LAPTOP REPAIR COMPLETE GUIDE; INCLUDING MOTHERBOARD AND COMPONENT LEVEL REPAIR! AUTHOR: GARRY ROMANEO Laptop Repair Complete Guide page i LAPTOP REPAIR COMPLETE GUIDE; INCLUDING MOTHERBOARD AND COMPONENT LEVEL REPAIR! HANDS ON STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS Written by: Garry Romaneo West Seneca, New York Create Space Publishing, 2011 Laptop Repair Complete Guide page ii © 2011 Garry Romaneo, West Seneca, New York Other relevant published Releases from this author : World’s First Complete Guide to Laptop & Notebook Repair And Laptop & Notebook Video/Graphics/GPU Repair All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author. Laptop Repair Complete Guide Review(s) from actual buyer (Amazon.com) 5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this book highly!, September 30, 2011 By peyman khodadadi See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase (What's this?) This review is from: Worlds First Complete Guide To Laptop & Notebook Repair (Paperback) I bought this book "World's First Complete Guide to Laptop & Notebook Repair" and I loved it. I learned a lot from this book. It is gives you a step by step knowledge on what to do to repair your laptop. It is not that basic that you get bored. Still has a very easy to understand language that all type of people can learn from. If you have a basic knowledge of Electronic and would like to step into laptop repair world, I recommend this book highly. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | Permalink Comment Comment 5.0 out of 5 stars A very Informative Book. Things you need to know to fix a Laptop!, August 7, 2011 By Kevin See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase (What's this?) This review is from: Worlds First Complete Guide To Laptop & Notebook Repair (Paperback) This is a book that goes deeper into the Motherboard End of Laptop Repairing, Just what I was looking to learn! I already knew the generalized "easy" repairs such as screen replacement, Upgrading RAM, Hard Drives and such, But Motherboard repair is what I really needed to learn. After reading the book in it's entirety, then rereading it a second time, I was able to repair a bunch of laptop motherboards that I otherwise would have tossed out!! Great Book, would highly recommend this to any computer technician. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | Permalink Comment Comment Laptop Repair Complete Guide page i This book is written to teach the Average ―technically inclinedǁ individual how to successfully repair their own laptop, or even learn enough to make it a career. Brought to you by the author of the book; World’s First Complete Guide to Laptop & Notebook Repair, Garry Romaneo. Laptop Repair Complete Guide page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 - Basic Troubleshooting Used By A Laptop Technician - Common Parts And Functions Of The Average Laptop - Installing Operating Systems On Laptops And Netbooks - Complete Disassembly / Taking Apart The Laptop - Laptop Screen Disassembly Instructions - Laptop Screen Types, Including Bulb/Inverter Repair - Laptop Not Powering On Issues & Resolutions Liquid Spill Discussion Cleaning The Motherboard Discussion Chapter 8 - Laptop Not Powering On Issues; Part 2: Video Related Cleaning The Fan And Heat-Sink Assembly Discussion Thermal Paste Usage & Removal Discussion Chipset Discussion Chapter 9 - Reflowing The GPU Coin-stack Use Discussion BGA Explanation Heat Gun Use/Hot Air Gun/ Tips and Nozzles Monitoring The Temperature Tips For A Successful Reflow Chip Sealant / Epoxy Removal Preheating the PCB Use Of Flux Fan Modification/Thermal Controller Thermal Pads Verses Shims Use Of Thermal Paste Chapter 10 - Laptop Not Powering On Issues; Part 3: Motherboard Related Blown Voltage Regulator Types Of Voltage Regulators/ Images/Vectors Blown Capacitors Tantalum & Electrolytic Laptop Repair Complete Guide iii TABLE OF CONTENTS: continued… Chapter 10 - continued Motherboard Testing Procedures Motherboard Testing Tools Methods To Testing Capacitors Identifying Components On The Laptops Motherboard Motherboard Flex Issue Discussion Schematic Discussion Motherboard Repairing Discussion Chapter 11 - Soldering Micro Components De-soldering Process Tools Used In Soldering Soldering Process Explained Diagnosing And Repairing A Failing Hard Drive Introduction This book was written to allow a better understanding as to how exactly a Laptop can fail and how an individual such as yourself, can troubleshoot, diagnose and properly repair the faulty issue(s) that may arise while saving a ton of money rather than sending it to a repair facility or buying new replacement parts. Great for current Students enrolled in Technology related courses, as this information is not taught in classes. DIY (Do It Yourself) Laptop Repair Guide Please take the time to read this book in its entirety, then re-read it again to ensure you get a clear understanding of all its content. I also recommend that you purchase my First book release entitled: World’s First Complete Guide to Laptop & Notebook Repair. – Suitable for all age groups and learning levels – this book will teach you without all the technical terms used, and will explain, step by step, in great detail. I will not include all the arithmetic equations used, or the specific detailed component schematics, rather, I will replace those confusing terms with easily understandable replacement terms for your convenience and to allow a better understanding for the Beginner or inexperienced technician. Garry Romaneo Laptop Repair Complete Guide v Chapter 1 Basic tools used by a Laptop Technician “discussion of both hand and power tools used” Here I will list the tools common name, then, I will give a brief description of that tool’s usages relating to Laptop repairing. Please note: Being that this is a DIY book, I will omit the tools that the average person can not obtain or tools that would be out of price range for most individuals. Phillips Head Screwdriver This is not the average sized screwdriver, as that would be too large for the tiny screws used on laptops today. This is the micro-sized screwdriver, which can be bought at your local Home Improvement store. I myself use an all-in-one screwdriver that houses the extra tips inside the screwdriver itself. Then, I also use the screwdriver set from an Eyeglass Repair Kit, or better yet, go on Ebay.com and search out: IPod Repair tool kit… this will include 3 or so screwdrivers and a couple plastic pictures for prying parts apart. Star Tipped Screwdriver This is also a commonly used tool, mainly used on the Macintosh brand, though also common on Dell, Alienware, and Sony Vaio. If you do not have access to one of these, you can purchase one from your local Auto Parts Store (ask the clerk for assistance in locating one) and you will definitely need the multiple tip pack to allow different sizes for different laptop models. Mini Pliers - I suggest that you buy mini needle nosed pliers because they are easier to use on the micro sized components that make up the laptop. The pliers I use are 3 inches long, I find that the normal sized pliers are way too big and do not reach into certain areas that the mini can. Toothbrush This, believe it or not, is the second most used tool in Laptop Repair. Yes. A toothbrush… You will use this on each and every laptop you repair. Why you ask? The toothbrush is used to clean any and all parts and components in and on the laptop. Cleaning the laptop parts as you repair is detrimental to the longevity of the laptops life. It is used to clean the keyboard, the motherboard and any case part. More detailed usages will follow throughout this book and should be applied as instructed. Scissors - The smaller the better when obtaining your scissors. I use haircutting scissors because they are small and the cutting tips are thin and narrow. Electrical Tape This is used to wrap cables and wires, and used to secure or flatten wire or cable tracks on or in the laptop. I try not to use this on wire or cable wrapping if possible because I have found that over time the tape will slowly unravel and can become ―stickyǁ on the outer-side. Shrink Wrap Tubing - These can usually be found in variety packs, the larger of the sizes will be the one you use most commonly in laptop repair. These are placed over the repair area on the wire or cable, they are basically rubber tubes that you cut to your specifically needed length, then heat the tube to shrink it to the size of the wire or cable being repaired. Copper Foil Tape A less common item used, though you will eventually need this if you are repairing laptops on a regular basis. This will be used for motherboard PCB repair and more commonly used for DC Jack C-ring replacement/repair. Adjustable Pliers This is a less commonly used tool, though it will be needed at times. I will rarely use this on a DC Jack repair to gently wiggle the jack loose from the desoldered contact pads. You will find other uses for this tool so it is a good tool to add to your collection. Liquid (no residue) Flux - For this tool, I recommend that you get both a paste form and the liquid PEN form. Both are readily available on Ebay for a small price, yet are hard to find locally at a store, you can try shopping at Radio Shack for Flux Paste, but doubtful they have the flux pens. Thin Tipped Black Permanent Marker - This is used often to mark screw holes, or to mark the areas of damage on the laptops parts. Plastic Prying Tools - These will be needed for almost every laptop repair procedure. When able, you will ALWAYS use plastic over metal to disassemble or work on the laptop or any electronic component. There are various kinds that are used and needed. A guitar pick is the most used tool, not a flimsy pick rather a slightly thicker guitar pick that can withhold bending back and forth numerous times. Another great plastic tool is one you will need to purchase off of Ebay and is part of the IPOD repair kit (do a search for these on Ebay.com). 2 Part Plastic/Metal Epoxy Glue You will find many varieties of this product and will have to choose the best one for yourself, I typically use the Black/Clear mix… As it has a longer drying time, it will allow more strength over time and hold up to heat exposure. This will be used in many areas of the laptop, and being that a laptop motherboard is SelfGrounded… it can be used directly on the PCB to cover components or traces. A common use for this Epoxy is for DC Jack Repair, as it will be used in the last step and applied to the jacks rear end and sides to help secure it to the motherboard. Also this will be used to brace the Jack when the laptops lower cases DC Jack holding cage breaks (common issue for Toshiba – newer model- laptops). Toothpicks - These have many uses and are a handy tool to have nearby. Used to apply fluxes, used to apply epoxies, also can be used to help plug or unplug certain ribbon cables or thin wire(s). Thermal Paste You will only be using Silver thermal paste in a Laptop, Never Ceramic Paste. Laptops will use 2 cooling sources…. Either Silver paste or a thermal pad. Pads will be hard to repurchase, and silver thermal paste will be readily available for sale everywhere. If a part or component originally used a thermal pad, it is highly recommended that you keep using a pad and not switch it out to using paste… These pads also are used to cover a gap which is left for that specific part for thermal expansion and contraction. 30 to 50 Watt Soldering Iron You can use any brand of these and they are typically disposable. I recommend that you do dispose of the cheaper soldering irons after 10 or so uses, or get yourself some Tinner to refresh the tip. I do recommend a 50 watt iron for laptop component repair as it will allow for better ―flowǁ of the solder due to the higher temperature output. Solder - The average Rosin Core Solder will do, get your self 1.0mm solder, any thicker and it will apply to heavily. Circuit Board Cleaning Solution/WD40 This solvent is used to clean the motherboard, and I will clarify its uses throughout this book. WD40 is more readily available to purchase and can suffice. Again, I will also explain how to properly use WD40 to clean components/remove flux and so forth. Multi-meter - This can be bought at your local Home Improvement store, and you will find a wide variety of quality choices. For a beginner, it is ok to purchase the cheapest Multi-meter to learn its uses and familiarize yourself with it. Heat Gun The better the quality the better the final results of your repairs will be. On average, you want to use at least a heat gun with switchable settings… One that will produce temperature of 700 to 800 degrees. I use a RYOBI heat gun, 120v, 11a, Temp: 200-1100 degrees Farenheit. Heat Gun Add On Tips - You will find for sale on Ebay or the Web, tips for the heat gun… these are the same or similar to the tips used in professional Rework stations (I’ll explain what a Rework Station is later in the book). There are a lot of different tips you can buy and a lot of different sizes to choose from. You will buy these according to your specific needs. I personally use the Cone telescoping tips, and the Square GPU Covering tips.