My laptop screen wants to escape -- What do I do?

July 19, 2006 9:19 PM

My laptop screen is separating from the rest of the computer! It looks like one of the two hinges is hanging on for dear life, and I'm concerned -- if it gets much worse, it will be detached on that side. Is there anything I can do?

I'd planned to add some photos so you could see what I mean, but it's hard to get a good picture at close enough range to be useful. If it would help, I can always upload some kinda-blurry ones. Otherwise, just imagine a laptop monitor, slightly tilted, with one hinge popped out and just sort of sitting there.

I'm on a Toshiba Satellite A45, purchased almost exactly two years ago. I'm not a gentle person, but I've never had any problems and the laptop hasn't had any recent trauma I know about. I always close the cover when I go to bed, and usually during the day while I'm at work, if it matters.

Any idea what caused this or if it can be fixed? My laptop is my only computer and I really can't afford to replace it right now. Any thoughts on my next move would be greatly appreciated.

posted by SuperNova to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Worst-case scenario if it does break, buy an external monitor (and maybe a separate keyboard and mouse, if that appeals to you). There's a good chance you can get one free if you look around - lots of people are upgrading to flat panels now and ditching their old monitors, for example. If not, a 19" monitor should set you back ~$50.

Not that you couldn't buy a flat panel and have it work just as well, but you indicated that cost was an issue.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 9:33 PM on July 19, 2006

My Dell has screws holding each hinge in. Occasionally they work loose. Can you see any such similar screws/attachments, or is there something physically broken?

If the screen is still completely functional, there are a lot of ways to remedy this problem, even partially. Please post a picture and describe the mechanical/physical properties of the broken joints a bit more.

I'm guessing there's a screw that's come out, or a plastic bit that's broken. In the first case, a screwdriver will fix it, in the second, some slow-dry epoxy and a little time will fix it.
posted by fake at 9:39 PM on July 19, 2006

I found this guide to replace broken hinges, but it's pretty complicated. I'd follow fakes advice and see if you can fix the hindge screw.

As far as what caused it, probably just regular wear-n-tear. Shit happens.

Don't worry though, even if both hinges fail, the display will work as long as the ribbon is connected to it. If it comes to that.
posted by bob sarabia at 10:18 PM on July 19, 2006

I've got a toshiba A15 and had the exact same problem - twice. About 2 years into having it, the left side hinge got weak, and finally busted off... I used it that way for about a week while I waited for the repalcement to come in the mail. i needed to take it almost completely apart to get the new hinge in, but that took maybe all of 45 minutes.

1 year later... wash rinse repeat, except on the right side.

the hinges cost about $60 from Toshiba's "National Parts Depot" but far less expensive than a new laptop. Just find a computer oriented friend who'd be willing to do the work for you for a 6-pack of beer and a pizza or something.

-quad
posted by quadrinary at 11:09 PM on July 19, 2006

Same thing happened on my old Dell. (It was under warantee so I ended up sending the thing in for a whole buncha repairs and they fixed it for me.) While you're trying to decide what to do or waiting for replacement parts, take a big book or two and use that to prop the monitor up.
posted by radioamy at 6:09 AM on July 20, 2006

Yeah; taking a laptop apart seems incredibly forbidding, but if you've ever done it (I have, a couple dozen times on 4 different models), it's really not all that bad.

You *will* need to take the entire unit apart, though, to replace the hinges. Ask around amongst your geek friends; if you have enough, the odds approach unity that one of them will have done it.

Then it's just a question of having the right size screwdrivers. (Anyone who does this, will.)
posted by baylink at 8:28 AM on July 20, 2006