Tell-Tale Signs That Your Laptop Is About To Crash Part I

We all know that laptops crash quite often and without warning. And when that happens you're left totally helpless. So the only thing left for you do in this situation is wait for a reboot or force a reset manually. What makes  a laptop crash so frustrating is the randomness of the crash. One minute your  laptop is fine, and the next minute, it crashes and takes all your precious files along with it.

However not all crashes are that random. There are  potential signs of impending doom that you should look out for in such a situation. These signs may seem like a nuisance to you but they may point to a an even bigger problem that can result into a huge crash and become a huge inconvenience for you.  Here are five  tale signs that your laptop is about to crash

Hardware Conflict
Sometimes you get a a situation where two laptop components gobble up all the resources. This causes hardware conflict, which manifests into freakish behavior while certain tasks are being performed. For instance, audio conflict might render certain programs useless . But not all programs suffer the same fate. Not all hardware conflicts disable laptop programs, but they do cause the dreaded blue screen of death, or, a reboot of the operating system.

The best way to catch hardware conflict is to open the Windows Device Manager.  You can find the Device Manager in the Control Panel.  Now once you get into the Windows Device Manager  you'll see a yellow exclamation mark. That's a sure warning that you have hardware conflict. Now having established this fact, try re-installing the drivers for the defective hardware. If you experience difficulty trying to stop the two piece of hardware from clashing with each other, you can go ahead and disable one in the Device Manager. If that doesn't work, you will have to remove one of the conflicting components.

Random File Or Program Corruption
One bonafide sign of a  laptop about to crash is random file and program corruption. All of a sudden, these files stop working, or they seldom work, and they rarely come with any error message. So to diagnose possible problems, scan your laptop hard disk for possible malware with an  up to date anti-virus software such as Avira. It's possible a virus could be the cause of your file corruption problems. Also check your hard drive for errors, and if that doesn't work, go back to the Window Device Manager to check for possible hardware conflict. Usually behind this conflict is a driver issue.

Noisy Hard Drives
Noisy hard drives are the  most persistent cause of most laptop problems. Although they've improved in quality over time, their mechanic parts still wear out- a  stark reality laptop users must get used to.  

Another possible sign of hard drive demise is programs loading too long.  You should check your hard drive for errors, but you need to back your files before , or just in case your  hard drive crashes. 

Boot Device Not Found
Another sure sign that your laptop hard drive is on its way out is  the dread"Boot Device Not Found."  Now in this scenario, windows usually fails to boot, but but will respond later- even if you hit the reset button.  That's a sure sight that your hard drive  is about to peter out or your windows installation is  corrupt. In that case replacing the hard disk or  or reinstalling windows is your only recourse.

However, a note of caution. Before carrying out either operation, be sure to unplug any external drives plugged into your laptop. This to avoid your laptop making the fatal mistake of reading your external hard disk. This make cause a boot error.

Poor Form
Poor form, or poor general  performance is a consequence of multiple programs you installed on your laptop. This is puts a lot of pressure on your laptop and forces  it to overcompensate.This of course  causes the laptop to perform poorly. Cleaning the windows operating system might help somewhat, but to  save you further misery, you'd be better off re-installing  your operating system.

If the problem still lingers, blame it on  your hardware.   Your best bet is to try a benchmark program such as Clickfix Utilities,  to determine the component  slowing down your laptop. Based on the testing results, you then determine whether that component should be replaced.

That's A Wrap For  "Tell-Tale Signs That  Your Laptop Is About To Crash Part I". Next Week we'll  continue with Part II. Till then take care.

If you are here and you want to learn how to fix laptops as a career or past time, Download Laptop Repair Made Easy

Inverter Board Has To Go

You've trying fixing your laptop inverter, but it keeps getting dark. So you sadly conclude, "Yep it's about that time. The inverter board has to go."  In case some of you have forgotten, the inverter board is  circuit board in your laptop that passes electronic current to the LCD.  It basically gives light to the LCD. And when it fails to do its job, you know it's time for a replacement. So let's see how we can replace the faulty inverter board.

Tools  needed for exercise

• Phillips#2 screwdriver
• Flat-headed screwdriver
• Container For Screws
• Antistatic wrist strap

Now onward to the exercise

Turn Off The Power
Turn off the power to your laptop. Close the screen and unplug the power chord. Disconnect all power cables connect to the laptop.

Flip The Laptop Over
Flip the laptop over to view the battery pack on the bottom of the laptop. After flipping the laptop over, slide the battery latch to the left, and as you hold it, gently remove the battery from the laptop.  Once you are through with  taking the battery out of the laptop, flip flip the laptop Right up again, and open the display screen.

Pry Open The Keyboard Edge Bezel
Pry open the keyboard edge bezel with the flat head screw driver.(The keyboard edge bezel is located under the LCD display screen).  To pry open the edge cover, start on the right side of the edge vessel, and work your way slowly  across the bottom of the edge bezel with the screw driver. After taking off the edge cover, remove it and set it aside.

Unscrew The Screws
Unscrew the screws located above the function keys on the keyboard.  Then use your fingers to lift the top edge of the the keyboard to give you access to the ribbon cable that connects to the motherboard. Next remove the keyboard cable  connector from the motherboard.

Pry Open The Rubber Screw Covers
Use the flat-head screw driver to open  the small rubber screw covers along all four sides of the LCD screen.

Remove Screws  On Edges Of LCD Display
After removing rubber screw covers, set the screws aside in a small container.

Insert Flathead Screw Driver Into Small Crevice
Insert the tip of the flat-head screw driver into the crevice located between the front and rear pieces of the LCD screen's plastic bezel.  Next, separate the two pieces of the bezel. Next remove the front bezel to gain access to the inverter board.

Unplug Harness Cable
Unplug the small harness cable from the left side of the inverter board  that leads to the inverter board. Then unplug the small cable plug leading to the LCD back light bulb on the left side of the inverter board.

Remove Two Retaining Screws 
Remove the two retaining screws that secure the inverter board to the rear bezel assembly. And pull the faulty inverter board out and set it aside.

Slide New Inverter Board Into Its Slot
Slide the new inverter board into its slot to replace the old inverter board. Then use the retaining screws to  tighten the new inverter board  to the rear bezel assembly. Then connect the motherboard and back light cables to the new inverter board.



That's a wrap on "Inverter Board Has To Go" Till next time take care.

If you are here and you want to learn how to fix laptops as a career or past time, Download Laptop Repair Made Easy

How To Replace Your Laptop Battery

When you try  troubleshooting or repairing your laptop battery, but  the battery isnt responding, then it's time to replace the battery.  Most batteries are set up to last 5-7 years. Just so you know, besides,the battery that you charge through your power supply, there is another battery connected to the motherboard, which helps stabilize the CMOS settings when the laptop is turned. However, if you allow the battery to die completely before replacing it, you risk losing your CMOS settings as well. Here is how to replace a laptop battery.

Things Needed For Exercise

• Laptop
• Computer Tool Kit
• Anti-static wrist strap
• Laptop user manual
• Pen and paper
• Manufacturer's laptop service and repair manual
• New Laptop Battery

Now Onward:

Boot Your Laptop Into Setup Mode
First, buy the recommended laptop battery by your manufacturers. Boot your laptop into setup mode according to your laptop manual's instructions. Then write  down the settings for each page in the setup menu and then exit the setup mode. Next, turn off the laptop, unplug the laptop and remove the external battery, following the your manual's instructions. Then put on the anti-static wrist strap and attach the clip end to a piece of metal to discharge static electricity before opening the laptop casing.

Lift Old Battery
Lift the old laptop  battery from its slot in the laptop and replace it with the new laptop battery. Then  put the external battery back in its slot  and plug on the laptop. Boot your laptop back in supply mode and enter the settings you jotted down on the piece of paper. Finally, exit the setup mode and let the laptop boot normally.


That's a wrap on "Time To Replace Your Laptop Battery" Till next time take care.

If you are here and you want to learn how to fix laptops as a career or past time, Download Laptop Repair Made Easy

How To Fix Faulty Keyboard Keys of a Laptop

A while back we learnt how to replace a  laptop's keyboard. Today we're going  down and dirty. We are to learn how to fix the faulty keyboard keys of a laptop. Isn't it irritating sometimes, that you're typing and all of a sudden,a key sticks, and you're unable to produce the character on the screen? Or even worse, a bunch of keys stop functioning all of a sudden. The sad truth is laptop keyboards can stop functioning for a variety of reasons.  I know you're tempted to buy a new keyboard, but knowing how to fix your faulty keys can save you lots of time, not to mention save you valuable cash as well.

Things Needed For This Exercise

• Ballpoint pen
• Car key (optional)
• Flathead screw driver
• Knife (optional)
• Damp cloth

• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
• Can of compressed air.

Now let's dig in.

Turn Your Laptop Off

Turn off your laptop , then use a flathead screwdriver or knife to try the key off gently from a corner.  You should hear the key make a snapping sound as it detaches.

Remove The Key Container

Remove the container(The container holding the key) and use your knife or screw driver to pop the container off by gently twisting it.

Pull off The Space Bar

Pull off the space bar after you you slide the screw driver under the space bar.

Clean Underneath Laptop Keys

Clean underneath your laptop keys with cotton schwabs or a soft cloth dampened with alcohol. You can also utilized compressed air  to remove dust dirt and other debris.

Replace Your Laptop Keys
Replace your laptop keys by placing the laptop container in position. In case you get amnesia(just kidding) as to the exact position of the container, you can remove another key from another retainer by copying that key's retainer's position, and position the key over the retainer while pressing down the key. And as usual, you should hear the key snap into position Next, place your laptop's space bar over the space bar slots and snap it into place.

Well that's a wrap for "How To Fix Faulty Keyboard Keys of  a Laptop." 

Till next time, have a good one.

If you are here and you want to learn how to fix laptops as a career or past time, Download Laptop Repair Made Easy

CD-ROM Drive is Ailing

You've come in the office this morning,  looking forward to jamming to the sounds of your favorite CD'S on your laptop's CD ROM.   You turn on  the CD ROM only to discover that your CD- ROM drive is  ailing. And you're like 'what's going on here?'


Well, let's consider these possible scenarios.


A Bad or Dirty CD
A bad or dirty CD CAN cause your CD ROM to freeze up.  To ascertain this possibility, test all your CD'S to ascertain the CD'S condition, if most of them don't work, it's likely your CD'S are either bad or dirty. In that case make sure you clean your CD'S and CD-ROM regularly with a CD-ROM cleaner. If you still get errors it's likely the CD is bad.

Then Seek verification within the Device Manager as to whether the CD-ROM has exclamation marks. If that's the case highlight the CD-ROM drive an d then press the delete key. After seeking verification, reboot your laptop to reinstall the CD -ROM.


Windows Operation System is Corrupted
It's also possible your Windows Operating System is corrupted. This suggests that your windows operating system has been infected by bad sectors. To get rid of the corruption:

• Test the CD-ROM in safe mode. If it works in safe mode but not normal windows, it 's likely another program that is running is causing your CD-ROM to go corrupt.
•   In that case open Open Device Manager, highlight the CD-ROM Drive and remove  the drive by pressing the delete key.
• Once You delete the CD-ROM, reboot the and let Windows reinstall the CD-ROM 

 Bad CD-ROM Drive or Improperly Connected Cables


Either you have a bad CD-ROM drive or improperly connected cables.It's either your CD-ROM has stopped functioning or the cables were not properly connected during installation.   In that case, verify whether your cables  are connected or not.
  
How Do I Verify that the Cables are connected?
 

 
• If you're mechanically inclined, open your laptop and make sure that the power cable and IDE cable are connected to the motherboard
• Disconnect the IDE cable from the back of the CD-ROM and re-connect it.
• Do the same on the opposite end of the cable.
• Make sure that the audio cable is not disconnected from the back of the cable.

If you're still encountering problems after trying the above solutions, you are still encountering problems, it's highly likely that your CD-ROM is damaged. I am sure the next question is: 

How Do I Test My CD-ROM Drive For Failures?  

Try the following diagnostic programs: CD Roller(www.cdroller.com). Use this program to test and if possible recover your data from your CD'S(www.kvipu.com/CDCHECK).  This program helps check CD drives for damage and also helps recover data from damaged disks. If after performing these diagnostics, your CD-ROM is still not performing, I suggest you buy a new  CD-ROM. 

         That's a wrap on what to do when your CD-ROM drive is ailing. I pray that this tutorial doesnt leave you scratching your hair. Hopefully, you would have solved your CD-ROM problem by then. So if you want to learn how to fix your laptop including your CD-Rom Drive,  Click to Watch Laptop Repair Videos in HD