Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsLook at extra laptop parts like webcams, microphones, fingerprint scanners, and sensors. Learn where they usually sit, their connection types, and how missing or broken ones show up when checking hardware.
Webcam and microphone zonesFingerprint reader and palmrest areaLight and hall sensorsFlat flex and micro connectorsHandling and replacement careLesson 2Wireless module and antenna routing: M.2/minicard modules, antenna placement in lid, ground/connectorsStudy wireless parts and antenna setups, including M.2 or minicard types. Learn how antennas run through hinges to the lid, grounding ways, and how bad connections or damage affect signal strength and steadiness.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card typesMain and aux antenna connectorsAntenna paths through hinges and lidGrounding, shielding, and placementFinding weak wireless signalsLesson 3RAM modules: types (DDR3/DDR4/LPDDR variants), slots vs. soldered, keying and channel configurationStudy laptop memory setups, from SO-DIMM slots to soldered LPDDR. Learn to spot DDR types, key notches, channel plans, and common failure signs to help with upgrades, matching checks, and fault-finding.
SO-DIMM vs soldered RAM layoutsDDR3, DDR4, LPDDR visual signsSlot keying and notch spotsSingle vs dual-channel pathsRAM upgrade and matching checksLesson 4CPU: function, socket vs. BGA, power delivery requirements, thermal interface locationUnderstand CPU jobs in laptop systems, including BGA vs socket types, power needs, and thermal paste spots. Learn to see VRM stages, sense lines, and mounting parts that affect steadiness, upgrades, and fixes.
CPU jobs and integrationSocketed vs BGA CPU spottingCPU VRM stages and power linesThermal paste and pad zonesHeatsink mounting and pressure spotsLesson 5Motherboard layout: common zones (CPU area, power delivery, storage connectors, I/O region)Learn to read laptop motherboard plans by spotting CPU, power, storage, and I/O areas. Understand how trace paths, copper fills, and connector groups show signal routes and help with schematics and board views.
Spotting CPU and chipset areasFinding VRM and power areasStorage connectors and data groupsI/O edge areas and port clustersUsing silkscreen and layer signsLesson 6Display assembly components: LCD/LED panel, inverter/LED driver area, display cable/connector and hinge mechanicsLook at display setups, including LCD or LED screens, driver boards, and hinge areas. Learn to follow display cables, spot backlight power parts, and see how stress points link to flicker or no-picture faults.
LCD and LED panel spottingDisplay cable and eDP/LVDS pathsLED driver and backlight power areaHinge mechanics and cable strainCommon display failure typesLesson 7DC jack and power input circuit: jack types, barrel vs. board-mounted, common failure pointsUnderstand DC jack designs and power input paths. Learn barrel and board-mounted types, current routes to the charger IC, and common mechanical or electrical weak spots causing on-off power problems.
Barrel vs special jack typesBoard-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 considerationsSpot CMOS or RTC batteries and BIOS flash chips on laptop boards. Learn their shapes, marks, and removal care, and how they link to timekeeping, firmware storage, and reset steps.
CMOS and RTC battery typesUsual RTC battery spotsBIOS flash chip package typesSpotting firmware chip marksSafe removal and reset waysLesson 9Storage devices: SATA HDD, 2.5" SSDs, M.2 SATA vs. M.2 NVMe physical locations and interfacesCompare laptop storage types and their spots. Learn to tell SATA HDDs, 2.5 inch SSDs, and M.2 SATA or NVMe drives apart, and follow their connectors to chipset or special controllers.
2.5 inch bay and caddy setupsSATA HDD vs 2.5 inch SSD signsM.2 SATA vs NVMe keying and sizeStorage connector and cable pathsMapping drives to controller portsLesson 10Audio subsystem: speaker placement, amplifier ICs, audio jack circuitryExplore the laptop sound path from codec to speakers and jacks. Spot amplifier ICs, filters, and protection parts, and link board areas to issues like no sound, distortion, or jack detection failures in hardware checks.
Audio codec and amplifier IC spotsSpeaker placement and wiring pathsHeadphone jack and detect circuitsAudio 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 jobs in linking CPU, memory, and I/O. Learn to find these chips, know their cooling needs, and map PCIe, SATA, and USB paths to connectors for better fault spotting.
PCH, chipset, and southbridge basicsFinding platform controller hubsPCIe lane paths to devicesSATA and USB controller mappingThermal and shielding needsLesson 12Keyboard and touchpad modules: ribbon cable connectors, backplate layout, common mounting pointsExplore keyboard and touchpad setups, including backplates, screw spots, and ribbon connectors. Learn how their placement affects taking apart order, cable strain, and common failure patterns from spills or bending.
Keyboard frame and backplate layoutTouchpad module and bracket designRibbon cable paths and strain reliefMounting screws and clip spotsSpill and bend damage signsLesson 13Overview of a typical modern laptop chassis and service access pointsGet an overview of modern laptop body structures and service entry points. Learn where covers, clips, and screws hide, and how inside layouts affect taking apart order and safe part replacement.
Bottom covers and service hatchesHidden screws, clips, and latchesPaths to RAM and storageKeyboard and palmrest removal flowUsing service manuals wellLesson 14Motherboard nomenclature: connectors, sockets, buses, and labeled landmarksLearn common motherboard labels, connector codes, and landmark marks. Understand silkscreen short forms for power lines, buses, and test spots to quickly find your way using schematics or probing live boards.
Reading connector reference labelsCommon power line short formsBus labels for PCIe, SATA, and USBTest pads and measurement spotsMatching board labels to schematicsLesson 15Cooling system components: fan, heat pipes, heatsink plates, thermal paste/pads placementAnalyze laptop cooling setups, including fans, heat pipes, and heatsinks. Learn thermal paste spots, airflow paths, and how dust, dry paste, or bent plates cause overheating and slowing issues.
Fan types and control signalsHeat pipe paths over hot areasHeatsink 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 cablesSpot main I/O ports on the motherboard and on extra boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and SD readers link via flex cables, and how to follow port failures to connectors, ESD arrays, or separate controllers.
USB, HDMI, and Ethernet port areasSD reader and card cage spotsExtra boards and flex cablesESD protection near outside portsFinding damaged I/O connectorsLesson 17Battery pack and power management ICs: typical placement, charging circuitry and protectionExplore battery pack spots and power management ICs. Learn charging paths, protection circuits, and communication lines to tell pack faults, MOSFET failures, and charger controller issues apart.
Battery pack shapes and mountsPack connector pin basicsCharging and protection MOSFETsFuel gauge and SMBus linesBattery safety and handling rules