It Finally Happened! Cracked Screen

Myself also have done the unthinkable  and was wondering how much dell would charge to have my device sent off for repair as an ebay seller done me over ,and i really miss the enhanced capabilities of a mini pc in my pocket.

Many thanks.

I have changed screens on different phones 4-5 times. You don't really need a special toolset. Just small jeweller's screwdrivers that you can find as a set almost anywhere, including dollarstores. Some phones have Torx screws, these screwdrivers are expensive and can be hard to find in these small sizes. You can sometimes substitute a flat mini screwdriver that would fit snug  in the Torx wings and make it work by being extra careful to wedge the flat screwdriver in properly and have it absolutely vertical to the screw. It has always worked for me on so many appliances.

The green or blue plastic phone opening tools are really low quality and can be easily replaced by either your thumb nails (if they are strong) or by a guitar pick or any similar piece of plastic, preferably not too thick, that you can wedge in the crack to pop the phone open. I once spent too much money on a tool to pry open my phone because I didn't want to wait for a month before it came from overseas. These tools are really cheap, the plastic is soft and will not last for more than one use, while leaving shreads of plastic everywhere in your phone when you dismantle it.

About buying a screen: the OEM are the best, but they can be pretty expensive. Sometimes from US or Canadian sellers you can find "used" screens that are virtually new, I have never found any signs of wear on them, for much cheaper than new. The source that had the best prices with all the searches I did was always eBay. You can find most screens for 25$-35$. Many times eBay.com (USA) has even more stuff and better prices, but it is not all US sellers that willl accept to ship to Canada, and many will charge you a relatively high shipping price, but it is still a fraction of the cost of ordering from specialty shops. And way faster to get it than from overseas. 

The main thing is you need to carefully watch a few videos about dismantling your phone's model, in fact, as many different videos as you can. Youtube is an incredible source of help on fixing anything, including your old fridge. Watch the videos, or at least the one that is best for you, as many times as necessary for your perfect understanding of the dismantling/rebuilding process and steps.  This is important, because if you forget one step, you'll have to undo and redo every thing you did since the step you missed. I personnally dismantle and rebuild my phones with the video in front of me, pausing and playing every step. Then you'll be able to do it without sweating too much or feeling you are walking on the gang plank.

Also, be extra careful when you pry those connecting tabs, mainly the screen's tabs. Some are very long, and if you crack one, the screen will be dead and you'll have to get another one. So, pry very close to the connector, not under the tab itself.

Last advice: take your time, do not rush or pressure yourself. That job is already hard enough, stress will only cause you to make more mistakes and actually slow you down.

Thank you so very much! Yes, that post makes me feel a lot better about the task at hand.  $25+ for a replacement screen is not bad! And I know I will do this because, otherwise, nothing else is wrong with my Streak.  Its much cheaper than buying a $600 phone!   Ive watcged some youtube videos and foumd one or two very informative.   Any youtube vid in particular that ylu feel has a good narration amd visual?

Again, many thanks!

Well, just check the most detailed video, the one you really feel best shows you all the steps, with all the little gizmos that you have to unconnect.

**That phone actually has more connectors to watch for than other smartphones I have gutted. So, you have to be really careful not to forget any. And DO keep all the little screws and tiny buttons in a safe place, not loose on your table. (I like to put them in a sealed sandwich bag.) Nothing is so bad as when you cannot find the camera or volume button anymore... ;-s

I can't advise you on which video would be best for you: it depends on your taste and your learning style. Some people like a detailed narrative. To me, it just gets on my nerves!

The video I did like best had no narrative, but was showing every step in a very detailed fashion. It was rather long, too. But I also watched one that lasted only a couple of minutes, but was playing everything in accelerated.

// I just checked on Youtube. Searching Dell Streak 5 disassembly / taking apart / changing screen, you get quite a few responses. There might be new ones since I last needed that.

-->Thank you Youtube, and many thanks to the generous people who share their knowledge on there, you have saved my rear end so many times!

Hi again,

I have been checking on eBay, and it seems the sharks have taken hold of the place, probably since Dell discontinued the Streak 5. :-(

Fortunately, when browsing on Youtube, some of the people providing disassembly videos are also parts providers. So I found some OEM LCD/digitizer assemblies at a way more decent price. I found a couple and this one has a pretty decent price: US48.55$ shipped for one OEM screen assembly, 43.55$ per unit for 2, 38.55$/unit for 10 units. The place is called Sky Star Trade, here is the link: www.gounlock.com/details.php.

Hope this helps, and I'll be posting again if I find something more decent.

This place here will change your screen for US119.99$, shipping included. www.injuredgadgets.com/.../dellstreak5-lcdrepair.htm

Wow, this looks like the best solution for me.  it may be better if I send the device to be repaired.  I will check the company out and let you know what happens

Good luck to you!

It looks like a good solution, one of the best prices for a repair I saw on the web, except if you find a local repair shop that can do it for you. I have checked a few months ago for another smartphone a bit simpler to take apart than the DS5 and here in Montreal various shops were charging between 32$ and 80$CAN to install a new LCD assembly I would have provided.

Looking around, I found a few more things that could help anyone in need:

- A written disassembly with pictures. Very clear and detailed: runawaybrainz.blogspot.ca/.../hack-dell-streak-5-lcd-replacement.html

- The reassembly vid by the same guy:

He uses a magnet to keep all his screws and clips together, and masking tape to keep the buttons in place. Brilliant!

- A very good thread on changing DS5 LCD: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php. Great forum.

- The eBay seller they mention in that thread, big_is, was selling DS5 LCD assemblies for US30.49$ + 15$ shipping until March 17 2012. I sent him a message to know he will have some more in stock soon. That last sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Mini-5-Tablet-Streak-lcd-set-glass-digitizer-PAD-/400174188706?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5d2c3d88a2.

- Amazon has some used DS5 in good condition starting at 210$ including 16G card, charger and battery.

Well that's it! I am reassured, there is more than enough available to keep me with that phone untill the earth freezes over! ;;-D