[HOW TO] Remove ASUS TF-101 glass digitizer (touch screen) without breaking it.

[abuchison]

I have successfully removed the glass digitizer (touch screen) without breaking it. Since I have not seen anyone else posting a working procedure online, I have created a blog documenting my procedure:

How to Remove the Touch Screen (Glass Digitizer) from ASUS TF-101 Tablet


*** General Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage or injury as the result of performing the procedure.

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[satai]

I have successfully removed the glass digitizer (touch screen) without breaking it. Since I have not seen anyone else posting a working procedure online, I have created a blog documenting my procedure:

How to Remove the Touch Screen (Glass Digitizer) from ASUS TF-101 Tablet


*** General Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage or injury as the result of performing the procedure.

You should have checked this site, saved you a lot of photo shooting.

Cracking Open the Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 | TechRepublic


Regards,

Satai

[abuchison]

You should have checked this site, saved you a lot of photo shooting.

Cracking Open the Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 | TechRepublic


Regards,

Satai

I did. I was disappointed that Tech Republic did not show how they remove the glass digitizer. They conveniently omitted that step. IMO, removing the digitizer was the most difficult step. My guess was that they cracked and destroyed the glass therefore didn't want to show it.

[satai]

Could be, didn't check all the pictures.

Keeping their site bookmarked in case my batterie dies (that day will eventually come) and i need to replace it.

[GreyGoo]

The LCD backlight on my TF101 died, so I need to replace my LCD screen. Since I couldn't find any reference online on how to replace the LCD screen. I decide post my experience here. Sorry no pictures from my experience, since it is too much of a hassle to try to reopen my TF101 once I finished. Here are the steps I followed with link to other people's experience.

1. Open up the TF101. I follow this guy's video on opening up the transformer:



2. Once you have the back plate off you will need to disconnect the 2 ribbon cable that is use to control the touch screen. The first is the long gold ribbon that run from the top of the tablet to the bottom. The second cable is the fat gold cable next to the power and volume switches. I followed this Russian breakdown of the TF101.



The long gold cable is the one being removed at 1:49. At 2:26 they are removing the video connect from the board side, I removed it on the screen side. At 6:22 you could see the thick gold ribbon cable that also need to be disconnected. Follow the way the video show how to remove the cable.

3. Here is the painful part, and why I didn't try to reopen my transformer to take pictures of my own. You need to cut out the glass digitizer. You should follow abuchison's guide, above, on cutting out your glass digitizer.

I decided not to use a heat knife(wood burning tool, basically a wood working tool), which made the whole process really slow and painful. The major point is your blade must not go deeper than 1cm else you might cut the 2 golden ribbon cable I describe in step 2.

4. Once you have the digitizer off you should find the screws to remove the LCD under the digitizer.

Hope this helps if you need to replace your LCD screen.

*** General Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage or injury as the result of performing the procedure.

[GreyGoo]

Great guide, it help me replace my LCD.

[janner43]

I'm sticking this thread to make it easier for future reference.

Thanks to abuchison & GreyGoo for all their work & to satai for the TechRepublic link.

For those looking for Asus parts, you can try here...

Asus Parts - eee Pad

[janner43]

Great guide, it help me replace my LCD.

We don't have multiple threads on the same subject if we can help it GreyGoo, so I have merged your (later posted) guide with this one.

[mridge50]

Sadly, I dropped my TF101 yesterday. How tough is the screen to replace and where is the best place to get one? I see them on eBay. How much is it to get one repaired if I decide to go that route? Thanks.

[tominto]

Hello all. I'm trying to replace a faulty lcd (the backlight went) I have a new lcd so all I need to do is remove the digitizer screen. I've looked at two tutorials so far, but am still wary of things. I'm using an xacto knife marked with a line so I don't go in too deep and cut the ribbon cables. So far it's going very slow and I've managed to scratch a bit of the black paint surrounding the inch or so of the glass. I've gone around one side of the glass so far, but it just keeps sealing up. Should I wedge it somehow as I go? I'm worried I might crack the glass. Also, I haven't tried using a hair dryer to warm the glass and adhesive...I'm worried the heat might damage something. Have I damaged the digitizer screen by scratching the paint? Can someone please give me a few tips so this goes smoothly. Thanks