]

Well done! A little elbow grease and ingenuity always goes a long way. Those 600 bones can go to better use now. Thanks for the guide in case people need it.

 

[trip1ex]

Wow. What a goddamn useful thread. I'm serious. Good job.

 

[Abstract]

Amazing! Nice job.

 

[daneoni]

That was epic. Good Job and now we also know Foxconn made the early 08 MBPs

 

[SteveMobs]

Good thread. Nice job saving some cash.

But I don't think this same thing is possible with the new unibodies, something about a different way of attaching the screen, oh well.

 

[8767092]

You need to get in there and pry off the back case. I used a maxed out credit card to get it off. Start at the bottom (by removing the two screws) and work your way up. When you release it, pull the case up and out.

What did you use to remove the screws there? The last time I had to remove the back of the display it took me a long time to do it with normal tools.

 

[faciem]

What did you use to remove the screws there? The last time I had to remove the back of the display it took me a long time to do it with normal tools.

Oh, sorry. I used a small flat screwdriver and removed the screws slowly, one turn at a time. The screws aren't glued in so it doesn't take much force to get them out. When I went to put them back in, I magnetized the screwdriver by rubbing it on a regular magnet.

I thought of bending one of my tiny screwdrivers just at the head so it would be even easier to get to that screw... but I couldn't find my pliers

 

[faciem]

Here I found my pliers and bent the teeny eyeglass screwdriver. This works MUCH BETTER! I tightened the screws a little more

 

[Abstract]

Delianka also posted a GUIDE for you to do the same thing.

If one set of photos is unclear, there's a chance that the other set has it covered.

 

[Ryan1524]

`I missed the sleep reed switch magnet the first time around, and figured it out later. Only took me 5 minutes to reopen the back panel the second time though.

 

[delianka]

Congratz..

Hey faciem
Congratulations on fixing your computer...
My manual is already posted by Abstract...

For all the poor people, check these two manuals and fix your computers.