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If your ipad's front panel is cracked, like this one here,

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you can either live with it, buy a new one, or as i'm going to show you today, fix it.

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Just remember that this isn't something you should do if you have an AppleCare +

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or other warranty that covers accidental damage.

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Also, i encourage you to watch my video on what to know

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before trying to fix a smart phone or tablet.

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It will help you to decide if you should tackle the repair yourself

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or just take your iPad to a shop.

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and lastly, understand that by following the instructions in this video, you do so at your own risk.

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Before you begin you'll need to get the necessary replacement parts and tools.

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On this ipad we're replacing just the front panel, not the LCD

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and we'll be re-using the home button and metal camera bracket from the old panel.

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You can buy replacement panel online between $50 and $150.

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Just be sure you buy the right one for your iPad

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and depending on where you buy the panel, it may come with pre-cut adhesive strips.

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If it doesn't, you'll need to buy them or cut your own strips from double sided tape.

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As for tools, you'll need a hairdryer or heat gun, a few thin metal blades, several plastic spudgers, guitar pitchers or plastic case-opening tools and a Philips double zero screwdriver.

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Again, you can pick these up online if you don't have them.

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Lastly, I'll be replacing the panel on iPad 2, but the same basic steps can be used on the iPad 3.

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The first step is to back up all the iPad's data using iCloud or iTunes, just in case something goes wrong.

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With that done, you can begin removing the cracked panel, by heating its edges with a hairdryer or heat gun.

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This loosens the adhesive that holds the panel to the case.

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Heat a small area of the panel until you can insert a thin tool, between the panel and the case and gently pry them apart.

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If the panel doesn't easily come away from the case, keep heating the area.

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Also, take care not to insert the tool too far into the iPad. Doing so can damage the LCD and other internal components.

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Once you've created a small gap in one area, work your way around the edge, heating and prying as you go.

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You'll need to leave placeholders, like the spudgers, in the separated sections to prevent the panel and case from sticking back together.

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You'll also need to be very careful when working to the right of the home button.

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The wifi antenna is attached to the panel here, and you'll need to gently pry out loose without damaging it.

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And although we're not really worried about breaking the panel anymore, take care around the bottom left corner.

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The panel's digitizer cable is located here, and you don't want to damage any other internal components, by carelessly yanking it loose.

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With the panel separated from the case, we need to disconnect it from the main circuit board.

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Unfortunately, the connector is located under the LCD.

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So remove the display's four Philips screws and lift it away from the case.

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Holding it along the right edge and folding it over along the left.

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Then disconnect the LCD connector from the mainboard, and set the display somewhere safe.

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We can now disconect the broken panel.

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First, carefully flip up the two locking levers on the digitizer cable connector.

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As you remove the cable from the connector, you need to gently peel it away from the mainboard's metal shielding.

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With the broken panel completely detached, we can now remove the home button contact using our Philips screwdriver.

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Then using our hairdryer again, heat and remove the bracket and button.

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The camera plate comes off in a similar manner.

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You'll also want to remove any pieces of adhesive that is still stuck to the metal case.

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We're now ready to assemble and install the new front panel.

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First, attach the old home button and camera plate using your pre-cut adhesive strips.

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Next, we connect the digitized cable and flip down the locking levers.

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Reconnect the LCD and secure it to the frame with its screws.

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Now fold the front cover over in the plate. Be extremely careful not to damage its cable.

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At this point, we're just testing the panel's fit and functionality.

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So we haven't applied any of the adhesive strips.

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Turn the ipad on and verify that everything works, if it does, turn the unit off, lift open the panel and apply the adhesive strips.

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Before closing the panel for hopefully the last time, carefully inspect the LCD and inside of the panel for dust.

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If you see any, gently remove it using a microfibre cloth or puffs of air.

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Avoid touching the inside of the panel's viewing area or the LCD with your fingers or anything else that might damage the surfaces.

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Once you're sure both surfaces are clean, bow the front panel back on the metal case and press firmly but gently along the edges.

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After removing the front panel's protective film, the fix is complete.

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i'm not going to lie, this is a tough fix.

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But if done right, it can breath new life into a broken ipad.

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Now if you have questions about this fix, or any of my cracking open videos, you can contact me through twitter.

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and to see more tear down photos of the iPad and other tech gadgets, go to techrepublic.com/crackingopen.

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For cnet and techrepublic, I'm Bill Detwiler.