Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsLook over extra laptop parts like webcams, microphones, fingerprint scanners, and sensors. Understand where they usually sit, the kinds of plugs they use, and signs of missing or broken units spotted during hardware checks.
Webcam and microphone 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/connectorsExamine wireless parts and antenna setups, covering M.2 or minicard types. Learn how antennas run through hinges to the lid, ways to ground them, and effects of bad links or harm on signal power and steadiness.
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 configurationExplore laptop memory setups, from SO-DIMM slots to fixed LPDDR. Identify DDR types, notch guides, channel setups, and usual fault signs to help with upgrades, matching parts, and fault finding.
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 locationGrasp CPU duties in laptop setups, including BGA fixed versus plug-in types, power needs, and heat spreader spots. Spot VRM stages, sense wires, and fixings that impact steadiness, upgrades, and fixes.
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 understand laptop main board designs by spotting CPU, power, storage, and input/output areas. See how wire paths, metal layers, and plug groups show signal routes and help with diagrams and board maps.
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 mechanicsCheck display units, including LCD or LED screens, driver boards, and hinge spots. Follow display wires, find backlight power areas, and see how mechanical strain points link to flickering or blank screen problems.
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 styles and power entry circuits. Learn barrel and board-fixed jack types, current routes to the charger chip, and usual mechanical or electrical weak spots causing on-off power troubles.
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 considerationsSpot CMOS or RTC batteries and BIOS flash chips on laptop boards. Learn their forms, labels, and removal care, and how they connect to time keeping, firmware saving, and reset steps.
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 types and their spots. Tell apart SATA hard drives, 2.5 inch SSDs, and M.2 SATA or NVMe units, and follow their plugs back to chipset or special 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 circuitryLook into the laptop sound route from codec to speakers and plugs. Spot amplifier chips, filters, and safety parts, and link board areas to issues like no sound, fuzzy audio, or plug sense failures in hardware fixes.
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 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 routes to plugs for better fault pinpointing.
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 pointsCheck keyboard and touchpad units, including backplates, screw spots, and ribbon plugs. See how their positions affect taking apart order, wire strain, and usual fault patterns from spills or bending.
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 a broad view of current laptop outer frames and repair entry spots. Learn where lids, clips, and screws hide, and how inside setups guide taking apart steps and safe part swaps.
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 labeled landmarksLearn usual main board labels, plug codes, and key marks. Understand printed shortcuts for power lines, buses, and test spots to quickly find your way using diagrams or checking 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 placementBreak down laptop cooling setups, including fans, heat tubes, and heat sinks. Learn heat spreader spots, air flow routes, and how dust, dry paste, or bent plates cause overheat and slowdown problems.
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 cablesSpot main input/output plugs on the main board and extra boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and SD card readers link via flex wires, and trace plug faults to connectors, safety arrays, or separate control chips.
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 unit spots and power control chips. Learn charging routes, safety circuits, and signal lines to tell pack faults, switch failures, and charger control problems apart.
Battery pack form factors and mountsPack connector pinout basicsCharging and protection MOSFETsFuel gauge and SMBus linesBattery safety and handling rules