It isn't as difficult as you might think........

Today's laptops & notebooks are absolute wonders of technology and the miracles they perform never cease to amaze me.  However when something goes wrong they can be so expensive to repair that in most instances buying a new one seems the most logical option.

It is not the purpose of this Guide to make an instant expert out of anyone.  It's purpose is to illustrate how easy it can be for anyone possessing some very basic skills along with a very few hand tools can determine what is wrong, locate a replacement part  disassemble the machine, install the new part and reassemble the unit.

The first step is to troubleshoot the problem which simply means to determine what is wrong with the machine and what needs to be done to make it work again.  Is the screen broken?  Hard drive not working?  Spilled Coke on the keyboard?  You get the idea.  The most important troubleshooting tool you have is free of charge - it is your eyes and your brain. 

Next you need to have a small assortment of basic tools such as a couple of Phillips head screwdrivers (sizes 0 and 00) two or three Torx screwdrivers, #6 being the most popular, a good set of precision tweezers with a curved tip and that should do it.  If you are over 40 and your close-up vision is getting a little blurry a magnifier on a stand is a great assistant.

Documentation is very important too.  Some of the major laptop manufacturers, notably IBM and Dell  provide their hardware maintenance manuals on their Web sites free of charge.  Other manuals may be obtained by searching (where else) on eBay or Google.  These are usually well produced and give step-by-step instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble these things and are model specific.

Now, to locate and obtain the part or component that needs to be replaced.  Where else but on eBay!  You should know the full model number and if possible the part number of what you need.  IBM uses two numbers - the P/N (part number) and the FRU Number (Field Replacement Unit).  They are never the same but often are close.  I  am not too sure why they need to use two numbers but I am pretty sure there's a logical reason.  I have had excellent luck searching on on eBay by the FRU Number.  Sometimes it is a great idea to buy a broken "parts donor" machine and either strip it for parts for future need or sell what's left after you have taken what you need.

Once you have the problem isolated, the replacement part and the tools at hand you need a good, well-lit clean surface on which to work.  Also several small containers to hold parts is very useful along with a pencil and paper.  I take a sheet of paper and place the screws on it with a note saying where they go.  You won't remember when you start reassembling the thing and you don't want any parts left over.  Simply follow the steps, work slowly and identify all parts and where they go.  Even replacing motherboards and screens which may appear to be difficult are easier than you think.  Reassenble in reverse order and make sure to tighten all fasteners securely. A drop here and there of "Lock-Tite" that  keeps fasteners from becoming loose as caused by vibration is always a good idea. 

Good luck,

COPYRIGHT 2006 by W1RC