All main laptop and notebook parts explained
On this website you will find information about all main parts inside a typical laptop or notebook computer. You can identify parts by the description or image below. In order to get more information about a particular part, you can follow the link in the description or simply click on the image.
The system board is the main logic board in any laptop. All internal components are connected to the system board. This is one of the most expensive parts in a laptop.
More memory you have installed – better the performance of the laptop.
Learn about different types of memory, compatibility issues and how you can replace or upgrade memory yourself. The memory is a user replaceable part.
The hard drive is the main storage of information in a laptop. All system files, personal files are stored inside the hard drive. Find the difference between SATA and IDE hard drives. Faster hard drive you have installed – faster data access you get. You can upgrade the hard drive yourself.
The processor is the brain of your laptop. Faster CPU means faster data processing.
The keyboard is the main input device. Find out how the keyboard is connected to the motherboard and how it can be removed or replaced.
The CD/DVD drive allows you to read/write data from/to a CD or DVD disc. Lear about the difference between drives with regular and SATA connectors.
The cooling fan is a part of the cooling module in a laptop. The fan helps to cool down the processor when the laptop is turned on.
In most modern laptops the video card is integrated into the system board. If the video card fails you have to replace the whole motherboard.
In some laptops the video card is a discrete module and can be removed or replaced separately from the motherboard.
In most laptops the audio board is a part of the motherboard. If that’s the case, all audio board input/output components such as volume control, microphone jack and headphone jack are soldered directory to the motherboard.
The internal wireless card helps you to connect to the Internet without running a cable. Learn about different types of internal wireless cards and how they are connected to the motherboard.
The CMOS battery provides power to the CMOS chip when the laptop is turned off or disconnected form the wall outlet.
The LCD screen is one of the most expensive parts in a laptop computer. The LCD screen mounts inside the display panel.
If you accidentally cracked the screen, it has to be replaced. You cannot repair a cracked screen.
SCREEN INVERTER BOARD aka FL INVERTER
The inverter board is a power supply for the backlight lamp inside the LCD screen. When inverter fails, the LCD screen goes very very dark and you barely can see any image on the screen. In most laptops the inverter board is mounted inside the display panel below the LCD screen.
SCREEN BACKLIGHT LAMP aka CCFL TUBE
The backlight lamp is the main source of light in the LCD screen. The backlight lamp is mouted inside the screen. When the backlight lamp fails, you have to replace the whole LCD screen. It’s possible to replace just the lamp inside the screen but it’s very hard and has to be performed by an experienced technician.
The video cable connectes the Laptop screen to motherboard. The video cable carries data signal for the LCD screen and power for the ivnerter board.
Many modern laptops come with a web camera built into the display panel. The web camera is not a part of the LCD screen. The web camers is located on a separate board and can be replaced separately from the LCD.
DISPLAY HINGES aka SCREEN HINGES
The dispaly hinges connect two main parts of any laptop – the display panel and base assembly.
The AC/DC power adapter converts high voltage AC power from the mains to low voltage DC power required by the laptop.
The battery is a secondary source of power for a laptop. The battery gets charged while the laptop is plugged into the mains and keeps the laptop running when it’s unplugged from the mains.
Laptop parts | Repair Man | 
May 2, 2009 10:48 am
140 Responses to “All main laptop and notebook parts explained”
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Pages: [6] 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All
December 14th, 2011 at 10:40 am
@ S.Basker,
Do you mean the scree will not attach to the back cover anymore? Apparently you have damaged the screw anchor which is embedded into the back cover. When it happens, you’ll have to replace the back cover.
December 14th, 2011 at 12:04 am
This is very useful. I want know how to find damages on screwing stud. While screwing the back cover, It may cause damage. In that case how i will find damages.
November 2nd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
@ Shosho,
It’s hard to tell what’s going on without looking at the laptop. Could be memory failure.
Do you have two memory modules installed? Test the laptop with each memory module separately.
The laptop might start properly when the bad memory module removed.
November 2nd, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@ Karl,
Not sure what’s causing that but I had exactly the same problem with one of my Sony laptop two or three times.
The laptop shut down without any reason but after I unplug the AC adapter and reconnected the battery it started properly.
Also, this could be related to CPU overheating. If CPU overheats, the laptop will not turn on until the CPU cools down. Make sure the heatsink is clean. If it has much dust inside, clean up the heatsink with compressed air.
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:38 am
I was recently playing a game on my Sony VAIO VGN-FZ21S when it suddenly cut out without any smell. After it would not do anything at all weather plugged in or not. I then used my multimeter to test the power outlet on the AC adapter and it was 19.5v. I then opened the laptop to bare motherboard level to see what was happening, when I decided to test the AC adapter again, suddenly it worked. I reassembled it again and now it works 100%. My question is why would it act like that?
October 15th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I have a problem with my laptop , it’s refusing to start , I mean when I click on the power button the monitor is blank, it’s not working at all , only the wireless and another lights are flashing ! My laptop is Sony Vaio VGN-CR23G
October 8th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Cul work keep it up, good explaination.
August 31st, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Hi, how are you? great blog. I would like to build a personal computer (mini-pc, ultra low power) using the Dell 1010 (z530, 1gb) motherboard. How? What parts will I need to use it with LCD monitor, keyboard and mouse?
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:00 am
This is so enlightening. Thank you so much. If I wanted to dispose a 2yr old compaq laptop how much worth would each of these parts have?
July 25th, 2011 at 8:40 am
this materials has help me so much…whtit this material has got my hands on diferent laptop and got it repair.. before i only repair desktop.
July 18th, 2011 at 9:37 am
@ I C Gupta,
Visit the laptop manufacture website and try downloading the touch pad drivers and software. Usually you can change touch pad sensitivity through that software.
If there is no software available, try changing touch pad settings in the control panel (check settings for the mouse).
July 17th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Can any body tell how to reduce the sensitivity of the touchpad as it is moving here and there without any control over it making the work on laptop just impossible.
In case you know the the solution of this
With Regards
I.C.Gupta
July 17th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
There is 1 part of a laptop that is not mentioned here. It’s the trackpad or touchpad. I think that part should be included for reference purposes. – Thanks!
July 10th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
On HP dv6 2005tx, the faulty power supply had to be replaced by a new one, now sometime the charging does start unless I disconnect the power pack and reconnect it, otherwise the battery goes flat to the end.
But the main trouble is when connected to a particular TCP port server in America (to feed market charts) I get disconnected when I am on the power pack but not when the laptop is running on the battery only.
I use WLAN to the modem/router, and didn’t try a cable yet.
Very strange indeed, what will be the faulty part to be replaced?
Thanks for helping.
June 30th, 2011 at 2:57 am
Hi, i have cq-45 106 -AU laptop.
It’s graphics card is gone.
Now i want to sell it as scrap.
Which parts i can sell?
June 24th, 2011 at 9:17 am
please ask:
I have an IBM T43 laptop computer at the power plug in and sizes, only see the LED flashing on the screen, not LCD, then I got out and saw sports Mainbord other BGA chipset but still not surrounded me I ask you now what to do with this machine?
thank many ..
June 24th, 2011 at 9:12 am
please ask:
I have an IBM laptop computer plugged in at T4 and sizes, only see the power LED flashing on the screen, not LCD, then I got out and saw sports Mainbord other BGA chipset but still not surrounded me I ask you now what to do with this machine?
thank many ..
May 14th, 2011 at 12:44 am
hi, i buy a new a.c adapter for my acer aspire 47302 and i charge the battery but i got the same issue, i try to direct a new ac adapter i remove the battery and then same problem i got? can you help me what is the problem of my laptop .. thank you..
May 3rd, 2011 at 10:03 am
sudeep,
How can I help? If the video cable is bad, it has to be replaced.
May 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 am
Red,
First, I would test the AC adapter. It’s possible the AC adapter is dead and battery discharged.
Test your AC adapter with a voltmeter. Find out if the adapter outputs correct voltage. If not, try replacing the AC adapter.
April 29th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
hi, i have a acer aspire 47302 . my problem is when i turn it on the power lights indicator will light in a few seconds then it will off permanently. i remove the battery and plug it directly using the adapter same problem i got ? what might causing this problem any idea? plz help me.. thanks
April 3rd, 2011 at 9:10 pm
i have a acer aspire5738.my problem is that the lcd screen video cable is not working properly service center people said that purchase new and use and price said 4000 so costly plz help me.
March 22nd, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Hi David,
I have a hP zv5000 problem. When I turn it on it boots for a few seconds then powers itself off. Any idea what might be causing this??
Thanks,
Russ
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:30 am
i have a Toshiba laptop , the issue is it works on battery but when the power adapter is connected is gets switch off or hung, what is the issue kindly let me know please
February 21st, 2011 at 11:01 pm
David,
If the sound device detected properly in the device manager, it’s possible you have wrong settings.
Check all sound related settings. Try reinstalling the driver.