HP Chromebook Video Cable Replacement

Written By: Michael Deitz
  • Comments: 0
HP Chromebook Video Cable Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

10

Time Required

30 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

This guide will instruct you on replacing the video cable of a modern HP Chromebook. If you have any additional information or corrections, please update this guide accordingly.

    • Open the lid so that the Chromebook lies open and flat, screen-side up, on a stable surface.

    • Using a spudger, pry up the hinge cover, disconnecting the tabs inside, then set it aside.

    • Be careful when doing this, as some of the tabs may break if excessive force is applied or the cover is stressed.

    • Using a spudger, disconnect the tabs across the edges of the bezel, also breaking the bond of the adhesive that additionally attaches the bezel to the display frame.

    • Pull the bezel up to bring it out from under the hinges, then set it aside.

    • The tape covering the display internals may stick to the bezel. To unstick it, carefully pry it away with a spudger. Note that the tape will tear easily. If it does tear, it should not affect the display itself, but will expose the internal components.

    • While removing the bezel, pry directly up. Do not use the display as a support or push against it while prying, especially with a metal spudger, as you may break it.

    • Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws securing the display to the frame, then lift it away and fold it over to lie face-down upon the keyboard.

    • Peel away any tape securing the video cable to the back of the display, then pull out the connector and set the display aside.

    • It is generally recommended to remove the screws in an "X" formation to equalize pressure on both ends of the screen. This rule also applies to other screwed-in parts.

    • Flip the Chromebook over so that it lies display-side down. You can do this with the laptop open or closed.

    • Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the six screws on the back of the Chromebook, then flip the Chromebook back over and open the lid (if it is not already open).

    • Using a spudger, disconnect the tabs under the keyboard securing it to the motherboard (excluding the back tabs). To disconnect the back tabs, lift the keyboard up and forwards.

    • Pull the keyboard backwards, revealing the opposite connector for the video cable on the motherboard.

    • Two ribbon cables, one for the keyboard and one for the touchpad, attach the keyboard to the motherboard. If you lift the keyboard away carelessly, you may break these ribbon cables.

    • Peel back the first layer of tape covering the video cable connector, then peel away the second in the opposite direction, revealing the connector.

    • Disconnect the video cable from the connector.

    • As the first layer of tape is part of a layer of tape covering the majority of the motherboard, it may tear if not peeled away properly.

    • Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the three screws attaching the right hinge to the lid.

    • Tilt the display so that it is at a 90° angle from the keyboard, then, lifting the lid away from the hinge, use a spudger to pry away the part of the video cable under the hinge that is adhered to the lid. This will likely be the most difficult step.

    • Route the video cable out from under the tabs and through the gaps between the hinge and the lid/motherboard, then lift it away.

    • The hinge will not disconnect from the rest of the computer, as it is still attached to the display frame and motherboard. Also, since the display frame is still in place, only a narrow space exists where the video cable can be reached.

    • Connect the new video cable to the motherboard, then route it under the two tabs attached to the motherboard and under the hinge. From there, route it under the plate of the hinge (but not over the screw holes) and below the bezel tabs.

    • Rotate the lid back to the flat position, then replace the three screws attaching the hinge to the lid. This will secure the video cable to the Chromebook.

    • If you route the video cable over the hinge instead of under it, the cable will not reach. Attempting to reconnect it will strain or potentially break the cable.

    • Before replacing the keyboard, it would be wise to test the display connection to see if the repair was successful. Reconnect the other side of the video cable to the display and power on the Chromebook. If the Chromebook was already on, you will need to restart it, as the computer will malfunction if the display is removed while it is on.

    • Replace or remove any loose tape, then place the keyboard back in its frame and reconnect all of the tabs.

    • Flip over the computer (given that the display is screwed in (see Step 9 for more information) or is still removed, as it may be damaged if it drops onto a hard surface), and replace all six screws, securing the keyboard fully in place.

    • The back of the keyboard will reattach when the screws are replaced.

    • If you have not done so already or re-removed the display, reconnect the other side of the video cable to the display.

    • Align the screw holes in the display with the screw holes in the display frame, then replace all four screws to secure the display in place.

    • If the backlight is visible from the back of your display model, it should light up if the computer is on, indicating a good connection. Otherwise, it should be visible from the front, as the blank screen will become brighter.

    • Align the bezel with the edge of the lid, pushing the bezel down between the hinges, then slide your thumb across the edges of the bezel, reconnecting all of the tabs across the display.

    • If the video cable has not been routed under the tabs below the display, the tabs on the bottom of the bezel will not reconnect. Do not try to force down the bezel, as you may break the tabs or damage the video cable.

    • Close the lid, then hold the laptop hinge-side up.

    • Align the tabs on the hinge cover, ensuring that the cover is oriented correctly, then reconnect the tabs on the hinge cover.

    • If some of the tabs broke on the hinge cover, it will reattach more loosely than it should.

Conclusion

At this point, you have finished the repair. You should now check that your repair has worked, and if not, check that you do not have loose connections or that the correct type of video cable is installed. If the video cable replacement did not fix your problem, you may need to replace the screen instead. In this case, repeat this guide, but skip Steps 4-8.

Author

Michael Deitz

Member since: 07/05/18

1079 Reputation

0 comments