LAPTOP REPAIR

I am posting here about some laptops I have taken apart and fixed. 
Maybe I can give some useful ideas.


HP PAVILION G6 NOTEBOOK (2013.Sept.)
Problems with stuck/too slow fan --> overheating, sudden shut down.
Than big problem with dead GPU.
I took the laptop totally apart and I did a re-flow on the GPU with a heatgun.
Preheat for 2-3 min on 220 °C at 10-15 cm distance, than 3-4 min on 270 °C at 3-5 cm distance.
Than let it cool down.
It works again.
Fan got replaced with a new one.

COMPAL iFL92 NOTEBOOK
I found  this on eBay and won the bidding (2013.apr.28). 
Got it for £50.
The seller sold it for parts because "some" computer technician told her that the motherboard burnt out and is dead.
Well, good for me!
Took 30 min to fix it. 
Had the same overheated GPU problem like my old laptop.
Check the pictures... since 2008 this computer was never cleaned from dust. Thermal compound got stone hard too.
Now I got another great notebook :D
He-He-He!


COMPAL iFL90 NOTEBOOK
 

My current laptop is a Compal iFL90. I think it's 6 years old (in Jan.2013).

By now the GPU dies almost every month and I have to resurrect it.

This laptop was turned on every day since I got it.

I'm using it for games, video editing, and all the regular stuff.

Specifications:

CPU Type: Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2200 MHz (11 x 200)
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Crestline-PM PM965 
System Memory: 3072 MB  (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT  (512 MB)
Hard Disk Drive: SAMSUNG HM161HI  (160 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II) 

It is a great computer, very sturdy, very reliable.

I'm happy that I bought it.

HOW TO COOL DOWN A LAPTOP?

Ok.. every laptop overheats during intensive use, especially for gaming purposes. 
Just like my Compal iFL90. 

After the GPU died at first time, I had to think about an effective and cheap cooling method. So I wanted to make sure that there is enough space under the laptop to get relative cool air through the inbuilt fan. To lift up the laptop, I glued 2 pieces of cork and some plastic cushion to the bottom (see photo bellow). 
But that wasn't enough. 
Than I had to find a way how to blow cold air underneath. I used a carton box as a stand and I cut holes on the top and sides so I can place a small battery-fan under the iFL90. But that looked ugly and was also weak, however it seemed to be working. 
Okay, I got enough leftover wooden material, so I built a frame that is strong enough to hold the laptop, stylish enough to look good, and got enough space for the fan and other stuff. Plus it is very portable, so when I want I just take the whole construction with me inside the house anywhere I wish... even to the garden.

To make sure that the small inbuilt fan doesn't have to work alone cooling the laptop, I cut out a piece of plastic cover from the bottom. Like this the fan can directly blow cold air onto the GPU's heat-sink. This is how I managed to extend the lifetime of the videocard.

Check out the photos to see what I am talking about ;)

The battery fan works with 4 "D" size Duracell batteries and it last approx. 5 months with an average 20hrs/week usage.
I also got enough space for 2 HP (BR367AA) speakers and some usb external hard drives too. (See more on my Carpentry page.)

COMPAL iFL90 DISASSEMBLED

Here I am going to show you how much hassle is to take apart the laptop if you want to fix something inside. As you've seen above, by cutting out a certain piece from the cover can result in a simple step to access the CPU and the videocard. So if you just want to change the thermal paste or clean the dust, no need to take the laptop apart. 
But here is how it looks in the hard way:

(more coming)