Hardware Failure Issues


Overheating Symptoms

  • compact design of mobile devices makes them vulnerable to overheating
  • bottom surface of a laptop becomes hot when improperly ventilated
    • Laptop cooling (or chiller) pads are designed to sit under the laptop to maximize airflow and protect a user from getting a burn from a device overheating
  • Dust trapped in vents acts as an insulator and can prevent proper cooling
  • Handheld devices use passive cooling
    • can become quite warm when used intensively
  • High screen brightness and use of the flashlight function will rapidly increase heat
  • will start to overheat quickly when exposed to direct sunlight
  • have protective circuitry that will initiate a shut down if the internal temperature is at the maximum safe limit
  • can also use an app to monitor the battery temperature
    • approaching 40⁰C is getting too warm

Liquid Damage Symptoms

  • Some mobile-device cases provide a degree of waterproofing
  • Waterproofing is rated on the Ingress Protection (IP) scale
    • will have two numbers
    • E.g., IP67
      • first (6) is a rating for repelling solids
        • 5 = dust protected
        • 6 = dust proof
        • X = dust protection unrated
      • second value (7) is for liquids
        • 7 = protected from immersion in up to 1 m
        • 8 = protected from immersion beyond 1 m
  • liquid damage
    • may be visible signs of water under the screen
    • screen might display graphics artifacts or not show an image
    • power off the device immediately if you suspect liquid damage
      • Dry as much excess liquid as possible
      • if liquid got inside, device must be disassembled to fully dry
      • Once dry, clean the circuit boards and contacts
      • battery will usually need to be replaced

Physically Damaged Port Symptoms

  • connector may be loose or may no longer fit
  • may be no data connection at all, or it might be intermittent
  • may fail to charge properly
  • connector should not be jiggled to remove it