Help !! Compaq CQ60 Screen Replacement - 15.6" screen in 16" bezel possible ?

Hello experts & tricksters of Compaq-HP !!

I'm a noob in this forum , so pl pardon me if anything sounds bit ( or a lot ) wacko ...

I'm faced with a real crisis with my good old work-horse Compaq Presario CQ60 209TU NL062PA .
I accidentally damaged the screen a few weeks back, and now it seriously needs a replacement .

And while looking for replacement panel, I realise what a jam I'm in

My model is a 16 incher CCFL widescreen WXGA ( not the usual 15.6" ) and it seems the Panel LTN160AT01 ( HP Part # 496769-001 ) is out of production since long . One / two shops where I could locate a stock, its priced like an antique item in my part of the world ( at least 2-3 times the price of average 15" to 16" panels ) . It just doesnt make sense to spend so much on a 5 year old laptop

I was wondering .... why not try & fit a 15.6" WXGA panel instead ? Its quite cheap & readily available everywhere .
It may sound crazy , but I was just wondering --- ITS JUST 0.4 INCH SMALLER . CANT WE STICK IT IN A LARGER BEZEL ??

There are 2 aspects ( maybe more ) which came to my mind as hindrances :

a) The mounting holes on the screen side brackets ( thin metallic ) would be about 3 to 4 mm offset ( less than half of 0.4 inch ) when one tries to fit the 15.6" screen on them . Well, its a flexible thin bracket ... can it accommodate a little squeeze ?? Or the holes needs to be made into slots by a fine drill ??

b) The 16" screen comes with a 30-pin connection , while ( I think ) the 15.6" is with 40-pin .
If thats the case is it fixable ?? Adapter cables are probably available .


Can any of you Compaq-HP gurus help me out with a clear recommendation on

1. Whether its recommended as a "YEAH SURE" / "MAY BE" / "NO-WAY"
2. Whether its possible to do & if its possible what are the clear steps I need to take while getting it fitted ( by a professional ).

Would really appreciate your help on this sticky matter , and if it works out I can really save significant cash

Many thanks in advance :hi2:

 

That little red wire on the bottom is inverter cable. Looks like your current panel is CCFL backlighted while most 15.6" are LED backlighted -they are powered via the LCD cable, that's one reason why it has more connectors.

Technically a 15.4" CCFL LCD could work, of 15.6" CCFL if you manage to find one. It would just look weird. At least the connectors should be standard, just mixing two types with each others... don't.

 

Thanks for the precise input KLF .

Yes, right you are . My original 16" screen is CCFL , while what we get now-a-days readily ( and cheap ) are 15.6" LED.

15.4" CCFL ( as well as 15.6" CCFL ) are available ( as suggested by you , to avoid too much hybridization ) but they are rare & hence expensive too - just like 16" CCFL . CCFL as a technology in general is being phased out , hence the prices are shooting up .

Unfortunately what I'm left with to do ( within my budget ) is to go for the 15.6" LED with conversion kit .

My only question is HOW WEIRD WOULD IT "LOOK" ??

To be noted - CQ60 209TU comes in 2 versions, 15.6" & 16" . So a 15.6" TECHNICALLY SPEAKING SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE for the laptop frame.

Probably I need to use 15.6" compatible side ( thin ) brackets & 15.6" compatible ( plastic ) front bezel cover which would be wider to hide the smaller screen size . I have seen in HP Part List - replacement kits are available - for SCREEN ONLY , OR for SCREEN + BRACKETS + etc

Any input on the above please .

Many thanks again !!

 

Compaq Presario CQ60 Notebook PC / HP G60 Notebook PC Maintenance and Service Guide

Page 3-3 has full display assemblies listed. 3-9 to 3-10 has individual parts - hope those help your search

 

Oh wow !! Thanks KLF !! You are an angel !!

3-9 and 3-10 explains clearly what I need .

Just as I had imagined - I just need to use two individual parts "1" ( bezel ) and "5" ( side bracket ) which are compatible for CQ60 15.6"... easy does it
Webcam remains a question mark though. Whether 15.6" bezel would accommodate my current 16" bezel cam location .... grrrrr

Its like trying to figure out how to retrofit a compatible 2.2 litre engine on a 2.5 litre car , with a few pipes going here & there

Now let's see if I can locate these "hopefully not obsolete" spares , and at what price ..... sigh !!
Maybe eventually I will give up & buy the pricey 16" CCFL . But thanks again KLF !!

 

Just get onto ebay and buy the CQ60 bezel and hinges/brackets. You can also retrofit an LED screen into this model with no problems all you need is either an LG or samsung LED 15.6" panel and a CCFL to LED converter like this one.