A Visual Guide to the Various Notebook Components
Reading Time-approximately: 5 minutesA Basic Guide to Identifying the Major Components of any Laptop or Notebook (using Dell notebooks as an example).
By Tekmart Africa Support Team
Identifying the Storage Device (i.e HDD or SSD)
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.1.1 HDD and SSD notebook drives)
The HDD (Hard Disk Drive)/SSD (Solid State Drive) is the part of your Computer which holds your Software and Data.
(Fig.1.2 Removing drive caddy from Notebook)
The HDD in a Notebook is 2.5″ wide and is Silver on top, with a circuit board on the base.
The SSD in a Notebook is 2.5″ wide, usually Black on top, with a circuit board with chips on the base.
The HDD/SSD has no cables which connect to them. The drives plug straight to a connector on your Motherboard.
There are some System Type’s which will use a Ribbon cable to connect the HDD/SSD to the Motherboard, but these are System Types where the HDD/SSD will not be considered to be a Customer Replaceable Part (CRU).
The HDD/SSD will be secured in place, either in a Cage or with Phillips head screws, depending on your System Type.
HDD’s are older technology with spinning platters that can store a lot of data. SSD’s are newer technology which ups the drives access speeds by using flash memory instead of platters. SSD’s are a common upgrade part to improve the speed of most systems, but the storage sizes are still short of what an HDD can handle. Combinations of both are used for fast boot and seek speeds, while still holding space for saved data.
Identifying the Memory
What it looks Like and What it does?
(Fig.2.1 Memory Dimm (Dual Inline Memory Module))
The Memory is the part of your Computer which lets it transfer Data between your Software programs and the more you have the more it speeds up your experience of using the programs.
(Fig.2.2 Memory Retaining Clips)
The Memory in a Notebook is not compatible with that fitted in Desktops. The Memory DIMM is only 2″ long and 1″ tall, with a Golden fringe along the bottom and there will be a notch cut out of the fringe.
To release the Memory you pull apart the clips at either side of the Memory and it rises at a 45-degree angle which is far enough up that you can pull it completely out of the slot.
To reseat the Memory you push the Memory into the slot and then push straight down, making sure it’s the correct way round and the clips either side of the slot will catch the Memory in place. This secures the Memory in place and if the clips do not catch the Memory in place or you can see any of the gold fringes on the bottom of the Memory outside of the slot, then it isn’t seated properly.
The Memory card has a notch cut in the bottom which matches a bar in the Memory slot. It will only allow the Memory to be fitted in the Memory slot the correct way round. The position of the notch denotes which type of memory and memory slot you have. This is different on everything from DDR to DDR4.
Identifying the Media Drive (CD/DVD/BRay)
What it Looks Like and What it does?
The CD/DVD Drive is the part of the Computer which reads CD/DVD media. Depending on the type of drive you have it may allow you to create your media as well.
(Fig.3.1 Optical Disc Drive)
(Fig.3.2 Removing drive from Notebook)
The CD/DVD Drive is a smaller, more slimline version of the drive fitted in a Desktop system. It is thin, rectangular with a white of Black facing plate, where the media is inserted.
The drive has no cables that connect to it. The drive plugs straight to a connector on the Motherboard.
There are is usually either an eject/locking catch, a Phillips head screw – or both, locking the drive in place.
Identifying the System Fan
What it Looks Like and What it does?
(Fig.4 Notebook Fan)
The System Fan is used to pull air out of your Computer to cool the System down. This stops it from overheating and makes it work more efficiently.
The System Fan is black and usually surrounded by a Black shroud.
The fan has a Power/Control cable which plugs to the Motherboard.
The fan is secured to the chassis using Phillips head screws.
Identifying the Heatsink
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.5 Heatsink Assembly)
The Heatsink is the part of your Computer which directs heat away from your Processor which is the brain of your computer. It will sometimes have a fan.
The Heatsink in a Notebook usually takes the form of a twisting heat pipe in Copper with a fan in a shroud at one end.
To remove it, you will take out the screws and disconnect the fan cable and remove the Assembly from the system.
To reseat it, you will reconnect the fan cable and having put the Heatsink back in place, put the screws back in.
The Heatsink and fan will secure to the Chassis with Phillips head screws.
Identifying the Motherboard
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.6.1 Notebook System Motherboard)
The Motherboard is the part of your Computer, which every other part connects to and it controls how those parts are used.
(Fig.6.2 Motherboard in Notebook Chassis)
You will not be asked to Remove this part.
All the other parts of your Computer will plug to this one component. Access to it on most systems will be through the base of the system.
Please check your Owners manual or the CRU removal guide for your System Type, to get the best steps for gaining access to the Motherboard.
The Motherboard has your Processor fitted to it and is secured to your chassis with Philips head screws.
Identifying the Wireless (WLAN) Card
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.7.1 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) Card)
The WLAN Card is the part of your Computer which allows you to connect to WIFI/Wireless networks.
(Fig.7.2 WLAN card with antenna cables attached)
The WLAN Card is usually a 1″ by 1″ square with a Golden fringe along the bottom.
To remove it you will disconnect the aerial cables and take out the screw securing the card. The card will pop up at a 45-degree angle, you can then pull it fully out of the slot.
To reseat it, you will push it back into the slot at an angle and then when fully seated push down and secure with the screw. Reconnect the aerial cables and check it’s fully seated.
The WLAN Card will be secured to a Mini PCI slot on the Motherboard with a Phillips head screw.
Identifying the 3G/Broadband (WWAN) Card
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.8.1 WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) Card)
The WWAN Card is the part of your Computer which allows you to connect to 3G/Cellular Wireless networks.
(Fig.8.2 WWAN Card with antenna cables attached)
The WWAN Card is usually 1.5″ long by 1″ wide, with a Golden fringe along the bottom of the card.
To remove it you will disconnect the aerial cables and take out the screw securing the card. The card will pop up at a 45-degree angle, you can then pull it fully out of the slot.
To reseat it, you will push it back into the slot at an angle and then when fully seated push down and secure with the screw. Reconnect the aerial cables and check it’s fully seated.
The WWAN Card will be secured to a Mini PCI slot on the Motherboard with a Phillips head screw.
(Fig.8.3 SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Card)
There will also be a Sim Card required for full functionality, This is identical to a Sim Card from your Phone. Where it plugs into the Computer will depend on the System Type. Please consult your Owners manual or go to the CRU removal guide for your System Type.
Identifying the Keyboard
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.9.1 Internal Keyboard and cable)
The Keyboard is the part of your Computer which lets you input Data and Commands to the Computer. It will be used in conjunction with the Touchpad to control the Computer.
(Fig.9.2 Keyboard fitted in Notebook)
The Keyboard will look like a flat/compact version of a regular Keyboard.
To remove or reseat I would recommend using your Owners manual or to check out the CRU removal guide for your System Type, to get the correct steps. The steps will change from System to System.
The Keyboard is integral to the Computer and will secure to the chassis with Phillips head screws and by either a Ribbon cable or by an Option Card connector.
Identifying the LCD
What it Looks like and What it does?
(Fig.10 LCD Display)
The LCD is the integral screen built into the Computer which will let you see and interact with your Computer.
The LCD is integral to the Computer and you will not be asked to remove or reseat this part.
You may be asked to reconnect the LCD cable where it connects to the Motherboard.
The Owners manual is your best guide for your particular System Type.
The LCD comprises the LCD panel, the LCD bezel and the LCD back cover.
It connects to your Computer by the LCD cable and the Hinges which attach to the LCD back cover.
