• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Broken notebook screen

strep3241

Senior member
My sister has a Sony notebook model VPCEA24FM-L that has a busted screen. Would most computer shops be able to fix it? She sent it to Sony and they said it would cost $450 to fix it. Would a computer shop be more expensive than Sony? I would tell her to buy a new one but she paid $800 for this one so it is not a low end model. The machine is not that old either probably less than a year old. The only reason it isn't covered under warranty is because it is something that she caused. It is not the machine's fault.
 
Check if you can get a new screen on ebay, and you should actually be able to replace it yourself. Vaios are usually a little harder to work on than most other laptops (at least in my experience) but it shouldn't be impossible.
 
Honestly, I don't mess with notebooks too much. I would feel safe having someone more experienced fix it.

I would consider doing it myself if I could find a guide for this specific model. How hard is it too replace a screen? Do you have to take apart the whole thing?
 
It depends on the laptop. On some of them you can just pop out the keyboard and undo the hinges and go from there, some other ones require almost a full disassembly.
 

After seeing that video, I may try doing it myself, doesn't look too hard. Not sure yet. Whatever I decide, Sony is not going to be fixing it. I been talking to a local computer shop and he said he could do it for $200 roughly vs. $450 for Sony to fix it.

Where would I find that number for the resolution? Would it be on the laptop itself? Does it have the be the same one she has now? Why does it matter? I mean the resolution can be changed. What is stopping me from buying the lower resolution model, which costs less and changing it to the higher resolution once it is installed?
 
Where would I find that number for the resolution? Would it be on the laptop itself? Does it have the be the same one she has now? Why does it matter? I mean the resolution can be changed. What is stopping me from buying the lower resolution model, which costs less and changing it to the higher resolution once it is installed?

Google it. It took me <1 minute to find it.

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SPECS/VPCEA24FML_mksp.pdf

It's a 14" WXGA (1366X768) screen. The cheaper one.
 
Last edited:
I think I am going to try to fix it myself. If I change my mind, I will take it do the computer shop and have him do it for $200.

I am a little confused. My sister called me and told me another model # for the laptop. She gave me a #PCG-61313L. She said that is what it said on the laptop itself. But the email she got from Sony said the model # is VPCEA24FM-L.

I tried looking the PCG number up on Sony's website and nothing came up. Nothing came up on laptopscreen.com either. When I google it, I get several results for it, mainly downloads.

I am assuming I use the VPC number when ordering a screen for it. How do I know the laptop she has uses a 14" WXGA screen? I realize if you google the VPC number, that is what comes up but couldn't hers be different?
 
From Sony's website:
Notebook computer model names are located on a small label on the frame around the LCD display or above the keyboard. The label is normally the same color as the case with contrasting letters.

NOTE: Do not use the "Model" listed on the grey label on the back of the computer as this will not provide the correct information.

Where is your sister getting the number from? PCG-61313L is most likely the product code/part number not the model number. The correct model number should be VP........., posssibly the one Sony gave you VPCEA24FM/L.
 
Last edited:
i replaced a screen in an msi wind, it was not too hard. you should be able to do it yourself with some small screwdrivers and plastic prying tools
 
From Sony's website:
Notebook computer model names are located on a small label on the frame around the LCD display or above the keyboard. The label is normally the same color as the case with contrasting letters.

NOTE: Do not use the "Model" listed on the grey label on the back of the computer as this will not provide the correct information.

Where is your sister getting the number from? PCG-61313L is most likely the product code/part number not the model number. The correct model number should be VP........., posssibly the one Sony gave you VPCEA24FM/L.

I am not sure exactly. Right now Sony has the laptop so I can't physically look at it. She said it was above the keyboard but I don't know how she knew that since she doesn't have the laptop.

I am also assuming that the VPC number is the model number. But on laptopscreen's website where it shows where the model numbers are located, it says look for a VGN number for Sony Vaio's.

I would like to get the part ordered so it gets here before Christmas. I just want to be sure I order the correct part.
 
I literally JUST replaced the LCD in a Sony Vaio VPCEB yesterday. These two models are almost identical.

It's pretty easy, but I should warn you that the construction of the laptop is absolute garbage. You're going to need some kind of flexible glue, like silicone based glue, to reassemble the screen bezel securely like it came from the factory.

You see, Sony really skimped out on the manufacturing of this laptop series. There are only 4 screws holding in the bezel. The rest of it is held on by glue. When you remove the bezel, you remove most of the glue, so it won't be secured "as new" when you put it back together. This is mainly noticeable on the bottom of the bezel (toward the keyboard). You can just replace the factory glue with your own.

The total operation took me about 20 minutes. You need at least a small phillips screwdriver, but I also recommend a tiny flathead for removing the rubber screw covers, a plastic card to wedge between the bezel and the glue, and the replacement glue as mentioned before.

The only tricky part is the data cable. It runs on the back of this black piece of very thin plastic, so you can't simply line the cable up with the LCD panel. Instead, you must do the reverse: line the LCD panel up with the data cable. It's just an awkward angle to work with and a cramped space.
 
I am also assuming that the VPC number is the model number. But on laptopscreen's website where it shows where the model numbers are located, it says look for a VGN number for Sony Vaio's.

On this page on their website it shows PCG, VGN, and VPC model numbers.

http://www.laptopscreen.com/index.php?section=products&brand=Sony&series=VAIO

If you search eBay for a Sony PCG-61313L screen you get:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=sony+PCG-61313L+screen&_sacat=0&_odkw=sony+psp&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

A 14" WXGA 1366 x 768 screen, same screen used for the VPCEA24FM/L.

Since Sony has the laptop call them to get the exact model number off of it.
 
Last edited:
On this page on their website it shows PCG, VGN, and VPC model numbers.

http://www.laptopscreen.com/index.php?section=products&brand=Sony&series=VAIO

If you search eBay for a Sony PCG-61313L screen you get:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=so...ony+psp&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

A 14' WXGA 1366 x 768 screen, same screen used for the VPCEA24FM/L.

Since Sony has the laptop call them to get the exact model number off of it.

I know it lists PCG numbers, but the one she gave me is not listed.

Okay, I am going to make a few phone calls to make sure I get the right screen ordered.

So far it is looking like I need the WXGA screen. Thanks for the help.

Slugg, what kind of glue am I supposed to use and where can I get it?
 
Last edited:
Do you absolutely have to use some kind of glue or sealant? Why doesn't that video on laptopscreen.com show putting glue back on? Is it just a personal preference?
 
I've never replaced a Sony screen, lots of Dells and HPs, so Slugg will have to answer your question.

HP and Dell screen bezels snap off and on, no sealant needed. I used a small bead of sealant on the top portion of my daughter's HP bezel because it did not snap back together correctly.
 
Last edited:
I would not buy a screen until I took it out of the bezel and ordered the screen by the model number on the back of the lcd itself. If you order the wrong one it will take more time and cost more money. You must have the screen of the correct type since it may have the data port in a different place and the cable wouldn't reach. Been there done that especially Sony's not much documentation, All laptops use lcds made by only a few manufactors but lots of differences between the design. I would wait until you have it in your hand and dissassemble the lcd get the model number and maker from the back of the lcd panel and you will be good to go.
 
Do you absolutely have to use some kind of glue or sealant? Why doesn't that video on laptopscreen.com show putting glue back on? Is it just a personal preference?

Well keep in mind that mine was a VPCEB, not a VPCEA, so there may be some slight differences. They're the same line, but yours is 14 inches and mine was 15 inches.

Anyhow, the glue is not absolutely necessary for the repair, but I highly recommend it. In the case of the VPCEB, the plastic "snaps" were too far apart to keep the plastic from bowing out away from the LCD frame. It looked horrible, but it was 100% functional.

Basically, the design looked like this on the left and right sides of the front bezel:
Screw [3 inches of nothing] plastic "snap" [3 inches of nothing] screw

The bottom looked similar:
Screw [4.5 inches of nothing] plastic "snap" [4.5 inches of nothing] screw

Those "inches of nothing" portions originally used glue to hold them against the LCD frame. When you remove the bezel, most of that glue loses too much of its stickiness and stops actually working. If it doesn't stick, it just bows out and looks terrible. It even rubs against the bottom half of the laptop when you open/close the lid.

Solution? When you remove the bezel, scrape/peel off all the original glue and replace with your own, new glue. The glue is $3 to $5 at any car parts store 🙂
 
I get all my laptop screens from them. Except one time I needed a 17" screen for a Dell Inspiron 9200 and they were OOS. I ordered one from here:
http://www.lcdht.com/ Never again. They listed it in stock but it wasn't. They had to drop ship it from China. It took 6 weeks. It was listed as inverter and inverter bracket included. They were not. Client was pissed. They never posted my review on their website. Guess why.
 
Those wildly inflated prices pepole tell you about are because they've had someone try to or they sell extended warranties on computers.

LCD panels vary wildly in prices. 5 years ago it was not atypical to have 500-700 dollar panels out there. They have dropped a lot now because they are mass produced. Some of the odd ball sizes are still expensive though.
 
Back
Top