Should I try DIY laptop repair?

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InvictusSum

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#93169 15-Nov-2011 10:17

I have an HP Pavillion DV6, which I bought around 2009, and has done me pretty good service, primarily for games.

However, it has a tendency to overheat and shut down, and lately, it's been getting worse and worse. I assume, since the laptop has a few relatively small intakes, that despite keeping it elevated and only using it on flat surfaces, that the fan is clogged with dust/lacking lubrication/etc.

I've looked up on Lifehacker on manually repairing the fan, and it looks like something an enthusiastic amateur like me could do (plus, it'd be good practise for when the desktop I plan to assemble). However, if you look on the maintenance guide for the computer (I can't post the link, but its the first link if you google "HP Pavillion DV6 Manual"), at page 105, it says you have pretty much disassemble the whole damn computer to get to the fan - no wonder it doesn't run well.

So my questions are:

- Can anything go catastrophically wrong attemping this? I imagine I could just take it to a laptop store and get it fixed for ~$100, so if I give it a go myself, it doesn't work, and I then have to pay ~$100 to fix it, then no problem. If I can do damage that puts the laptop beyond repair, then I might have to leave this to the pros.

- Are there any other tools I need? Lifehacker recommends compressed air and 3-in-1 oil (whatever that is), but should I get a wrist strap, cooling paste or anything else?

- If so, where can I get these tools?

- What's the best laptop store/repair place in or around the Auckland CBD, so I can get extra advice/tools/take it to be fixed if the worst occurs?

Any input is appreciated, thanks a lot guys.

Jaxson

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#545520 15-Nov-2011 10:26

Go for it.

Some are easy to open, others really difficult/fiddly.
Usually there are covers for the key elements, such as memory, hard drive, battery etc.
After that it's a lot of screws and time to get into the guts of it.

You might get the same results by just getting a vacuum cleaner in there, even without taking it all apart.
I opted for this on my sisters HP laptop but my brothers Acer I think it was, was much nicer and got to the internals very easily.

I'd personally try the vacuum approach first if you're new to it all.

trig42

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#545525 15-Nov-2011 10:37

I'd try some compressed air, rather than a vacuum.

I pulled apart a compaq CQ60 over the weekend for the same reason, it had some massive dust bunnies clogging the fan (to the point it was not turning). It was a real mission getting to the fan, but as long as you are careful and remember where all the screws go back in, you will be able to do it. Be careful of the ribbon connectors for the keyboard, trackpad and buttons on the top, they all have bits of plastic holding the cable in and if you force them, they may break meaning you wont get the cables back in.

Get yourself some tweezers/fine long nosed pliers and once you get access to the fan you may not need to pull it all the way out (I did it with the fan in-situ as I didn't want to pull the mainboard off.)

Ragnor

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#545526 15-Nov-2011 10:39

Have you tried getting a can of compressed air from jaycar/dse/bunnings and giving the fan intake a blow out?

Make sure you turn off the machine and use short blasts from a reasonable distance to avoid creating any condensation.

Alternatively you could try a vacuum cleaner to suck some dust out of the intakes. Try not to touch the casing with the vaccum nozzle though as vacumm cleaners can cause some static.

If those don't help, I would be taking it back to the store. I would be loathe to open the laptop casing as you will interfere with your rights under the CGA to have it repaired.

Under normal usage a 2 year old laptop shouldn't be having overheating/fan issues.

Here was a recent case over laptop repairs that you might want to read.
http://www.consumerblogs.org.nz/tech/2009/04/squaring-up-to-dell.html

Skolink

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#545528 15-Nov-2011 10:41

Jaxson:You might get the same results by just getting a vacuum cleaner in there, even without taking it all apart.

+1

If you do take it apart, take photos after each over is removed, so that you know which screw/connector goes where. And don't leave it within reach of children - screws will go missing.
Also, don't force it! The are sometimes screws hidden under stickers, or under the DVD or HDD. There is often a trick to popping off a cover above/around the keynoard.

Use a damp cloth on the heatsinks.

Skolink

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#545536 15-Nov-2011 10:57

If those don't help, I would be taking it back to the store. I would be loathe to open the laptop casing as you will interfere with your rights under the CGA to have it repaired.

Under normal usage a 2 year old laptop shouldn't be having overheating/fan issues.

Here was a recent case over laptop repairs that you might want to read.
http://www.consumerblogs.org.nz/tech/2009/04/squaring-up-to-dell.html

Very good point, for some reason I was thinking it was about 4 years old..
Excellent article too, thanks.

xpd

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#545554 15-Nov-2011 11:26

Other good idea is this... when you take the screws out, tape them to a sheet of paper and write on the paper where the screws came from.

Or else you end up in the situation Im in with a Mac laptop thing.... followed a guide on how to take the thing apart to replace the HDD and now I find the model I have is different from the guide (even tho the model #'s etc matched) after taking 75% of it apart.... and I have no idea where the screws go to put it back together :) (And I still havent got to the HDD yet...)

At the END of the guide, they suggested the paper idea... #fail

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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jonb

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#545565 15-Nov-2011 11:45

I've got one of these laptops too - AMD cpu?

It overheats like a bugger from since when it was bought - I looked into a DIY takedown but the complexity put me off. If you're taking it all apart, also take the opportunity to put more thermal paste around everywhere the manual says that needs it.

I found the overheating problem got much better after setting a max limit on the cpu of about 90%, and forcing tohe heating to 'active' rather than passive. This is in advanced power settings..

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hellonearthisman

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#545592 15-Nov-2011 13:00

Have a go at it yourself.

Reducing Heat and Fan Noise by Cleaning Air Vents - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

And if you have to take it apart;

jonherries

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#545612 15-Nov-2011 13:41

+ 1 on the paper and double sided tape
+ 1 on the photos
+ 1 on the don't force it (there will be a tricky mechanism you don't understand).

Couple more thoughts:

Take your time
Take your time
Take your time

Oh and

Make sure you have everything you need before you start. A full set of micro-screwdrivers is available from bunnings really cheap. You don't want to be in a rush with a tool that is "good enough", you need to step back and consider using the correct tool (there is a reason they exist).

HTH,

Jon

Jaxson

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#545620 15-Nov-2011 14:04

Jaxson: my brothers Acer I think it was, was much nicer and got to the internals very easily.

Yes, just confirmed it was an Acer. I know that doesn't help you, but these devices were much better for accessing the fan unit as it basically had its own cover section that exposed the full fan/heat sink grills components. On the HP you had to remove the main body housing to get as much access as the Acer did.

HP wise a vacuum did clear the vents fairly well, without needing a full disassembly, though the later would have been better for sure. Compressed air would do the same if you have some.

McNulty

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#545639 15-Nov-2011 14:45

Is this laptop your only computer?

If so, borrow a laptop off a mate so that if/when things go wrong, you can use all of the resources available on the interwebs to solve issues you come across when everything is in pieces.

InvictusSum

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#545713 15-Nov-2011 18:42

Hey guys,

Thanks for the fast and helpful replies, especially hellonearthisman, for finding that youtube clip.

For the moment, I've sent an email to Dick Smith (the vendor) to see what if any action they'll take to fix it, and bought a can of compressed air to use on the intakes. If neither of those approaches helps, I'll see about taking it apart in the weekend. I'll keep you all posted.