Tightening my laptop lid

It's so flimsy!

[Lyndsay]

I've had my Toshiba laptop for about two and a half years now... I love it.

Trouble is, the lid has become so loose that any sudden movement (ie someone sits next to me on the couch) it collapses all the way back.

Is there anyway I can tighten this so that when I open it it STAYS in place?

[Stefan]

I have no expertise on this, but maybe you could open it up and look for bolts and nuts that might be tightened (maybe it's pure plastic and impossible to do that). I have an old Dell Latitude and the lid/monitor is still very firm - never tried opening the thing up.

Has anyone here ever delved into the insides of a laptop?

At worst, you could always screw a hinged brace to the side of it ;-)

[mack]

Before attempting to open it up I would recommend calling the manufacturer and asking for some advice. It may be a known issue with your make and model and they will be able to advice you ad/or provide you with replacement components.

I would suspect that it is a plastic outer housing with a slightly smaller plastic insert. Over time the insert wears down and looses it's hold on the outer hinge. The answer may be to replace the inserts.

Mack.

[Lyndsay]

Good call Mack... I checked the Knowledge Base on the Toshiba Canada web site and found nothing, I'll try the US site and if that gets me nowhere, I'll give them a call.

I've never had the guts to open up a laptop... but I'm about at the end of my rope with it flopping around right now.

[kaled]

Find a local dealer that sells Toshiba laptops and phone them up. The chances are that yours will not be the first call they've had with that problem and they should be able to tell what to do.

Failing that, find somewhere that replaces laptop screens - they're bound to know how to fix it.

Kaled.

[Stefan]

Great advice, but I still think a hinged metal brace screwed to the side would work (not too far; it has to be very short screws), and it would only cost a dollar or two.

Another option would be duct-tape (the handy-man's secret weapon). Don't be afraid to use many layers, and remember that you can use 5mm kevlar static line as a core. It will look like total crap, but it would do the job.

;-)

[Lyndsay]

Oh Stephen I love duct tape! And I'm Canadian so it's totally appropriate!

I will consider the hinge... just gotta figure out a way to attach it without covering up any necessary ports... hmmmm...

[Stefan]

I believe that duct tape was a Canadian invention, actually. It started out as a quick repair kit for canoes ;-)

When you get it all worked out, maybe you could report back on how you did. I'm curious as to whether it will be a cheap repair at the nearest dealer, or something that would cost so many dollars that you'll just put up with it instead.

[Lyndsay]

Well, how much could duct tape possibly cost? lol... if you want to see how much of a Canadian staple duct tape is, do a search for The Red Green Show.

I'm hoping to call Toshiba this weekend, at least to find out if they have any places here that they partner with to service their laptops. I will get back to you on what happens.

[Stefan]

Further on the universal usefullness of duct tape:

Today, while cruising for some spare cheap headlamps (for guests) needed for a caving expedition coming up soon (flying into Ja from the Great White North on Monday), I found some useable 1W LED units at C*nadian T*re for only 30 bucks (not exactly a speleo shop, for those of you who aren't Cdn). I bought one as a tester; the light is good, reflector good, head-band good, but the up-down swivel much too sloppy (terrible, actually). The obvious solution - duct tape.

I stuck several layers of tape on the ridged barrel part that is supposed to supply enough friction on the light-housing to make it stay put, and Bob's your Uncle. Works great now. I'm going to pick up a few more tomorrow, and I still have lots of duct tape left.