A Basic Guide to Identifying the Major Components of a Laptop

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.1 hard drive and SSD Laptop drives)

The Hard Disk Drive (HDD)/Solid State Drive (SSD) is the part of your computer which holds your software and data.

(Figure.2 Removing the drive caddy from Laptop)

The hard drive in a laptop is two and half inches wide and is Silver on top, with a circuit board on the base.

The SSD in a Laptop is two and half inches 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 laptop types that use a Ribbon cable to connect the HDD/SSD to the Motherboard. However, these are laptop types where the HDD/SSD are not considered to be a Customer Replaceable Part (CRU).

The HDD/SSD is secured in place, either in a Cage or with Phillips head screws, depending on your laptop type.

HDDs are older technology with spinning platters that can store a lot of data. SSDs are newer technology which ups the drives access speeds by using flash memory instead of platters. SSDs are a common upgrade part to improve the speed of most computers. However, the storage sizes are still short of what a hard drive can handle. Combinations of both are used for fast boot and seek speeds, while still holding space for saved data.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.3 Memory Dual Inline memory module (DIMM))

The Memory is the part of your computer which lets it transfer data between your software programs. The more you have, the more it speeds up using the programs.

(Figure.4 Memory Retaining Clips)

The Memory in a Laptop is not compatible with that fitted in Desktops. The Memory DIMM is only two inches long and one inch tall, with a golden fringe along the bottom. The golden fringe has a notch cut out as a key for installation purposes.

To release the Memory that you pull apart the clips at either side of the Memory. It rises at a 45-degree angle which is far enough up that you can pull it out of the slot.

To reseat the Memory that you push the Memory into the slot and then push straight down. Ensure that it is the correct way round and that the clips either side of the slot locks the Memory in place. This secures the Memory in place. If the clips do not lock the Memory in place, you need to reseat it. If you see any of the gold fringes along the bottom of the Memory outside of the slot, then it is not seated properly.

The Memory card has a notch cut in the bottom which matches a bar in the Memory slot. It only allows you to fit the Memory the correct way round. The position of the notch denotes which type of memory and memory slot that you have. This is different on everything from DDR to DDR4.

What it looks like and what it does?

The CD/DVD Drive is the part of the computer which reads CD/DVD media. Some types of drive allow you to create media as well.

(Figure.5 Optical Disc Drive)

(Figure.6 Removing drive from Laptop)

The CD/DVD Drive is a smaller, more slimline version of the drive fitted in a Desktop. 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 is an eject, a locking catch, or a Phillips head screw, which locks the drive in place.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.7 Laptop Battery)

The Battery supplies power to your computer when you are mobile and cannot use Mains Power.

(Figure.8 Battery Securing Clips)

The Battery is usually a rectangular shape and fits the base of the computer. It is normally the same color as the chassis.

To remove the Battery, you need to release it from the bay on the computer. There are locking slides around the Battery that you must move to an open position before the Battery comes loose.

To reseat the Battery, you need to locate the Battery into the correct position. Push down into the bay until it firmly seats in place and the locking slides click into the locked position.

Some laptops require you to remove the access panel on the bottom of the computer before you can access the Battery.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.9 Laptop Fan)

The System Fan is used to pull air out of your computer to cool the computer down. This stops it from overheating and makes it work more efficiently.

The System Fan is black and is often 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.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.10 Laptop AC Adapter)

The AC Adapter and Power Cable are the part of your computer which powers the machine and all its components using Mains Power.

(Figure.11 AC Adapter UK Power Cable Diagram)

This is an external device and is composed of two separate parts. The AC Adapter plugs to your DC In connector. It is usually rectangular in shape and the Power Cable which plugs from your Mains Power socket to the AC Adapter. (The picture that is shown here is of a UK plug with three prongs. Your mains lead should end in your locations plug style.)

These cables connect by pushing them in place or pulling them out.

The AC Adapters have an LED which lights up when it is plugged to Mains Power.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.12 Heat sink Assembly)

The Heat sink is the part of your computer which directs heat away from your Processor which is the brain of your computer. Sometimes it comes as an assembly with a fan to pull heat through the heat sink.

The Heatsink in a Laptop usually takes the form of a twisting heat pipe in copper with a fan in a shroud at one end.

To remove it, take out the screws and disconnect the fan cable and remove the Assembly from the computer.

To reseat it, reconnect the fan cable and having put the Heatsink back in place, put the screws back in.

The Heatsink and fan secure to the Chassis with Phillips head screws.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.13 Laptop System Motherboard)

The Motherboard is the part of your computer, and every other part connects to and it controls how those parts are used.

(Figure.14 Motherboard in Laptop Chassis)

Only experienced technicians would be asked to remove this part.

All the other parts of your computer plug to this central component. Access to it on most laptops is through the base of the computer.

Check your Owner's manual or the CRU removal guide for your laptop 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.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.15 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Card)

The WLAN Card is the part of your computer which allows you to connect to WIFI/Wireless networks.

(Figure.16 WLAN card with antenna cables attached)

The WLAN Card is usually a one inch by one inch square with a golden fringe along the bottom.

To remove, disconnect the aerial cables and take out the screw securing the card. The card opens at a 45-degree angle, you can then pull it fully out of the slot.

To reseat, 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 is fully seated.

The WLAN Card is secured to a Mini PCI slot on the Motherboard with a Phillips head screw.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.17 Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) Card)

The WWAN Card is the part of your computer which allows you to connect to 3G/Cellular Wireless networks.

(Figure.18 WWAN Card with antenna cables attached)

The WWAN Card is usually one and half inch long by one inch wide, with a golden fringe along the bottom of the card.

To remove, disconnect the aerial cables and take out the screw securing the card. The card opens at a 45-degree angle, you can then pull it fully out of the slot.

To reseat it, 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 is fully seated.

The WWAN Card is secured to a Mini PCI slot on the Motherboard with a Phillips head screw.

(Figure.19 Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card)

A Sim Card is required for full functionality. This is identical to a Sim Card from your Phone. Where it plugs into the computer depends on the laptop type. Consult your Owner's manual or go to the CRU removal guide for your laptop type.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.20 Bluetooth Module)

The Bluetooth Card is the part of your computer which allows you to connect to the Bluetooth Wireless networks.

(Figure.21 Bluetooth module secured with screw)

The Bluetooth Card can be seen in one of two formats. Most commonly it is a small rectangular card with a cable connection slot at one end and a screw-hole at the other. Sometimes it is included as an added feature on certain WLAN Cards. These cards are often called Combi Cards.

To remove, disconnect the Bluetooth cable and take out the screw securing the card. You can then pull it fully out of the slot.

To reseat it, push it back into the slot and secure with the screw. Reconnect the Bluetooth cable and check it is fully seated.

The card is secured to a slot on the chassis with a Phillips head screw.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.22 Internal Keyboard and cable)

The Keyboard is the part of your computer which lets you input data and commands to the computer. It is used with the Touchpad to control the computer.

(Figure.23 Keyboard fitted in Laptop)

The Keyboard looks like a flat/compact version of a regular Keyboard.

To remove or reseat, I would recommend using your Owner's manual. Alternatively, you can check out the CRU removal guide for your laptop type, to get the correct steps. The steps change from Laptop to Laptop.

The Keyboard is integral to the computer and secured to the chassis with Phillips head screws. It uses either a Ribbon cable or an Option Card connector to connect to the motherboard.

What it looks like and what it does?

(Figure.24 LCD Display)

The LCD is the integral screen that is built into the computer which lets you see and interact with your computer.

The LCD is integral to the computer and only experienced technicians are asked to remove or reseat this part.

You can be asked to reconnect the LCD cable where it connects to the Motherboard.

The Owner's manual is your best guide for your particular laptop type.

The LCD consists of 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.