Introduction: Fix Your Laptop With a Hammer
When the screws holding the hinge to the screen in my laptop gave up the ghost, I needed a quick fix. A little tack acting as a rivet does the trick.
Step 1: Remove Bezel
I won't go into too much detail on how to remove the bezel. Every laptop is a bit diffrent, so round up the tools appropriate for yours. I will say that an old knife with the tip ground off makes a great tool for opening up plastic casings.
In the first photo you can see the broken hinge, normally that metal plate is captive between an inner plastic frame and the bezel. There is a lot of torque on the hinge when opening it and when the screw failed it resulted in the bezel breaking.
Step 2: Hammer Time!
Drill 1/8" holes through the hinge and the back of the laptop. I reused the holes that the screws came out of, and left the plastic frame behing the hinge as well. The frame maintains the alignment of the screen, so even if it's not doing much for the hinge, I don't want the screen moving around.
Next insert the tacks from the back of the screen through the holes you just made. It is a tight fit, so use a nut driver or socket as a hollow punch to drive the hinge down over the tack.
Once the tack is flush with the back of the screen, use a punch to fold the tip over or peen it to lock everything in place.
Step 3: Revel in the Renewed Hinge!
Pop everything back together (reinstall bezel) and you're set!
I think the fix came out nicely. Adds a bit of contrast to the back of the machine if you're into that sort of thing, and works just fine regardless of aesthetics.
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12 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Our Great Dane 'wagged' a glass of sticky orange juice over my laptop keyboard. The technicians could not clean the keys, even by taking the lid off the keyboard. Can I use the knife method to take it off again and immerse the keyboard in hot water?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Laptop keyboards generally have several layers of plastics and electronics, in my experience if you soak it in water it will just exacerbate the problem. I would recomend just replacement, most are in the $20 range on ebay.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thank you, The shop sold me an external keyboard (really cheap) and a mouse and I am doing finw with this set up. I am saving up for a new laptop, as now I sit with euipment like a desktop, only it needs almost two desks... Thanks again.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Good question - it really depends on the keyboard. Some snap in and others are held in with screws. If it's screwed, then the screwdriver is better. You might do a quick search to see if there is a guide for your specific laptop. "Your model keyboard replacement" or "your model service guide" will likely get you headed in the right direction.
An old trick with regular desktop keybords was to disassemble them and then put the mechanical parts (only the mechanical parts!) into the dishwasher to get them clean again.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thank you so much. I'll try and let you know! Thanks
Barbara in Africa
8 years ago on Introduction
Solid idea! Just a shame the nails aren't grey/silver. Otherwise a solid repair.
I had a similar problem, but so far the super glue still holds up. If it fails again I'll resort to this method.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I used some JB Weld on mine, but the back flexed too much and it popped off. If glue works, glue it! :)
8 years ago on Introduction
I've made several repairs in this fashion, the only difference I do is use a very small machine screw and nut, so that you can get it tight and use a little thread locker to stop it from moving.
8 years ago on Introduction
Can't touch that.....
Reply 8 years ago
:-)
8 years ago
Oh thank you for that!! I had a laptop for 2 years and now the holder came off and I haven't used the laptop for a week and now I've tried this and now it holds my screen!
Well done !!!
Voted
Reply 8 years ago
Glad it helped! Thanks!