One of the problems with taking a laptop out portable is the tenancy for the space between the backlight and screen to become a home for various bugs. Unfortunately the screen assemblies on many displays don't seem to be adequately sealed to keep the smaller bugs out. "Thunder bugs" or "thrips" seem to be a particular problem as they are so tiny. There have been various requests on web forums for assistance with screen disassembly and cleaning. This page shows how to dismantle the screen of a Toshiba Satellite L20 series laptop sufficiently to gain access to the space between the LCD panel and the backlight.

WARNING: The procedure described here is not for the faint hearted and carries a significant risk of permanently damaging your laptop. Dismantle your laptop at your own risk, or take it to a competent computer repair shop.

Bugs may appear to be between the screen and the protective film in front of the LCD. In the case of my Toshiba Satellite L20 series, the LCD and it's protective screen are glued together preventing bugs entering that area. Where the bugs creep in is between the rear of the LCD and the backlight - where they cast a shadow on the LCD screen.

Remove the battery before starting work. In each corner of the screen there is a small black rubber pad, this is glued over a Pozidriv screw (image below left). Remove all four screws. The back cover (the one with Toshiba in the centre of it) remains fixed to the keyboard unit and hinges, you remove the front half of the shell which in addition to the Pozidriv screw in each corner, is a "snap fit" with the rear shell.

Using a thin bladed screwdriver carefully split apart the two halves of the screen surround, paying particular attention to avoid damaging the two WiFi antennas at the top corners and more importantly the print board at the lower edge.

By carefully pressing and flexing the outer cover from the rear, access to the screws shown below can be obtained. The screen will then lift out a short distance, it can be held in this position with a soft cloth between the screen and the rear shell half. Remove the four remaining corner screws which hold the sheet metal surround to the screen.

Peel back the adhesive tape along the top edge (shown below left) and also the tape over the wires at the bottom right hand corner. Unplug the backlight wiring as shown below right (blue and white wires).

Very carefully lift off the screen metal surround from the bottom right hand corner and lift the LCD screen to gain access to the space between the LCD and the backlight - you only need to lift it half an inch, do not force it. Do not try and lift the screen completely out as it is attached to delicate connections along the top edge and the lower left hand side. I was able to easily remove bugs with a piece of sponge on the end of a length of copper wire (form a loop in the copper wire and squeeze it around the sponge), see above right... it's the piece of copper wire laid on the laptop. Others have reported success with a blast from a can of air.

Re-assemble in the reverse order of the above. If you break anything, Valuemedia appear to list quite a few Toshiba spares.