How to replace a broken laptop screen

July 14, 2014 battguide Leave a comment

A cracked screen can make a laptop unusable. Luckily, you can fix it. I will give you step-by-step instructions for replacing a broken laptop LCD panel.

Whether it’s cracked or has one too many blown pixels, a broken laptop display can stop you dead in your tracks. But with the right tools, a little technical know-how, and a bit of patience you can replace a damaged LCD.

Note: In this article, I show you how to replace the screen on an ASUS UL80V Laptop Screen, which has an LED-backlit LCD Depending on the make and model of your laptop, the internal hardware and specific steps may vary The general.. process however, should be the same.

Should you try this fix?

If accidental damage is covered under your laptop’s warranty, don’t do this fix yourself. Get the laptop repaired under the warranty.

I also suggest you watch my earlier video on what to know before trying to fix a smartphone or tablet. It’s not specifically about laptops, but the information is still relevant, and it will help you decided if you should repair the machine yourself or take it to a shop.

Lastly, understand that if you follow the instructions in this video, you do so at your own risk. Neither CNET nor any of its representatives can be held responsible for injury, damage, or loss of data.

Getting a replacement screen and tools

To begin your fix, you’ll need a few simple tools and a replacement LCD screen. These are really handy for removing the trim that surrounds the screen.

As for the replacement LCD, you should be able to buy one either from the laptop manufacturer’s authorized parts dealer or a third-party supplier Depending the screen, they usually cost between $ 50 and $ 250 dollars -. More if it’s a high-end display or you buy an OEM replacement. Regardless, you’ll want to buy a new screen that matches your broken one exactly. The only sure way to do this is to remove the broken one.

1. Remove the ASUS UL80V Laptop Screen bezel

After disconnecting the power supply and removing the battery, carefully examine the bezel around the screen. You’ll need to remove this bezel to access the screws that hold the LCD panel in place.

On this laptop, several rubber cushions hide screws, which hold the bezel in place. I’ll need to remove these cushions and the screws that are underneath.

With the hidden screws removed, I used a thin metal blade to pop loose one of the bottom corners and worked my way around the bezel with a plastic spudger.

Laptop Screen for ASUS UL80V

Note: Your laptop may not have cushions or hidden screws The bezel may simply snap onto the lid or be held in place with double-side tape Just, adapt my instructions to fit your specific laptop…

Regardless of how you do it, you’ll need to completely remove the bezel.

2. Remove the broken LCD panel

With the LCD’s mounting brackets exposed, you can remove the screws that secure it to the lid. Then rest the display front-side-down on the case and disconnect its cable.

If your laptop was made before 2010 and has a LCD with fluorescent backlights, it will likely have two cables. But as this is an LED-backlit LCD, it only has one.

Now, locate the manufacturer’s label and note the model number. Using this information you should be able to buy an exact match for your broken ASUS UL80V Laptop Screen.

3. Install the new LCD panel

Once your new screen arrives, unpack it and make sure it matches the old one.

If the dimensions, mounting brackets, and connector all match, you ready to install the screen. Connect the new panel to the cable, position the panel in the lid, and secure it using the appropriate screws.

4. Test the new LCD panel and reinstall the bezel

Before reattaching the bezel, it’s a good idea to test the new panel. Reconnect the battery and power cable and turn the machine on. If the display works, you can reattach the bezel and any external screws and rubber cushions. The repair is now complete .

As fixes go, this one isn’t too tough, but it does take a little patience and planning to make sure you get the right replacement screen

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How to choose a cpu fan?

July 14, 2014 battguide Leave a comment

A computer cannot function properly without a CPU. The processor, or the Central Processing Unit, is the internal circuit of a computer system that is responsible for all the main execution and processing of data that are required for a computer to function properly. Modern day computers operate intensively round the clock, and in turn create a lot of internal electrical energy. The electrical energy is the side-effect of the continuous work undertaken by the processor to run software which is hardware intensive. The more advanced the software, the harder the processor works and the more heat it generates. In order for the processor to function properly, it is important to keep a firm check on the temperature level by cooling it down using fans. The fans not only help in cooling down the machine but also keep the system from overheating.

The fans form one of the main components of the processor and helps in dispersing the heat from other heat-producing transistors effectively. If cooling devices like fans are not used, then the amount of heat generated can actually cause irreparable or heavy damage to the other components in the processor which includes components like the motherboard, circuit boards, RAM, and other important components that help in the functioning of the computer.

Types of CPU Fans

Computers are equipped with different cooling equipments to disperse the excess heat generated by the components, but the basic cooling equipments include the coolers for the CPU, case, and hard drives. The common sizes for these typically square devices include 60mm, 80mm, 92mm and 120mm.

ACER Aspire 1353 CPU Fan

The CPU uses a lot of energy when it is running and as a result, there are large amounts of heat generated by the operating components. The heat generated must be dispersed immediately to keep the equipment cool, and to avoid any damage or a complete breakdown of the system. ACER Aspire 1353 CPU Fan removes the heat that builds up due to continuous use, and ensures that the temperature levels are stable by blowing out the hot air and by pushing in cooler air over the heated components. A high quality CPU fan can control the risk of overheating by maintaining the heat level while the machine is running, and allows the user to use the computer system comfortably.

The fan works in conjunction with metallic devices called heat sink. These devices enhance the cooling process by pulling the hot air into its aluminum structure. The CPU fan attached to the heat sink pulls the heat away from the heat sink, and pushes in cooler air through the fin-like vents of the heat sink.

Most computers use multi-speed CPU coolers that monitor the motherboard, the processors and video card. As these components get hotter, the faster the fan spins, thus dispersing the hot air off the heat sink and ensuring that the components stay cool and operable.

Case Fans

CPU coolers alone cannot dissipate the heat of the components, especially if the surrounding air gets too hot inside the computer case. Thus, the case coolers are also helpful in keeping the components cool by circulating the fresh air through the case. Depending on how your computer case is configured, this fan can blow out hot air; suck in cool air, or both.

If your computer has only one case fan, then it will mostly be located in the back of the case, and helps in expelling the hot air through the back. But the most common configuration also has one fan in the front panel of the case as this area has more open space. The front panel fan functions by sucking in cooler air into the case, and is blown out by the back fan once the air gets heated. Your configuration could also include a third cooling fan which is located in the top or side of the case to draw cooler air near the processor. These devices are easily visible, and are therefore available in a various styles with have air filters that prevent dust from entering the case.

Hard Drive Fans

Hard drives do not generate as much heat as the processor or video cards, and depending on the configuration of the system, they consume about ten or twelve watts under load and about seven watts when they are not in use. However, most of the heat in the hard drive is caused by friction as the heads need to move back and forth which can damage the hard drive. It’s always in your best interest to have a dedicated hard drive fan that allows for adequate ventilation, as an overheated hard drive can cause the delicate electronics of a hard drive to fail and also causes bad sectors.

Hard drive coolers are an alternative way of keeping the hard drives cool at the required temperature for systems that experience a lot of hard disk usage. Using of hard drive coolers increases the stability of the system and secures vital information by keeping it cool and operable.

Hard drive coolers can either be active or passive. Active cooling involves the cool air to be blown directly onto the hard drive, and passive coolers like heat sinks, spread the air over a larger surface which can in turn be cooled by active cooling. These drives can also be placed in an external casing outside to that of the main computer casing while being connected to the main board. The outer environment then helps in keeping the system cool and avoids overheating.

Keep your Computer Coolers Efficient

To keep your computers working efficiently, it always helps to periodically clean the coolers. The buildup of dust can slow down the performance of the coolers, or can even clog the fan. Use a brush to clean the fan thoroughly. Another trick to keeping your computer coolers working optimally and extend the lifespan of your computer is to place the processor in a location where it will get plenty of fresh air, since it needs to replace the hot air inside. Avoid obstructing the back of the processor and keeping it against a wall, as this can prevent the cooling fan from doing its job.