Monthly Archives: July 2014

cpu fan

How to Clean a CPU Fan

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Failing to clean you TOSHIBA Libretto U100 Series docking station (PA3433U-1DV2) CPU Fan  can cause the fan to either slow down or to fail completely. If the fan fails, then the temperatures inside the CPU case will significantly increase, which creates the potential for overheating. The easiest way to clean a CPU fan is to use a can of compressed air

1.Shut down your PC and turn the power off. Remove the power cords from the rear of the tower and disconnect them from their power source.

2.Place the tower on top of an antistatic mat that has been laid on top of a table. You may also wear an antistatic wristband that is connected to an electrical ground, like a metal plumbing fixture. You’ll need to use the antistatic devices because static discharge from the floor or from your body could damage data stored on the computer.

3.Open the back of the computer case according to the directions in your owner’s manual. Some CPU’s will require screwdrivers for removal, while others will have buttons to depress before the back comes off.

4.Position your can of compressed air at least two inches from the surface that you are cleaning.

5.Clean the fan intakes and the exhaust using short puffs of canned air. The intakes are the grid-like structures that filter the air that comes into the TOSHIBA Libretto U100 Series docking station (PA3433U-1DV2) CPU Fan.

6.Spray short puffs of canned air over the fan blades. To loosen clumps of dirt, hold your canned air at multiple angles rather than using long bursts of air. Make sure that you do not touch anything inside of the CPU tower.

7.Set the canned air aside and close the back of your CPU.

8.Clean the exterior of your CPU with a damp cloth that has been dipped in soapy, lukewarm water. Dry the surface with a soft towel.

9.Use a damp cloth to clean your power cords while they are disconnected from a power source. Dry the power cords with a soft towel.

10.Return the power cords to their correct positions and power up your computer.

CPU Fan for TOSHIBA Libretto U100 Series docking station (PA3433U-1DV2)

Tips

1.While you are cleaning the TOSHIBA Libretto U100 Series docking station (PA3433U-1DV2) CPU Fan, clean the motherboard and other areas if needed, utilizing short bursts of canned air.

2.Minimize airborne dust in your computer room by cleaning the room regularly. You may also cover your equipment in order to keep dust out.

Warnings: If your CPU fan is not working, then you should only run your computer for a few minutes at a time to avoid overheating and damaging your stored data

laptop battery

What should you consider when buying a laptop battery?

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When choosing  ACER AOD25  Laptop Battery, you should first make sure that it is compatible with your computer, and then consider the materials it’s made out of. It’s also best to look at the power rating and service life, since these have a large impact on its performance and lifespan. Additionally, you may want to consider whether you want a brand name or generic replacement, as well as whether you want a new battery or a refurbished one. Whichever one you choose, you should also look at any warranties offered, and make sure that it complies to safety standards.

Compatibility

The first thing to look for when buying a new ACER AOD25 Laptop Battery is compatibility with your computer. Most are made to work with specific models of computers, and have this information listed in their product descriptions. To make sure that one will work with your computer, you’ll need to know the make and model number of your laptop; if you don’t know this offhand or don’t have the necessary paperwork, check the inside of your laptop’s battery compartment while it is off and unplugged You may also. find the part number of the battery, located on its casing.

Materials

You should also consider the material that the battery is made out of: Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Lithium Ion (LiON), or Lithium Ion Polymers (Li-Poly) NiCad batteries are largely obsolete, since. they are very heavy and don’t last very long. NiMH batteries last longer than NiCads, but significantly shorter than LiONs and Li-Polys. They also weigh more, and have the “memory effect,” which causes them to lose the ability to fully recharge.

Capacity

The capacity, or power rating is another important consideration. This is the amount of power that the ACER AOD25 Laptop Battery can produce, and is usually written in milliamperes (mAh). The greater the capacity, the longer the battery can run before it needs to be recharged , so look for the highest mAh number. Most new ones are rated to at least 5,000 mAh.

Laptop Battery for ACER AOD25

Service Life

Like other technological products, ACER AOD25 Laptop Battery have a designated service life – the length of time that they’re expected to work optimally This is usually written in terms of cycles, with one cycle consisting of completely running the battery out, and then completely charging. it again. Most are are able to go through between 300 and 1,500 charging cycles, and can be used after the maximum cycle count is reached, but may not hold a charge as well. Some computers come with a cycle counter built in, but there is free cycle counting software is also available online for download.

Branded vs. Unbranded

You may additionally want to consider whether you want to buy a brand name laptop battery, like the one your laptop came with, or a generic replacement one. Many brand companies and companies that make generic batteries get their components from the same manufacturers, so it may not make a huge difference, but some brand name versions meet more rigorous safety standards than generic ones, and some do use different, higher quality components. Also, some brand name versions come with better warranties than generic ones. Branded batteries do tend to be more expensive than generic ones though, so if you compare a brand name laptop battery and a generic one and find them to be largely similar, then you may want to go with the generic one.

New vs. Refurbished

Besides the issue of branding, you should also think about whether you want a new laptop battery or a refurbished one. Though some refurbished ones are very good and are often much cheaper than new ones, it’s a little risky to buy refurbished, since you don ‘t really know how old the battery is, and it may die suddenly. Also, many refurbished batteries don’t come with very good warranties, so it may be worth it to just get a new one, especially if you use your laptop a lot.

laptop keyboard

How to Replace Your IBM ThinkPad R61 Laptop Keyboard

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If your laptop keys are sticky, or some of them are missing, or the keyboard isn’t working at all, you can usually replace the entire keyboard yourself for between $ 20 and $ 60. The operation isn’t as hard as you might think, and performing it has the advantage that you don’t have to remove and replace each key individually. Though every laptop is different, removing your laptop’s keyboard usually involves simply unsnapping a cover, removing a few screws, and disconnecting a cable.
If you’re up to the challenge, you can tackle this project in the comfort of your own home Take care, though:. A working laptop is a terrible thing to waste, and PCWorld accepts no responsibility for any damage to your machine that might occur if you try to take it apart Furthermore, if duplicating our process requires actually opening your entire laptop -. if, say, you have to remove anything more than a handful of screws -. you should call a professional And finally, before you do anything else, check to see whether the laptop is still under warranty. If it is, you may be able to get it replaced for free.

Find a Replacement IBM ThinkPad R61 Laptop Keyboard
The first step of the replacement process is to obtain the right keyboard for your laptop. Compare prices by checking eBay, Google, and online stores that specialize in replacement hardware, such as LaptopKeyboard.com, Spare Parts Warehouse, and LaptopsKeyboard.com. Make sure that the keyboard you buy is for your laptop’s exact model number, which you may find printed on your screen bezel or on a label attached to the underside of the laptop. You can simplify your search further by specifying the keyboard’s part number, which you may be able to find on the laptop manufacturer’s website or by calling their support / service department.

Laptop Keyboard for IBM ThinkPad R61Laptop Keyboard for IBM ThinkPad R61

Replacing the IBM ThinkPad R61 Laptop Keyboard
For more-precise instructions on how to replace your particular laptop keyboard than the general steps provided here, check online. There’s a small chance that your laptop is unique and has a very different replacement process from the standard one outlined here. Check with your laptop manufacturer and with the site where you bought the replacement keyboard to see whether they offer specific instructions for DIY repair Some manufacturers provide service manuals with detailed instructions on a variety of servicing tasks;. if not, try searching the Web for “how to replace keyboard “with your laptop’s model number.

! Now let’s get started Confirm that you purchased the appropriate replacement, by placing the new one on the laptop, and seeing if it appears to be the right shape and size Next, gather your tools:. A small Phillips screwdriver for removing the small screws , and a butter knife or other small, thin, flat tool for prying off any covers.

Make sure that the laptop is powered completely off: Unplug the power cord and take the battery out.
Examine the cover / trim piece that sits between the keyboard and the screen;.. It usually affords access to the keyboard Check for and remove any screws that appear to be helping hold the cover piece on Some pieces also cover the screen hinges, which may have small screws on their backs.

Before removing the cover, be aware that it may have a data cable on the back that’s connected to the laptop. This cable is important and usually doesn’t have much slack, so be very cautious when removing the trim piece that holds your laptop’s keyboard in place. You don’t want to rip the cable from the laptop and ruin the connector or the cable.
When the cover is loose, gently remove the cover / trim piece with your bare hands; if necessary, carefully use a butter knife or other thin flat tool to pry it up The cover should snap off fairly easily with a small amount of force-. -don’t use extreme force or you may break it If it doesn’t seem to be coming off, recheck for any remaining screws that may be holding it on -. even underneath the laptop – and remove them.

Once you’ve removed the cover / trim piece, set it aside. If it’s attached to the laptop via a data cable, carefully try to move it out of the way without damaging the cable. Then find and remove the screws holding the keyboard in place; there are usually two to five such screws, located along the top of the keyboard.
Before pulling the IBM ThinkPad R61 Laptop Keyboard up, note that the back of the keyboard attaches to a data cable that in turn is connected to the laptop. This cable usually doesn’t have much slack either, so be very careful when pulling it up. It is crucial to avoid ripping the cable from the laptop and ruining the connector.
Carefully pull the keyboard up (without ripping the data cable from the laptop) and unlatch the data cable connector, usually by flipping up the small latch on the connector. Next, remove the data cable and set the old keyboard aside.

Pick up your new keyboard, align it (without setting it down), and attach the data cable to the connector on the laptop, usually by inserting the flat cable as far as it will go and then flipping the small latch on the connector back down to grasp it. With the data cable connected, set the keyboard in place, being careful not to pull at or damage the cable in any way. Reinsert the screws to hold the keyboard down and reattach the cover / trim piece, which usually requires a little force to snap back into place. If you removed any screws from the cover earlier, reinsert those as well.

Once you’re done with these steps, you can reinstall your battery and boot up the laptop. If everything went smoothly, you should have a perfectly working keyboard at a fraction of the cost of having a professional repair service do the work!