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
August 9th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Michael,
Check to see if the battery is the problem. Try taking the battery out and then booting the system using only the AC power. This has happened to several of my systems I manage and it was caused by a problem in the battery, even when the battery is showing a charge. We have battery charge indicators on the Dell battery themselves. When you remove the battery and use the AC power, it should come on.
If its not the battery, then you are probably looking at a hardware issue (motherboard, hard drive)
Michael S Daniel Says:
August 7th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Yes…I tried that. There is power from the AC adapter but it is the same when I use the battery which is fully charged also
August 7th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Yes…I tried that. There is power from the AC adapter but it is the same when I use the battery which is fully charged also.
August 7th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Michael S Daniel,
Do you get any light when you plug the AC adapter?
In not, maybe you have a failed AC adapter. Can you test your adapt with a voltmeter?
August 7th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Robin,
The laptop disassembly guide is available though Dell website. The manual should be here: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/
But… at the time of writing this comment the guide is not available. I guess Dell doing some maintenance on the site.
Please let me know if you can get to the guide. If not, I’ll try to find another link for you.
August 7th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Ron.Kelton,
I think there could be a problem with the power jack. The power jack soldered to the motherboard and the battery will not charge because the “+” pin on the jack not making good contact with the motherboard.
It’s necessary to disassemble the laptop, remove the motherboard and take a closer look at the jack. If the jack is loose, it has to be resodered.
Here’s laptop manual with step by step disassembly instructions: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00212209.pdf
Here’s DC jack replacement guide: http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/06/dc-power-jack-repair-guide/
August 7th, 2010 at 7:14 am
I have a Acer Aspire 5100-5674 and I am trying to purchase a motherboard but there are so many. I looked in the laptop for the S/N but only found 461411BOL03 which I can’t find anywhere. Now I can find 461411BOL02 but is it compatible. The problem I am having is press the power button and nothing happens…NOTHING! No flashing power lights..on it comes on but that is all. No screen! Just blank. Can you give me some guidance on what it could be and what can do to resolve this problem? I feel that maybe if I replace the motherboard that will solve it. What do you think about this matter with the laptop?
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:37 am
can you please give me instructions on how to replace a fan in my 1520 inspirion? I have the part and tools but not the money to pay someone to install this. Can you help?
July 30th, 2010 at 7:11 am
I own a hp pavillion zv5000.It has developed a problem with the charging. If it it plugged intp the mains whilst the computer is operating, it will not charge. The charge indicator light extinguishes. Only when switched off will the charging commence, and even then, the light goes on and off intermittently. I’ve checked the output from the charger, and it is slightly above 20 volts DC. It is awkward, as I use the laptop in a situation where I need to have it operating almost constantly, as it controlling guiding and imaging processes.
Hope you can throw some light on this problem for me. I think perhaps the circuitry is sensing voltage input too high maybe.
Thank
Ron.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:54 pm
marge,
It takes several minutes to get any video on the screen? Or it takes several minutes to boot to the desktop?
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Razvan,
You cannot do that.
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I would like to ask that, what would I do if my laptop does not start up right away when I pressed the power button. It takes for several minutes. Please help me of what is the solution.
Thanks…
July 18th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I have a laptop that I opened up, and I would like to know if there is any possibility in which I can use the screen directly with a webcam without using the laptop. I want the webcam to send image directly to the screen, and to use the screen like a regular camera screen.
Please help!
June 27th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Bernard de Raadt,
Do you press the screen somewhere on the top?
Probably this is a problem with the LCD screen.
Does your laptop work fine with video on the external monitor?
June 24th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
What migth be the problem of my screen it only turns on if I press it with my fingers???
June 21st, 2010 at 9:39 pm
william,
You can search for a new compatible DVD drive by one of the following Toshiba part numbers: V000121920, V000121930, V000123260, V000126880, V000121940, V000121950, V000123270, V000126930. All these drives are compatible with your Satellite A305 laptop.
June 21st, 2010 at 10:47 am
I have a Toshiba satellit pro A305 S-6872. I removed the optical drive and located the model number TS-L633. Is the model # sufficient enough to order a new optical drive or do I need the Part # also?
April 15th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Stevo,
What jumpers?
April 15th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Where are the jumpers on a Toshiba Satellite A305?
March 13th, 2010 at 7:35 am
HP laptop DV9723ca w/Vista Home bought 27 March 08.
1)July/August 09, External monitor goes black but laptop display fine; reinstall video drivers to no avail. Clean install of Win 7; everything normal including external monitor.
2)October 09, DVD ROM/writer w/ lightscribe not detected. It tries to work, but nothing is being read. Purchase external USB DVD writer which is used as needed, otherwise not connected and everything is good.
3)January 10, video problems begin again with external monitor; desist using said monitor; laptop display is fine.
4)February 10, according to Device Manager, the following devices can’t be found: Web Camera, 5-in-1 Card Reader; Conexant Audio. Also, USB device shows as “Unknown” despite no USB devices connected. Attempts at re-install of OS and/or drivers produce no changes to Device Manager faults.
Sorry for long message, I tried to be concise as possible and yet accurately portray events. If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say main board; however, a visual inspection of it showed nothing outwardly obvious.
Thank you for any light you may be able to shed.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:47 am
hi
already tried the options 1, 2 and 5 and still not give.
i use this LCD from DV1546EA in this laptop, DV1452EA.
i think they are compatible…
which may be damaged on the motherboard?
thank you
March 1st, 2010 at 8:55 am
Mario,
1. The lid close switch is stuck inside the case and the laptop “thinks” that the display is closed. When the display is closed the backlight is off. Try tapping on the lid close switch.
2. The video cable is not connected properly. Try reconnecting the cable on all ends.
3. The video cable is defective. Possible but not likely.
4. Motherboard failure.
5. Your new inverter or LCD screen is defective.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:49 am
hi again!
i have another problem with other HP DV1000.
the light of LCD Screen is very dark and i replace LCD with their inverter, but still with the same problem.
what else can be with these symptoms? motherboard?
thanks in advance.
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Thank you!
I did what you said and I ended up finding several
February 12th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Mario,
The best way to find a replacement motherboard is searching by the HP part number (SPS number).
In most cases, you’ll find the part number on a sticker glued in the memory compartment (under memory modules).
The part number will look something like that: 367800-001
You’ll have a different one but the format should be the same: XXXXXX-001
Find the part number and google it or search on eBay.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:31 am
hi,
I’m in trouble with a situation with an HP Pavilion DV1597EA.
I wonder if anyone has or knows a site where you can buy a motherboard for the HP DV1597EA, send me a email.
Thanks in advance.