Laptop Repair 101 – How to Troubleshoot Common Laptop Problems
While most laptop users spend all of their time staring at the screen and keyboard, they’re not always aware of the rest of the laptop’s internal components. Most laptops are secured with a series plastic flaps that are held in position by one or two screws. These flaps allow you to access the most important components of your laptop without opening it up. Some laptops also have snap-off plastic covers that protect components like the power switch or screen surround.
A hard drive, also known as solid-state drive, is the part of your laptop that stores all of your documents and programs. Hard drives consist of platters that spin at high speed inside the laptop. The platters can break if the device is dropped. An SSD, on the other hand, does not have these problems, and is significantly faster than a hard drive. It is possible to swap the hard drives with SSDs to speed up the machine’s performance. You may need to consult an expert in laptop repair because some SSDs are soldered directly to the motherboard.
Sometimes, the problem may be as simple as a damaged chip. In such a case, you can try to fix it yourself before calling in a technician. Laptop Repair 101 will help you if you are unsure how to proceed. This article will show you how to troubleshoot different issues and find a solution for your device.
First, determine if your laptop is experiencing power or motherboard issues. A good way to test for both of these problems is to use a digital multi-meter. If you can’t see an image on your LCD screen, then it’s likely that your ram is not working properly. A bad cooling fan, or a failing hard disk are other common problems.
If your laptop is having problems with its screen, you might have accidentally hit “num lock”. If this is the case, you can use Windows troubleshooting software to fix the problem. It will allow you to restore your system to a previous state and help you diagnose the problem.
If your laptop is not able to be repaired by you, you can attempt to remove the battery. Some parts of your laptop are incredibly fragile and require professional help to repair them. Fortunately, it’s a relatively easy task if you know what you’re doing. In many cases, the parts that are most likely to fail are hidden under the flaps on the bottom of your machine. You can even buy second-hand parts from eBay.
The keyboard can be damaged by dirt and dust. This can be checked by lifting the key cover. Some keyboards don’t have removable keys covers so this can be difficult. To clean the keys, use a dry cotton swab or compressed air to remove any debris from them.
About Joshua Shuemake
Joshua Shuemake is an IT (information technology) professional, based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. Joshua is CEO of Joshua Shuemake Consulting, providing services such as IT consulting, laptop and computer repair, iPhone repair, and computer networking services for small businesses. You can follow him on Twitter at @joshuashuemake.