Some simple tips on how to fix a laptop

Since the ENIAC, the famous, 30-ton calculator that was developed in 1940s and paved the way to the modern computer age, we've come a long ways. The ENIAC machine was infamous for its frequent breakdowns. Modern computers made from integrated circuits are more reliable but not always easy to repair. Laptops can be a nuisance because all parts are small and squeezed into very tight spaces. Some parts are designed to fit one particular machine, which is worse. The external keyboard for a desktop can be replaced for a few dollars. However, it is usually made to fit one machine or one brand of computer. A replacement could run you as much as a new machine.

Don't be discouraged, some of the most common problems with laptops can be fixed by you yourself. If you are competent and confident, and the machine seems to be in dire need of repair, you might consider buying a new one. These are my personal tips, based on the many years of experience with laptop repair and maintenance.

1. Make sure you have a backup

If your machine is still functioning, make sure you back up your entire hard-drive or at least your most critical documents before you begin. You can copy the entire contents of "My documents" (or "Documents", if you have a Linux-based machine) to a USB flash drive, or burn it to a CD-ROM. If it isn't too large, you can upload it to cloud storage. If your computer refuses to boot, or you don't have the disk space to back it up properly, you might be able to boot it using a CD-ROM/startup floppy (remember those?). You can then copy files this way. You can also boot from a Linux live CD and mount the Windows partition. Then, copy the files to an external flash drive. You can remove the hard drive if you are certain it is safe and secure before you attempt any repairs. Although you can read the hard drive on one machine, it won't likely be possible to start up another machine.

It is important to remember that you should not make backups after your computer crashes. Make a habit of backing up your computer regularly. Backups are usually done every night by corporate IT departments. Working from home, I ensure that I back up my documents folder once per week. It takes me about 15 minutes to transfer the entire thing onto a USB stick and overwrite one of the previous weeks' backups. It is easier to find the frequently changed items on your computer and to copy them from one place. You might need to backup less frequently modified items (like your music collection or photo) less often. You can also use MP3 players to save computer files and music. These can be used as portable backups. A good tip is to have an offsite backup. For example, keep a backup of your documents folder on your computer at home and a copy of it on a USB drive at work. This will make you more resistant to theft and fire. You can also backup your files online using a variety of cloud-based storage options (such as Amazon S3, Google Drive and Apple iCloud).

2. Use a plugin to get around it

Practically all modern laptops have several USB sockets. This makes it easy to connect an external keyboard, mouse or screen, a webcam, hard disk, and so forth. Many older laptops have a PCMCIA socket, a small slot on one side, where you can plug an external modem, WiFi card, or hub. Switching to an external device is the best, cheapest and most straightforward way to repair your laptop if it breaks. For example, a USB plugin keyboard can be used if your keyboard is damaged. If your USB is also broken, you can switch to Bluetooth. Get a Griffin iMic (a small external sound card that plugs into the USB port) if your sound card fails to work. A plugin modem card is a good option if your modem fails to work. You can use a USB hub to plug in your USB sockets if one stops working. If all of your USB sockets stop working, you can get a PCMCIA USB Hub. These add-on "peripherals", which are usually only a few dollars, can be purchased on eBay. You can install them yourself in seconds without having to tinker with your computer or worry about making things worse. It's done!

3. Know your "service flaps".

Most laptop users spend their time looking at the keyboard or the screen. If you look under your laptop, you will see a few plastic flaps. These are secured with a couple of screws or slide clips. They allow you to access the most dangerous components that could go wrong. You can usually remove the battery and the hard drive and add more memory. Additionally, you might be able to change the fan.

You will find the service flaps at the bottom of most laptops

When my laptop crashed, it was a few years ago. I took it to a dealer for an expensive repair. This would have required unplugging the damaged drive and replacing it with a new one. It took me about 30 seconds. I realized that I could do the same job myself by simply removing two screws from the machine's base. It would have been simple to search the part number on Google and eBay, and order a new drive for a fraction of the cost.

Take some time to read the manual that came along with your machine. Look under the machine to see what flaps are there and what you can access and fix.

Service flaps won't allow you to access certain parts of your computer. It's also not always easy to reach the part you need to replace. It's more difficult to remove the main case screws. If you don't take the right screws out, the machine could be falling apart. Snap-off plastic covers are common on laptops. These covers can be removed after you remove a few screws from the bottom and top. Some have snap-off covers around the power switches and keyboards. You can often see tiny recesses in which a screwdriver can fit if you look closely. If you do it wrong, and push or pull in an incorrect place, the plastic will snap and cause severe damage. You should look online for videos and repair websites that will show you how to access your machine's parts. Apple, in particular, will not allow you to repair their devices. They may also require you to purchase new parts. Some devices are simply impossible or difficult to repair. Sony ebook readers have fragile screens, which can be difficult to remove. Even the batteries can't be removed and are very hard to replace. You might find a YouTube video that explains how to repair your Sony ebook reader. It can be a huge help. You don't have to be a pro if your gadget breaks.

4. Find your symptoms

If the problem with your computer isn't immediately obvious, you can search for it on your favorite search engine. This is how I found out that my laptop's LCD screen inverter had to be replaced. The screen was flickering and sometimes going black, but I was able to see the text clearly. After learning about the dangers of replacing an inverter, I took the necessary precautions and removed two screws from the bottom of the screen of my laptop. Then, I ventured inside. It was simple and inexpensive to order a part online. I installed the replacement in just thirty seconds. It was amazing and a delight to see how I transformed a machine that was destined for the dump into something like new. The machine still works well ten years later.

5. Locate your spare part

You will need to replace the parts of your computer once you have identified the problem. When you are fixing your computer, finding the right part is the first step. Fitting spares can be a lot easier than it sounds, provided you have access to them. The most likely parts to go wrong are those under the flaps at the base of your machine. Just take the part number, type it in Google or eBay, and you'll be amazed at what results you get. You'll often find a replacement part from the manufacturer or cheaper alternatives made by other companies. There are many second-hand parts that have been salvaged from laptops that have been damaged on eBay. You can also find many broken laptops on eBay. It may be more affordable to purchase a "spares-and-repair" model of your machine and salvage the appropriate parts, rather than trying to locate one part. You'll also have spare parts in case of future failures.

Open an iPod using a special tool made of plastic

6. When fitting spares, be careful

Most main components of a laptop can be easily replaced. A laptop keyboard is one example. It simply plugs into the motherboard (the main circuit boards) using a clip that you can remove. They are not soldered in. Computer parts are not always robust. They can be easily damaged and cannot withstand hamfisted repair. Some parts, such as memory chips, can be damaged by static electricity even if they are handled carefully. Before you replace a part, do some research online and learn about any precautions that you should take. Do not rush, your computer isn't going anywhere.

It is a little more difficult to replace broken "mechanical" parts on your laptop. This requires some technical skills and dexterity. Broken hinges can result from frequent opening and closing of laptops. It can be difficult to replace parts such as these. You will need to remove a lot of decorative and screws, and you could end up damaging your computer. Take your time, be patient and take photos of each stage to see exactly where it went. This makes it easier to put it back later.

7. It will fail.

Although laptops aren't designed to last, manufacturers don't make them wear out. Computer failures are more common now that computers are being used by a larger, less experienced population. It is worth planning for when and how your machine will fail, and taking extra care to prevent that from happening.

Use an external USB keyboard on a laptop

As a writer, I use my laptop for hours every day. It was not surprising that I had to replace the keyboard on my first laptop within a few years. I also owned typewriters over a decade old. My laptop was repaired at great cost and I did the exact same thing again two years later. My laptop keyboards were much more fragile than desktop keyboards and are not built for heavy-duty industrial use. So I purchased an external keyboard the next time I bought one. It is much more comfortable to type on than my laptop's keyboard. It costs about five dollars to replace a keyboard that I have worn out. You can also use an external mouse or screen in the same manner. You might wonder why your laptop sits on a desk all day, plugged into peripherals.

You'll also find other causes of death in the used laptops for sale on eBay. The list includes liquid damage. You can make a good guess that your laptop will stop working if you spill a cup of coffee. Broken USB sockets can also be quite common. This is usually due to people trying to force the plugs in the wrong direction. Although USB connectors are designed to be plug and play, they are extremely robust. However, that doesn't make them indestructible. Keep in mind that the sockets that you plug in peripherals to are soldered (sometimes not so well) onto the circuit board of your computer. If you press too hard or too often you could cause damage. Your laptop will be able to last many years without any damage if you treat it with care. My Toshiba Toshiba from 1996 still works perfectly; it'd be a shame if Firefox wouldn't work on it.

8. Perhaps someone else could help?

I have suggested some things that are either low-risk or zero-risk, such as using a USB workaround device. If you can't avoid a physical fix and aren't confident enough to do it yourself, is that a reason to throw away your laptop and get a new one? Not necessarily! You can find things like "repair cafés", where volunteers with experience help each other with repairs. Below are some links.

9. What are you going to do with an old machine?

It's easy to believe that there is a conspiracy between those who make operating systems (Microsoft) and those who create laptops. People often abandon old computers because they are unable to run the most recent version of Microsoft Windows. Many computers that are decent get thrown out when Windows 10 reaches its "end-of-life" date. However, they can still be used. You can avoid this by switching to Linux, which is generally more powerful than Windows XP. Two fairly old laptops that I use happily run the most current Linux versions despite being built for Windows XP around two decades ago, one with just 512MB RAM and the other with Windows XP 2.2.

Problem solved? Problem solved? Old machines, which are between 10-20 years old, will have a 32-bit architecture. Most modern operating systems use a 64-bit architecture. Windows versions up to Windows 10 can still be run on 32-bit computers, as well as most Linux distributions (or "distros") that were produced before 2020. It's becoming harder to find Linux distros that can run on 32-bit computers. Lubuntu was once "sold" to be a low-resource Ubuntu distro that could be used to save older computers. Now, it has joined the 64-bit club. Although there are still some 32-bit distros available, it will be difficult to use them. For example, the Chromium web browser is now 64-bit-only. If you want to use a 32 bit Linux distro, Firefox (or another browser) will work.

If you are determined to save your old computer and enjoy geekery, you can install a 32-bit Linux distribution (such as Debian or Puppy, Slack, Puppy and Ubuntu Mate) to help you.

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