Do not assume that if the power strip is off that the
power is off, unplug the power cord.
I have a scar on my right elbow from not following this simple step!
Today's circuit boards are not repairable by the local handy man. With the
advent of micro circuitry and SMD (Small Micro Device) technology, wave
soldering, and wafer thin circuit boards component repair is out of reach of
anyone who does not have a fully equipped shop.
What all this gobbodygook means to you is it is a throw away world as far as
most computer parts are concerned. Unless your computer is still under warranty
any component that has failed has no value.
Some manufactures support will ask you if you can change out the failed part.
The advantage to this is you don't have to wait for the Tech to schedule his
time to come and fix your computer. The manufacture will ship you the part
(free) and you change it out, then ship the defective part back (free). One of
the reasons for shipping the failed part back is to prove to the manufacture
that the part did fail, another is some parts are repairable, hard drives for
instance, proprietary main boards, power supplies because the manufacture has
the equipment to replace the failed components.
This leads us to the actual repair. Some things need to be done before you yank
out that dead device.
Some of the newer computers do not need tools to get components out, they are
secured by spring loaded devices (latches).
You may need either a # 2 Philips screw driver or a # 15 torque to remove the
screws.
You need to remember that static electricity will destroy delicate components. This is
called Electro Magnetic Discharge (ESD),
static electricity. You can build up
enough static electricity to damage an unprotected part by walking across the
room. How do you discharge the static electricity? By grounding yourself, you
can buy a static wrist strap at your local electronics store or online. You
connect the alligator clip to the case of computer, the power is unplugged so it
is not grounded but the case will absorb any static electric you have built up
by walking around.
I will tell you how to change out different devices and components by their
name, check these pages for the
check list I have created for you.
I recommend you print out these helpful pages for reference while you do your
repair/upgrade.
Having a problem? I have answered technical questions at
AllExperts, if you are having a problem
check out the answers there.
