A laptop breakdown can happen to anyone. It's annoying, but there's no reason to immediately throw the device in the trash. With a little research, you can easily solve many problems yourself. Repairing a laptop is cheaper than buying a brand new one. You don't need to be an experienced DIYer to repair your PC.
In this article, we will explain to you step by step how to recover your computer yourself after a breakdown.
Repairing a laptop - hard drive failure
Repairing a laptop with a hard drive problem doesn't have much protocol. To access a laptop's hard drive , you'll need to remove the bottom cover. This cover is also called the service cover or base plate. On some models, this may require a little more effort, and you'll need to loosen some parts. Assembly isn't usually difficult. The time-consuming part is getting all the software back up and running. A hard drive should be 2.5 inches, and an SSD is standard. However, we recommend entrusting this part to a PC repair service .
Repairing a laptop – how to replace the screen?
Did your laptop fall off the table and the screen has a major crack? It's annoying, but there's no reason to throw it away. Repairing a laptop screen requires the right tools. Changing a laptop screen isn't even that difficult. Not all laptops are built the same, but the process is generally similar.
To do this, always start by removing the battery and power supply. Also, with slightly older models, you first remove the caps in the corners of the display edge. On newer models, you need to unclip the edge with a spudger or your fingernails. After lifting the display edge, loosen the screws on the sides that secure the LCD to the frame.
Once the screen is loose, tilt it toward the keyboard and gently disconnect the video, camera, and microphone connectors. With a touchscreen, the digitizer connector is added. Then replace the new screen in reverse order. Laptop screens are easy to obtain. There is also a YouTube video for instructions for each brand.
What if the image goes black or starts flashing?
Another problem that can occur is that the PC image goes black or starts flashing without the screen being broken. It is very likely that the LCD backlight voltage inverter is broken. Because it is the one that controls the lighting behind the screen. The inverter uses the DC current from the motherboard and converts it to a much higher voltage AC current for the CCFL lamp . This is a sensitive part that can sometimes fail if you want to repair a laptop.
You'll also have no reason to depreciate your laptop, as this inverter is easy and inexpensive to repair. The inverter is located on the back of the screen, so it must be unscrewed for repair. Newer LED screens do not require an inverter. However, if this part seems difficult to you, we recommend contacting the electronic depot, which is an experienced PC repair service.
Repairing a laptop - how to replace the keyboard?
Are you experiencing stuttering keys that have been spilled with coffee or are simply worn out? It's frustrating, but it can be fixed. Indeed, there are replacement keyboards for almost every brand. However, they can be assembled very differently depending on the make and model.
Usually, to repair your laptop, especially the keyboard, you first need to remove a few screws from the bottom. A good manufacturer will provide them with the letter K or a keyboard symbol, so you have the right screws immediately. The number of screws you need to loosen varies considerably. You often have to look for a few screws under the cover plate.
To do this, you'll usually have to press a few snaps along the edges of the keyboard. Use a small spudger to loosen it completely. Some laptops only work with snaps. With other laptops, you first remove a strip at the top of the keyboard, then loosen a few screws.
After loosening it, you can then easily remove the keyboard from the chassis. All that's left is to slide the ribbon cable out of the motherboard connector. Then, in reverse order, reconnect the new keyboard's ribbon cable, press it down, or screw the back cover back on.
Laptop too hot? Check the ventilation
Do you want to fix a laptop that's too hot? There are possibilities. If your laptop is getting slower and hotter, you have a cooling problem. The processor shouldn't get much hotter than 80 degrees. In the worst case, overheating will cause it to crash. Alternatively, you can check the CPU temperature during various activities with a tool like Core Temp .
The cause of the problem is usually a dust cover that is preventing proper airflow. The fan is located directly above the ventilation opening at the bottom of the laptop.
Dust sucked into the laptop eventually accumulates in the fan and behind the exhaust grille. Cleaning from the outside with a can of compressed air doesn't seem like a good idea. After all, it only moves the dust around. Due to the risk of electrostatic discharge, vacuuming is also not recommended. However, to repair a laptop that's too hot, the best solution is to disconnect the fan from the motherboard and clean it thoroughly.
To access the fan, you'll need to unscrew the base plate on the back of the laptop, after which the fan immediately becomes visible. You'll probably also see that the fan is connected to a copper heat pipe and a heat sink glued to the CPU . The fan is easy to unscrew. But if the fan and heat pipe system are inseparable, you'll also need to unscrew the latter. This complicates things a bit.
Apply a new layer of thermal paste
When replacing a laptop heat sink, it's important to take the necessary steps. Apply a new layer of thermal paste to the CPU. Be careful not to damage the pipe. A heat pipe contains a heat transfer fluid that absorbs energy from the hot side and evaporates. It then moves as a gas to the cold side. There, it releases its heat and condenses, before flowing back to the hot side as a liquid.
Additionally, if the fan frequently weakens or starts to vibrate, you'll need to replace it completely. Don't forget the heating system, too. Heating system coolers are obviously more expensive than a single fan.
Conclusion
Repairing a laptop, especially when it comes to replacing a few compartments, isn't that difficult. In this article, we've detailed some of the steps you can take to do this. However, some require the intervention of a repair service . For this reason, Le Dépôt électronique would be happy to assist you.
If you need assistance, you can find us at 3335 Jean Talon Street East, Montreal, QC, H2A 1W6, Canada. Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
