The first sign of laptop overheating is simply and plainly, heat. It is common for a laptop to be warm to the touch, but when warm becomes too hot to touch it is time for concern. As soon as possible shut down the machine to stop the heat from building and potentially causing hardware damage, then check to see if there is a hot spot in particular. Nine times out of ten, it will be hotter around the processor. In this case you can have either a bad processor or some kind of fault in your ventilation, for example a blocked vent or malfunctioning fan. It’s also possible that the thermal compound that is between the processor and the heat sink has simply has lost its thermal conductivity and is not properly transferring the heat from the CPU to the heat sink material. Always make sure that the back, sides, and bottom of your laptop are free of obstruction and able to get cool air into your machine. Also, check when you turn on your machine that you can hear your fan running. If it’s hot and the fan never kicks on, you may have to get your fan repaired. You may also hear your fan running at full speed all the time, possibly from the time the machine comes. This may indicate a fan problem and should be addressed.

If your laptop is overheating without your notice, the next step is that programs will begin to freeze or lock up as your system becomes too hot to function, followed shortly afterward by a system shutdown. Your computer may shut itself down to avoid any damage, and if this happens allow the system to sit as you check it over for possible causes.

To prevent further issues with laptop overheating, be sure to clean air intakes on your machine regularly, keeping them free of dust and debris. Also, pay attention to your fans. If they run routinely at their highest and loudest setting, something may be wrong with your processor or your heat sink, which may require repair or replacement.

The netbook has only one RAM slot, so you will be replacing the existing memory stick. You will need a 2GB DDR2 SODIMM chip for the replacement. These are widely available from many retailers and are very inexpensive. You will also need a mini Phillips head screwdriver and it is recommended that you use an anti-static wrist band to avoid damaging sensitive components.

Here are the steps for replacing the RAM module:

1. Shut down the machine, unplug the AC Adapter and remove the battery to avoid the risk of electric shock.

2. Flip the unit over and look for a small rectangular hatch near the bottom right, it will have a symbol representing a memory module. Remove the screw and the hatch.

3. Gently pull the retaining clips holding the memory stick in place until it pops upright. Gently remove it by sliding the edge of the module away from the slot.

4. Align the notch at the bottom of the new memory stick with the notch in the memory slot and gently insert it at a 45-degree angle. Then push the other edge down, you should feel it snap into place and the retaining clips should lock into place as well.

5. Put the upgrade hatch back in place and replace the original screw.

6. Replace the battery, plug the machine in and boot up the operating system.

7. In Windows, right-click on My Computer and click Properties. Under the General tab, it will list the amount of RAM recognized by Windows. It should list slightly less than 2GB since the Aspire One utilizes some of the system memory for Video memory.

There a few methods you can use when replacing your hard drive with an SSD:

Option 1: Backup all necessary files, install the empty SSD drive, reinstall the operating system, and copy your files back to the new drive. This has the benefit of a clean operating system install, which can improve performance in some cases, but you will lose all your customizations and system settings, and it is possible some files will be missed when backing up.

Option 2: Clone your original hard drive to the new SSD, and then install it into the computer. This keeps the operating system and all files exactly as they were, and you can get the benefits of your new SSD without losing your settings or customizations. This can be a potential problem if the old drive is larger than the new drive, however, which is sometimes the case when upgrading to an SSD.

Whichever option you choose, you will likely need a way to connect both drives to the computer. With a laptop, you may need to purchase an external USB enclosure for this purpose.

If cloning the drive, use a utility such as CloneZilla or Norton Ghost to make an exact copy of the drive. Otherwise, install the new drive and the operating system, and then connect your old drive to copy over your files. The process of physically replacing the drives is no different with and SSD than with a traditional drive.

The first thing you should consider is whether to get an OEM battery or a compatible battery. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and refers to a battery that comes directly from the manufacturer of your laptop. While you can rarely go wrong with an OEM battery, it is often the most expensive option, and for older laptops, OEM batteries may not even be available any longer. Compatible batteries are manufactured by a third party, but are designed to meet or exceed the specifications of the original to ensure compatibility and performance, and they are often much less expensive.

Here are a few terms and factors that you should know when shopping for a Toshiba laptop battery replacement:

Battery type

Most Toshiba laptop batteries will be Lithium-Ion batteries. Older laptops may use NiMH and NiCad Batteries; however these are older laptop battery technologies.

Voltage

Ensure that the replacement battery matches the voltage of your old battery. Common voltages are 10.8 volts, 11.1 volts, 14.4 and 14.8 volts. The voltage is typically printed right on the label of your original battery.

Capacity (mAh)

The mAh (milliampere-hour) measurement gives a general idea of the capacity of a battery. For example, a battery with 6600 mAh will provide a longer runtime than one with 4400 mAh. The battery’s capacity relates directly with Cell count and the capacity of the cells used to construct the laptop battery.

Cells

Batteries are made up of Lithium Ion cells, and different batteries utilize a different number of cells depending on the required voltage. In some cases, it is possible to find a replacement battery with more cells than the original, which should generally provide extended battery life. Often when more cells are added the physical size of the battery will be altered possibly making it larger and may cause it to protrude from the notebook unlike the original battery.

When shopping for a Toshiba laptop battery replacement, it is recommended that you use a quality supplier with a through selection. Also, try to find a supplier with the resources to properly identify a correct replacement laptop battery specifically for your model of machine. You can often find retailers online or even in your local area.

While processor speeds in the past were based mainly on MHz, this is becoming less of an issue with the introduction of multi-core processors. Now, multi-core processors provide the equivalent of 2 or more CPUs in a single chip, making the MHz rating less relevant and boosting performance at the same time. While the Core i7 Mobile processor is faster than previous chips, its speed is only one of its many improvements.

The Intel Turbo Boost Technology included in the chip essentially allows the cores to run faster than their base frequency, provided it can do so within power, current, and temperature limits. In many ways, this is equivalent to overclocking, but the chip will not do so in a situation that could potentially cause overheating or overvoltage, reducing the risk of damage.

The Core i7 also has video encoding speed boosts built in, and Intel claims it is up to 81% faster at encoding video. The chip can also improve artificial intelligence in games by up to 31%, according to Intel, for more realistic games.

The Core i7 can support up to four cores and also supports Intel’s Hyper-Threading Technology, allowing it to better utilize multiple cores and even process two threads per core. This simulates the equivalent of 8 cores of processing power in some situations. The chip can support up to 8 MB of cache for faster processing of data, and it supports two-channel DDR3 1333 MHz memory.

There is no doubt that laptops and notebooks are beginning to replace desktops as most user’s primary computer. The Intel Core i7 Mobile processor provides the power and benefits of Intel’s latest chip to these mobile platforms, making this an even easier transition for many users.

CCFL

At present, CCFLs are less expensive than LEDs. This makes them more suited for budget, or even mid-range, laptops and notebooks. With so many manufacturers competing for the lowest price, it is easy to see why CCFLs are still commonly used. Currently, CCFLs can sometimes use less power than LEDs, even though this is often thought not to be the case. The power usage depends greatly on the number of LEDs needed in a display, and improvements in LED technology should continue to provide improvements in power usage.

LED

The biggest advantage of LED backlighting is that it tends to produce a brighter, more even display. LED backlit displays can also be lighter and thinner than CCFL displays, making them more suited for portability, and allowing for thinner laptops and notebooks. Depending on the number of LEDs used, they can also reduce the power needed to light the display. Also, because LEDs light from the back, they are more suitable for use in glossy displays, which are becoming increasingly popular.

It is heavily debated whether LEDs offer better colors than CCFLs. Manufacturers who use primarily CCFLs claim they offer better color, but those who use LEDs also claim better color. Another issue is life span. Some claim LEDs have a longer life span than CCFLs, but this is mainly untested, as LED is a relatively new technology. Life span tends not to be a large factor; however, as most users will replace a laptop long before either technology is likely to wear out. One thing LED panels have and edge on CCFL panels is durability, the CCFL backlight is very susceptible to physical damage if it takes any impact, LED’s do not suffer from this vulnerability.

Despite the fact that CCFLs have some advantages, it is clear that LED backlights are the future for laptop and notebook panels. As the cost of LEDs begin to drop, we will see them used in more and more laptop designs, and more users can reap the benefits provided by LED backlighting.

First, you must find a Sony laptop hard drive upgrade that is compatible with your specific model. Most laptop hard drives are compatible with multiple models, but the best way to ensure compatibility is to use a parts locator tool, available on many online retail sites that deal in replacement laptop parts. This tool will allow you to enter the model number of your Sony laptop and get a list of compatible replacement parts, so that you know the Sony laptop hard drive you purchase will be compatible. Once you have your hard drive, it is a fairly simple process to replace the drive.

While each Sony laptop model is different, these instructions will provide the basic process for upgrading most Sony laptop hard drives.

1. Use an anti-static wrist band to reduce the risk of static damage to sensitive laptop parts.

2. Remove the screws on the back of the laptop.

3. Flip the laptop over and carefully remove the keyboard. There will be a ribbon cable connecting the keyboard. Carefully remove this ribbon cable from the connector on the mainboard.

4. Remove the screws holding the wrist plate or top cover in place and remove it.

5. You should now have access to the hard drive. Remove the screws holding it in place, and gently remove the ribbon cable and/or power cable. Pull the hard drive out of the laptop.

6. Connect the ribbon cable to your new hard drive and place it back in the laptop. Replace the screws and reverse the above instructions to reassemble the laptop.

At this point, power up the laptop and test that the new drive is working. Reinstall your operating system or use your restore discs and you are ready to go.

Reduced Battery Life

The most common problem for laptop batteries is reduced battery life. It is an inevitable fact that laptop batteries eventually lose some of their capacity, and therefore, the amount of time they can supply power on a single charge. Even a battery that is used correctly will eventually begin to lose some of its capacity. The typical life for a lithium ion battery is around 2 years.

Very Short Battery Life

A typical laptop battery loses a certain amount of capacity over a period of time. If your laptop battery has lost a significant amount of capacity in a short period of time, it may be damaged, or may be exhibiting the “memory effect” that causes some older battery technologies to lose a large amount of capacity. Unfortunately, this often requires a new battery.

Battery Won’t Charge

If a laptop battery won’t charge or charges much slower than normal, it is most likely damaged. This damage can be caused be extreme heat or other problems, but a battery that won’t charge usually needs to be replaced. If the laptop won’t run on either battery power or its AC adapter, however, the problem is most likely not the battery, but the AC adapter or power supply.

If you suspect your laptop battery needs to be replaced, it may be helpful to use a battery diagnostic tool to check the status of your battery. Do an internet search for the term battery diagnostic tool. These tools can give you information on the life, capacity, and health of your battery. If your battery needs replacing, it is recommended that you replace it as soon as possible to avoid damaging your laptop or other safety risks posed by a bad battery.

The simplest method is to use an online parts locator tool. Many online retailers offer such a tool. Simply enter your HP laptop’s model number into the search and the tool will provide you with the proper replacement parts that are compatible with your specific model. The benefit of this method is that you are often given a choice of both OEM and third-party Laptop AC adapters for your HP notebook. Third-party adapters are often much less expensive than their OEM counterparts, and as long as they are purchased from a reliable source, should perform every bit as well as the OEM version.

Another method of finding the correct AC adapter for your HP laptop is to use the support software provided. Click Start, the Help & Support. Here you will find the product name, model number, and serial number. This will help you locate the correct part for your HP laptop. The product’s serial number is usually located on the bottom of the machine as well. You can call HP support directly to order a replacement AC adapter, though this will usually be the most expensive route. Another option is to call or email an online retailer with your model number and serial number, and they can often help you locate the correct part.

Finding replacement parts for an HP laptop is not as difficult as it once was, with the benefit of online parts locator tools. It is now a simple process to find parts even for older models. Take advantage of the many tools available for finding an AC adapter for your HP laptop.

Acer laptop AC adapters are also compliant with RoHS regulations. These strict specifications restrict dangerous substances, commonly used in electronics and electronic equipment, from being integrated into their manufacturing. The RoHS compliant, Asus laptop AC adapters, are tested for the presence of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent chromium (Hex-Cr), Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). In the EU, a large quantity of military and medical equipment is exempt from RoHS compliance.

Utilizing the proper notebook AC adapter for Acer laptops ensures that the battery will provide and maintain optimal performance. Acer laptop AC adapters have Ampere (A or mA) and Wattage (W) requirements, located on the bottom-side of the battery unit.  Having the proper Ampere output, also has an immense impact on the performance of the battery and its charge rate. A low A or mA output may cause the battery to only function properly for a short period of time. Only Acer laptop AC adapters with equal or greater output can be used, ensuring the best possible performance is obtained from the battery.

Each Acer laptop AC adapter is unique, and it is essential that the purchased model adapter will give off the correct voltage and suitable current output. If the exact specifications of the notebook or original Acer laptop AC adapter cannot be found, then Voltage must be within 10% of the original hardware requirement. Notebook AC adapters for Acer laptops are also designed with a rugged and durable case, capable of withstanding harsh treatment.