I get no respect from the hinges on my laptop

[PrIsMaTiC]

One of my two laptops started having speaker
trouble. It effected both the internal and
external speakers. The static and popping
were terrible.

When I moved the display on it's hinges the
static got much worse. I removed the end caps
that protect the hinges. The hinges look like
thin sheets of metal rolled together. It may
even serve as a ground plane. (A wild guess.
I know very little about laptop constructon.)

I braced the laptop vertically and added a few
drops of a high quality electronic lube. I let
the lube sink in and did the same to the other
hinge. Much to my surprise, all the static went
away. After several days it gradually returned.
Each time I add some lube I get at least a one
week reprieve from the static and popping before
it returns.

The question is, why does the lube completely
kill the static only to have it return several
days later?

<small>[ December 30, 2005, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: PrIsMaTiC ]</small>

[Michael J]

Sounds like a bad earth/gnd connection, the hinge
being the connection point.
Maybe strip the hinges down and use graphite or
ground up pencil lead instead of oil.
Laptop hinges can be a pain, too lose and your screen slams shut, loo tight and stuff snaps off
like motherboards, mountings etc.
Its a fine balance.

[Gorgon]

It sounds like some form of static buildup when the connection through the hinges gets bad. The lube dries out after some time and the resistance increases. The relative air humidity can also be a problem if it is low. Here in Norway it gets very low in the winter, due to cold dry weather.

Is it possible to add a direct ground strap from one blade of the hinge to the other, to get a proper connection? This should do the trick.

TOK

[Chris Smith]

Try teflon or silicone sprays. Light in the aromatics. Also there is a comercial cleaner / lubricant that may clean out and lubricate the plastic? As soon as I find the bottle I will try to post its name? Leaves a waxy teflon coating behind.

[PrIsMaTiC]

Even though I knew the hinges were the cause of
all the noise I waited several weeks before
trying the lube. Why? Have you ever had a set
of hinges of any kind (not just laptops) that
were too stiff? You add a few drops of lube and
the hinges instantly become so loose they are
effectively useless. Fortunately, that didn't
happen with my laptop.

I've built several desktops, but I've never had
any desire to mess around with laptops. Sure,
you can pop-in some new memory sticks or do other
simple changes to your laptop. I don't see any
obvious way of taking the hinges apart. Michael
J, if you know how to strip the hinges down
without damaging anything please let me know.

I've thought about trying different lubricants.
Everyone seems to think that the chemicals made
by CAIG are the best. They certainly are the
most costly! Radio Shack sells a cleaner/lube.
Maybe I should give it a try.

Before I log off I just want to compliment all
the charter members of this forum. Whenever I
read your thoughtful replies to our questions I
feel like I was a kid again reading Radio or
Popular Electronics magazine. Most forums are
like barroom brawls, even though they are
moderated. You guys have something unique here.
I hope it lasts for a very long time!