Laptop Repair 101 – How to Troubleshoot Common Laptop Problems
Laptop users spend most of their time looking at the screen and keyboard. However, they don’t always realize the internal components of the laptop. 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 or solid-state drive is the part of your laptop that stores all your documents and programs. Hard drives are made up of platters that spin at high speeds inside the laptop. When you drop the device, the platters may break. SSDs are much faster than hard drives and have none of these problems. Sometimes, it can be possible to swap the hard drive with a SSD to make the machine function more quickly. However, since some SSDs are soldered to the motherboard, you may need to seek help from an expert in laptop repair.
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. If you’re unsure of how to proceed, check out Laptop Repair 101. This article will show you how to troubleshoot different issues and find a solution for your device.
First, you should determine whether your laptop has power issues or motherboard problems. A digital multi-meter is a good tool to check for these issues. If you can’t see an image on your LCD screen, then it’s likely that your ram is not working properly. Other common problems include a bad cooling fan or a failing hard drive.
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 also allow you to restore the system to a previous point 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 can be very fragile and need professional repair. It’s relatively simple if you know how to do it. Many times, the most likely parts to fail are hidden beneath the flaps at the bottom of your machine. You can even buy second-hand parts from eBay.
Dirt and dust can cause damage to the keyboard. You can check for this by lifting the key cover. Some keyboards don’t have removable keys covers so this can be difficult. Use a cotton swab or compressed aer to clean the keys.
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.
