If you feel an insatiable urge to modify a laptop
PC, try scrounging some broken ones to practice on before you attack your pride and joy.
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note
118 Part 1I: Intermediate
Step 1: Get the Tools for the Job
You can severely modify a PC??”or wreck it completely??”by using conventional
household tools. But for good (or even acceptable) results, you??™ll probably want to
use specialized or semi-specialized tools. Exactly which tools you need depends on
what you??™re planning to do to your PC. This section discusses the main tools you??™re
likely to need.
Normally, you??™ll want to modify only your PC??™s case, not any of the PC??™s components. This should
go without saying, but if you??™ve seen the tech-support horror-story forum stories that describe users
finding that a new video card ???had too many pins??? to fit in the slot on the motherboard, and ???fixing???
the problem by cutting off the extra pins, you??™ll know it doesn??™t go without saying. (The video card is
the wrong kind for the slot on the motherboard, and the extra pins are vital to the card.)
Rotary Tool
For minor drilling, precision cutting, grinding, sanding, or buffing, you??™ll probably
want a rotary tool such as a Dremel. Figure 11-1 shows a cordless Dremel with a
starter kit of attachments, which include attachments for cutting and sanding.
Always wear goggles or other full-eye protection when using a Dremel or other rotary tool.
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