Basic tools used by a Laptop Technician

Phillips Head Screwdriver

This is not the
average sized screwdriver, as that would be too large for the tiny screws used on laptops today.
This is the micro-sized screwdriver, which can be bought at your local Home Improvement store. I
myself use an all-in-one screwdriver that houses the extra tips inside the screwdriver itself. Then, I
also use the screwdriver set from an Eyeglass Repair Kit, or better yet, go on Ebay.com and search
out: IPod Repair tool kit… this will include 3 or so screwdrivers and a couple plastic pictures for
prying parts apart.

                                                           Star Tipped Screwdriver

This is also a commonly

used tool, mainly used on the Macintosh brand, though also common on Dell, Alienware, and

Sony Vaio. If you do not have access to one of these, you can purchase one from your local Auto 

Parts

Store (ask the clerk for assistance in locating one) and you will definitely need the multiple tip pack

to allow different sizes for different laptop models.

Mini Pliers

I suggest that you buy mini needle nosed
pliers because they are easier to use on the micro sized components that make up the laptop. The
pliers I use are 3 inches long, I find that the normal sized pliers are way too big and do not reach into

certain areas that the mini can.
                                                               
                                                                      Toothbrush

This, believe it or not, is the second
most used tool in Laptop Repair. Yes. A toothbrush… You will use this on each and every laptop
you repair. Why you ask? The toothbrush is used to clean any and all parts and components in and on
the laptop. Cleaning the laptop parts as you repair is detrimental to the longevity of the laptops life. It
is used to clean the keyboard, the motherboard and any case part. More detailed usages will follow
throughout this book and should be applied as instructed.

                                                                     Scissors

The smaller the better when obtaining your scissors. I use haircutting scissors because

they are small and the cutting tips are thin and narrow.

Electrical Tape

This is used to wrap cables and

wires, and used to secure or flatten wire or cable tracks on or in the laptop. I try not to use this on

wire or cable wrapping if possible because I have found that over time the tape will slowly unravel

and can become ―sticky on the outer-side.

Shrink Wrap Tubing

These can usually be found

in variety packs, the larger of the sizes will be the one you use most commonly in laptop repair.

These are placed over the repair area on the wire or cable, they are basically rubber tubes that you

cut to your specifically needed length, then heat the tube to shrink it to the size of the wire or cable

being repaired.

Copper Foil Tape

A less common item used,
though you will eventually need this if you are repairing laptops on a regular basis. This will be

used for motherboard PCB repair and more commonly used for DC Jack C-ring replacement/repair.

                                                              Adjustable Pliers

This is a less commonly used
tool, though it will be needed at times. I will rarely use this on a DC Jack repair to gently wiggle
the jack loose from the desoldered contact pads. You will find other uses for this tool so it is a good

tool to add to your collection.

                                                       Liquid (no residue) Flux

For this tool, I recommend that you get both a paste form and the liquid PEN form. Both are readily available on

Ebay for a small price, yet are hard to find locally at a store, you can try shopping at Radio Shack for

Flux Paste, but doubtful they have the flux pens.

Thin Tipped Black Permanent Marker

This is used often to mark screw holes, or to mark the areas of damage on the laptops

parts.

                                                               Plastic Prying Tools

These will be needed for almost

every laptop repair procedure. When able, you will ALWAYS use plastic over metal to

disassemble or work on the laptop or any electronic component. There are various kinds that are used

and needed. A guitar pick is the most used tool, not a flimsy pick rather a slightly thicker guitar pick

that can withhold bending back and forth numerous times. Another great plastic tool is one you will

need to purchase off of ebay and is part of the I POD repair kit (do a search for these on Ebay.com).

2 Part Plastic/Metal Epoxy Glue

You will find
many varieties of this product and will have to choose the best one for yourself, I typically use the
Black/Clear mix… As it has a longer drying time, it will allow more strength over time and hold up
to heat exposure. This will be used in many areas of the laptop, and being that a laptop motherboard
is Self Grounded… it can be used directly on the PCB to cover components or traces. A common use
for this Epoxy is for DC Jack Repair, as it will be used in the last step and applied to the jacks rear
end and sides to help secure it to the motherboard. Also this will be used to brace the Jack when the

laptops lower cases DC Jack holding cage breaks (common issue for Toshiba – newer model laptops).

                                                                       Toothpicks

These have many uses and are a handy

tool to have nearby. Used to apply fluxes, used to apply epoxies, also can be used to help plug or

unplug certain ribbon cables or thin wire(s).

                                                                   Thermal Paste

You will only be using Silver

thermal paste in a Laptop, Never Ceramic Paste. Laptops will use 2 cooling sources…. Either Silver paste or a thermal pad. Pads will be hard to repurchase, and silver thermal paste will be

readily available for sale everywhere. If a part or component originally used a thermal pad, it is

highly recommended that you keep using a pad and not switch it out to using paste… These pads also

are used to cover a gap which is left for that specific part for thermal expansion and contraction.

30 to 50 Watt Soldering Iron

You can use any
brand of these and they are typically disposable. I recommend that you do dispose of the cheaper
soldering irons after 10 or so uses, or get yourself some Tinner to refresh the tip. I do recommend a
50 watt iron for laptop component repair as it will allow for better ―flow of the solder due to the

higher temperature output.

                                                                  Solder

The average Rosin Core Solder will do, get your self 1.0 mm solder, any thicker and it will

apply to heavily.

Circuit Board Cleaning Solution/WD40

This

solvent is used to clean the motherboard, and I will clarify its uses throughout this book. WD40 is

more readily available to purchase and can suffice. Again, I will also explain how to properly use

WD40 to clean components/remove flux and so forth.

                                                                      Multi-meter

This can be bought at your local Home

Improvement store, and you will find a wide variety of quality choices. For a beginner, it is ok to

purchase the cheapest Multi-meter to learn its uses and familiarize yourself with it.

Heat Gun

The better the quality the better the final

results of your repairs will be. On average, you want to use at least a heat gun with switchable

settings… One that will produce temperature of 700 to 800 degrees. I use a RYOBI heat gun, 120v,

11a, Temp: 200-1100 degrees Farenheit.

Heat Gun Add On Tips

You will find for sale on Ebay

or the Web, tips for the heat gun… these are the same or similar to the tips used in professional

Rework stations (I’ll explain what a Rework Station is later in the book). There are a lot of different

tips you can buy and a lot of different sizes to choose from. You will buy these according to your

specific needs. I personally use the Cone telescoping tips, and the Square GPU Covering tips.