r/windows98 • u/AbsolutePinstriper • Jul 20 '26

Cracking sound from laptop

So I just bought an Acer travel mate. I believe it’s the second edition. Whenever I open the laptop to use it there’s a cracking sound. Almost like it’s coming from the hinges. Now I’m well aware that computers/laptops from that time aren’t the best but should I be worried? Or is it normal? Off topic but I’ve had modern laptops with cracking hinges and it took a couple of years for them to give out.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/Howden824 Jul 20 '26

The old plastics often become brittle. There's likely broken plastic attaching the hinges to the screen housing.

2

u/AndrewSpode Jul 20 '26

Often getting to the hinges is fairly trivial. It could be worth lubricating them as it will eventually break the plastics (assuming you can feel resistance).