Tech Help for Refurbishing Laptop Computers
A laptop can remain useful long after its manufacturer has stopped selling it. Older laptop computers often have the ability to run recent operating systems, such as Windows XP, and can browse the Web wirelessly after a wireless networking adapter is installed. If you have an older laptop that you no longer need, consider the value it might have for someone else; after a bit of work, an older laptop can look and perform almost like new, making it a potential item for resale or an excellent gift for a friend or relative.
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Disassembly
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Disassemble a laptop completely before refurbishing it. You can generally find instructions by typing the laptop model and the phrase "service manual" into a search engine. Because people use laptops in a variety of different environments, dust can collect in a variety of places inside the computer, including in the cooling fan, in the fins of the heat sink and under the motherboard. Cotton swabs work well for removing dust from places that are difficult to reach. Dampen the cotton swabs with a bit of rubbing alcohol before using them, and replace a swab when it becomes dirty.
Cooling Fan
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It is a good practice to replace the cooling fan when refurbishing a laptop. Because the fan is one of a computer's full moving parts, it is often one of the first to fail. In addition, the blades of a fan collect dust over time that is difficult to remove completely. The dust generates friction, making the fan noisier. Replace the cooling fan when refurbishing a laptop to ensure that the machine continues to cool itself properly and operate at an acceptable volume level. When reassembling the laptop, remove the thermal interface material from the bottom of the heat sink and apply a coat of new thermal compound to ensure proper heat transfer.
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Keyboard and Palm Rest
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The keyboard and palm rest are often the components of a laptop that show the most evident signs of physical wear, because these are the components that the user touches. By replacing these components when you refurbish a laptop, you make the laptop look more like a new computer. Restoring the laptop's physical appearance can help you maximize the money you earn when reselling it.
Upgrades
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Many laptops manufactured in the early 2000s have slots for internal wireless adapters. However, these slots are often empty because the original computer owners elected not to purchase the then-expensive upgrade. However, today virtually all new laptops include wireless cards, and some customers would not consider purchasing a laptop without one. Wireless cards have decreased greatly in price since the early 2000s, and you can now purchase them inexpensively. Install a wireless card when refurbishing a laptop computer to add value to the product and maximize your possible earnings when reselling it.
Protecting the Laptop
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When disassembling a laptop, you remove several components sensitive to discharges of static electricity including the hard drive, motherboard, memory and CPU. Place these components on an anti-static mat or in anti-static bags after removing them. Wear a grounding wrist strap, and avoid walking on carpeted surfaces until you have reassembled the laptop. These precautions help you avoid a sudden discharge of static electricity that can ruin a computer component instantly.
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References
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