Thanks rgfuller,
I suspect that your right. I'm finding it extremly difficult to find out any info of LCD screen compatibility. The IT Guru at work recommends the same thing, i.e. if replacing the screen get the same brand and model of screen.
The screen is an Hitachi TX36D85VC1CAB by the way. I've found it for sale for over $350 new, but that's more than I want to pay to replace it in an old laptop. Better to replace the laptop. So unless that screen comes up for sale at a cheap price on Ebay that laptop will just sit there. There are pleanty of 14.1" XGA screens going cheap so it's a pity I can't tell if they are compatible or not.