Replacing a CPU is one of the most difficult tasks of replacing laptop components and it is a way more complicated than replacing a RAM or Hard Disk but they follow the same general steps. This article will nevertheless show you how this can be done and will also provide you with essential information on replacing a laptop display.
Why is it so challenging to replace the CPU of your laptop?
Lot of the CPUs inside laptop sits there facing the bottom so that it vents away from your hands. If the laptop is resting on a flat and hard surface, the generated heated air within goes back to the back of the laptop and not towards the user, which is incredibly convenient. You access the CPU in this way from the bottom of the system.
CPU also has a heat-sink and a fan assembly which includes both CPU and chipset. Each of these pieces are screwed down in various places. Do not start pulling things out without careful inspection if this is a new laptop which you have never opened before. Refer to the manual again and see if they provide instructions and other necessary information. For instance, a fan will have a connection connected to it, which may not be visible upon looking at it.
The steps you should take to replace the CPU
The very first thing as you have learned until now. BE very careful about the ESD and remove all of the power from the laptop including the batter even though it is not plugged-in. In case the battery is built-in you don’t have option to take it out refer to the manufacturer or third-party resources. In case you don’t find the answer, wait for an answer. Keep looking. For instance, you might want to ask questions in forums like Tom’s Hardware, iFixit.com , Reddit etc. or best, directly talk to the support assistance of the manufacturer.
Remove the hatch which should expose the CPU. Remove the heat-sink along with fan assembly. Now lift out the processor. Be extra careful and gentle but not to the point that you are nervous, in such case leave it and come back to it later. Once done, replace it with another CPU. Then apply the thermal paste and finish the process by shutting it down with fan assembly and heat-sink. Once you are done, slide in the batter and necessary components you might have took out and then plug in and this should be it.
Again, look for the appropriate positioning of your laptop. It may have a passive cooling system and CPU pointed upward than downward. In that case, it may have the heat sink right beneath the keyboard to cool things down and you need to pry open the keyboard to expose the CPU.
Replacing laptop display
Replacing laptop display is quite challenging. First thing is you need to know enough about how LCD works and their internal parts and what panel is in general. If you know them great but laptop’s display contains other integral parts that makes up the laptop. Such as the LCD panel has the backlight and inverter (on older portables) and in addition to it, they typically have components like a Wi-Fi antenna, Webcam and microphone. In case the display is touchscreen, that brings you different challenge.
Process of replacing the screen, inverter, Wi-Fi antenna, Webcam or microphone follows the likewise steps we discussed until now. You pry the frame off the display. Typically a spudger or other tools are used. Removed the exposed screws. The screen will come out and you need to detach the integral parts in addition. Take notice that each of the laptops and the way they are supposed to be dismantle varies. Better, check out with the manufacturer resources. You will need to disconnect the data cables gently for each component. In case you are replacing a defective webcam or microphone, you do not need to disconnect other parts, but if you need to replace the inverter or screen, you will need to disconnect everything from each other.
Document the process and which parts goes where and where it connects to and how it connects. The whole process will become mind puzzling if you do not document. Best way to do is to take pictures with your phone or record yourself while opening them up. This little setup will save you from great sweat and time!
Note that all of the instruction mentioned here are general but the details are not exactly what are mentioned here since the devices and their internal architecture varies.