Technician - Notebook tips

Dr. Leach · 10-03-2006, 01:16 PM

I have only ever installed new ram and changed batteries on laptops before. Looking around Google it seems that every model is opened differently.

Basically I need some tips specific for laptops, what to avoid/remember etc.

Thanks

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-04-2006, 11:01 AM

post your laptop model and brand.

ebackhus · 10-04-2006, 11:54 AM

Some basics tips:

Know what kind of screws the laptop uses. Many use the common metal screws but some use vinyl. Vinyl screws CANNOT be reused and must be replaced when reassembling.

When you get inside it may be a good idea to locate the secondary CMOS battery and detatch it. Many of the ones I've encountered are connected by a short wire to the board.

Don't take out something that doesn't need to be taken out. If you don't need to remove it to get to something then it's best to just leave it in place.

ALWAYS reapply thermal compund as necessary. You wouldn't leave a desktop PC without it so why a laptop?

STATIC PROTECTION

~PJ~ · 10-04-2006, 02:31 PM

If you look on ebay in particular [if that isn't a dirty word round here...] you can usually find people selling CDs with laptop manuals on for a small amount. I gather that these are generally available on the net but hard to find - which makes them reasonably kosher!
They're invaluable - many laptops have nasty little quirks for taking them to pieces.

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-04-2006, 02:36 PM

Might find a manual here

http://repair4laptop.org/notebook.html

**laboye** · 10-07-2006, 07:38 AM

I use this site quite often:

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/

**hwm54112** · 10-08-2006, 03:08 AM

Follow the manual to the letter. Most laptops have hidden connectors by way of plastic tabs that can’t be seen. One part may hold three other parts in place. While taking one apart, I use sheets of paper as a “sketch” and tape the screws and other small parts in the approximate position they were removed from. That way, if you have to leave it, all the parts will stay put. It only requires 2 or three sheets as they come apart in layers.

If you can’t find a manual specifically for your laptop, you may have to use one that’s close or possibly find a site where someone has posted instructions. I had to use two such sites to do one laptop.

Dr. Leach · 10-08-2006, 02:09 PM

Ok, thanks for the replies & links.

I start a new job tomorrow. I hope there are no laptops the first day.

**laboye** · 10-08-2006, 06:19 PM

Bah, it's far easier than one would think, there's just so many screws. It's just like working in a desktop, but the parts are simply smaller. I also use hwm's strategy. I don't use tape though, cause I usually don't stop until it is finished and completely reassembled. That's a great idea, though.

10-03-2006, 01:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dr. Leach Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 31 OS: Win XP SP2	Technician - Notebook tips I have only ever installed new ram and changed batteries on laptops before. Looking around Google it seems that every model is opened differently. Basically I need some tips specific for laptops, what to avoid/remember etc. Thanks

10-04-2006, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Some basics tips: Know what kind of screws the laptop uses. Many use the common metal screws but some use vinyl. Vinyl screws CANNOT be reused and must be replaced when reassembling. When you get inside it may be a good idea to locate the secondary CMOS battery and detatch it. Many of the ones I've encountered are connected by a short wire to the board. Don't take out something that doesn't need to be taken out. If you don't need to remove it to get to something then it's best to just leave it in place. ALWAYS reapply thermal compund as necessary. You wouldn't leave a desktop PC without it so why a laptop? STATIC PROTECTION __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-07-2006, 07:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	I use this site quite often: http://www.irisvista.com/tech/ __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler

10-08-2006, 06:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	Bah, it's far easier than one would think, there's just so many screws. It's just like working in a desktop, but the parts are simply smaller. I also use hwm's strategy. I don't use tape though, cause I usually don't stop until it is finished and completely reassembled. That's a great idea, though. __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler

10-04-2006, 11:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	post your laptop model and brand.

10-04-2006, 02:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
~PJ~ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 33 OS: XP Pro	If you look on ebay in particular [if that isn't a dirty word round here...] you can usually find people selling CDs with laptop manuals on for a small amount. I gather that these are generally available on the net but hard to find - which makes them reasonably kosher! They're invaluable - many laptops have nasty little quirks for taking them to pieces.

10-04-2006, 02:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	Might find a manual here http://repair4laptop.org/notebook.html

10-08-2006, 03:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	Follow the manual to the letter. Most laptops have hidden connectors by way of plastic tabs that can’t be seen. One part may hold three other parts in place. While taking one apart, I use sheets of paper as a “sketch” and tape the screws and other small parts in the approximate position they were removed from. That way, if you have to leave it, all the parts will stay put. It only requires 2 or three sheets as they come apart in layers. If you can’t find a manual specifically for your laptop, you may have to use one that’s close or possibly find a site where someone has posted instructions. I had to use two such sites to do one laptop.

10-08-2006, 02:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dr. Leach Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 31 OS: Win XP SP2	Ok, thanks for the replies & links. I start a new job tomorrow. I hope there are no laptops the first day.