Here’s how you can fix, or to be precise, work around some hardware problem without taking apart the laptop.
1. Network port failure.
In most laptops the network port (aka RJ-45 port) is soldered directly to the motherboard. If for some reason the network port fails (I’m talking about hardware, not software failure), the whole motherboard has to be replaced.
Instead of replacing the motherboard, you can use a PCMCIA network card (aka LAN PC card). You plug this card into the available PC slot in your laptop and get a network port instead.
2. USB ports failure.
Most laptops have a few USB ports available and if one of them stops working, usually it’s not a big deal because you still have two or three working USB ports left. But what if all of them stopped working at once. Let’s say the USB controller on the motherboard went bad and the laptop stopped recognizing any USB device plugged in any USB port. Again, I’m talking about hardware, not software failure. In order to fix this problem you’ll have to replace the motherboard.
Alternatively, you can use a PCMCIA USB card. You plug this card into the PC slot and get two or four USB ports instead. It depends on the type of your PCMCIA card.
3. Internal wireless (Wi-Fi) card failure.
Most newer laptops come with an internal wireless card installed. In some models the wireless card could be easily access through the door on the bottom of the laptop. In other models, the wireless card is buried deep inside the case. What can you do if the internal wireless card fails? You can replace the internal wireless card with another one or use a PCMCIA wireless card instead.
4. Internal flash memory card reader failure.
Most newer laptops come with an internal memory card reader installed. You can plug most known flash memory cards into the slot and access the content right away. Usually the card reader is soldered directly to the motherboard and if it fails, you have to replace the whole motherboard or use it as is.
If you don’t want to replace the motherboard you can use an external USB flash memory card reader. All you have to do is plug the card reader into the available USB port in your laptop and it’s ready to go.
5. Internal CD/DVD drive failure.
You’ll find an internal CD/DVD optical drive in most laptops. If the optical drive fails and stops reading CDs and DVDs, it has to be replaced with a new one. Internal laptop optical drives are not cheap.
Instead of replacing the internal drive, you can use an external USB optical drive. Simply plug this drive into the USB port, let your laptop detect and install the drive and it’s ready for you. Also, you can use this optical drive with any other computer which is very convenient.
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
November 30th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@ krish,
How exactly it’s not starting up? Any lights at all when you push on the power button?
Try this. Remove the battery, unplug the AC adapter, push on the power button for a few seconds. Now plug in the AC adapter and try turning it on again.
November 26th, 2011 at 12:51 am
i have a sony vaio laptop. it is not starting up at all. what could possibly be the problem?
November 24th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@ Michael Myjak,
Here’s Dell Latitude D800 service manual. The manual explains how to disassemble the laptop.
I don’t know if it’s possible to fix just the jack because I don’t know how bad the damage is.
November 21st, 2011 at 8:06 pm
I have a dell D800 with a broken microphone jack. Is there any way to fix just the jack? Like fix the solder joint on the mother board? If so, how do I disassemble the laptop to get at the offending jack?
Thanks -
Michael
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:12 am
@ Val,
If you have nothing to lose, you can try one of the following methods:
http://www.laptoprepair101.com.....p-laptops/
http://www.laptoprepair101.com.....hics-chip/
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Hi there,
When I turn on my HP Pavillion TX 2522 the screen stays black, capslock and numlock are active, tried to remove the battery for half a day and then held the power button for 60 sec, it didn’t help so took it to get a free check up done-they said the motherborad is damaged and needs replacing for $240
I was wondering if anyone knows any ways to fix it, am a poor student so can’t really afford paying $240 and the lap top is not particularly new anyway!Thanks
September 24th, 2011 at 6:55 am
@ viany,
Possible memory failure. The laptop should have two memory modules installed. Try removing them one by one and test the laptop with each memory separately.
If one of the modules is bad, the laptop will start and work properly when you remove it.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:47 pm
dear,
i have a lenovo y500 series laptop. there is a problem in my laptop “sometimes it is start and sometimes not” so please resolve my problem by mail. i will still waiting for ur reply.
thanking you.
August 8th, 2011 at 10:53 am
So there is no getting around replacing the motherboard both of my USB ports were damaged during travel, was thinking of resodering the pieces back into the motherboard but now I am looking into an external!
July 30th, 2011 at 4:44 am
Last night, my HP mini laptop was acting slow, while I was deleting pictures and files. So, I decided to restart. Which I did, everytime it starts up. it doesn’t go directly where you enter your password on the user account. It stays stuck on loading part showing the windows xp icon. I have no clue what to do.