Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsLook at extra laptop parts like webcams, mics, fingerprint scanners, and sensors. Find out where they usually sit, their connection types, and signs of missing or bad parts when checking hardware.
Webcam and mic zonesFingerprint and palm areaLight and hall sensorsFlex and micro connectorsCare in handling and swappingLesson 2Wireless module and antenna routing: M.2/minicard modules, antenna placement in lid, ground/connectorsCheck out wireless cards and antenna setups, including M.2 or minicard types. See how antennas run through hinges to the lid, grounding ways, and how bad links or damage weaken signal and cause drops.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card typesMain and aux antenna linksAntenna routes via hinges and lidGrounding, shielding, and spotsFixing weak wireless signalsLesson 3RAM modules: types (DDR3/DDR4/LPDDR variants), slots vs. soldered, keying and channel configurationLearn about laptop memory setups, from slot-in SO-DIMMs to fixed LPDDR. Spot DDR types, notch guides, channel plans, and failure signs to help with upgrades, checks, and fixing.
Slot vs fixed RAM setupsDDR3, DDR4, LPDDR signsSlot notches and positionsSingle vs dual-channel pathsRAM upgrade and match checksLesson 4CPU: function, socket vs. BGA, power delivery requirements, thermal interface locationGrasp CPU jobs in laptop setups, including fixed BGA vs plug-in sockets, power needs, and heat spread spots. Spot VRM stages, sense wires, and fixings that impact steady work, swaps, and fixes.
CPU jobs and build levelsPlug-in vs fixed CPU spotsCPU VRM stages and power linesHeat paste and pad zonesHeatsink fix and pressure spotsLesson 5Motherboard layout: common zones (CPU area, power delivery, storage connectors, I/O region)Learn to read laptop main board plans by spotting CPU, power, storage, and input/output areas. See how wire paths, metal fills, and link groups show signal routes and help with diagrams and views.
Spotting CPU and chip areasFinding VRM and power zonesStorage links and data groupsI/O edge and port bunchesUsing print marks and layer hintsLesson 6Display assembly components: LCD/LED panel, inverter/LED driver area, display cable/connector and hinge mechanicsCheck display setups, including LCD or LED screens, driver boards, and hinge spots. Follow display wires, spot backlight power parts, and see how stress points link to flickers or blank screens.
LCD and LED screen spotsDisplay wire and eDP/LVDS pathsLED driver and backlight powerHinge works and wire stressCommon display fault typesLesson 7DC jack and power input circuit: jack types, barrel vs. board-mounted, common failure pointsUnderstand DC jack builds and power entry circuits. Learn barrel and board-fixed jack styles, current routes to charger chips, and usual mechanical or electric weak spots causing on-off power.
Barrel vs special jack stylesBoard-fixed and wired jacksInput filters and safety partsTracing adapter power to chargerStress and spark damageLesson 8CMOS/RTC battery and BIOS flash chips: typical placement, identification, and removal considerationsSpot CMOS or RTC batteries and BIOS flash chips on main boards. Learn their shapes, labels, and safe removal tips, and how they tie to time keep, firmware store, and reset steps.
CMOS and RTC battery kindsUsual RTC battery spotsBIOS flash chip packsFirmware chip labelsSafe 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. Tell apart SATA hard drives, 2.5 inch solid states, and M.2 SATA or NVMe drives, and follow their links to chipsets or controllers.
2.5 inch bay and holder setupsSATA HDD vs 2.5 SSD signsM.2 SATA vs NVMe keys and sizesStorage link and wire pathsMapping drives to controller portsLesson 10Audio subsystem: speaker placement, amplifier ICs, audio jack circuitryExplore laptop sound paths from codec to speakers and jacks. Spot amp chips, filters, and safety parts, and link board areas to issues like no sound, twists, or jack sense fails in fixing.
Audio codec and amp chip spotsSpeaker spots and wire routesHeadphone jack and sense circuitsAudio filters, ESD and safety partsCommon audio hardware signsLesson 11Chipset and southbridge functions: role in I/O, PCIe lanes, SATA, USB controllersGrasp chipset and southbridge jobs in linking CPU, memory, and inputs. Spot these chips, know their cooling needs, and map PCIe, SATA, USB paths to links for better fault pinning.
PCH, chipset, southbridge basicsSpotting platform controller hubsPCIe path routing to devicesSATA and USB controller mapsThermal and shield needsLesson 12Keyboard and touchpad modules: ribbon cable connectors, backplate layout, common mounting pointsCheck keyboard and touchpad builds, including backplates, screw spots, and ribbon links. See how their places affect take-apart order, wire pull, and usual fails from spills or bends.
Keyboard frame and backplate plansTouchpad module and bracket buildsRibbon wire routes and pull easeMounting screws and clip spotsSpill and bend damage signsLesson 13Overview of a typical modern laptop chassis and service access pointsGet a full view of current laptop body builds and fix access spots. Learn hidden cover, clip, screw places, and how inside plans guide take-apart order and safe part swaps.
Bottom covers and fix hatchesHidden screws, clips, latchesPaths to RAM and storageKeyboard and palmrest take-out flowUsing fix manuals wellLesson 14Motherboard nomenclature: connectors, sockets, buses, and labeled landmarksLearn usual main board labels, link codes, and mark spots. Understand print shorts for power lines, buses, test points to quick-set when using diagrams or checking live boards.
Reading link reference labelsUsual power line shortsBus labels for PCIe, SATA, USBTest pads and measure pointsMatching board labels to diagramsLesson 15Cooling system components: fan, heat pipes, heatsink plates, thermal paste/pads placementBreak down laptop cooling setups, including fans, heat tubes, and heatsinks. Learn heat spread spots, air flow paths, and how dust, dry paste, or bent plates cause overheat and slow-downs.
Fan kinds and control signalsHeat tube paths over hot spotsHeatsink fins and exhaust ventsHeat paste and pad useUsual overheat fault patternsLesson 16I/O ports and daughter boards: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, SD reader board locations and flex cablesSpot main input/output ports on main board and extra boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, SD readers link via flex wires, and trace port fails to links, ESD guards, or interface chips.
USB, HDMI, Ethernet port zonesSD reader and card holder spotsExtra boards and flex wiresESD guards near outside portsFixing damaged I/O linksLesson 17Battery pack and power management ICs: typical placement, charging circuitry and protectionExplore battery pack spots and power manage chips. Learn charge paths, safety circuits, and talk lines to tell pack faults, MOSFET fails, and charger control issues apart.
Battery pack shapes and mountsPack link pin basicsCharge and safety MOSFETsFuel gauge and SMBus linesBattery safety and handle rules