Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:08:30 -0600
Reply-To: Alfred Bagdan <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alfred Bagdan <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Refurbishing a dead laptop
In-Reply-To: <4D8CE6E9.4080509@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi John,
I did just such a refurbishing job with my daughter's HP laptop that is 3
years old. I now runs as new.
One problem was that the C drive was almost totally filled with downloaded
music and videos, and there was no room left for the swap files. The other
problem was overheating, when the CPU gets too hot it shuts down and causes
the laptop to freeze.
It is not expensive to fix yourself, especially if you like tinkering, and
don't care if you wreck the laptop.
I purchased and downloaded the Laptop "Repair Workbook by Morris Rosenthal"
for a few bucks, it has step by step flowcharts for trouble shooting
problems, and also it will give you an idea why you should bother repairing
the laptop when you can buy a brand new one very cheaply.
In My case I did it because I like tinkering, and as a retiree I took it on
as a challenge. I had built desktops computers from scratch before, but
never laptops. The principles are the same.
To fix your laptop you will need a set of small jeweler screwdrivers, good
eyesight or something on your head to see fine detail (I can't think of the
name for it), a can of compressed air, a digital camera to take pictures of
every step, and step by step instructions how to take your laptop apart.
Just google your laptop model number and find the step by step repair
manual. As an example, I googled "DV6700 repair manual" and the first thing
I got was the manual from HP. Also, there should be a recovery file on your
laptop, you can reinstall the operating system and files just as they were
when the laptop was new.
For the overheating problem you will have to take the whole laptop apart,
just to get at the fan assembly. (make sure to take pictures) Have a clean
and well lit workspace, preferably grounded, if not touch something grounded
to remove any static from your hands. Keep track of the small screws by
scotch-taping them to a sheet of paper and labeling everything. There is
lint in the fan assembly and you need to blow it all out with small bursts
compressed air. When putting it back together, make sure to clean the
heat-sink contacts with a damp tissue wetted with Isopropanol alcohol, and
then put a very thin layer of heat-sink compound back on. Be very careful
with the wires and ribbons when you take the laptop apart and put back
together.
Be patient, and if you are unsure about something google or watch steps on
Youtube.
I wrecked a small ribbon cable because I did not know how to release it. As
a result I had to find a replacement for a few bucks on the internet.
It is easier to fix a laptop then a Vanagon!
Happy tinkering,
Alfred
85 Westy
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Rodgers
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 1:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Refurbishing a dead laptop
I've got an HP and a Gateway - both bought new by a lady friend who
simply gave them to me. Says she - "They don't work". I suspect not much
is wrong with them, and I need something to use in my ol' '88GL when
camping or otherwise on the road for e-mail and a little browsing, so
I'm wondering about whether it's possible for ME to refurbish these
things. I've never torn into one of these things.
Any ideas and comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
John
--
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
