6 DIY Laptop Repairs for Common Mishaps

As much as we'd like to think that our $2000+ laptop is going to last forever, the reality is that things break, tear and scratch. Good to know, though, that a lot of common repairs can be done on the cheap—and still look good, unlike permanent blue painter's tape on that shiny MacBook...

We spotted this list over at Computer World of "6 Easy Laptop Repairs."

Included are instructions of how to repair a:

Frayed charger cord
Cracked notebook case
Bad fan
Stuck key
Scratched screen
Waterlogged laptop

If you make your way over to the list, you'll discover how to repair a power cord with silicone sealant or fill in screen scratches with toothpaste. Who knew so many easy repairs with polished results could be had with household or hardware store materials and a crafty hand?

Via ComputerWorld

(Image: Flickr user mrphancy under license from Creative Commons.)

Comments (7)

MacBook Pro just died yesterday after three years of service. Over the last 3 weeks, I tried everything but throwing holy water to keep running.

posted by tallen5 on September 14th 2009 at 12:19pm
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i am in the marine publishing industry and was introduced to a product this year that has saved my macbook pro cord in two places. it's silicon "rescue tape" (www.rescuetape.com), and once you stretch and wrap it around itself, it fuses together definitely less unsightly than electrical tape, and it's not sticky. i use the clear kind.

posted by stephanie in orlando on September 14th 2009 at 5:45pm
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The cracked topcase on a Macbook (shown with tape over it in the bottom picture) is a known design flaw (the plastic used is actually the wrong thickness). If you take into the Genius Bar, they'll fix it.

posted by acstemec on September 15th 2009 at 4:29am
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If you have a frayed electrical cord, you shouldn't be using it. It's hazardous. As someone who's worked in the computer service industry, there's no fix for a waterlogged computer except for replacing every piece of circuitry that's come into contact with water.

posted by blc on September 15th 2009 at 10:15am
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My antiquated, but trusty 12" iBook G3 (yes... G THREE) is still running great after seven years, but the charger's cable has frayed to the point that I now need tape to hold it to the charger and keep the lovely amber/green light on. I just ordered a replacement charger for $12. It's not an original (cheapo Hong Kong model) and probably won't last more than a year, but I plan on picking up a 13" Macbook Pro early next year, after the next refresh...

posted by CygnusX1 on September 16th 2009 at 5:08am
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I have a white MacBook, purchased in 2007, and the problem with the edges of the case cracking and braking off has plagued me and just about everyone I know. How does the genius bar fix them? Also, can anyone recommend a good way to clean the white case? my mousepad and keys are a gross grey.

posted by cde8 on September 16th 2009 at 2:23pm
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cde8--the Genius Bar replaces the plastic covering around the keyboard. There is a little strip on the right hand corner near the trackpad of my MacBook that seems to go every 6 months or so. It broke my heart the first time it happened, but after taking it in for another problem, a Genius told me that sort of chipping was a known issue. For cleaning, I use a solution called IKlear (how appropriate).

posted by acstemec on September 23rd 2009 at 2:59am
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