are the first things to go." Carroll attributes the problems to regular use, abuse, and sometimes even shoddy design.
In normal use, accumulated dust can impede hinges to the point where the plastic casing b
reaks. Subsequently, tiny screws are free to rattle around and short out the electronics. Carroll says that when major electrical components go on the fritz, it might actually be more practical to replace a laptop than to repair it. Once you notice the hinges getting tight, seek service right away, he advises. A preventive lubrication now can prevent big headaches later.
The hinges' small size makes them particularly vulnerable to damage from abuse or constant use. Things to avoid include closing the laptop's lid on a writing utensil, overzealously snapping the case open and shut, carrying the laptop by the lid with the case hanging open, and spilling a drink on the laptop.
In addition to complaints about laptop hinges in general on Usenet, we found hinge-problem-related postings from Psion 3A and Siena laptop owners. But Psion representatives reckon that less than 1 percent of Psion repair jobs are for broken hinges. Rich Brandeis, Psion operations supervisor, says that "many of those customers admit
to having bent the hinges themselves."
An IBM spokeswoman says the current ThinkPad hinges are problem free. In any case, be nice to your portable's hinges; like you, they're probably under a lot of stress.
Send yours to
edejesus@bix.com!
photo_link (25 Kbytes)
Broken hinges left this ThinkPad flat on its back.
Bug of the Month
