Tools for Laptops

xtortion · 2nd September 2004, 7:17 PM

Hi guys,

What tools are needed for servicing laptops? Are there any particular gadgets you use for it? Is it as easy as servicing a desktop PC?

Thanks.

max223 · 2nd September 2004, 9:17 PM

How many here actually service their PCs???

For a laptop, you need:

Screen cleaning wipe - you can get ones designed for cleaning LCD.
A brush - an old but clean toothbrush will do just fine.
A vacuum cleaner - just your average household one.

No need to explain why you need to wipe your LCD. When you do it, turn the LCD off and always wipe GENTLY. Never apply too much pressure.

Most laptops can have their CPU fans opened and cleaned. Do it with a brush on a regular basis. You can, give it a drop or two oil, if you really want to. I wouldn't do it unless it started sound really strange.

A vacuum cleaner? Yes, every week when you are vacuuming your room, also give your laptop a go. Pay special attention around the keyboard area.

xtortion · 3rd September 2004, 12:05 AM

Hey thanks alot max. I'm getting a brush and a that cloth designed for cleaning LCDs. Any ideas where can I get them?

ty

max223 · 3rd September 2004, 5:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtortion
Hey thanks alot max. I'm getting a brush and a that cloth designed for cleaning LCDs. Any ideas where can I get them?

ty

One of my friends bought a bottle of those wipe from HT. Not sure how much, but shouldn't cost much because he just pick it up when waiting for check out on something else.

Surge · 5th September 2004, 1:47 AM

Invest in a set of TORX head screwdrivers. I've come across quite a few laptops that use these tamper proof screws.

max223 · 19th September 2004, 1:00 PM

I've just had a look at my Dell Inspiron 8600's heatsink today and I've decided that it's dirty enough to warrant a clean up.

I opened it up and found dust blocking most of the gaps between heatsink fins! I brushed them off but had no time for the fan blades... maybe later.

Upon on turning the laptop back on, I found the average CPU temperature dropped by 3C-5C. OK, not restored to 'normal'.

See, a regular clean up well worth it.

digian · 19th September 2004, 6:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by max223
I've just had a look at my Dell Inspiron 8600's heatsink today and I've decided that it's dirty enough to warrant a clean up.

I opened it up and found dust blocking most of the gaps between heatsink fins! I brushed them off but had no time for the fan blades... maybe later.

Upon on turning the laptop back on, I found the average CPU temperature dropped by 3C-5C. OK, not restored to 'normal'.

See, a regular clean up well worth it.

How long since you purchased it .. i wonder what a regular service interval would be on notebooks.

max223 · 19th September 2004, 8:43 PM

I had it just over a year now.

When I say 'regular clean up', it really depends on how dusty is your laptop's working environment and how your laptop's venting system is designed. In my case, I just keep an eye on the intake area, if it's becoming dusty and I'll open it up and check it out.

Grizbear · 19th September 2004, 9:05 PM

If you need to open up your laptop I cannot recommend highly enough a kit from Jaycar for laptop repair.

I use mine most days for laptop repairs at work. I havent come across a notebook that this kit wont open. The range of bits included is quite good.

The one I bought was a black plastic case with a velour like liner and approximately 15-20 driver bits and then a couple of socket bits. The handle is small enough to get into small holes, but big enough to get enough grip and torque to remove the stubborn screws.

Sorry if this seems off topic, but if you want to clean out the internals of your notebook there is nothing better than opening it up and brushing it out..

max223 · 20th September 2004, 6:51 AM

It's sounds like a cool set of tools. My mini-screw drivers are wearing out, I'll sure give it a look later. Thanks for the information.

Anarki · 21st September 2004, 5:11 PM

I have a set of these . They have served me well for over a year.

The other main thing I use when repairing laptops is my fingernails. I find a lot of laptop cases are still held together with clips, and providing enough pressure to unclip them with a screwdriver would scratch the case badly.

2nd September 2004, 7:17 PM	#1
xtortion Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bankstown Sydney Posts: 3,275	Tools for Laptops Hi guys, What tools are needed for servicing laptops? Are there any particular gadgets you use for it? Is it as easy as servicing a desktop PC? Thanks. __________________ Got Adobo?

2nd September 2004, 9:17 PM	#2
max223 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NSW 2114 Posts: 1,327	How many here actually service their PCs??? For a laptop, you need: Screen cleaning wipe - you can get ones designed for cleaning LCD. A brush - an old but clean toothbrush will do just fine. A vacuum cleaner - just your average household one. No need to explain why you need to wipe your LCD. When you do it, turn the LCD off and always wipe GENTLY. Never apply too much pressure. Most laptops can have their CPU fans opened and cleaned. Do it with a brush on a regular basis. You can, give it a drop or two oil, if you really want to. I wouldn't do it unless it started sound really strange. A vacuum cleaner? Yes, every week when you are vacuuming your room, also give your laptop a go. Pay special attention around the keyboard area. Last edited by max223; 2nd September 2004 at 9:18 PM.

3rd September 2004, 12:05 AM	#3
xtortion Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bankstown Sydney Posts: 3,275	Hey thanks alot max. I'm getting a brush and a that cloth designed for cleaning LCDs. Any ideas where can I get them? ty __________________ Got Adobo?

5th September 2004, 1:47 AM	#5
Surge Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 2204 Posts: 2,056	Invest in a set of TORX head screwdrivers. I've come across quite a few laptops that use these tamper proof screws. __________________ Folding@Home 10000 Club Member

19th September 2004, 8:43 PM	#8
max223 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NSW 2114 Posts: 1,327	I had it just over a year now. When I say 'regular clean up', it really depends on how dusty is your laptop's working environment and how your laptop's venting system is designed. In my case, I just keep an eye on the intake area, if it's becoming dusty and I'll open it up and check it out. Last edited by max223; 19th September 2004 at 8:44 PM.

19th September 2004, 1:00 PM	#6
max223 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NSW 2114 Posts: 1,327	I've just had a look at my Dell Inspiron 8600's heatsink today and I've decided that it's dirty enough to warrant a clean up. I opened it up and found dust blocking most of the gaps between heatsink fins! I brushed them off but had no time for the fan blades... maybe later. Upon on turning the laptop back on, I found the average CPU temperature dropped by 3C-5C. OK, not restored to 'normal'. See, a regular clean up well worth it.

19th September 2004, 9:05 PM	#9
Grizbear Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Newcastle Posts: 103	If you need to open up your laptop I cannot recommend highly enough a kit from Jaycar for laptop repair. I use mine most days for laptop repairs at work. I havent come across a notebook that this kit wont open. The range of bits included is quite good. The one I bought was a black plastic case with a velour like liner and approximately 15-20 driver bits and then a couple of socket bits. The handle is small enough to get into small holes, but big enough to get enough grip and torque to remove the stubborn screws. Sorry if this seems off topic, but if you want to clean out the internals of your notebook there is nothing better than opening it up and brushing it out.. Last edited by Grizbear; 19th September 2004 at 9:06 PM.

20th September 2004, 6:51 AM	#10
max223 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NSW 2114 Posts: 1,327	It's sounds like a cool set of tools. My mini-screw drivers are wearing out, I'll sure give it a look later. Thanks for the information.

21st September 2004, 5:11 PM	#11
Anarki Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,235	I have a set of these . They have served me well for over a year. The other main thing I use when repairing laptops is my fingernails. I find a lot of laptop cases are still held together with clips, and providing enough pressure to unclip them with a screwdriver would scratch the case badly. __________________ My trades list is here. __________________