Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsExamine extra laptop parts like webcams, microphones, fingerprint scanners, and sensors. Understand their usual positions, connection methods, and signs of absent or broken units spotted during hardware reviews.
Webcam and microphone zonesFingerprint reader and palmrest zoneLight and hall sensorsFlex and micro connector stylesHandling and replacement careLesson 2Wireless module and antenna routing: M.2/minicard modules, antenna placement in lid, ground/connectorsInvestigate wireless parts and antenna setups, covering M.2 or minicard types. Trace antenna paths via hinges to the lid, grounding techniques, and effects of weak links or harm on signal quality and steadiness.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card typesMain and aux antenna linksAntenna routes via hinges and lidGrounding, shielding, and positioningFixing poor wireless signalsLesson 3RAM modules: types (DDR3/DDR4/LPDDR variants), slots vs. soldered, keying and channel configurationDelve into laptop memory setups, from SO-DIMM slots to fixed LPDDR. Identify DDR types, notch guides, channel designs, and failure clues to assist with upgrades, matching, and problem solving.
SO-DIMM vs fixed RAM setupsDDR3, DDR4, LPDDR signsSlot notches and positionsSingle vs dual-channel pathsRAM upgrade and matching checksLesson 4CPU: function, socket vs. BGA, power delivery requirements, thermal interface locationGrasp CPU duties in laptop setups, including BGA vs socket forms, power needs, and heat contact spots. Spot VRM stages, sense paths, and fixings that influence reliability, changes, and fixes.
CPU duties and integrationSocket vs BGA CPU spottingCPU VRM stages and power linesThermal paste and pad zonesHeatsink fixing and pressure spotsLesson 5Motherboard layout: common zones (CPU area, power delivery, storage connectors, I/O region)Master reading laptop motherboard designs by noting CPU, power, storage, and input/output areas. See how trace paths, metal layers, and link groups show signal routes and guide schematic and board map use.
Spotting CPU and chipset areasFinding VRM and power zonesStorage links and data groupI/O edge areas and port groupsUsing labels and layer hintsLesson 6Display assembly components: LCD/LED panel, inverter/LED driver area, display cable/connector and hinge mechanicsReview display units, covering LCD or LED screens, driver boards, and hinge zones. Follow display wires, find backlight power parts, and link stress points to issues like flickering or blank screens.
LCD and LED screen spottingDisplay wire and eDP/LVDS pathsLED driver and backlight zoneHinge workings and wire stressCommon display fault typesLesson 7DC jack and power input circuit: jack types, barrel vs. board-mounted, common failure pointsKnow DC jack styles and power entry circuits. Study barrel and board-fixed jack forms, current routes to charger chips, and usual mechanical or electric weak spots causing unsteady power supply.
Barrel vs special jack stylesBoard-fixed and wired jacksInput filters and safety partsTracing adapter voltage to chargerStress and spark harmLesson 8CMOS/RTC battery and BIOS flash chips: typical placement, identification, and removal considerationsSpot CMOS or RTC batteries and BIOS flash chips on laptop boards. Learn their forms, marks, and removal care, and how they tie to time tracking, firmware holding, and reset steps.
CMOS and RTC battery kindsUsual RTC battery spotsBIOS flash chip formsFirmware chip mark spottingSafe removal and reset waysLesson 9Storage devices: SATA HDD, 2.5" SSDs, M.2 SATA vs. M.2 NVMe physical locations and interfacesContrast laptop storage types and their spots. Tell apart SATA HDDs, 2.5 inch SSDs, and M.2 SATA or NVMe drives, and follow their links to chipset or special controllers.
2.5 inch bay and holder setupsSATA HDD vs 2.5 inch SSD signsM.2 SATA vs NVMe notch and sizeStorage link and wire pathsMapping drives to controller portsLesson 10Audio subsystem: speaker placement, amplifier ICs, audio jack circuitryTrace the laptop sound route from codec to speakers and jacks. Spot amplifier chips, filters, and safety parts, and connect board zones to problems like no audio, distortion, or jack sense failures in fixes.
Audio codec and amplifier spotsSpeaker spots and wire routesHeadphone jack and sense circuitsAudio filters, ESD and safety partsUsual audio hardware fault signsLesson 11Chipset and southbridge functions: role in I/O, PCIe lanes, SATA, USB controllersGrasp chipset and southbridge duties in linking CPU, memory, and input/output. Find these chips, note their cooling needs, and map PCIe, SATA, and USB paths to links for better fault pinpointing.
PCH, chipset, southbridge basicsFinding platform controller hubsPCIe path routing to devicesSATA and USB controller mappingThermal and shielding notesLesson 12Keyboard and touchpad modules: ribbon cable connectors, backplate layout, common mounting pointsStudy keyboard and touchpad units, including backplates, screw spots, and ribbon links. See how their spots affect breakdown order, wire stress, and usual failure ways from spills or bending.
Keyboard frame and backplate designTouchpad unit and bracket styleRibbon wire routing and stress reliefMounting screws and clip spotsSpill and bend harm signsLesson 13Overview of a typical modern laptop chassis and service access pointsGain a view of current laptop frame builds and service entry spots. Learn hidden cover, clip, and screw places, and how inside designs shape breakdown order and safe part swaps.
Bottom covers and service doorsHidden screws, clips, and catchesPaths to RAM and storageKeyboard and palmrest removal stepsUsing service manuals wellLesson 14Motherboard nomenclature: connectors, sockets, buses, and labeled landmarksLearn usual motherboard labels, link codes, and mark spots. Understand printed shortcuts for power lines, buses, and test points to swiftly guide yourself with schematics or live board probes.
Reading link reference labelsUsual power line shortcutsBus labels for PCIe, SATA, USBTest pads and measure spotsMatching board labels to schematicsLesson 15Cooling system components: fan, heat pipes, heatsink plates, thermal paste/pads placementBreak down laptop cooling setups, covering fans, heat tubes, and heatsinks. Learn heat contact spots, air flow routes, and how dust, dry paste, or bent plates cause overheat and speed cuts.
Fan kinds and control signalsHeat tube paths over hot areasHeatsink fins and exhaust openingsThermal paste and pad useUsual overheat fault waysLesson 16I/O ports and daughter boards: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, SD reader board locations and flex cablesSpot main input/output ports on the motherboard and extra boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and SD readers link via flex wires, and trace port issues to links, ESD guards, or separate controllers.
USB, HDMI, Ethernet port zonesSD reader and card holder spotsExtra boards and flex wiresESD guards near outer portsFixing harmed I/O linksLesson 17Battery pack and power management ICs: typical placement, charging circuitry and protectionStudy battery pack spots and power control chips. Learn charge routes, safety circuits, and talk lines to tell pack faults, MOSFET breaks, and charger control problems apart.
Battery pack shapes and fixingsPack link pin basicsCharging and safety MOSFETsFuel gauge and SMBus linesBattery safety and handling rules