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PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement

Walter Galan

Walter Galan and 4 other contributors

Last updated on August 20, 2019

30 minutes - 1 hour
Moderate

Introduction

Go to step 1

Save money by replacing just the LCD rather than the entire display assembly.

What you need

Parts

Tools

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  1. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Use a coin or a spudger to turn the battery locking screw 90 degrees clockwise.

    • Lift the battery out of the computer.

    Edit

  2. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement, Rear Display Bezel: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • The following procedure allows the changing of the rear display bezel without removing the display assembly from the computer. Do not attempt to rotate the display back farther than the hinges allow or your computer may be damaged.

    • Open the computer with the display facing you and rotate the display back as far as possible.

    • Remove the T6 Torx screw from the bottom left corner of the display assembly. The computer casing will not allow the screwdriver to be inserted directly into the screw, so be careful not to strip the screw.

    Edit

  3. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Add To Cart

    • Remove the T6 Torx screw from the bottom right corner of the display assembly.

    • To avoid cross-threading these screws during reinstallation, use a pair of tweezers to start each screw in its hole before using your Torx screwdriver to tighten them.

    Edit

  4. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • The next few steps require the use of plastic opening tools and spudgers that will probably be destroyed in the process. Have a few spares of each tool handy.

    • Insert a plastic opening tool between the left edge of the front display bezel and the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel, with the edge of the tool angled toward the LCD.

    • Rotate the tool away from the LCD to pop the rear bezel off the tabs on the front display bezel.

    • Work along the left edge of the display until the rear bezel is evenly separated from the front bezel.

    • Freeing these tabs may require some force. Be sure to support the display assembly with your other hand to avoid putting too much strain on the hinges.

    Edit

  5. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a plastic opening tool between the right edge of the front display bezel and the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel, with the edge of the tool angled toward the LCD.

    • Rotate the tool away from the LCD to pop the rear bezel off the tabs on the front display bezel.

    • Work along the right edge of the display until the rear bezel is evenly separated from the front bezel.

    Edit

  6. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Insert a spudger just to the left of the hinge opening on the top edge of the display between the front display bezel and the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel.

    • Pry the rear bezel away from the front bezel along the top left half of the display.

    • If the flat end of your spudger is flexing too much, trim about .125" of the end to increase its stiffness.

    Edit

  7. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a spudger just to the right of the hinge opening on the top edge of the display between the front display bezel and the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel.

    • Pry the rear bezel away from the front bezel along the top right half of the display.

    • To release the clips in the far left and right corners of the display, it may be necessary to run a spudger parallel to the face of the display along the top edge of the front display bezel and force it into the corners to pop the rear bezel off.

    Edit

  8. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Now that the top edge is released, use a spudger to completely release the clips along the left edge of the display.

    Edit

  10. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to release the clips along the right edge of the display.

    Edit

  11. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Close the display.

    • The rear bezel is still attached to the display by the antenna cables.

    • Rotate the top edge of the rear display bezel slightly away from the rest of the display, and then lift the lower edge of the rear bezel away from the clutch cover.

    Edit

  12. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully lift the antenna board out of the clutch assembly.

    • Peel the three self-adhesive flaps off the plastic cover on the underside of the antenna board.

    • Remove the protective plastic cover from the antenna board.

    Edit

  13. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect both antenna connectors from the antenna board.

    • The gray antenna attaches near the corner of the antenna board.

    • The rear bezel can now be completely removed from the LCD assembly.

    Edit

  14. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement, Display Inverter: step 13, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement, Display Inverter: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • The inverter is an extremely thin circuit board that is very delicate and easily cracked. Take care when handling.

    • Using the tip of a spudger, raise the inverter out from the clutch cover.

    • Lift the inverter enough to reveal both cable connectors.

    • Lift the inverter enough to reveal both cable connectors.

    Edit

  15. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect both inverter cables by pulling their connectors away from the sockets on the inverter board.

    • Remove the inverter from the display.

    Edit

  16. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement, LCD: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • If necessary, remove the piece of tape covering the display data cable connector.

    • Pull the display data cable connector away from its socket to disconnect it from the LCD.

    Edit

  17. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the piece of foil tape securing the display data cable to the LCD frame.

    Edit

  18. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two small black Phillips screws from both sides of the display (four screws total).

    Edit

  19. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the four small black Phillips screws along the top edge of the display.

    Edit

  20. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Press the display latch release and open the display slightly.

    Edit

  21. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Push the LCD away from the front display bezel near its top edge.

    Edit

  22. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the LCD off the front bezel enough to insert the flat end of a spudger between the metal LCD frame and the front display bezel.

    • Trying to insert your spudger between the LCD glass and the inner metal LCD frame will surely damage your LCD.

    • Run your spudger along the lower edge of the front display bezel to separate the adhesive from the LCD frame.

    Edit

  23. PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1.5-1.67 GHz LCD Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the LCD toward the top edge of the front display bezel, minding any cables that may get caught.

    • If you are replacing the LCD, make sure the replacement has the lid-closure sleep-switch magnet in the correct position, or transfer the magnet from the old display. The magnet is the 4mm disc near the top center of the LCD, held in place by clear yellow tape in this image.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

7 other people completed this guide.

2 Comments

not as hard as i thought.

took about twenty minutes in total.

old loved laptop so i did not mind if it went back together slightly imperfect.

i only changed the inverter due to a black screen problem

thank you so much ifixit.

bobby nailen - Reply

Great guide, I successfully swapped the LCDs of two PowerBooks (specifically a 5,2 and 5,6). I was unable to remove the antenna board in step 11, it wouldn't come out of its little crevice completely. So instead I simply peeled off the top part of the protective tape and unplugged the antenna cables. Works just as well!

CONATH - Reply

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