What Are Laptop Bottom Cases?
When you have an HP laptop, you know that the computer consists of several important components: the display, the keyboard, and of course, the bottom of the machine. The bottom cover, also called a base or bottom case, has several important functions, and if it were to break, it's a replaceable component that you can perform the repair on yourself.
What Does an Envy Laptop Bottom Case Do?
A bottom base case cover performs a few essential tasks that keep this part of your machine safe and secure.
- The cover of your HP keeps dust and debris out of your computer and its sensitive components, meaning that dirt won't accumulate and cause damage to your machine's interior parts, such as its hard drive or motherboard.
- The bottom of the laptop covers the battery and keeps it securely in place.
- Some models of notebooks have little rubber "feet" on them to avoid scratching your desk or table when you use it, so this is a good protective measure to have on your computer.
How Do You Select a Replacement Case?
You'll need to ensure that you get the proper replacement base so it fits your specific Envy machine.
- Begin by checking the model number, which should be located on a sticker on your PC somewhere. You already know that the series is Envy, so when you also have the model number, you're ready to start looking for a compatible part with some being made to fit several different models.
- You also need to select the right size for your machine. These can range from 15 to 17 inches, and the wrong size simply won't fit your case.
- In addition, pick a color. You can replace the broken bottom with the same color or go for a two-tone look and select another color. Some of the color choices include black and silver.
How Do You Replace the Bottom Cover?
You don't have to be a technical genius to complete a DIY repair of your computer's bottom case when you follow a few steps to replace a broken or damaged case.
- Anytime you are performing repairs, you need to power down your machine and make sure it's disconnected from any power sources, cables, modems, or chargers. To ensure added safety, consider using an anti-static wrist strap.
- Use a screwdriver (most likely a Phillips head) to remove the screws on the existing base. They may be different sizes, so try to keep them organized to remember which ones go where. After that, pry the base from the rest of the laptop and disconnect the ribbon cable.
- Next, you'll remove the USB board, add the new base, and reconnect the USB cable, before reconnecting the ribbon cable and snapping the housing into place. After this, you can screw the screws back onto their original locations while making sure everything like the ports, inputs, and plugs line up properly.