How to Workaround Damaged Laptop Display Hinges

Read the entire article, and check that your specific laptop can be repaired in the way presented., Cut two strips of the fuzzy Velcro and round the corners (rounding the corners will make it less likely that the Velcro will detach after gluing)...

24 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Read the entire article

    Especially check that the fishing line can be placed in a location which doesn't get too much in the way of your normal use (heavy users of the mouse buttons or touchpad might have problems here), and that there are locations more or less in the center of the laptop where gluing the Velcro will not affect the use of the laptop (that no access doors or ventilation holes are sealed).
  2. Step 2: and check that your specific laptop can be repaired in the way presented.

    , Try to make the line of the two strips be as perpendicular as possible to the axis of the display hinges. , This can take 24 hours or even more.

    See the instructions for the particular epoxy you have used.

    Don't confuse the setting time of the epoxy (which can be as quick as 5 minutes) with the time until it reaches maximum strength. , Actually, what is more important is that the length of the hooked strip totally utilize the glued strips when the laptop display is open.

    Do not use the Velcro with an open display before the glue has hardened to its maximum strength. , Laptops with large or heavy displays may require gluing multiple strips of Velcro, or wider and/or stronger Velcro (Velcro comes in a range of sizes and bonding strengths).

    The laptop in the images has a
    12.1" display. , I used an "improved blood knot" for this.

    Instructions can be found in various places on the Internet. ,, If it is a bother, make the adhesive on the outside less sticky by touching it repeatedly. ,
  3. Step 3: Cut two strips of the fuzzy Velcro and round the corners (rounding the corners will make it less likely that the Velcro will detach after gluing).

  4. Step 4: Read the instructions for the epoxy glue; mix it and use it to glue the two strips of fuzzy Velcro

  5. Step 5: one on the back of the display

  6. Step 6: and one on the bottom of the laptop

  7. Step 7: such that the two strips are co-linear (in other words

  8. Step 8: the alignment of one strip

  9. Step 9: when extended

  10. Step 10: coincides with the alignment of the other strip).

  11. Step 11: Wait for the epoxy glue to harden fully.

  12. Step 12: Close the laptop display

  13. Step 13: and cut a strip of the hooked Velcro more or less to the length required when sticking it to the two glued strips in their entirety.

  14. Step 14: After the glue has hardened to maximum strength

  15. Step 15: check that the Velcro can now prevent the display from falling into the closed position.

  16. Step 16: Take the fishing line

  17. Step 17: and tie it into a loop which exactly encircles the laptop when the display is open to the working position.

  18. Step 18: Check that the fishing line loop is strong enough to prevent the display from falling into the fully open position (fishing line comes in a variety of strengths

  19. Step 19: use a relatively strong line which will not stretch under the load).

  20. Step 20: Glue a small strip of two-sided foam tape (like used for mounting things) on the edge of the laptop where the fishing line should rest.

  21. Step 21: Optionally

  22. Step 22: you can use a plastic bag closure which has been notched (see images)

  23. Step 23: in order to more easily adjust the exact size of the fishing line loop (and therefore

  24. Step 24: the exact working position of the laptop display).

Detailed Guide

Especially check that the fishing line can be placed in a location which doesn't get too much in the way of your normal use (heavy users of the mouse buttons or touchpad might have problems here), and that there are locations more or less in the center of the laptop where gluing the Velcro will not affect the use of the laptop (that no access doors or ventilation holes are sealed).

, Try to make the line of the two strips be as perpendicular as possible to the axis of the display hinges. , This can take 24 hours or even more.

See the instructions for the particular epoxy you have used.

Don't confuse the setting time of the epoxy (which can be as quick as 5 minutes) with the time until it reaches maximum strength. , Actually, what is more important is that the length of the hooked strip totally utilize the glued strips when the laptop display is open.

Do not use the Velcro with an open display before the glue has hardened to its maximum strength. , Laptops with large or heavy displays may require gluing multiple strips of Velcro, or wider and/or stronger Velcro (Velcro comes in a range of sizes and bonding strengths).

The laptop in the images has a
12.1" display. , I used an "improved blood knot" for this.

Instructions can be found in various places on the Internet. ,, If it is a bother, make the adhesive on the outside less sticky by touching it repeatedly. ,

About the Author

T

Timothy Hernandez

Timothy Hernandez specializes in non profit and has been creating helpful content for over 3 years. Timothy is committed to helping readers learn new skills and improve their lives.

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