Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsLook at extra laptop parts like webcams, microphones, fingerprint scanners, and sensors. Find out where they usually sit, what their plugs look like, and how to notice if they're missing or broken when checking the hardware.
Webcam and microphone spotsFingerprint scanner and palm areaLight and door sensorsFlat cable and tiny plug typesCare when handling and swappingLesson 2Wireless module and antenna routing: M.2/minicard modules, antenna placement in lid, ground/connectorsLearn about wireless cards and antenna setups, including M.2 or small card types. See how antennas run through the hinges to the screen lid, how they're grounded, and what bad connections or damage do to signal quality.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card shapesMain and extra antenna plugsAntenna lines through hinges and lidGrounding, covers, and spotsFinding weak wireless signalsLesson 3RAM modules: types (DDR3/DDR4/LPDDR variants), slots vs. soldered, keying and channel configurationStudy how laptop memory is set up, from slot-in SO-DIMM to fixed LPDDR. Spot different DDR types, slot guides, channel setups, and signs of failure to help with upgrades, matching parts, and checking issues.
Slot vs fixed RAM setupsDDR3, DDR4, LPDDR looksSlot guides and cut positionsOne vs two-channel linesRAM upgrade and matching checksLesson 4CPU: function, socket vs. BGA, power delivery requirements, thermal interface locationKnow what the CPU does in laptop systems, like soldered BGA or plug-in sockets, power needs, and heat spreader spots. Spot power stages, sense wires, and fixings that affect steady running, swaps, and fixes.
CPU jobs and fit levelPlug-in vs soldered CPU spottingCPU power stages and linesHeat paste and pad spotsHeatsink fixing and press pointsLesson 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 connection areas. See how wire paths, metal fills, and plug groups show signal routes to help with diagrams and board maps.
Spotting CPU and chip areasFinding power stage spotsStorage plugs and data groupEdge connection areas and port groupsUsing print marks and layer hintsLesson 6Display assembly components: LCD/LED panel, inverter/LED driver area, display cable/connector and hinge mechanicsCheck screen setups, including LCD or LED screens, driver boards, and hinge parts. Follow screen cables, spot backlight power areas, and see how bend points cause flickering or no picture faults.
LCD and LED screen spottingScreen cable and eDP/LVDS pathsLED driver and backlight power spotHinge works and cable pullCommon screen fault waysLesson 7DC jack and power input circuit: jack types, barrel vs. board-mounted, common failure pointsKnow DC plug designs and power entry paths. Learn barrel and board-fixed plug styles, current flows to charger chips, and usual mechanical or electric weak spots causing on-off power troubles.
Barrel vs special plug stylesBoard-fixed and wired plugsInput filters and safety partsTracing adapter power to charger chipBend stress and spark harmLesson 8CMOS/RTC battery and BIOS flash chips: typical placement, identification, and removal considerationsSpot CMOS or RTC batteries and BIOS memory chips on laptop boards. Learn their shapes, labels, and safe removal tips, and how they link to clock keeping, software storage, and reset steps.
CMOS and RTC battery kindsUsual RTC battery spotsBIOS chip pack stylesSpotting software 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 where they fit. Tell apart SATA hard drives, 2.5 inch solid drives, and M.2 SATA or NVMe types, and follow their plugs to chipsets or control units.
2.5 inch bay and holder setupsSATA hard vs 2.5 inch solid hintsM.2 SATA vs NVMe guides and sizesStorage plug and cable pathsMapping drives to control portsLesson 10Audio subsystem: speaker placement, amplifier ICs, audio jack circuitryLook at the laptop sound path from chip to speakers and plugs. Spot amplifier chips, filters, and safety parts, and link board areas to issues like no sound, fuzzy noise, or plug sense failures in fixing.
Sound chip and amplifier spotsSpeaker spots and wire pathsHeadphone plug and sense pathsSound filters, spark safety partsUsual sound hardware fault signsLesson 11Chipset and southbridge functions: role in I/O, PCIe lanes, SATA, USB controllersKnow chipset and southbridge jobs in linking CPU, memory, and connections. Spot these chips, their cooling needs, and map PCIe, SATA, USB lines to plugs for better fault finding.
PCH, chipset, southbridge basicsSpotting platform control hubsPCIe line paths to devicesSATA and USB control mappingHeat and cover thoughtsLesson 12Keyboard and touchpad modules: ribbon cable connectors, backplate layout, common mounting pointsLook at keyboard and touchpad setups, including back sheets, screw spots, and ribbon plugs. See how their places affect taking apart order, cable pull, and common faults from spills or bends.
Keyboard frame and back sheet planTouchpad unit and holder designRibbon cable paths and pull easeMounting screws and clip spotsSpill and bend harm signsLesson 13Overview of a typical modern laptop chassis and service access pointsGet a view of current laptop body builds and fix access spots. Learn where lids, clips, and screws hide, and how inside plans guide taking apart order and safe part swaps.
Bottom lids and fix doorsHidden screws, clips, and locksPaths to RAM and storageKeyboard and palm removal stepsUsing fix manuals wellLesson 14Motherboard nomenclature: connectors, sockets, buses, and labeled landmarksLearn usual main board labels, plug codes, and mark spots. Understand print shortcuts for power lines, buses, and test points to quickly find your way with diagrams or checking live boards.
Reading plug reference labelsUsual power line shortcutsBus labels for PCIe, SATA, USBTest pads and measure spotsMatching board labels to diagramsLesson 15Cooling system components: fan, heat pipes, heatsink plates, thermal paste/pads placementCheck laptop cooling setups, including fans, heat tubes, and heat sinks. Learn heat spread spots, air flows, and how dust, dry paste, or bent plates cause overheat and slow down issues.
Fan kinds and control signsHeat tube paths over hot spotsHeatsink fins and air outsHeat paste and pad puttingUsual overheat fault patternsLesson 16I/O ports and daughter boards: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, SD reader board locations and flex cablesSpot main connection ports on the main board and extra boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, SD readers link via flex cables, and trace port faults to plugs, spark guards, or separate control chips.
USB, HDMI, Ethernet port spotsSD reader and card holder spotsExtra boards and flex cablesSpark safety near outside portsFinding damaged connection plugsLesson 17Battery pack and power management ICs: typical placement, charging circuitry and protectionLook at battery pack spots and power control chips. Learn charge paths, safety paths, and talk lines to tell pack faults, switch failures, and charger control issues apart.
Battery pack shapes and fixingsPack plug pin basicsCharge and safety switchesFuel measure and SMBus linesBattery safety and handle rules