640m / 1405 Pet Peeve -- Loose display

I've had two computers with the 14.1" Inspiron design, and both of
them over time end up with looser and looser displays. By that I mean
that there is more play in how it stays open.

I looked at the service manual once hoping that it would be an easy
adjustment for me to make, something like pop open a cover and tighten
some screws, but it was more involved than that.

I'm about to take the plunge though because I don't want to send my
laptop in periodically just to tighten up the display. I am not
mechanically inclined and don't have patience nor the right tools
possibly, but since I plan on keeping this long term I should learn
how to do it.

Here goes .....

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:47:01 -0500, Journey wrote:

I've had two computers with the 14.1" Inspiron design, and both of
them over time end up with looser and looser displays. By that I mean
that there is more play in how it stays open.

I looked at the service manual once hoping that it would be an easy
adjustment for me to make, something like pop open a cover and tighten
some screws, but it was more involved than that.

I'm about to take the plunge though because I don't want to send my
laptop in periodically just to tighten up the display. I am not
mechanically inclined and don't have patience nor the right tools
possibly, but since I plan on keeping this long term I should learn
how to do it.

Here goes .....

I found out that I can tighten the display by removing the two "bumper
pads" next to the hinges and tighten the screws underneath.

That's the good news. The bad news is that I lost one of the bumper
pads. Doh!!!

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:47:01 -0500, Journey wrote:

I've had two computers with the 14.1" Inspiron design, and both of
them over time end up with looser and looser displays. By that I mean
that there is more play in how it stays open.

I looked at the service manual once hoping that it would be an easy
adjustment for me to make, something like pop open a cover and tighten
some screws, but it was more involved than that.

I'm about to take the plunge though because I don't want to send my
laptop in periodically just to tighten up the display. I am not
mechanically inclined and don't have patience nor the right tools
possibly, but since I plan on keeping this long term I should learn
how to do it.

Here goes .....


One of two 640m's I have also has a bit loose display. It's not that
bad but it is noticeable compared to the other 640m display. It's
still functional but I wish it didn't have so much play in the hinges.

Let me know how you did it and how difficult you think it was. Any
good tips from your experience?

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:13:44 -0500, Journey wrote:

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:47:01 -0500, Journey wrote:

I've had two computers with the 14.1" Inspiron design, and both of
them over time end up with looser and looser displays. By that I mean
that there is more play in how it stays open.

I looked at the service manual once hoping that it would be an easy
adjustment for me to make, something like pop open a cover and tighten
some screws, but it was more involved than that.

I'm about to take the plunge though because I don't want to send my
laptop in periodically just to tighten up the display. I am not
mechanically inclined and don't have patience nor the right tools
possibly, but since I plan on keeping this long term I should learn
how to do it.

Here goes .....

I found out that I can tighten the display by removing the two "bumper
pads" next to the hinges and tighten the screws underneath.

That's the good news. The bad news is that I lost one of the bumper
pads. Doh!!!


Great. Sounds easy enough. Thanks for the information Journey !!