This excellent video tutorial created by jRin.net explains how to disassemble a Dell Mini 10v (aka Mini 1011) notebook. With this guide you’ll be able to remove and replace the keyboard, hard drive, internal memory module and even motherboard.

ACCESSING THE HARD DRIVE

In this model the hard drive cannot be accessed through the door on the bottom. The hard drive is mounted under the keyboard. In order to access the replace the hard drive, the keyboard has to be removed first. While removing the keyboard, be very careful with the connector on the motherboard. Instead of using a small screwdriver as the author did, I would suggest using your fingernails.

If you are looking for a new keyboard, you can search here.

In this Dell Mini 10v notebook there is a SATA hard drive installed. If your hard drive went bad, you can replace it with any other 2.5″ SATA hard drive.

ACCESSING THE MEMORY MODULE

Dell Mini 10v comes with only one memory module installed. Unfortunately, this memory module is hidden deep inside the laptop, under the motherboard. In order to access and replace/upgrade the memory module, it’s not enough to remove the keyboard. The whole motherboard has to be removed.

If your laptop came with 1GB memory module installed, you can remove it and replace with a 2GB memory module.

You can use DDR2 PC2-5300 (DDR2-677) or PC2-6400 (DDR2-800) SODIIM memory modules.

The following video explains how to assemble the same Dell Mini 10v (Mini 1011) notebook back together.

In this guide I explain how to disassemble an HP Pavilion dv7 notebook.

To be precise, I’m taking apart an HP Pavilion dv7t-1000 notebook but you should be able to use these instructions for all models in the Pavilion dv7 line.

The guide will show how to access both memory modules and hard drives if you are upgrading the notebook, remove most internal components, access and clean the cooling fan.

Before you start, turn off the notebook and remove the battery.

If you need spare part for your HP Pavilion dv7 notebook, you can search here.

STEP 1.

Remove (loosen) four screws securing the hard drive and memory cover. Remove the cover.

STEP 2.

Remove four screws securing hard drives (two screws per hard drive).

Slide the hard drive 1 to the left until it’s disconnected from the motherboard. Remove the hard drive 1.

Slide the hard drive 2 to the right until it’s disconnected from the motherboard. Remove the hard drive 2.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory (RAM) modules.

Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card. These laptop has three antenna cables but only two are used.

One of the antenna cables connected to the main contact on the wireless card and the second one is connected to the auxiliary contact. All three antenna cables are labeled.

Remove two screws securing the wireless card. Remove the card.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive.

Slide the CD/DVD drive to the left to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Remove the CD/DVD drive.

STEP 5.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the notebook.

The green circled screw secures the keyboard.

Don’t forget to remove two screws hidden in the CD/DVD drive bay.

STEP 6.

Start separating the speaker cover from the notebook base.

You can use a guitar pick as a case cracker. Insert the guitar pick between the speaker cover and case and slowly move along the side.

STEP 7.

Lift up the speaker cover. Be careful, it’s still connected to the motherboard.

In order to remove the cable, you’ll have to unlock the connector first.

Move the brown clip about 2 millimeters in the direction shown by two arrows. The clip must stay attached to the connector base.

On the picture below the connector is shown in the unlocked position.

STEP 8.

Now you can remove the speaker cover.

STEP 9.

Remove four screw securing the keyboard.

STEP 10.

Lift up the keyboard from the base and access the cable connector underneath.

STEP 11.

Carefully unlock the keyboard cable connector.

Move the brown clip about 2 millimeters in the direction shown by two arrows. The brown clip must stay attached to the connector base.

If you damage the connector, the keyboard will not work when you assemble the notebook back together.

Well… I broke the connector. I removed thousands of laptop keyboards before but I broke this connector!

As you see, the left pin on the brown clip is missing.

No panic! I still can use this clip to lock the connector.

You’ll find more info here: Fixing damaged keyboard connector on a laptop motherboard.

STEP 12.

Pull Wi-Fi antenna cables though the opening in the cover.

Remove three screws securing the speaker assembly.

Disconnect the speaker cable (green arrow) from the motherboard.

STEP 13.

Remove the speaker assembly.

STEP 14.

Disconnect the video cable from the connector on the motherboard.

Remove six screws securing display hinges (three screws per hinge).

STEP 15.

Separate the display assembly from the notebook base.

In the next post I will explain how to take apart the display panel assembly and remove the LCD screen with inverter board.

By the way, it’s not necessary to separate the display panel assemble from the base in order to take it apart.

STEP 16.

Disconnect and remove the CMOS battery.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom. The green circled screw is hidden in the CD/DVD drive bay.

STEP 17.

Remove all screws securing the top cover assembly.

Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

STEP 18.

Start separating the top cover assemble from the notebook base.

You can use same trick with the guitar pick shown in the step 6.

STEP 19.

Remove the top cover assembly.

Here’s the back side of the top cover assembly.

STEP 20.

Disconnect the USB and audio board cables from the motherboard (green arrows).

Disconnect the cooling fan cable from the motherboard (yellow arrow).

Remove four screws securing the motherboard.

STEP 21.

Lift up the right side of the motherboard as it shown on the picture below and disconnect the DC-IN jack cable.

STEP 22.

Remove the motherboard from the notebook base.

On the opposite side of the motherboard you can access the processor (CPU) when the heat sink is removed.

The motherboard is dead? Check out these motherboard repair offers.

Here’s the notebook base without motherboard.

The USB board, audio board, cooling fan and DC-IN jack are mounted on the base.

In order to remove the cooling fan, simply remove two screws securing the fan.

As you see, the cooling fan is dusty and has to be cleaned.

In the following guide I explain how to disassemble HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800 notebooks. In this particular case I’m taking apart an HP Pavilion dv6700 notebook.

I believe this guide will work for some other models in the Pavilion dv6000 line.

You can use these instructions for removing and replacing all main notebook components.

If you need spare parts for HP Pavilion dv6500/dv6600/dv6700/dv6800 notebooks, you can search here.

Turn off the notebook and unplug the AC adapter.

STEP 1.

Remove the battery.

Remove four screws securing the hard drive and memory (RAM) covers. Remove both covers.

STEP 2.

Lift up the right side of the hard drive assembly to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Remove the hard drive assembly.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory (RAM) modules.

Disconnect two antenna cables (black and gray) from the wireless card. Remove two screws securing the wireless card to the motherboard. Remove the wireless card.

By the way, in this step you can access the CMOS (RTC) battery.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive to the laptop base.

Pull the CD/DVD drive from the notebook and remove it.

STEP 5.

Remove all screws from the bottom of the notebook.

Do not forget:
- three screws in the CD/DVD drive bay (yellow).
- one screw in the hard drive bay (green).
- two hex studs under memory slots (orange).

Mark all removed screws somehow so you don’t forget their location when assemble the notebook back together.

STEP 6.

Carefully lift up the right side of the power button board cover.

There are two cables connected to the motherboard. We’ll disconnect these cables after removing the keyboard in the STEP 8.

STEP 7.

Now, when the power button board cover separated from the laptop case, you can remove the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.

STEP 8.

Carefully disconnect the keyboard cable from the motherboard.

For more detailed keyboard removal instructions please follow this guide for HP Pavilion dv6000 laptop.

These instructions should be identical for HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800 notebooks.

STEP 9.

Disconnect two cables running from the power button boar cover.

There are no locks on these connectors. Simply pull both cables from connectors.

STEP 10.

Turn the cover upside down and disconnect one cable from the power button board.

STEP 11.

Remove the cover.

STEP 12.

Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard.

This connector is located close to the left display hinge.

STEP 13.

Pull both wireless card antenna cables through the opening in the top cover. Unroute both antenna cables.

Remove two screws securing the display assembly hinges.

STEP 14.

Lift up and separate the display assembly from the notebook base.

In one of the previous posts I explain how to disassemble the display assemble and remove the LCD screen from an HP Pavilion dv6000.

These instructions should be identical for HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800 notebooks.

STEP 15.

Remove five screws securing the top cover assembly.

Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

STEP 16.

Start separating the plastic cover from the notebook base. You can use a piece of soft plastic (I’m using a guitar pick) to separate the cover from the base.

The cover has been removed.

STEP 17.

Separate the top cover assembly from the notebook base.

Again, as a case cracker I’m using the same guitar pick.

STEP 18.

Remove the top cover assembly.

The top cover assembly has been removed.

STEP 19.

Disconnect the Bluetooth module cable from the motherboard.

Remove two screws securing the Bluetooth module.

Remove the module.

STEP 20.

Remove four screws securing the express card slot.

Slide the slot board to the right and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 21.

There is only one screws securing the motherboard to the notebook base.

Remove these screw.

STEP 22.

Start removing the motherboard as it shown on the picture below.

When the motherboard is lifted up, disconnect one cable from the audio board.

There are two more cables connected to the motherboard and we’ll remove them in the next step.

STEP 23.

Turn the motherboard upside down and disconnect two more cables.

STEP 24.

The motherboard has been removed.

The audio board and power connector board are still connected to the notebook base.

STEP 25.

Loosen four screws securing the cooling assembly (heat sink and fan) to the motherboard.

STEP 26.

Lift up and remove the cooling assembly.

Now you can access the processor (CPU).

In this model the power connector (DC power jack) is not soldered directly to the motherboard.

The power connector is mounted on a separate board.

If the power connector fails, you can desolder it from the board and replace with a new one or replace the entire power connector board.

In the following guide I remove the motherboard from a Compaq Presario CQ50 laptop. Also this guide should work for Compaq Presario CQ 60/CQ70 and HP G50/G60/G70 laptops.

If you need replacement parts, you can find them here. Just search by the part name and laptop model.

Start laptop disassembly with removing the battery.

STEP 1.

Remove memory, hard drive and wireless card covers.

STEP 2.

Remove three screws securing the hard drive assembly.

Slide the hard drive assembly to the right, disconnect it from the motherboard and remove from the laptop.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory modules.

Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card. Remove two screws and remove the wireless card from the laptop.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.

Pull the DVD drive from the laptop.

STEP 5.

Remove all screws from the bottom of the laptop.

Disconnect the CMOS battery cable from the motherboard.

STEP 6.

Carefully lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.

STEP 7.

Access the keyboard cable connector underneath the keyboard.

Unlock the connector before removing the keyboard.

In order to unlock the connector you’ll have to move the locking clip (white) about 2-3 millimeters towards the LCD screen.

The locking clip must stat attached to the connector base (dark brown) as it shown on the picture below.

Now you can release the cable and remove the keyboard.

STEP 8.

Unlock the power button cable connector.

On the following picture you can see the connector in the unlocked state.

Now you can remove the power button board cable from the connector.

STEP 9.

Remove the plastic cover.

STEP 10.

Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the webcam cable.

Pull the wireless card antenna cable through the opening in the top cover.

STEP 11.

Remove screws securing the display hinges.

STEP 12.

Remove the display assembly from the laptop.

In the next post I explain how to remove the LCD screen, inverter board and hinges from the display assembly in HP G50/G60/G70 laptops. It’s similar for Compaq Presario CQ50/CQ60/CQ70 laptops.

STEP 13.

Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

Remove screws securing the top cover assembly.

STEP 14.

Start separating the top cover assembly from the laptop base.

You can use a guitar pick in order to split the laptop case.

STEP 15.

The top cover assembly has been removed.

STEP 16.

Remove one screw securing the left speaker.

Remove the left speaker from the base.

STEP 17.

Remove four screws securing the motherboard.

Disconnect four cables from the motherboard.

STEP 18.

Remove the motherboard from the laptop base.

The motherboard is dead? Check out these motherboard repair offers.

STEP 19.

Disconnect the cooling fan cable from the motherboard.

STEP 20.

Loosen four screws securing the cooling fan assembly.

STEP 21.

Remove the cooling fan assembly from the laptop.

STEP 22.

In this model the power jack is not soldered to the motherboard.

You can unplug the power jack cable from the motherboard and replace it with a new one if needed.l

In this guide I will be taking apart a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series laptop. In my case I’m working with a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ330p laptop but the guide should work for the entire VGN-SZ line.

In you need replacement parts, search here.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop, unplug AC adapter and remove battery.

Remove one screw securing the keyboard.

STEP 2.

There are two latches securing the keyboard. They are located above the F2 and Insert keys.

STEP 3.

Using a small screwdriver press on the locking latch above the Insert key and lift up the right side of the keyboard.

STEP 4.

Do the same with the second latch and lift up the keyboard from the laptop base.

STEP 5.

Place the keyboard upside down on the palm rest so you can access the cable connector underneath.

STEP 5.

In order to unlock the cable connector move the black clip about 2 millimeters towards the touch pad. The clip must stay attached to the connector base.

If you break the connector, you’ll have to remove the motherboard. Work very carefully.

STEP 6.

Release the keyboard cable. Remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one if needed.

STEP 7.

Remove four screw securing the heat sink cover. Remove the cover.
Remove two screws securing the memory cover. Remove the cover.

STEP 8.

Remove two screw securing the CPU heat sink.

STEP 9.

Remove heat sink from the laptop.

Now you can clean the cooling fan and heat sink with compressed air.
Also, you get an access to the CPU.

STEP 10.

Both memory modules could be access through the door on the bottom of the laptop.

STEP 11.

Remove four red screws securing the switch cover.
Remove three yellow screws securing the palm rest.

STEP 12.

Carefully lift up and remove the switch cover.

STEP 13.

Remove three screw securing the palm rest.
Unlock the touch pad cable connector and release the cable.

In order to unlock the connector simply lift up the right side of the locking clip with your finger nail.

On the picture below the connector is shown in the unlocked state.

STEP 14.

Release the touch pad cable and remove the palm rest assembly.

When the palm rest assembly is removed you get an access to the hard drive, DVD drive, wireless card and CMOS battery.

STEP 15.

Remove three screws securing the hard drive assembly.

Disconnect the hard drive cable connector from the motherboard.

STEP 16.

Remove the hard drive assembly from the laptop.

If you are replacing or upgrading the hard drive you’ll have to transfer the mounting bracket and cable from the old drive to a new one.

STEP 17.

Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.

STEP 18.

Slid the DVD drive to the right to disconnect it from the motherboard.

There is an adapter between the DVD drive and motherboard. This adapter has to stay attached to the motherboard.

STEP 19.

Remove DVD drive from the laptop.

STEP 20.

In order to remove the wireless card, disconnect two antenna cable from the card, remove two screws securing the card and pull the card from the slot on the motherboard.

If you would like to replace the CMOS battery, simply unplug it from the motherboard and replace with a new one.

In one of the previous guides I explain how to remove the LCD screen and inverter board from a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series laptop.

In the following guide I will remove and replace the power board in an Acer TravelMate 3260 series laptop. Most likely my guide will work for some other Acer TravelMate laptops but I don’t know all models. If this guide fits your laptop, please mention the model number in comments after the post.

In Acer TravelMate 3260 laptop power from AC adapter goes to the motherboard through the power board. When the power board goes bad, the laptop stops working at all and appears to be dead. In order to get access and replace the power board we’ll have to disassemble the entire laptop.

STEP 1.

If you need spare parts for your Acer TravelMate 3260, you can find them here.

First of all, turn off the laptop and remove the battery.

Remove two screws securing the switch cover on the back of the laptop.

STEP 2.

Start removing the switch cover and lift it up by the hinge cover.
Continue removing the cover with your hinges.

STEP 3.

Remove the switch cover.

STEP 4.

Remove two screws securing the keyboard.

STEP 5.

Carefully lift up the keyboard from the laptop base and place it upside down on the palm rest so you can access the cable connector underneath.

STEP 6.

You have to unlock the connector before you can pull the cable and remove the keyboard.

On the picture below you see connector in the unlocked position.
Pull the cable and remove the keyboard.

The keyboard has been removed.

STEP 7.

Remove the hard drive and memory/Wi-Fi covers.

STEP 8.

Remove one screw securing the hard drive assembly.

STEP 9.

Pull the hard drive to the left and disconnect it from the motherboard.
Remove the hard drive from the laptop.

STEP 10.

Remove one screw securing the optical CD/DVD drive to the base.
Push the drive from the laptop with your finger.
Remove optical drive from the laptop.

It is not necessary to disconnect memory modules, wireless card, modem card and CMOS (RTC) battery for the purpose of my guide . You can leave them connected to the motherboard.

STEP 11.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the laptop.
Disconnect cables I pointed with yellow arrows.
Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card (green arrows).

STEP 12.

Remove one screw from the back side of the laptop.

STEP 13.

Disconnect the video cable connector.
Unroute both Wi-Fi antenna cables and pull them through the opening in the motherboard.
Remove four screws securing LCD panel hinges.

STEP 14.

Remove the LCD panel.

STEP 15.

Remove five screws securing the top cover assembly.
Disconnect the touchpad cable.

STEP 16.

Start separating the top cover assembly from the laptop base.

STEP 17.

Remove the top cover assembly.

STEP 18.

Remove two screws securing the motherboard.

STEP 19.

Start removing the motherboard from the top left corner.

Release and lift up the top right corner of the board.

Carefully pull the motherboard from the base assembly.

STEP 20.

On the picture below you see the power board attached to the motherboard.

The DC power jack and power switch are located on the power board. If the DC power jack is broken, you can repair it using this technique.

Remove two screws securing the power board.

Disconnect the power board from the motherboard.

The power board part number is printed right in the middle. It’s DA0ZR1PB6D1 (REV:D). You can find a replacement power board here.

STEP 21.

While the motherboard is removed from the base, you can clean the cooling module.
Loosen six screws securing the heat sink assembly.
Disconnect fan cable from the motherboard.

Remove the heat sink assembly and blow off dust using compressed air.

In this guide I will help you to remove and replace the cooling fan in a Dell Latitude D600 laptop. The cooling fan in this model is buried deep inside the laptop under the top cover. Also you can use this guide for cleaning the cooling module and removing dust from the heat sink and fan.

If your laptops shuts down on its own without any warning, most likely it happens because of overheating. Make sure the cooling fan works and the heat sink is not clogged with dust. Replace the fan if it failed or clean the heat sink if it’s clogged.

Before you start, turn off the laptop, unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.

When you are replacing the cooling fan, it is not necessary to remove memory, hard drive, wireless card or optical drive. I did that only because I was upgrading the laptop.

STEP 1.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the laptop.

STEP 2.

Lift up the switch cover with a small screwdriver. Continue removing the cover with your fingers.

STEP 3.

When the switch cover is removed you can access two screws securing the keyboard. Remove these screws.

STEP 4.

Lift up the keyboard and access the cable. Disconnect the keyboard cable from the motherboard.
Search for new keyboards here.

STEP 5.

Remove three (red) screws securing display hinges.
Remove one (yellow) screw securing the video cable ground.
Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard.

STEP 6.

Remove and replace the LCD assembly.
Take a look at this guide for the LCD screen removal instructions.

STEP 7.

Remove three screws securing the top cover.
Disconnect the touchpad cable from the motherboard.

STEP 8.

Start separating the top cover from the base with your fingers.

STEP 9.

Remove the top cover assembly.

STEP 10.

Now you can clean the cooling module (fan and heat sink) using compressed air. In order to replace the fan, continue laptop disassembly.

Loosen four screws securing the heat sink.
Lift up and remove the heat sink.

STEP 11.

Remove two screws securing the cooling fan.
Disconnect fan cable from the motherboard.

STEP 12.

Remove and replace the cooling fan with a new one. You can find a new replacement fan for Dell Latitude D600 laptop here.

In this guide I explain how to disassemble Sony Vaio TZ series laptops in order to remove and replace the hard drive. As an example I took a Sony Vaio TZ130N laptop (Model: PCG-4L3L). In this little laptop the hard drive is buried deep inside the case and we’ll have to disassemble the whole thing apart.

I assume that my guide will work for the entire Sony Vaio TZ line of laptops. If it works for you, please mention the model number in the comments below.

Do not forget to turn off the laptop and remove the battery. Work in static-free environment.

STEP 1.

Remove the memory cover from the bottom.

Pull the memory module from the slot.

You don’t have to remove the memory module in order to access and replace the hard drive. I’m doing that just to show where you can find the memory module.

STEP 2.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the laptop.

There are three more screws hidden under three rubber seals.

You can remove these rubber seals with a sharp object. Remove all three screws found under the seals.

Remove one more screw found under the square rubber seal located close to the hinge.

STEP 3.

Very carefully remove the plastic cover from the left hinge. It’s not easy. I spent about 5 minutes trying to figure out how to remove the cover. It has a couple of plastic latches inside and you can remove it using a small flat head screwdriver.

The cover has been removed.

Fortunately, you have to remove only one cover from the left hinge. This cover protects the power jack.

STEP 4.

If you have any SD card or cover inside the slot on the front of the laptop, remove both of them.

Start separating the top cover (keyboard) assembly as it shown on the picture below.

Work with your fingers until the top cover separated from the base.

Place the top cover (keyboard) assembly upside down on the palm rest and disconnect the cable from the motherboard.

Remove the top cover (keyboard) assembly.

STEP 5.

You cannot access the hard drive until you remove the SD slot/USB board.

Remove two screws securing the board and unplug the cable from the motherboard.

Lift up and remove the SD slot/USB board.

STEP 6.

The hard drive is mounted under the metal bracket. Remove one screw securing the hard drive bracket.

Remove the hard drive bracket.

Lift up the hard drive and disconnect the hard drive cable.

In order to release the cable you’ll have to unlock the connector first. Very carefully lift up the black piece on the connector. Pull the cable from the connector.

The hard drive has been removed. If you are replacing the hard drive, you’ll have to transfer four rubber corners to a new drive.

My Sony Vaio TZ130N laptop had a Toshiba 1.8″ 100GB hard drive (MK1011GAH) installed. It’s same type of hard drives found in iPods. These 1.8″ hard drives are not cheap but you can find them relatively inexpensive here.

In the following guide I will take apart a Dell Vostro 1510 notebook. You can use this guide for removing almost all internal parts from the notebook base. I think these instructions might work for some other Dell Vostro notebooks, not just a Vostro 1510. If it fits your laptop, please mention the model in the comments below.

If you need spare parts for your Vostro 1510 laptop, you can search for used and new parts here.

Before you start the disassembly process do not forget to unplug the  power adapter and battery.

STEP 1.

Remove hard drive and memory covers.

STEP 2.

Pull the hard drive to the left and disconnect it from the motherboard.

Remove the hard drive. As you see it’s a SATA hard drive. If you are replacing the hard drive, any large 2.5″ SATA hard drive should work just fine.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory modules. In a Dell Vostro 1510 you can install up to 4GB RAM (2GB module into each slot). You should use DDR2-667 modules.

STEP 4.

Remove three screws securing the cooling fan. Unplug the cooling fan cable from the motherboard.

Remove and lift up the cooling fan.

STEP 5.

Loosen four screws securing the heat sink.

Carefully lift up and remove the heat sink.

STEP 6.

Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card. Grab the golden connector on the end of the antenna cables with your fingers and pull it up.
Remove one screw securing the wireless card and remove the card.

STEP 7.
Lift up the keyboard cover with a small screwdriver or another sharp object.

Remove the keyboard cover.

STEP 8.

Remove two screws securing the keyboard.

Lift up the keyboard so you can access the keyboard cable connector underneath.

Very carefully unlock the connector and release the keyboard cable.

Now you can remove the keyboard.

If you are replacing the keyboard, you don’t have to through steps 1-6. Simply remove and replace the keyboard as it shown in steps 7 and 8.

STEP 9.

In the following three steps I’ll remove the display panel assembly.

Remove one screw securing the right hinge.

STEP 10.

Disconnect the video cable from the motherboard.
Pull both wireless antenna cables through the opening.
Remove five screws securing both display hinges.

STEP 11.

Remove the display assembly.
If you would like to know how to take apart the display panel and remove the LCD with inverter, check out other disassembly guides in the Dell category. The LCD screen removal instructions will be similar for most Dell (and other ) laptops.

STEP 12.

Disconnect three cables and remove three screws from the top cover assembly.

STEP 13.

Remove all screws from the bottom of the notebook.

STEP 14.

Start separating the top cover assembly from the base assembly. You can use a small flathead screwdriver.

Continue separating the top cover assembly with your fingers.

Remove the top cover.

STEP 15.

The CD/DVD drive is mounted inside the base and can be removed only after you remove the top cover.
Disconnect the CD/DVD drive cable from the connector on the motherboard.

Lift up and remove the CD/DVD drive.

STEP 16.

Remove three screws securing the motherboard.
Unplug the USB board cable from the motherboard.

Lift up the motherboard as it shown on the picture below.

Remove the motherboard.

The processor (CPU) is locked in the socket. In order to remove the processor, you’ll have to unlock the socket first. There is a small screw on the side of the socket. This screw locks/unlocks the socket.

In this notebook the CMOS (RTC) battery is replaciable. You can unlug the old CMOS battery from the motherboard and replace it with a new one.

In this guide I explain how to disassemble a Compaq Presario F700 notebook. The guide might work for some other Compaq and HP models. I think the disassembly steps will be very similar for Compaq Presario F500 and HP G6000 notebook PC. If this guide works for your notebook, please mention the model name in the comments below.

You’ll find tons of spare parts for Compaq Presario F700, F500 notebooks here.

In this particular guide I’m taking apart a Presario F730US notebook.

By the way, if you have a bad/dead motherboard, check out these motherboard repair offers.

Before you start, turn off the laptop, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.

COMPAQ PRESARIO F700 DISASSEMBLY GUIDE.

STEP 1.

Remove three screws securing the memory cover and two screws securing the hard drive cover. Remove both covers.

STEP 2.

Lift up the right side of the hard drive by the plastic tab to disconnect it from the motherboard. Remove the hard drive.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory modules.

STEP 4.

Disconnect both antenna cables from the wireless card. Remove two screws securing the wireless card in the top left and right corners. Pull the wireless card from the slot and remove it.

STEP 5.

Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive and pull the drive from the notebook. Remove the drive.

STEP 6.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the notebook.

Yellow screws securing the switch cover (keyboard cover).
Green screws securing the keyboard.

STEP 7.

Start lifting up the switch cover as it shown on the picture below. You’ll have to work with your fingers to disengage small plastic latches holding the switch cover.

Be careful, there is a thin ribbon cable running from the switch cover to the motherboard.

STEP 8.
Now you can lift up the top side of the keyboard and access the connector underneath the keyboard.

The keyboard cable connector is located above the touch pad. Before you pull the cable and remove the keyboard you have to unlock the connector.

Move both sides of the locking tab about 1-2 millimeter up and release the keyboard cable. Now you can pull the cable and remove the keyboard.

STEP 9.

Disconnect the switch cover cable from the motherboard.

Remove the cover.

STEP 10.

Unplug the LCD cable from the motherboard.
Release the wireless card antenna cables. Pull them through a hole in the motherboard.
Remove four screws securing the display panel.

STEP 11.

Lift up and remove the display panel assembly.
In the next guide I will explain how to access and remove the LCD screen with inverter board.

STEP 12.

Remove four screws securing the top cover assembly.
Disconnect the power button board cable.
Disconnect the touch pad cable.

STEP 13.

Remove all screws securing the top cover assembly from the bottom of the notebook. Do not forget three (green) screws in the CD/DVD drive bay.
Remove two hex studs located close to the memory slots.

By the way, the RTC (CMOS) battery can be accessed when you remove the memory cover.

STEP 14.

Start separating the top cover assembly from the bottom assembly. You’ll have to work with your fingers to disengage plastic latches securing the top cover.

Carefully lift up and remove the top cover assembly.

STEP 15.

Now I’m going to remove the motherboard.

Remove one screw securing the motherboard. In other Compaq/HP models there could be more then one screw securing the motherboard.

STEP 16.

Lift up the right side of the motherboard as it shown on the picture below.

Before you remove the motherboard from the base assembly you have to disconnect the audio board cable.

STEP 17.

Remove the motherboard and turn it upside down. There are two more cables to disconnect.

These cables connect the motherboard to the USB/Power connector board.

Finally, the motherboard is removed. As you see on the picture below, the audio board and USB/power connector board are secured to the base assembly.

The motherboard has been removed. Now you can access and replace the cooling fan if you have to.
You can access and replace the processor if you remove the heat sink.