Upgrading and Repairing Laptops

by Mueller, Scott

• ISBN13: 9780789733764
• ISBN10: 0789733765
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback w/Disk
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Que

Summary

Updated book on upgrading and repairing laptops and notebooks, covering newest machines and internal hardware changes.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
Portable Systems Background	7	(44)
Defining the Portable Computer	8	(4)
Portable System Design Elements	9	(1)
The Popularity of Portables	10	(1)
Who's Selling Laptops?	11	(1)
Evolution of the Portable Computer	12	(31)
Pre-PC Portables	12	(7)
Early PC Portables	19	(23)
Personal Recollections of the Portable Revolution	42	(1)
Advantages of Laptops	43	(2)
Multiple Uses	43	(1)
Ideal for People with Multiple Workplaces	44	(1)
Flat-Panel Displays	44	(1)
Low-Energy Consumption	45	(1)
Built-in UPS	45	(1)
Integrated Design	45	(1)
More Space Efficient	45	(1)
The Problems of Using Portables	45	(3)
More Expensive	46	(1)
Increased Risk of Loss	46	(1)
Smaller Screens and Keyboards	47	(1)
Slower System Speed	47	(1)
Upgrades Are More Difficult	47	(1)
General Solutions to Laptop Problems	48	(3)
Possibly Cheaper Than Desktops	48	(1)
Laptop Insurance	48	(1)
Protection from System Loss	48	(1)
Upgrades Are Indeed Possible	49	(2)
Portable PC Overview: Types and Features	51	(22)
Types and Classes of Portable Computers	52	(8)
Laptops Versus Notebooks	52	(1)
Subnotebooks: The End of a Trend?	53	(1)
The Many Types of Laptops/Notebooks	53	(5)
Tablets	58	(1)
Handhelds/Palmtops	59	(1)
PDAs	59	(1)
Major Features	60	(13)
Processors	60	(1)
Video Display Size and Resolution	61	(3)
Video Accelerators	64	(1)
Spindles (Storage)	65	(1)
Expansion Options	66	(2)
External Interfaces	68	(1)
Pointing Devices	68	(1)
Docking Options	69	(1)
Networking	70	(3)
System Maintenance and Assembly	73	(62)
Preventive Maintenance	74	(16)
Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures	74	(6)
Active Preventive Maintenance Procedures	80	(10)
Maintenance Tools	90	(15)
Hand Tools	91	(6)
A Word About Hardware	97	(1)
Test Equipment	98	(5)
Special Tools for the Enthusiast	103	(2)
Upgrading and Repairing Laptops	105	(19)
System Disassembly	106	(18)
BIOS Setup	124	(4)
Accessing BIOS Setup for Specific Makes and Models	125	(2)
Running the BIOS Setup Program (CMOS Setup)	127	(1)
Dealing with Passwords	128	(7)
Password Types	128	(5)
POP, HDP, and SVP Password Cracking?	133	(1)
Windows Passwords	134	(1)
Processors	135	(50)
Mobile Processor Features	136	(4)
SL Technology	136	(2)
Processor Performance Technology (SpeedStep/PowerNow!/LongRun)	138	(2)
Mobile Processor Packaging	140	(10)
Tape Carrier Packaging	141	(2)
Mobile Module	143	(3)
Minicartridge	146	(1)
BGA and PGA	147	(3)
Processor Features	150	(6)
SMM (Power Management)	150	(1)
Superscalar Execution	150	(1)
MMX Technology	151	(1)
SSE, SSE2, and SSE3	152	(1)
3DNow!, Enhanced 3DNow!, and 3DNow! Professional	153	(1)
Dynamic Execution	154	(1)
Dual Independent Bus Architecture	154	(1)
Hyperthreading Technology	155	(1)
Intel Mobile Processors	156	(21)
SL-Enhanced 486 Processors	156	(1)
Mobile Pentium	157	(1)
Mobile Pentium II and III	158	(10)
Mobile Pentium 4 and Pentium 4-M Processors	168	(3)
Pentium M	171	(3)
Mobile Celeron Processors	174	(3)
AMD Mobile Processors	177	(8)
AMD K6-Series Mobile Processors	177	(1)
AMD's Mobile Athlon and Athlon XP	178	(1)
AMD Mobile Duron	179	(1)
AMD Mobile Athlon XP-M	179	(2)
AMD Mobile Athlon 64 and Mobile Sempron	181	(1)
AMD Turion 64	182	(3)
Motherboards	185	(46)
Form Factors	186	(1)
System Bus Types, Functions, and Features	186	(8)
The Processor Bus (Front-Side Bus)	192	(1)
The Memory Bus	193	(1)
Types of I/O Buses	194	(5)
The PCI Bus	194	(1)
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)	195	(2)
PCI Express	197	(2)
Motherboard Components	199	(20)
Processor Sockets/Slots	199	(1)
Chipsets	200	(8)
Chipset Profiles	208	(11)
System Resources	219	(10)
Interrupts	219	(6)
DMA Channels	225	(1)
I/O Port Addresses	226	(3)
Plug and Play	229	(2)
The Hardware Component	230	(1)
The BIOS Component	230	(1)
The Operating System Component	230	(1)
Memory	231	(32)
Memory Standards	232	(1)
How Much Memory?	233	(1)
Memory Speed	234	(3)
Memory Types	237	(4)
Fast Page Mode DRAM	237	(1)
Extended Data Out RAM	238	(1)
SDRAM	238	(1)
DDR SDRAM	239	(1)
DDR2 SDRAM	240	(1)
RDRAM	241	(1)
Memory Modules	241	(18)
SODIMMs	241	(12)
MicroDIMMs	253	(6)
Memory Upgrades	259	(4)
Power	263	(24)
AC/DC Power Supplies	264	(3)
Batteries	267	(9)
CMOS/Clock Battery	268	(2)
Main Battery	270	(1)
Battery Types	270	(3)
Battery Maintenance	273	(1)
Using Multiple Batteries	274	(2)
Fuel Cells	276	(3)
Power Management	279	(8)
Advanced Power Management	280	(1)
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface	281	(4)
APM BIOS Power Management Menu	285	(2)
Expansion Card Buses	287	(46)
PC Cards (PCMCIA)	289	(7)
PC Card Bus Types	290	(1)
PC Card Physical Types	291	(2)
PC Card Software Support	293	(3)
Express Cards	296	(4)
High-Speed External Connections	300	(15)
Serial Versus Parallel	300	(1)
Universal Serial Bus (USB)	301	(10)
IEEE 1394 (FireWire or i.LINK)	311	(3)
Comparing IEEE 1394a and USB 1.1/2.0	314	(1)
Low-Speed External Connections	315	(18)
Serial Ports	316	(7)
Parallel Ports	323	(10)
Hard Disk Storage	333	(72)
Hard Drive History and Advancements	334	(1)
Areal Density	335	(8)
Form Factors	338	(3)
Other Form Factor Issues	341	(2)
Hard Disk Drive Operation	343	(8)
Tracks and Sectors	345	(1)
Disk Formatting	346	(5)
Basic Hard Disk Drive Components	351	(10)
Hard Disk Platters (Disks)	352	(1)
Recording Media	352	(2)
Read/Write Heads	354	(3)
Air Filters	357	(1)
Hard Disk Temperature Acclimation	358	(1)
Spindle Motors	359	(1)
Fluid Dynamic Bearings	360	(1)
Logic Boards	360	(1)
Cables and Connectors	360	(1)
Configuration Items	361	(1)
Hard Disk Features	361	(9)
Capacity	361	(2)
Performance	363	(6)
Cost	369	(1)
The ATA (IDE) Interface	370	(1)
ATA Standards	370	(6)
ATA-1	372	(1)
ATA-2	372	(1)
ATA-3	373	(1)
ATA/ATAPI-4	373	(1)
ATA/ATAPI-5	374	(1)
ATA/ATAPI-6	374	(1)
ATA/ATAPI-7	375	(1)
ATA Features	376	(23)
ATA I/O Connector	376	(3)
ATA I/O Cable	379	(1)
Dual-Drive Configurations	380	(3)
ATA Commands	383	(1)
Drive Capacity Limitations	384	(13)
ATA Transfer Modes	397	(2)
ATAPI (ATA Packet Interface)	399	(1)
Serial ATA	399	(6)
Removable Storage	405	(110)
Removable Media	406	(4)
Interfaces for Removable-Media Drives	407	(1)
Removable Magnetic Disk and Optical Disc Storage	408	(1)
Backing Up Your Data	409	(1)
Optical Disc and Drive Technology	410	(1)
CD-Based Optical Technology	410	(14)
CDs: A Brief History	411	(1)
CD-ROM Construction and Technology	411	(13)
DVD Technology	424	(12)
DVD History	425	(1)
DVD Construction and Technology	426	(10)
Optical Disc Formats	436	(16)
Compact Disc and Drive Formats	436	(2)
Multisession Recording	438	(2)
CD-ROM File Systems	440	(5)
DVD Formats and Standards	445	(2)
DVD Drive Compatibility	447	(1)
Playing DVD Movies on a Laptop	447	(1)
DVD Copy Protection	447	(3)
Caring for Optical Media	450	(2)
CD/DVD Read-Only Drives and Specifications	452	(41)
Performance Specifications	452	(8)
Interfaces	460	(2)
Writable CDs	462	(13)
Recordable DVD Standards	475	(7)
Multiformat DVD Rewritable Drives	482	(1)
CD/DVD Software and Drivers	482	(2)
Bootable CDs and DVDs---El Torito	484	(1)
Removable Drive Letter Assignments	485	(3)
Troubleshooting Optical Drives	488	(3)
Updating the Firmware in a CD-RW or Rewritable DVD Drive	491	(2)
Removable Magnetic Storage Devices	493	(3)
Iomega Zip	494	(1)
SuperDisk LS-120 and LS-240	495	(1)
Hard Disk-Based Removable-Media Drives	495	(1)
Floppy Drives	496	(10)
Drive Components	497	(1)
Floppy Drive Interfaces	497	(1)
Disk Physical Specifications and Operation	497	(4)
Types of Floppy Disk Drives	501	(1)
Analyzing 3 1/2'' Floppy Disk Construction	502	(1)
Floppy Disk Types and Specifications	503	(1)
Handling/Caring for Floppy Disks and Drives	504	(1)
Airport X-Ray Machines and Metal Detectors	505	(1)
Flash Cards and Digital ``Film'' Memory Devices	506	(9)
How Flash Memory Works	506	(1)
Types of Flash Memory Devices	506	(5)
Moving Data in Flash Memory Devices to Your Computer	511	(4)
Graphics and Sound	515	(78)
Video Display System	516	(16)
Major Laptop Display Features to Consider	516	(1)
Early Portable Displays: CRT and Plasma	517	(1)
Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)	517	(1)
How LCDs Work	518	(12)
Testing a Display	530	(1)
Maintaining Your LCD	531	(1)
Video Display Interfaces	532	(39)
Video Graphics Array (VGA)	532	(2)
Industry Standard SVGA	534	(1)
XGA and Beyond	534	(5)
Digital Video Connections	539	(4)
Video Adapter Components	543	(10)
Laptop External Video Activation	553	(1)
Multiple Monitor Support	554	(2)
3D Graphics and Laptops	556	(7)
TV/Video Output and Capture	563	(4)
Troubleshooting Laptop Video Problems	567	(4)
Laptop Audio Hardware	571	(22)
Audio Connectors	572	(1)
Volume Control	573	(1)
Laptop Audio Quality Factors	574	(3)
Sound Drivers	577	(1)
DVD Movies on the Road	577	(1)
Playing and Creating Digitized Sound Files	578	(1)
Audio Adapter Concepts and Terms	579	(1)
Who's Who in Laptop Audio	580	(4)
Speakers	584	(5)
Microphones	589	(1)
Troubleshooting Laptop Audio Problems	589	(4)
Communications	593	(30)
Modems	594	(5)
V.92 Modems	594	(1)
PC Card Modems	595	(1)
Winmodems	596	(1)
Wireless Modems	597	(2)
Types of Cellular Systems	599	(1)
Network Connections	600	(4)
Wired LANs	600	(1)
Wireless LANs	601	(3)
Connecting on the Road	604	(14)
Hotel High-Speed Connections	604	(2)
Using Wireless Hotspots	606	(2)
Cellular Modems	608	(1)
Wired Modem Connections	609	(9)
Moving Data Between Two Systems	618	(1)
Direct Connection Software	618	(1)
Hardware-Based Data Transfers	619	(1)
Managing Data Sharing/Synching with Desktop PCs	619	(1)
Communications Security	619	(4)
Antitheft Measures	620	(1)
Hardware-Level Passwords	620	(1)
Operating System Passwords	620	(1)
Antivirus Software	621	(1)
Firewalls	621	(1)
Virtual Private Networking	621	(1)
Encryption	621	(2)
Keyboards and Pointing Devices	623	(34)
Laptop Keyboards	624	(2)
Windows Keys	626	(2)
Running Windows Without a Mouse	628	(2)
Keyboard Technology	630	(9)
Keyswitch Design	630	(4)
The Keyboard Interface	634	(1)
Typematic Functions	635	(1)
Keyboard Key Numbers and Scan Codes	636	(1)
External Keyboard/Mouse Interface Connectors	637	(2)
Keyboard Troubleshooting and Repair	639	(2)
Defective Cables or Bad Connections	639	(1)
Stuck Keys	640	(1)
Cleaning a Keyboard	641	(1)
External Keyboard Recommendations	641	(2)
Pointing Devices	643	(5)
TrackPoint II/III/IV	643	(4)
Touch Pads	647	(1)
External Pointing Devices	648	(5)
Mice	648	(2)
Trackballs	650	(1)
External Pointing Device Interfaces	651	(2)
Wireless Input Devices	653	(4)
Radio Versus Infrared	653	(1)
Major Vendors and Products	654	(1)
Wireless Pointing Device Issues	654	(3)
Portable System Accessories	657	(34)
Carrying Cases	658	(3)
Nylon Cases	659	(1)
Leather Cases	659	(1)
Backpack Cases	659	(1)
Wheeled Cases	660	(1)
Ruggedized Cases	660	(1)
Docking Stations	661	(2)
Proprietary Docking Stations	663	(1)
Third-party Docking Solutions	663	(1)
The Decline of the Dock	663	(1)
Port Replicators	663	(2)
Proprietary Port Replicators	664	(1)
Third-party Port Replicators	665	(1)
Slabs or Slices	665	(1)
Internal Device Bays	666	(4)
All-in-One Systems	667	(1)
Proprietary Bays	667	(3)
Accessory Power Sources	670	(4)
Batteries	671	(1)
Fuel Cells	672	(1)
Adapters	673	(1)
Communications	674	(1)
Digital Phone System Adapters	674	(1)
International Phone Adapters	675	(1)
Data Storage	675	(1)
Security Devices	676	(3)
Theft Deterrents	676	(1)
Laptop Recovery Systems	677	(1)
User Authentication Devices	677	(2)
Input Devices	679	(1)
Portable Pointing Devices	679	(1)
Portable Keyboards	679	(1)
Output Devices	680	(1)
Portable Printers	680	(1)
Portable Scanners	680	(1)
Presentation Equipment	681	(4)
Analog TV Projectors	681	(1)
Overhead LCD Display Panels	681	(1)
Digital Projectors	682	(1)
Flat-Panel Plasma Displays	683	(1)
TV Connections	683	(2)
Special Interfaces	685	(2)
USB	685	(1)
Fire Wire Cards	686	(1)
Serial Ports	686	(1)
Parallel Ports	686	(1)
SCSI Adapters	686	(1)
Signal and Control I/O	686	(1)
Miscellaneous Devices	686	(1)
Navigation	687	(1)
GPS Receivers	687	(1)
Handheld GPS Receivers	687	(1)
Laptop Screen Accessories	688	(1)
Screen Shades	688	(1)
Privacy Shields	689	(1)
Notebook Stands	689	(1)
Desktop	689	(1)
Automobile	690	(1)
Where to Buy	690	(1)
Software and Operating Systems	691	(34)
The Boot Process	692	(9)
The Boot Process: Operating System Independent	693	(5)
The Windows 9x/Me Boot Process	698	(2)
Windows NT/2000/XP Startup	700	(1)
Installing the Operating System	701	(7)
Installing Windows 98/Me	702	(4)
Installing Windows XP	706	(1)
Linux on the Laptop	707	(1)
Laptop Data Recovery	708	(17)
The Windows Recycle Bin and File ``Deletion''	708	(1)
Recovering Files That Are Not in the Recycle Bin	708	(1)
Retrieving Data from Partitioned and Formatted Drives	709	(3)
Using the Norton Disk Editor	712	(9)
Data Recovery from Flash Memory Devices	721	(2)
Retrieving Data from a Damaged Laptop	723	(2)
Problem Solving and Troubleshooting	725	(40)
Basic Troubleshooting Guidelines	726	(26)
Modern Laptop Computers---More Complicated and More Reliable	726	(1)
Desktop and Laptop Components Compared	727	(4)
Troubleshooting by Replacing Parts	731	(1)
Troubleshooting by the Bootstrap Approach	732	(2)
Problems During the POST	734	(1)
Hardware Problems After Booting	735	(1)
Problems Running Software	735	(1)
Problems with Adapter Cards	736	(1)
Diagnostics	736	(16)
Top Troubleshooting Problems	752	(13)
Power and Startup Problems	752	(2)
Windows Problems	754	(2)
Hardware Problems	756	(9)
Portable Resource Guide	765	(12)
Documentation	766	(4)
FCC ID Database	769	(1)
User Forums and Support	770	(1)
Repair Parts	770	(1)
Manufacturer Tech Support	771	(6)
Lenovo (Formerly IBM)	771	(1)
Toshiba	772	(1)
Dell	772	(1)
HP	773	(1)
Compaq	773	(1)
Gateway	773	(1)
Other Systems	774	(3)
A. List of Acronyms and Abbreviations	777	(10)
A	778	(1)
B	778	(1)
C	778	(1)
D	779	(1)
E	780	(1)
F	780	(1)
G	780	(1)
H	780	(1)
I	781	(1)
J-K	781	(1)
L	781	(1)
M	781	(1)
N	782	(1)
O	782	(1)
P	783	(1)
Q	783	(1)
R	783	(1)
S	784	(1)
T	784	(1)
U	784	(1)
V	785	(1)
W-X	785	(1)
Y-Z	785	(2)
B. Glossary	787	(70)
C. Key Vendor Contact Information	857	(6)
Index	863

Excerpts

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