Students must own their device for STS to perform service or modifications to the hardware of their device (e.g. STEP devices are ineligible for hardware repair, instead students should contact the support number provided to them by STEP).
| Issue | PC/Windows | Apple/Mac | Time | Materials | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overheating | Overheating Clean dust, ensure fans turn on, replace thermal paste on CPU/APU* (*cannot service CPUs with liquid metal–you’ll need to check with your laptop’s manufacturer if it has this. Usually found in high end gaming laptops.) | Clean and dust only | ~30 minutes | Just bring your device. While this is routine maintenance, we always recommend that you have your data backed up prior to this work. | May improve performance if your device has been overheating. Older devices may require additional upgrades or replacement to meet current performance needs. |
| Need to recover data when computer stops booting OR Replace storage drive (HDD or SSD) OR Operating System (OS) reinstallation | Serviceable in most cases (see requirements) | Only OS reinstallation available | ~1-4 hours (depends on how many files to recover) Additional time is needed if the operating system needs to be reinstalled and/or you want us to copy your files back to your system. | Bring your device and an external storage device (we recommend an external hard drive or SSD; USB flash drives are less reliable and are not recommended) | If the storage drive has failed or is damaged we may not be able to recover the files. As with any data transfer, there are risks of losing the data. Students should use this as a last resort service to recover their files. We cannot store your files on our external drive for more than 14 days and recommend that you give us enough time to complete the work during your initial visit. |
| Upgrade/replace RAM | Serviceable in most cases (see requirements) | Not serviceable | ~15-30 minutes | Bring your device and replacement RAM modules IMPORTANT: make sure that your new RAM meets your system requirements. Specifications to match to your system*: 1) Form factor: (DDR4 or DDR5) 2) Speed (MT, MHz, PC#####) 3) Voltage 4) Latency *you can email us for assistance with identifying the correct RAM for your system. Please allow our team time to research solutions for you While this is routine maintenance, we always recommend that you have your data backed up prior to this work. | While we can provide suggestions for your system, you are ultimately responsible for making sure that the replacement RAM is appropriate for your system. Consider purchasing from retailers that have accommodating return policies. |
| Battery replacement | Serviceable in most cases (see requirements) | Serviceable in some cases (see requirements) | ~15-45 minutes | Bring your device and the replacement battery*. You can email us for assistance with identifying the correct replacement battery for your system. Please allow our team time to research solutions for you. | While we can provide suggestions for your system, you are ultimately responsible for making sure that the replacement is appropriate for your system. We cannot evaluate the quality or reliability of third-party replacement parts. If the old battery in your system has visible damage or swelling our technicians may refuse service as it can be extremely dangerous to attempt removal of damaged lithium-ion batteries. We will direct you to find a third-party repair center. You are responsible for appropriately disposing of the old battery according to local regulations: https://berkeleyca.gov/city-services/trash-recycling/household-hazardous-waste |
| Screen, keyboard, trackpad, and other component replacements | Not serviceable in most cases (see exception requests) | Not serviceable | N/A | N/A | Please email us if you are looking for assistance with replacing other components on your device. Please provide the manufacturer, model number, and part(s) that need replacement. Your case will be evaluated by a supervisor; however, in most cases we cannot assist with these repairs. |
If you choose to service your device off-campus, consider these tips when choosing a provider: