Are you planning to upgrade your laptop to a higher configuration? Perhaps you will increase the RAM or SSD hard drive. However, if manipulated incorrectly, the laptop will easily be damaged or even cause a fire. Here are some notes when upgrading a laptop you need to know.
The content below will go into depth about the issue of preparing to disassemble the Laptop to upgrade the hardware as well as choose the components to be compatible with the old hardware and ensure that the laptop is not broken or broken.
Why should I upgrade my laptop?
Before you proceed to open your laptop, here are the components you can replace at home:
- Screen
- RAM
- Keyboard
- A new optical drive (CD/DVD/Blu-ray)
- SSD/HDD Hard Drive
- Mass storage for faster booting or more space (Optane)
- New cooling fan for case or CPU
Some notes when upgrading a laptop is that there are components that will be a bit complicated if you do not have the skills to disassemble the laptop to upgrade the hardware. For replacing the Mainboard or CPU, a professional technician is required, I advise you not to do it at home.
For me, if the Laptop is damaged Screen, CPU, Mainboard, then it is best to buy a new machine, because the replacement cost will be quite high.
Notes when opening a laptop to upgrade hardware
Nowadays, when upgrading a laptop, opening the back of the laptop to add an SSD and RAM is quite easy because the screws are much less than in previous generations, as long as you choose the right components to install in the laptop. But before opening the face cover, you need to pay attention to the following points when upgrading your laptop:
- Unplug your laptop charger from the power source
- You should remove the battery from the laptop
- Avoid leaving your laptop on a rough table that can easily cause scratches
- Should wear an anti-static bracelet
- Choose the right hardware compatible with the Laptop
- Check the slots
- Check if the keyboard needs to be disassembled
- Devices for disassembling covers and components
- Do not twist many times, it may break the laptop cover
- Note that the laptop back cover has 2 types of screws: short and long.
Let’s explore these in turn.
Always unplug the laptop charger
Before continuing to open your laptop, it is important that you unplug it from the mains power source.
If the laptop is plugged in to a power source, it will pose a risk when turning on the machine. The device may be damaged or worse, cause an explosion
Remove the battery
On a related note, if you want to open the back cover to upgrade the laptop and remove the internal components, you should also remove the battery.
On some models with removable batteries, this is simple and can be done before opening the case. However, for laptops with a PIN located inside the case, after removing the case, you need to remove the PIN immediately. Mind Record the position and orientation of the battery to ensure correct replacement later.
Avoid scratching the Laptop
If you intend to open the laptop back cover to upgrade the hardware, there is a risk of scratching the chassis. Whether using a desk or a dining table, you are likely to encounter small scratches in the case. They can be from tiny grains of sand, grit, salt, whatever. Scratches may increase when you move the device on a tabletop.
Scratching the Laptop will affect the aesthetics as well as lose the value of the Laptop if you intend to resell it. To protect the laptop, fold a cotton pad or towel and place the laptop on top. This will prevent the lid from getting scratched.
Antistatic
The next thing to be aware of is the risk of static electricity. This is a must for any technician to avoid electric shock to internal components.
Static electricity can damage components inside a laptop. From the monitor to the wifi card, the RAM, the motherboard and the CPU, nothing is safe from static electricity.
Although modern laptops come machines there is also a risk from static electricity. The best way to do this is to wear wire Dwaistdrive handohpeopleoopsNh Dieh?n in contact with computer components.
Make sure your upgrade hardware is compatible
Before installing any new components, you should make sure they are compatible with the laptop.
This is what you should do before buying RAM or SSD/HDD. For RAM, it is necessary to pay attention to the BUS index, type of RAM DDR2 2, 3, 4 … to buy accordingly. You can see the detailed article about RAM for better understanding.
As for the hard drive, it is necessary to see if the laptop has any slots to add, if so, is it HDD or SSD, if it is SSD, which standard is M2 or SATA…
You need to see the specifications of the laptop before buying components to avoid losing money unjustly.
Check the slots
Some laptops provide slots for users to upgrade RAM and hard drives, some low-priced models do not have a second slot, so if you want to upgrade hardware you have to remove old components and replace them with new ones. new condition, instead of using 2 at the same time.
Before buying components, you should check the bottom of the laptop to see if it supports the slot. Otherwise, you will have to disassemble the device, remove the screws, and open the plastic latches.
The fastest way is to go to Google and type: “model + spec” to see if your laptop supports additional slots. Eg: HP Victus + spec
Check if the keyboard needs to be disassembled
Previously, I used an old Dell laptop, upgrading RAM was quite easy without having to remove the case at the back, there is a separate RAM cover on the back cover, just open the brain to attach the RAM to it. .
But for new laptops now, you need to remove the back cover of the laptop, then disconnect the keyboard to be able to upgrade the RAM and hard drive.
I recommend that you refer to Youtube videos of laptop disassembly according to your model and then follow the instructions on the Video to avoid damage to internal components.
Devices for disassembling covers and components
If your laptop has an access slot or a removable keyboard, upgrading it should be simple.
If not, you will have to disassemble the laptop. For this you will need:
- Small head Philips screwdriver
- Torx . screwdriver
- Plastic cards (eg old credit cards) or picks
- Plastic pliers/tweezers
I use a 60k multi-purpose screwdriver set for compactness:
The process here is very simple:
- Remove the screws, remember to note the location or take a picture of the location of the screws
- Separate the back cover on both sides of the laptop with a pick/credit card
- Use pliers or tweezers to remove the cables that connect the mainboard to the case.
Notes when upgrading Laptop: Note when you remove the device, you can take pictures or ask someone else to record the process of removing the laptop cover. This will help you reassemble the brains and components after the upgrade is successful.
Failure to tighten the screws can break the laptop cover
The laptop’s screws are held in place by a blue adhesive called threadlocker. This is intended to prevent the movement of screws during transportation.
Most laptops use blue-tailed screws, it’s not suitable for repeatedly opened cases. And you should not over tighten it will affect the body of the case.
Note that the laptop back cover has 2 types of screws: short and long.
When installing the laptop back cover, you need to pay attention to install the screws in the correct position, if you install the short type and the long hole or the long one into the short hole, it will cause the phenomenon of not being able to screw the brain tightly, but also jam the brain in the hole. inside, resulting in the shell will not be shielded, easy to damage the internal components.
If you are not confident, you should go to the store and ask a hardware technician to help, most stores selling RAM and hard drive components are free to upgrade laptops for buyers. If still under warranty, you can bring the device to the company’s service center for a free upgrade.
Remember, if you make the mistake of upgrading your laptop, you may have to buy a new laptop.