Fixing Your Laptop's Broken Power Jack

A broken laptop jack is a recipe for disaster. Not only does it render your laptop useless, but it makes it difficult for the laptop's battery to be recharged. You're probably asking"What causes the power jack to be broken? Well, the breakage takes place when you move your laptop without unplugging the power chord.  This puts excess pressure, causing the soldered connection to break. Instead dishing out a few hundred dollars to get ti fixed, how about I show you how to go about fixing your laptop's broken power jack.

Tools You Need

• Replacement Power Jack,
• Soldering iron and solder
• Desolder Pump

Now onward!

Attach Electrostatic Strap To Your Wrist

Attach an electrostatic strap to your wrist to avoid  static electricity damaging your laptop. Then connect the other end to a piece of metal.Now disassemble your laptop by removing the battery and power chord. After disassembling your laptop, lay it face down and remove any covers from the bottom of the laptop.

Remove Hard Drive

Next remove the hard drive, optical drive, and memory sticks from your laptop. The hard drive is located towards the front of the laptop. Next, remove all screws holding the hard drive and then slide it to one side to disconnect from to the motherboard. The optical drive is held by one screw, Having made that discovery, remove  the screw and slide the drive out of the laptop. Finally the memory sticks are held by two clips... With that in mind, spread the clips apart to cause the memory sticks to pop up. Grab them by the edges and slide them out of the holding area.
  Remove any other screws holding the bottom of the laptop. Pu them aside , and for those of you with memory problems, document them so you can replace them later.

Turn The Laptop's Right Side Up

Turn the laptop's right side up and pry the keyboard bezel along the top of the keyboard. Once removed, proceed to remove the keyboard itself. The keyboard is  connected to the motherboard by a data cable. Then remove the screws holding the keyboard and disconnect the data cable to remove the keyboard. Now disconnect and  the display panel, and remove any screws connecting the display panel to the laptop base.Remove any screws located along the top cover of your laptop.,and  then carefully pry the cover and remove the it from the base.  Next   remove any screws connecting the motherboard to the laptop base and any other components connected to the motherboard including the wireless adapter. After that, remove the motherboard from the laptop base.

Locate Power Jack

Locate the power jack which should be on the back corner of the motherboard, and heat up your soldering iron at this point. Now use your soldering iron to heat the solder holding the power jack and use the desolder pump to remove it as it melts. Dont  press too much on the solder or you damage the motherboard. Next remove the old power jack. Now place fresh solder around  the inputs of the motherboard for the power jack and slide the new power jack in place.(Purchase soldering  toolkit at Amazon.com)Finally reassemble your laptop and reconnect the power cable. After reassembling your laptop,  your new power jack should be raring to go. (Purchase new power jack at Amazon.com )

That's a wrap for "Fixing Your Laptop's Broken Power Jack". Hope this tutorial helps as you try to fix your power jack. Till next time, cheers!

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

Replacing A Wireless Adapter.

One benefit of The wireless network adapter, or network card is that you can connect to your wireless network without utilizing network cables through your house.  For those who don't know, the wireless adapter is plugged into the motherboard with the wireless antennae receiving the wireless signal at the rear of your laptop. Unfortunately if your wireless card fails to pick up the wireless signal it means your wireless adapter is defective and needs to be replaced. Here is how to replace a wireless adapter.

Turn Off The Laptop

First Turn off the laptop and unplug the power cord. Then unplug or unscrew the wireless antennae Now remove two thumbscrews on the edge of the laptop side cover, and then  slide the panel towards the laptop's rear to disengage the tabs. After disengaging remove the tab. and   set the cover aside. You will then go on to remove the screw holding the network adapter bracket inside the rear wall of the laptop. Dont forget to set the screws aside.

Get a Hold of The Wireless Adapter

Now get a hold of the wireless adapter and pull it out of its slot - .gently of course. After pulling the card out, set the card aside. Next insert the new wireless card into that same slot from which you pulled the old wireless adapter. You then align the wireless adapter with the rear of the slot, and then push the card back in firmly but gently. Now align the tab on the wireless adapter bracket with the slot in the rear  wall of the laptop case.  Keep pushing the wireless card in the slot until it fits.

Reinstall the Side Cover

After fitting the wireless card reinstall the side cover.Next reinstall the screw  holding the wireless adapter bracket.You then install the antennae on the wireless card before  plugging it or screwing it in.Next plug in the power chord and then turn On your laptop. You will then see  a message saying "Found New Hardware". That's your queue to install new drivers

You then insert the CD that comes with  your new network card. Now select the option to install or update the driver from the CD menu, and  follow the prompts in the installation wizard  to complete the installation.  After that reboot the laptop...Your network card should work like a charm.

Looking for a wireless adapter for your laptop? buy it at Amazon.con

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

Repairing A Video Card

The video card is one of the most important interior components. Not only does it send video signals  to the laptop monitor but it processes video information as well. Just like any other laptop component, the video card  does suffer from wear and tear as well. However there are some troubleshooting methods you could use to correct some of the system errors. Let me show you what to do when repairing a video card.

Use Clean Cloth to Clean the Vent 

Use clean cloth to clean the vent located on the bottom of the laptop..This is to prevent the vent from overheating and also it helps  bring in air..Then spray a few shots of  compressed air into the vents. This helps remove the dust stuck to the video card and also  allows the vents free access to air. Now check your monitor's cable connection to the video ports for possible looseness. If that's the case it could  be one of the reasons why the display is not reaching the monitor.

Install Newly  Updated Drivers

If the video card is not functioning properly, install newly updated drivers.To install the drivers first, go to your manufacturer's website. Click "Support" and "Downloads" and  then select the operating system on your laptopNow click the current laptop you are using and then select the video card driver option. This downloads the latest video card drivers onto your laptop.Then double click the driver to to to open the driver's 'Installation Wizard."  After opening the "Installation Wizard" follow the series of prompts to completely install the driver onto your laptop. After installing the drivers, restart the laptop. It should work like a charm.

That's a wrap for "Repairing A Video Card". Hopefully these suggestions will help you solve your video card woes. Cheers!

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

Basic Tips On Diagnosing Laptop Problems

Let's face it! laptops have become part and parcel  of our lives. We do everything from  browsing to shopping online. Some of us run our businesses through our laptops through them. So if  for one minute your laptop  powers out, or even worse, crashes to the ground, you're as good as toast.  No need to panic! you can save all your work. Just follow these basic tips on diagnosing laptop problems.

Keep The  Problem In Isolation

You can keep the problem in isolation by asking questions such as:

• Is your laptop battery not charging?
• Has your laptop lost power?
• Is your screen flickering?

If the battery is not charging, try another adapter. If the problem persists, then the cause is either the DC-IN(where the plug of your laptop charger plugs in or your motherboard. Or if your screen is flickering, the inverter (a small board that controls the brightness of your screen) or the screen itself is faulty. You need to keep your detective hat on when investigating laptop-related problems.

Get The Right Tools

Now it's absolutely essential when doing  laptop problem diagnosis that you get the right tools. For instance using the wrong screw driver can tear delicate screws inside a component, causing you major headaches. On most laptops screwdrivers such as o and oo's work the best. You can also use a size 1 PHillips Head screwdriver for bigger screws.  When working  inside a laptop use  an electrostatic sischarge (ESD) mat and wrist strap tom prevent damage to the electricity to the circuity with the static electricity that builds on your body.

Take It Easy On The Plastic Components
When taking apart a laptop take easy on the plastic components. Using too much force will force them to crack or may be difficult to fit them back in after therepair.  If you feel something is notv coming loose, such as screws, make sure everything that might hold it down has been taking out.  If it's your first repair take absolute care as one mistake can be costly.

• Related Post:Tools You Need To Fix Your Laptop

That's a wrap on  "Basic Tips On  Diagnosing Laptop Problems." Hopefully you now get the drift as to what you need to do when diagnosing laptop prolems. Till then  it's cheers!

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

How To Put The Mother Back Into Your Motherboard

Contrary to popular belief, you can fix the motherboard of your laptop. However, it's a very complex and complicated process that requires extreme patience and dexterity or else you may end up damaging the laptop. What we will be doing in this tutorial is identifying  and repairing broken connectors and soldering small surface-mount components. Here is how to put the mother back into your motherboard:

First things needed for the tutorial.

Anti-static wrist strap
Small screwdriver set
Plastic butter knife or expired credit card
91% Isopropyl alcohol
Small stiff cleaning brush
Lint-free cloth
Cotton swabs
Electronic soldering iron
Solder-braid copper solder remover
Lead-free sold


Now onward to the tutorial:

Turn The Laptop Power Off 

Turn the laptop power off and close the laptop lid. Then Remove the power Cable and the laptop battery along with any other cables and accessories that are attached. Next remove the compartment covers for the RAM and hard drive,  and then spread the retention clips on the RAM modules . Once you are through with the clips, spread lift them up at a 45 degree angle. Next,  remove the hard drive by slightly sliding it away from the connector and lifting out of the system. And don forget to remove all screws holding the hard drive. 

Remove All Screws

You now  move to remove all screws holding the bottom of the laptop. Next flip the laptop over and open the lid,  and remove any trim ring along the keyboard with a plastic knife and remove all screws holding the keyboard. Now gently lift one end of the keyboard up and slide the other edge out. You will now  lift the entire keyboard about an inch out of the system. And then  release the clamp on the motherboard holding the keyboard and touchpad cables, and then remove the keyboard assembly from the laptop.  

Next,  remove the VGA cable standoffs from the rear laptop section along with any other screws holding the motherboard.

Remove Accesible Screws From The Motherboard 

Remove any accesible screws from the motherboard and  slide the optical drive out of the system.  Make sure you disconnect an cables or connectors attached to the motherboard and loosen any cables or clamps that hold the cables along the surface of the motherboard.Now slide the edge of the plastic knife along the seam between the upper and lower halves of the chassis to open the case. After that, remove the top or bottom of the case. Next,  r emove all screws attached to the motherboard and then lift the motherboard out of the system.

Dip Clean Brush into Isoprophyl Alcohol

Now dip the stiff cleaning brush into 91% Isoprophyl alcohol and scrub any spill stains from the surface of the motherboard. Then Wipe down and touch up with a piece of lint-free cloth and cotton swabs. Before using the soldering iron heat it. Then touch the copper solder remover against the soldered contact of any damaged component.  Then press the tip of the soldering against the solder braid copper remover for roughly three seconds until part of of the solder is absorbed into the braid. Next  lift the iron and the braid away from the component and wait a few seconds for the heat to cool down. You then repeat the same process for other connections for the same component until the component lifts off the motherboard.

Finally, line up the replacement part and press the tip of the soldering iron to one contact and quickly touch the tip of the lead-free solder to the  connection until a small amount of solder melts into th connection Next remove the solder and  soldering iron and assess the connection.  Continue attachig the component until each connection is complete.

Related Post: Your Motherboard Needs Help and Fast

That's a wrap on "How To Put The Mother Back Into Your Motherboard." Hopefully with the help of this tutorial this will be the most memorable two hours  of your life..Cheers!

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

How To Put The Hinge Back Into Your Broken Laptop Hinges

Isn't it annoying working with a laptop screen that is wobbly? You have to keep moving the laptop hinges just to align the screen. Broken hinges also cause other problems-not to mention difficult in opening and closing your laptop  and your laptop screen being detached. You'd be better off fixing those hinges at the least sign of trouble. This way you avoid further damage to your laptop. He is how to put the hinge back into your broken laptop hinges.

Unplug Your Laptop

Unplug your laptop and remove  the battery. Next use a Phillips screwdriver to  unscrew all the screws holding your keyboard. Next Use your screwdriver to remove your keyboard's cover. And if  your plastic hinge cover is not part of your laptop cover, use your screwdriver to unscrew the covers of the individual hinges.

Locate the Screws on the Screen Bezel

Next, locate the screws on the screen bezel of your laptop. This is the plastic frame outlining your laptop screen.. So use your screw drive to unscrew the screws underneath the Small rubber stoppers. Finally reattach your screen bezel and snap your keyboard into place after you screw all the screws back in. This should help straighten your laptop hinges  and give you a break from adjusting your laptop screen every few minutes

Related: How To Replace Broken Hinges

That's a wrap on "How To Put The Hinge Back Into Your Broken Laptop Hinges". hopefully after this exercise you wont have to straighten your screen every few minutes. Till next time, cheers!

If you are looking to learn how to fix your own laptop, or starting a career fixing laptops, try either of  the following training materials:

• Ultimate Laptop Repair Course: Step by Step training on how fix your laptop with over ten hours of repair footage and over thirty different videos showing you different repairs. You have to constantly move the laptop hinges just to align the screen.
• Laptop Repair Made Easy: A  complete high definition video series on how to fix laptops for fun or profit.
• Laptop Repair Videos: Twelve hours of high clarity videos by a professional repair technician.
•  The Laptop Repair Workbook:    Twelve pages of troubleshooting flow charts for troubleshooting laptop hardware. It also includes explanatory text for each decision    decision point.

How To Swap An Old Laptop LCD Screen With A New One.

The Laptop's LCD screen helps us view our laptops.  That we know. But you also need to know that the LCD screen is not infallible. It can pop out or get broken. Thankfully you can get a new LCD monitor from a computer retailer and replace the old one. Here how to swap an old laptop LCD  screen with a new one.

Things You will Need:

• A Phillips Screw Driver
• A Pen knife or other small knife

Now Onward:

Turn Your Laptop Off 

Turn your laptop off and unplug the adapter. Next, flip the laptop over and  slide the battery latch to remove the battery. After flipping the laptop over, go ahead and  pull the battery out Now turn the laptop over and open the screen to  a normal viewing position. Then   use a pen knife or your finger nail to remove the plastic or rubber screws along the inside or outside edge of your laptop. Once you have removed the plastic or rubber screws, unscrew all screws. And then  pull the screen frame away from LCD screen. Begin From The bottom center and work towards the edges.  If you encounter any problems, use the slide latch to remove the frames. Once you've gotten the frames out of the way,  t lean the LCD screen towards you at least three inches and remove the screen.

 Remove the Screws from the Metal Brackets

Next, remove the screws from the metal brackets on either side of the LCD screen. Next, go ahead and place the LCD monitor flat against the keyboard.Now disconnect the video cable at the back of the  LCD screen. After disconnecting the video cable go ahead and unscrew the  the inverter cable screw. This should be near the video cable connection.After that, disconnect the inverter cable connector from the LCD screen. Once you've disconnected the inverter cable, replace the old LCD monitor and replace it with the new one. 

Then connect both the video and invertor cables to the LCD monitor. After the connection, slide the LCD screen into the laptop lid And then snap the LCD frame into place.Finally, screw the frame back into place.

Looking To Buy A New LCD screen?  Try TheNerds.net .

Related:  How To Fix An LCD Monitor With No Picture

That's a wrap on "How To Swap An Old  Laptop LCD Screen With A New One." Hopefully you will find this tutorial a breeze as you fix your LCD screen.

If you want to learn how to fix your own laptop, Or you are looking to start a career fixing laptops, try the following training materials:

• Ultimate Laptop Repair Course: Step by Step training on how fix your laptop with over ten hours of repair footage and over thirty different videos showing you different repairs.
• Laptop Repair Made Easy: A  complete high definition video series on how to fix laptops for fun or profit.
• Laptop Repair Videos: Twelve hours of high clarity videos by a professional repair technician.
•  The Laptop Repair Workbook:    Twelve pages of troubleshooting flow charts for troubleshooting laptop hardware. It also includes explanatory text for   decision point.