Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsReview optional laptop components such as webcams, microphones, fingerprint readers, and sensors. Learn their typical locations, connector styles, and how missing or faulty modules present during hardware inspection.
Webcam and microphone array zonesFingerprint reader and palmrest areaAmbient light and hall sensorsFlat flex and micro connector typesHandling and replacement precautionsLesson 2Wireless module and antenna routing: M.2/minicard modules, antenna placement in lid, ground/connectorsStudy wireless modules and antenna systems, including M.2 or minicard formats. Learn antenna routing through hinges into the lid, grounding methods, and how poor connections or damage affect signal strength and stability.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card formatsMain and aux antenna connectorsAntenna paths through hinges and lidGrounding, shielding, and placementDiagnosing weak wireless receptionLesson 3RAM modules: types (DDR3/DDR4/LPDDR variants), slots vs. soldered, keying and channel configurationStudy laptop memory implementations, from SO-DIMM slots to soldered LPDDR. Learn to identify DDR generations, keying notches, channel layout, and typical failure indicators to support upgrades, compatibility checks, and diagnostics.
SO-DIMM vs soldered RAM layoutsDDR3, DDR4, LPDDR visual cuesSlot keying and notch positionsSingle vs dual-channel routingRAM upgrade and compatibility checksLesson 4CPU: function, socket vs. BGA, power delivery requirements, thermal interface locationUnderstand CPU roles in laptop systems, including BGA versus socketed packages, power rail needs, and thermal interface placement. Learn to spot VRM phases, sense lines, and mounting hardware that affect stability, upgrades, and repairs.
CPU roles and integration levelSocketed vs BGA CPU identificationCPU VRM phases and power railsThermal paste and pad contact zonesHeatsink mounting and pressure pointsLesson 5Motherboard layout: common zones (CPU area, power delivery, storage connectors, I/O region)Learn to read laptop motherboard layouts by recognising CPU, power, storage, and I/O regions. Understand how trace routing, copper pours, and connector groupings reveal signal paths and help you navigate schematics and boardviews.
Identifying CPU and chipset regionsLocating VRM and power delivery areasStorage connectors and data path groupingI/O edge regions and port clustersUsing silkscreen and layer cuesLesson 6Display assembly components: LCD/LED panel, inverter/LED driver area, display cable/connector and hinge mechanicsExamine display assemblies, including LCD or LED panels, driver boards, and hinge areas. Learn to trace display cables, identify backlight power sections, and understand how mechanical stress points relate to flicker or no-image faults.
LCD and LED panel identificationDisplay cable and eDP/LVDS routingLED driver and backlight power areaHinge mechanics and cable strainTypical display-related failure modesLesson 7DC jack and power input circuit: jack types, barrel vs. board-mounted, common failure pointsUnderstand DC jack designs and power input circuits. Learn barrel and board-mounted jack styles, current paths to the charger IC, and common mechanical or electrical failure points that cause intermittent power issues.
Barrel vs proprietary jack stylesBoard-mounted and cabled jacksInput filtering and protection partsTracing adapter voltage to charger ICMechanical stress and arcing damageLesson 8CMOS/RTC battery and BIOS flash chips: typical placement, identification, and removal considerationsIdentify CMOS or RTC batteries and BIOS flash chips on laptop boards. Learn their shapes, markings, and removal precautions, and understand how they relate to timekeeping, firmware storage, and reset procedures.
CMOS and RTC battery typesTypical RTC battery locationsBIOS flash chip package stylesIdentifying firmware chip markingsSafe removal and reset practicesLesson 9Storage devices: SATA HDD, 2.5" SSDs, M.2 SATA vs. M.2 NVMe physical locations and interfacesCompare laptop storage device types and their physical placements. Learn to distinguish SATA HDDs, 2.5 inch SSDs, and M.2 SATA or NVMe drives, and trace their connectors back to chipset or dedicated controllers.
2.5 inch bay and caddy arrangementsSATA HDD vs 2.5 inch SSD cuesM.2 SATA vs NVMe keying and lengthStorage connector and cable routingMapping drives to controller portsLesson 10Audio subsystem: speaker placement, amplifier ICs, audio jack circuitryExplore the laptop audio path from codec to speakers and jacks. Identify amplifier ICs, filters, and protection parts, and relate board areas to symptoms like no sound, distortion, or jack detection failures during hardware troubleshooting.
Audio codec and amplifier IC locationsSpeaker placement and wiring routesHeadphone jack and detect circuitryAudio filters, ESD and protection partsCommon audio hardware failure signsLesson 11Chipset and southbridge functions: role in I/O, PCIe lanes, SATA, USB controllersUnderstand chipset and southbridge roles in coordinating CPU, memory, and I/O. Learn to locate these chips, recognise their cooling needs, and map PCIe, SATA, and USB lanes to connectors for more accurate fault isolation.
PCH, chipset, and southbridge basicsLocating platform controller hubsPCIe lane routing to devicesSATA and USB controller mappingThermal and shielding considerationsLesson 12Keyboard and touchpad modules: ribbon cable connectors, backplate layout, common mounting pointsExplore keyboard and touchpad assemblies, including backplates, screw points, and ribbon connectors. Learn how their placement affects disassembly order, cable strain, and common failure patterns from spills or flexing.
Keyboard frame and backplate layoutTouchpad module and bracket designRibbon cable routing and strain reliefMounting screws and clip locationsSpill and flex-related damage signsLesson 13Overview of a typical modern laptop chassis and service access pointsGet an overview of modern laptop chassis structures and service access points. Learn where covers, clips, and screws are hidden, and how internal layouts influence disassembly order and safe component replacement.
Bottom covers and service hatchesHidden screws, clips, and latchesAccess paths to RAM and storageKeyboard and palmrest removal flowUsing service manuals effectivelyLesson 14Motherboard nomenclature: connectors, sockets, buses, and labelled landmarksLearn common motherboard labels, connector codes, and landmark markings. Understand silkscreen abbreviations for power rails, buses, and test points to quickly orient yourself when using schematics or probing live boards.
Reading connector reference labelsCommon power rail abbreviationsBus labels for PCIe, SATA, and USBTest pads and measurement pointsMatching board labels to schematicsLesson 15Cooling system components: fan, heat pipes, heatsink plates, thermal paste/pads placementAnalyse laptop cooling systems, including fans, heat pipes, and heatsinks. Learn thermal interface placement, airflow paths, and how dust, dried paste, or warped plates lead to overheating and throttling issues.
Fan types and control signalsHeat pipe routing over hot zonesHeatsink fins and exhaust ventsThermal paste and pad applicationCommon overheating fault patternsLesson 16I/O ports and daughter boards: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, SD reader board locations and flex cablesIdentify main I/O ports on the motherboard and on daughter boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and SD readers connect via flex cables, and how to trace port failures to connectors, ESD arrays, or separate interface controllers.
USB, HDMI, and Ethernet port zonesSD reader and card cage placementDaughter boards and flex cablesESD protection near external portsDiagnosing damaged I/O connectorsLesson 17Battery pack and power management ICs: typical placement, charging circuitry and protectionExplore battery pack placement and power management ICs. Learn charging paths, protection circuitry, and communication lines so you can distinguish between pack faults, MOSFET failures, and charger controller issues.
Battery pack form factors and mountsPack connector pinout basicsCharging and protection MOSFETsFuel gauge and SMBus linesBattery safety and handling rules