Lid Switch

[Chandler]

I picked up a very cheap insurance write-off laptop.  I spent some time trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with it, because as far as I could tell it worked 100% fine.

Then I started it up one time after it had been put away and the screen was blank.  I thought LCD inverter first, but then I decided to just give the lid switch a press with a pencil, and the screen immediately sprung to life.

If the laptop is left open, there is never a problem.  If it's closed, 9 out of 10 times, the switch will get stuck.  It appears that the switch actually gets pushed to the side a bit rather than straight back.

Is this likely to be the reason that it's been written off.  It's not a big issue for me.  Is there any way to replace the switch (i.e. are they a standard part)?  Or can it just be desoldered completely?  

Failing that, I could always cut the top of the switch off so that it no longer makes contact.

[query]

What make and model is the notebook?