Broke hinge cover (and LCD as well)!

Somehow I managed to crack the LCD of my laptop. This issue would normally not be a problem - I could just order another LCD (from Alienware M15X replacement Laptop LCD Screen from $63.99 Brand-new screens (never used). ), but in trying to find out what make my LCD was, it seems I carelessly damaged the hinge cover. I did not think that there was a ribbon connecting it to the motherboard, and as such I tried to connect it in a hole on the LCD initially (lol), only to find out that it goes to the circuit board of the hinge cover.

If I had not damaged my hinge cover, I would be typing using an external display. Now my computer wont even turn on. The circuit board of the hinge cover is slightly damaged on the small little silver looking things that the ribbon connects to on its circuit board. This damage is primarily due to me getting a screwdriver while the ribbon was in place, and pressing down with a lot of pressure trying to make sure that everything would connect well. Before hand I had moved a few of the prongs and my computer started working again, but I had messed up there and now I feel immensely stupid. The ribbon itself looks fine, except for the last few prongs which are elongated, and one contains some copper-looking residue from the motherboard itself, but only a small amount. I assume that this should not be a problem, for I could just make sure that the ribbon's prongs are parallel to each other.

I have ordered a new hinge cover in hopes of getting my computer working. If my laptop still does not work, I will have to find a replacement ribbon. Where may I find such a thing? I have not found it via google as of yet. Also, if my new hinge cover does fix my laptop, I shall proceed to buy a new LCD screen from the website mentioned above. By the way, does anybody have experience with them?

Edit: I am not certain whether there is a possibility I short circuited my computer. I was messing with the panel and the ribbon while the computer was on with a screwdriver. As I pressed down on the ribbons prongs which where connected to the circuit board on the panel, the computer shut off right there as I applied pressure.

My broken LCD (I had left my mousepad on top of my keyboard and pressed down a little too hard) - http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3853/0803022116.jpg

The hinge cover - http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7599/83044464.jpg

The backside of the hinge cover - http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5500/39633330.jpg

The ribbon and the location at which it connects to the hinge cover's circuit board - http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5869/downloadai.jpg

 

so this is basically what you will have to do to replace the lcd:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ck-m15x-900p-1080p-lcd-b-rgled-1080p-lcd.html

as for the ribbon you can use this from ebay inexpensive and comes with the ribbon
Alienware M15X 7R5VJ Power Button Board Media Board Hinge Cover Cables | eBay

also the ribbon should be 16 pin, .5mm pitch, which is the same as the touch pads ribbon cable so if you want to do a quick test using that ribbon cable you can its just longer and you wont be able to us the touch pad, but it will only be for you to see if it works. but if you think you might mess more stuff up... than dont do it...

 

I have ordered a panel from another website, and hopefully the ribbon still does work.

I am not sure about my motherboard though. When the computer was on, I was messing with the ribbon and the circuit board at the same time, trying to fix the connection. I pressed down with a screwdriver, and then the computer suddenly shut off. Is it possible that I short circuited my motherboard?

 

yup, still cant understand why you would do that????

 

Neither can I, I feel quite stupid actually. Is there anything I could do at the moment? I am going to have to wait a few days to see if the panel fixes my problems. All I did on the panel (while the computer was on, stupid me) was press down with a screwdriver with force onto the hinge cover's circuit board where the ribbon connected to it. Right as I did that, my computer abruptly shut off.

 

no i would wait for the replacement to come and see if it works with the current ribbon

 

If it does not work with the current ribbon, which I do not see why it would not, would I buy the ribbon from the link you sent me above?

Hopefully it does work, because I just removed my LCD backing and am ready to go.

If the new panel does not work and replacing the ribbon does not do anything, what should I do?

Also, is Alienware M15X replacement Laptop LCD Screen from $63.99 Brand-new screens (never used). a good place to order a new LCD if the new panel seems to fix my computer?

 

I've used them twice. Be careful if you're us. My first purchase I had to rma and pay shipping to Canada. All in all, 50 dollar netbook screen ended up costing 80.

2nd screen is my upgraded m15x lcd. Paid the extra for their warranty to cover rma shipping but screen arrived flawless. Overall happy with them with my overall experience

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

What exactly is MA?

Also, having read what I had done to break my machine in the first place, does anybody know the chance that I could have short circuited my motherboard, and if so, what I would have to buy to fix my computer (if the new panel (and then ribbon if the panel does not work) does not work)?

 

We have options to replace the LCD as well, a little bit more expensive but you got warranty and service for free if you don't feel comfortable opening the machine. If you wish to do that you can send an e-mail to [email protected] with your tag and phone and we'll get back to you ASAP. Anyway you should be ok with that guide

 

meant RMA, I was typing on my phone. Its like a warranty process where you return a product upon purchasing, usually due to a defect.

I'd hold off and NOT buy a display replacement until the machine is working. Try the ribbon cable and if nothing, still try another button display board. Apparently its rather common to break the button display board (power switch thing) when opening up the machine.

Sure its possible you shorted something but I'd still try the low cost of verifying if the machine will work with another button board. Any chance you are in/live in the Washington DC area? If so, I'd be up to try out my pwr board on yours for curiosity

 

No, I am not in the DC area, I am in the Atlanta area, though.

I just received my new hinge cover today - and it did not work. I am not sure what to do now.

Well my warranty expired last year. I have also already opened my machine up and cut the backing out so that the LCD could be removed. I also screwed with the hinge panel's circuit board ribbon that connects it to the motherboard (while the computer was on), pressed down on the circuit board's connections with a screwdriver, and then my computer abruptly shut off. I am fearing the worst, and do not know what to do.

Is there anywhere that I could send it in to fix this problem? The new panel is not working, so I either got a bad panel, the ribbon is broken, some connection is loose, or I short circuited my motherboard.

Also, how much would repairing my computer cost?

I hope that somebody has a solution I could follow.