Assess Any Physical Damage
After a laptop fall, the first step is to inspect for any visible signs of physical damage. Carefully look over the entire laptop case and screen for any cracks, dents, or scrapes. Pay close attention to the corners and edges, as these areas often take the brunt of impact from a drop. Examine the screen hinges, ports, buttons, and trackpad for issues as well. According to experts, visible damage like cracks can indicate potential internal damage even if the laptop still appears functional (source). So inspect every inch thoroughly.
Look at the case from all angles in proper lighting. Open the screen fully and check for any display abnormalities like cracked LCD or dead pixels. Press each key on the keyboard to ensure it functions properly without sticking. Test the touchpad buttons and trackpad responsiveness by swiping and clicking. Plug in a mouse and external keyboard if the built-in ones seem damaged. Try every port with a cable to confirm they work properly.
If there is any visible damage, further internal damage is possible even if the laptop powers on. But the extent depends on factors like how far it fell and what surface it hit. Carefully inspecting for external damage is the first key step after a laptop drop.
Turn On and Boot Up
The first step after a potential damaging fall is to turn on your laptop and observe the boot up process. This will allow you to see if the laptop powers on normally and loads the operating system without any error messages.
Pay attention to lights or sounds that seem abnormal. Listen for any unusual beeps or clicking noises. Also watch for text errors on the screen during start up. Many laptops will perform a quick hardware check and may alert you to detected issues.
If the laptop successfully boots into the operating system with no warnings, that is a good sign there is no major damage. However, there could still be undiscovered issues, so continue testing components.
If the laptop does not start up normally, or you receive error messages about hardware problems, there is likely internal damage that will need professional repair. Significant errors during boot up generally indicate issues with core components like the motherboard, CPU, RAM or hard drive.
Overall, observing the laptop’s power on and boot up process gives you initial feedback on whether key hardware appears functional. While a normal start up is reassuring, continue testing to verify all components are still working properly.
Test Hardware Components
After a fall, it’s important to thoroughly test all your laptop’s hardware components to check for any damage or issues. Start by checking the screen for cracks, dead pixels, or display problems by displaying different colors. Next, test the keyboard and trackpad to ensure all keys and gestures work properly. Connect headphones or external speakers to test the speakers and audio ports. Check the built-in webcam using camera software. Examine all physical ports like USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and others to confirm they are not damaged or bent. If possible, connect accessories or devices to the ports to test their functionality.
You can also download hardware diagnostics tools like HWiNFO (https://www.hwinfo.com/) or Speccy (https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy) to get more details on components like CPU, GPU, RAM, drives, etc. Run stress tests on components like the CPU and GPU to check for overheating or crashes. Checking all hardware components thoroughly after a laptop fall can help identify any problems or damage.
Run Diagnostic Software
Using diagnostic software is an important step to test your laptop’s components and identify any issues after a fall. Many laptops come with built-in diagnostics that you can access on bootup by pressing a certain function key like F12. These built-in tools will run checks on your processor, memory, hard drive, and other hardware. If you don’t have built-in diagnostics, you can download free diagnostic software like ESET SysInspector to inspect your system.
Third party diagnostic apps like Diesel Explorer and Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool provide more in-depth testing capabilities. Run comprehensive diagnostics to check every component thoroughly after a laptop fall. Diagnostic software can identify component failures, driver issues, damaged hardware, and other problems. Review the test results and error logs to determine which parts need repair or replacement. Diagnostic tools are crucial for pinpointing any issues caused by a fall and testing stability before using your laptop again.
Check Drives and Data
After a fall, it’s important to scan your laptop’s hard drive and solid state drive (SSD) for any errors. This will help you determine if the physical shock from the fall caused any issues accessing your files and data.
To test your hard drive in Windows, open the Command Prompt and type “wmic diskdrive get status” to check the S.M.A.R.T. status of your drives. This will show if any read/write errors or failures have been detected (1). You can also use free tools like Hard Disk Sentinel (2) to scan for and repair bad sectors.
Run diagnostics on your SSD using the manufacturer’s software, such as Samsung Magician for Samsung drives. This will analyze the drive’s health status. Check that your drives are detected properly in the BIOS as well.
To test accessing files, open folders on different parts of the hard drive and try opening various types of files. Attempt copying or moving large files from one folder to another. Any issues could indicate drive damage.
Back up any important data if you encounter any problems scanning or accessing the drives. You may need to replace a damaged hard drive or SSD if errors persist.
Examine Internal Components
If you don’t see any obvious external damage, the next step is to open up the laptop case and inspect the internal components. This allows you to check for loose cables, broken parts, or other damage that may not be visible from the outside.
First, be sure to unplug the laptop and remove any batteries before opening it up. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for instructions on how to safely disassemble your specific laptop model. Often, this just involves unscrewing the back panel and carefully lifting it off.
Visually inspect the inside of the laptop for any broken plastic pieces, damaged ports, or detached cables. Check that ribbon cables are still firmly plugged into their sockets. Examine the hard drive and memory modules to make sure they are properly seated in their slots. Also look for signs of liquid spills, burnt spots, or other contamination.
If you spot any loose connections or broken parts, this could explain functionality issues you may be experiencing after the laptop’s fall. However, even if everything looks intact internally, problems with components like the CPU or motherboard may not be outwardly visible. Running hardware diagnostics (as covered in the next section) can help confirm all components are still fully functional.
Closing everything back up properly is also key after inspecting the internal components. Refer to manufacturer instructions again here. You want to take care not to pinch any cables or forget to reconnect anything during reassembly.
Consider Data Backup
Backing up important data is crucial in case more severe issues emerge after a laptop fall. Before using your laptop further, take time to properly backup your files, photos, documents and other irreplaceable information. There are several options for backing up a Windows laptop:
You can use cloud backup services like Carbonite or IDrive to automatically backup data online. Simply install the backup software and select the folders and files you want to continuously backup to the cloud (Carbonite). This protects your data in case your laptop is damaged or lost.
An external hard drive is another excellent option for manual backups. Connect the drive to your laptop using a USB cable. Then use the built-in Windows Backup and Restore utility to schedule regular backups or copy files manually to the external drive (Microsoft). Store the drive in a safe place when not backing up.
Backups ensure you won’t lose your data if your laptop requires repairs or replacement after a damaging fall. Protect your important files before continuing to use your laptop.
Assess Performance Issues
After a fall, it’s important to check for any new performance issues that may indicate damage from the impact. Even if there is no visible exterior damage, the inner components can be affected.
First, check for system lag or slowdowns by opening programs and browsing files. The laptop may take longer to startup, open apps, or load webpages. Look for sluggish response times and interface lag. According to a post on Microsoft forums, one user experienced slow startup after their laptop fell.
Also monitor for overheating, which could point to issues with the cooling system or fan. Use monitoring software to check the CPU and GPU temperatures over time, especially when gaming or using graphic-intensive programs. According to a forum post, a dropped laptop can sometimes displace the heat sink, leading to overheating.
Check for any crashes, freezes, or abnormal shut downs, which may indicate hardware damage. Run intensive applications like games or video editing software to simulate high system loads. According to a Quora post, even with no visible exterior damage, an impact can affect internal components and lead to performance issues.
Determine Repair Options
If your laptop is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer to find out about authorized repair options. Dell, for example, offers mail-in or carry-in repair services through their Depot service, with costs starting around $100-200 depending on the issue (https://www.dell.com/support/incidents-online/us/en/04/ContactUs/Dynamic).
For DIY fixes, replacing a cracked screen or faulty keyboard on a laptop is usually not too difficult with the right tools. Online video tutorials can walk you through step-by-step. Just make sure you order the right replacement part for your specific laptop model. Expect to pay $50-150 for a new screen and $20-60 for a new keyboard.
If there is significant damage beyond just a cracked screen or keyboard, you may need to consider just replacing the laptop entirely. With modern laptops, repair costs can quickly exceed 50% of the value of the machine. At that point, it often makes more sense to put that money toward a new laptop rather than sink costs into an aging, damaged one.
Prevent Future Damage
One of the best ways to prevent future damage to your laptop is to invest in a protective case. There are many options for laptop cases ranging from simple sleeves to rugged hard cases. According to Best Buy, hard shell cases provide the most protection by covering all sides of your laptop.[1] Look for a case made of durable materials like hard plastic or aluminum.
It’s also important to be careful in how you handle and transport your laptop. Avoid tossing your laptop bag around and try not to place too much weight on top of it. When travelling, use a padded laptop compartment in your bag and avoid overstuffing your bag.[2] Consider using a sleeve or wrap if you need to transport your laptop outside of a bag.
Make sure to open your laptop slowly and lay it flat before flipping the screen up. Disconnect cables gently by pulling directly on the connector, not the cord.[3] Avoid eating or drinking around your laptop to prevent spills. With some simple precautions in how you handle and transport your laptop, you can prevent a lot of potential physical damage.