I was taking apart a HP Compaq nx9010 for the first time and one of the steps was to "Disconnect the 2-wire cable that connects the switchboard PCA to the display lid switch."

Well it didn't want to come out, it wanted to break. So now I have female piece with plastic stuck in it and a couple of wire ends. I want to fix this because I believe that the effect will be the screen not turning off when I shut the lid? Which would be a waste of power.

What should I do? Where can I find a replacement cable? I've been googling but I don't really know what to search for.

Pull out the plastic connector with a small flat screwdriver or possibly some small pliers.
Then repair it by putting the two wires back in

I can't get it to come out haha, already tried pliers and a screw driver, it just breaks bits of plastic off even more so I don't think putting the wires back in will be much use, I already tried sticking them in while its stuck in there.

Anyhow now I have a bigger problem. I think I might need to buy a new display. After I booted up again everything looks dim / fuzzy / and off color. I think I screwed up the display wire when I was putting it back together. I hate laptops, always such a tight fit for everything inside.

Actually now that I think about it, this laptop does have s-video and external monitor ports (I hooked one up, video quality was fine so it's definately the laptop display). so I can always do that but it kinda defeats the purpose of it being a laptop.

I just had to replace the DVDROM with a DVDRW. why do I always cause myself more problems right after I fix one.

You CAN get this connector

But it may not be exactly the same!
i.e. it might be two individual connectors

It might be best to go to a computer shop (workshop type of computer shop that is)
They have a lot of old connectors and wires, and sometimes broken laptops that may have these parts. That's what I'd do (I don't like the external display idea !)