Broken display, Presario CQ60-211DX

Question

My kid walked away from the computer with the power cord wrapped around his leg. The computer fell off the table and the screen hit the edge of a wooden chair on the way to the floor. Now it looks like a broken window (a jagged line across the screen) with bright screen-like colors above the line, black beneath. So basically the display is physically wrecked.  Ruughly how much would a replacement screen cost, how would we get it done, etc? Or would we be better off tossing it and buying a whole new machine? Or would the warranty cover this at all?
The computer is a Presario CQ60-211DX Notebook he's had for all of 6 weeks.
Thanks
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Answer 1

The only warranty that would cover it is a physical damage insurance plan. If you bought the enhanced warranty through a retailer that coverage might apply and I think HP also offers it and you would remember if you bought it because it is very very salty. The standard warranty does not cover it at all. Now, the repair. The price of screens has come down quite a bit in the last couple years. Here is one on eBay for about $130:
$130 eBay screen
That is about the average price we are seeing now where it was $250 not too long ago. 
I have not replaced a CQ60 screen but even the dv9000, its direct ancestor, and a very difficult one to work on, was manageable for an amateur to replace the screen. We can get you the Service Manual and it is maybe a 45 minute job. If you ever built a model as a kid, can turn a screwdriver carefully and can follow plans you can do it. Otherwise, the labor is likely to be another $125 or so at a computer shop. The best way to do it is to get the screen then start calling around for the best price and tell them you already have the screen. You do want to remove the old one first as it is better to find the screen by the model of the screen rather than the model of the laptop because so many makers now use the same exact screens so you can do a broader search. Once you remove the old one you will see it is not too hard to put the new one back in.
Even worst case at $250 or so with labor it is far cheaper than a new laptop. Just don't let people tell you it is going to be $400 or so, which you will hear.