Lesson 1Optional components: webcam module, microphone array, fingerprint reader, sensors and their connectorsLook over extra laptop parts like webcams, microphones, fingerprint scanners, and sensors. Find out their usual spots, connection types, and signs of missing or broken parts during hardware checks to ensure smooth inspections.
Webcam and microphone zonesFingerprint reader in palmrestLight and hall sensorsFlex and micro connectorsHandling and replacement tipsLesson 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. Understand antenna paths through hinges to the lid, grounding ways, and effects of bad links or harm on signal power and steadiness.
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 configurationExplore laptop memory setups, from SO-DIMM slots to fixed LPDDR. Spot DDR types, notch guides, channel plans, and usual breakdown signs to help with upgrades, matching checks, and fault-finding.
SO-DIMM vs soldered RAM setupsDDR3, DDR4, LPDDR signsSlot keying and notchesSingle vs dual-channel pathsRAM upgrade and matching checksLesson 4CPU: function, socket vs. BGA, power delivery requirements, thermal interface locationGrasp CPU duties in laptop setups, including BGA vs socket types, power needs, and heat link spots. Spot VRM stages, sense wires, and fitting gear that impact steadiness, upgrades, and fixes.
CPU duties and fit levelSocketed vs BGA CPU spottingCPU VRM stages and power linesThermal paste and pad zonesHeatsink fitting and pressure spotsLesson 5Motherboard layout: common zones (CPU area, power delivery, storage connectors, I/O region)Learn to understand 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 guide you through diagrams and board maps.
Spotting CPU and chipset areasFinding VRM and power spotsStorage links and data groupI/O edge areas and port groupsUsing labels 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 mechanical strain points link to flickering or blank screen problems.
LCD and LED screen spottingDisplay wire and eDP/LVDS pathsLED driver and backlight powerHinge mechanics and wire strainUsual display fault typesLesson 7DC jack and power input circuit: jack types, barrel vs. board-mounted, common failure pointsUnderstand DC jack designs and power entry circuits. Learn barrel and board-fixed jack styles, current routes to charger chips, and usual mechanical or electrical weak spots causing on-off power troubles.
Barrel vs special jack stylesBoard-fixed and wired jacksInput filters and safety partsTracing adapter power to chargerMechanical strain and spark harmLesson 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, marks, and removal care, and how they tie to time-keeping, firmware holding, 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 physical spots. Tell apart SATA HDDs, 2.5 inch SSDs, and M.2 SATA or NVMe drives, and follow their links back to chipset or special controllers.
2.5 inch bay and holder setupsSATA HDD vs 2.5 inch SSD signsM.2 SATA vs NVMe keying and sizeStorage link and wire 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 chips, filters, and safety parts, and link board areas to issues like no sound, distortion, or jack sense failures in hardware fixes.
Audio codec and amplifier spotsSpeaker spots and wire routesHeadphone jack and sense circuitsAudio filters, ESD and safety partsUsual audio hardware fault signsLesson 11Chipset and southbridge functions: role in I/O, PCIe lanes, SATA, USB controllersUnderstand chipset and southbridge duties in linking CPU, memory, and input/output. Spot these chips, know their cooling needs, and map PCIe, SATA, and USB paths to links for better fault pinpointing.
PCH, chipset, and southbridge basicsSpotting platform controller hubsPCIe path routing 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 links. Learn how their placement affects take-apart order, wire strain, and usual breakdown patterns from spills or bending.
Keyboard frame and backplate setupTouchpad module and bracket designRibbon wire routing and strain easeMounting screws and clip spotsSpill and bend damage signsLesson 13Overview of a typical modern laptop chassis and service access pointsGet a broad view of current laptop frame structures and service entry points. Learn where covers, clips, and screws hide, and how inside plans shape take-apart order and safe part swaps.
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 usual main board labels, link codes, and landmark marks. Understand printed shortcuts for power lines, buses, and test spots to quickly find your way using diagrams or checking live boards.
Reading link 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 placementBreak down laptop cooling setups, including fans, heat pipes, and heatsinks. Learn heat link spots, air flow paths, and how dust, dry paste, or bent plates cause overheat and slowdown problems.
Fan types and control signalsHeat pipe routes over hot spotsHeatsink fins and exhaust ventsThermal 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 the main board and extra boards. Learn how USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and SD readers link via flex wires, and trace port breakdowns to links, ESD guards, or separate controllers.
USB, HDMI, Ethernet port zonesSD reader and card holder spotsExtra boards and flex wiresESD safety near outer portsFixing damaged I/O linksLesson 17Battery pack and power management ICs: typical placement, charging circuitry and protectionExplore battery pack spots and power management chips. Learn charging routes, safety circuits, and talk lines to tell pack faults, MOSFET breakdowns, and charger controller issues apart.
Battery pack shapes and mountsPack link pin basicsCharging and safety MOSFETsFuel gauge and SMBus linesBattery safety and handling rules