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On this page you’ll find complete disassembly instructions for a HP Pavilion dv7 laptop.
This is my second guide for HP Pavilion dv7 laptop.
In this particular case I’m taking apart a HP Pavilion dv7-4177NR model.
I believe this guide should work for the following series: HP Pavilion dv7-3000 and dv7-4000.
READ THIS: I found that HP Pavilion dv7 laptops come in different body types. If your laptop doesn’t look like one shown in this guide, check out my first HP Pavilion dv7 disassembly guide (for dv7-1000 series) or my third HP Pavilion dv7 disassembly guide (for dv7-6000 series).
As you see this laptop has a cracked screen. My target is replacing the damaged screen but I’ll do a few extra steps and show how to disassemble the entire laptop.
It’s not easy to replace the LCD screen on this HP laptop. In order to do so it’s necessary remove the laptop palmrest assembly (STEPS 1-19), separate the display panel from the laptop body (STEP 20-25) and only after that disassemble the display and replace the screen (STEP 33-48).
Also, I show how to remove the laptop motherboard and access the cooling fan (STEPS 26-32) but it’s not necessary to go though these steps in order to replace the screen.
STEP 1.
Make sure the laptop is turned off.
Unlock and remove the battery.
STEP 2.
Loosen five screws securing the bottom hatch.
Lift up and remove the hatch.
STEP 3.
Under the bottom hatch you can access the following laptop components:
- both memory modules ( I’ll leave them connected to the motherboard).
- wireless card.
- CMOS battery.
- hard drive.
HP Pavilion dv7 laptop has an opening for the second hard drive but in my laptop I had only one hard drive installed.
STEP 4.
Remove screws securing the hard drive assembly.
STEP 5.
Unplug the hard drive cable from the motherboard.
STEP 6.
Lift up and remove the hard drive assembly.
STEP 7.
Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.
Pull the DVD drive to the left to disconnect it from the motherboard.
Remove the DVD drive from the laptop.
STEP 8.
Remove two screws securing the keyboard on the bottom of the laptop.
STEP 9.
Slide the keyboard release button to the left.
This button located in the battery compartment, on the left side from the battery connector.
STEP 10.
After that you should be able to lift up the upper side of the keyboard.
STEP 11.
Move the keyboard towards the LCD screen so you can access the cable connector underneath.
In the following two steps I explain how to unlock the keyboard connector and release the cable.
STEP 12.
Carefully lift up the left side of the connector retainer with your fingernail.
The retainer will open up at a 90 degree angle.
STEP 13.
On this picture the connector is shown in the unlocked position.
Now you can pull the keyboard cable from the connector.
STEP 14.
Remove the keyboard from the laptop.
If you need a new keyboard, you can find it here.
As I mentioned before, HP Pavilion dv7 laptops come in different body types. I’m not sure if you can use same keyboard for all models. When you search for a new keyboard make sure if fits your laptop series.
STEP 15.
Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the laptop.
UPDATE: Thanks to Just a Guy (comment 6):
On step 15 please see this image wait to remove screw with blue circle and SPECIALLY screw with yellow circle. Another note there are also screw ping circle to remove!
Remove yellow and blue ONLY on step 18 having laptop in SAME position of step 18 image. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!
So it why? Seeing step 24 image u can see that display hinges screw remaing are only 2! It leave it very weak and can damage screw plastic part near cooler.
STEP 16.
Don’t forget to remove three screws in the DVD drive bay.
STEP 17.
Remove two screws securing the palmrest assembly.
Disconnect the following cables:
- wireless card cable.
- touchpad cable.
- finger scanning device cable.
You unlock all three connectors using the same technique as for unlocking the keyboard connector.
Lift up the connector retainer.
Pull the cable from the connector.
STEP 18.
Now you can start separating the palmrest assembly from the laptop bottom cover.
You’ll have to wiggle the palmrest in order to unlock hidden latches.
STEP 19.
Remove the palmrest assembly.
On the bottom side of the palmrest assembly you can access the following components:
- power button board.
- finger scanning device.
- touchpad.
STEP 20.
Now we are going to separate the display panel from the laptop base.
First, we’ll release the wireless card antenna cables and then unplug the video cable.
STEP 21.
Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card which is mounted on the bottom of the laptop.
STEP 22.
Unroute both wireless card antenna cables.
STEP 23.
Unplug the video cable connector from the motherboard.
STEP 24.
Remove two screws securing the display hinges.
STEP 25.
Lift up and separate the display assembly from the laptop base.
I will continue taking apart the display assembly and removing the screen in the step 33.
Laptop motherboard removal.
STEP 26.
Remove two screws securing the motherboard.
Unplug the following cables (left to right):
- left speaker cable.
- USB board cable.
- right speaker cable.
Both speaker cables have a regular male-female connector type.
Unplug the male part from the female part. Do not pull by the wires.
STEP 27.
Lift up the right side of the motherboard a little bit and unplug the DC jack cable from the motherboard.
STEP 28.
Also, in order to remove the motherboard, it’s necessary to unplug the hard drive cable.
You’ll find this connector on the bottom side of the laptop close to the memory modules.
STEP 29.
Start removing the motherboard from the bottom cover as it shown on the following picture.
STEP 30.
Remove the motherboard.
STEP 31.
The cooling fan assembly is mounted to the bottom side of the motherboard.
Yes, it’s necessary to remove the whole motherboard in order to remove and replace the fan.
New cooling fans for HP Pavilion dv7 laptops available here. Make sure to find one that fits your laptop series.
STEP 32.
The DC jack is mounted in the upper right corner of the laptop base cover.
The DC jack harness can be easily removed after you remove one screw securing the DC jack bracket.
LCD screen removal and replacement instructions.
As I mentioned before, in order to replace the screen it’s necessary to separate the display panel from the laptop base as it explained in steps 1-25.
STEP 33.
You’ll find two screw covers located in the lower left and right corners of the screen bezel.
STEP 34.
Remove both covers with a sharp object.
Remove two screws found under those covers.
STEP 35.
Start separating the screen bezel from the display back cover. I’m using the guitar pick for that (you can use a piece of plastic).
Insert the guitar pick between the bezel and display back cover and move along the side. This will help you to unlock the hidden latches.
Also, the screen bezel is glued to the screen with sticky tape. You’ll have to apply some reasonable force to separate the bezel.
STEP 36.
Continue removing the bezel on the upper part of the display assembly.
STEP 37.
Lift up and remove the right hinge cover.
STEP 38.
Lift up and remove the left hinge cover.
STEP 39.
Remove the screen bezel.
STEP 40.
Remove eight screws securing the LCD screen assembly to the display back cover.
STEP 41.
Disconnect the cable from the web camera module.
STEP 42.
Now you can separate the screen assembly from the display back cover.
STEP 43.
Place the LCD screen face down on the table.
On the back side of the screen you can access the video cable and web camera cable. Both cables bundled into one harness.
STEP 44.
Unglue the web camera cable from the back of the LCD screen.
STEP 45.
Disconnect the video cable connector from the LCD screen.
STEP 46.
Remove the LCD screen assembly.
STEP 47.
Remove two screws securing the right hinge mounting bracket. Transfer this bracket to the new LCD screen.
STEP 48.
Remove two more screws securing the left hinge mounting bracket. Transfer this bracket to the new LCD screen.
Now you can replace the damaged/failed LCD screen and assemble the laptop following this guide in the reverse direction.
The best way to find a new replacement LCD screen is searching by the model number from the original screen.
The model number printed on the back side of the screen. In my case this is N173O6-L02 Rev. C.
I found new replacement screen here for about $70. If you have a different screen model number just search for it.
Make sure the video connector on your new screen located in the same place as on the old screen.
August 2nd, 2012 at 12:08 pm
[...] UPDATE. READ THIS: I found that HP Pavilion dv7 laptops come in different body types. If your laptop doesn’t look like one shown in this guide, check out my second HP Pavilion dv7 disassembly guide. [...]
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
[...] UPDATE. READ THIS: I found that HP Pavilion dv7 laptops come in different body types. If your laptop doesn’t look like one shown in this guide, check out my second complete HP Pavilion dv7 disassembly guide. [...]
August 7th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
My two HP DV7′s were both overheating and I found this instruction a very big help to open up the laptops and clean out the dirt in the fans. There is one issue with step 15 were there are three screws at the bottom of the battery compartment that must be removed but is not indicated in this instruction. Thank for your help.
August 13th, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I have a question. I am about to undertake this because it seems the GPU is dead on mine. Is it integrated or is it a different card all together? Reason being is because I get the black screen of death and the drivers aren’t working. Can you give me a step in the right direction?
August 14th, 2012 at 11:01 am
@ Juan Naranjo,
The GPU is integrated into the motherboard.
August 14th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Hi, i’ve disassembled it; i’ve just an advice for all.
On step 15 please see this image: http://i.imm.io/AzFA.jpeg wait to remove screw with blue circle and SPECIALLY screw with yellow circle. Another note there are also screw ping circle to remove!
Remove yellow and blue ONLY on step 18 having laptop in SAME position of step 18 image. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!
So it why? Seeing step 24 image u can see that display hinges screw remaing are only 2! It leave it very weak and can damage screw plastic part near cooler. I solved with no problems with a bit of plastic glue but basically it is dangerous do not follow my advice. My 2 cent
Thx for author of this guide.
August 16th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
[...] different check out my first HP Pavilion dv7 disassembly guide (made for dv7-1000 series) or my second HP Pavilion dv7 disassembly guide (made for dv7-3000 and dv7-4000 [...]
August 18th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Thank you for this guide – it helped me take apart a laptop – now if I could just find reasonably priced parts, I would be set!
August 20th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
What kind of tools will I need to undertake this?
August 20th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@ Natzem Lima,
Probably one PH1 Phillips screwdriver would be enough.
August 20th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Just a Guy, Oh My God, I wish I saw your comment a bit sooner!!! a tiny metal/plastic piece broke off from where the monitor attached to the left side of the body…
I was so scared thinking I broke my $1200 laptop… I managed to put it back together, and it seems to be working fine…
I am not opening it again… will try vacuum the vent… This is too risky
August 21st, 2012 at 2:12 am
@ David,
I copied his comment into the main guide. I hope it will help other DIY-ers.
August 26th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Laptop Tech -
Excellent site; I’ve fixed two HP laptops for my daughters; Pavilion DV6 & a DV7; clear directions, good pictures. Top notch.
In retrospect, both laptops had similar problems with the hinge tension being too tight; as I replaced the appropriate parts each time I also loosened the tension; involves holding one side of the hinge & backing off the tensioning nut about 1/2 to 3/4 turn, each side. In the DV7 it can be found under the hinge cover that’s removed in Steps 37 & 38. Too much tension had caused the lower body case around the screw in the upper right of pic in Step 15 to break (yellow circle in Just A Guy’s picture).
On the DV6, the problem manifested itself as broken hinge metal.
Just a clue to other people coming to your site for help.
Thanks, bunches!!
Chuk
September 12th, 2012 at 3:38 am
I recently replaced the CPU fan in my dv7-4165dx laptop. Prior to replacing the fan, my laptop battery was working fine…charging to full capacity. However, after replacing the fan and re-assembling the laptop, the onscreen battery information shows that the battery “will not charge”.
There was one screw in the battery compartment that would not tighten when I re-assembled the laptop. Other than that, both the disassembly and the re-assembly went well…and, I followed these steps to-the-letter.
I did not see any information above that related to the battery connections (internally) in the laptop so, I’m not sure how to trace the path to see if something may not be connected inside.
Anyone have any ideas as to why the battery isn’t working? All thoughts would be appreciated.
September 12th, 2012 at 11:47 am
@ Jim,
I would make sure all screws are installed correctly. It’s possible the laptop case is not assembled correctly and the battery doesn’t make good contact with the connector on the motherboard. Make sure it’s seated correctly.
September 12th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@Laptop Tech says, “I would make sure all screws are installed correctly. It’s possible the laptop case is not assembled correctly and the battery doesn’t make good contact with the connector on the motherboard. Make sure it’s seated correctly.”
Thanks for the quick response. So, can I assume:
1) That the battery makes its connection to the motherboard through the DC Jack Cable shown at step 27 ?
And
2) If the DC Jack Cable is making a good connection with the motherboard, then I will be looking at a battery replacement?
September 17th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
@Chuk Gleason…OMG!! That is exactly what happened! The left side clip where the screen connects broke off because of the tension. As a result, at some point when the top was opened the screen got cracked. I asked my daughters what the heck happened and they claimed they have no knowledge of anything happening. I figured they left it on one of our fold out tables and the cats knocked it over. They didn’t know anything and now it makes sense why. I sent my computer in for repair and they would not do anything because of the cracked screen…which is not covered under warranty. So I bought another screen and put it in….thanks to this site! I’ve never worked on laptops. I had no clue until I saw this site. Thanks so much!
With all that being said, this is my question…who do I take this up with? The warranty people will try to get out of it because of whatever reason. So do I push up the ladder with them, or do I take this up with HP directly? There was no fault on my / my daughters parts. It is a manufacturer’s default and my stuff got broke as a result of it. Is this a well known issue with HP? I had to pay for the screen. I also bought a new set of rails because I thought the left side was broken. But it was in fact due to the fact that HP tightens the stuff too much.
October 7th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Thanks a lot man for this tutorial ! your saved my life !
November 23rd, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Thank you for the guide! It works perfectly. The part with the two bolts for the display hinges is really important.
I would like to tell you about a fan problem I had and how I fixed it. It may help other people.
I had problems with my fan. I used compressed air to blow the dirt from the outside without disassembling the laptop but it kept overheating and there was even a warning that “a fan is working incorrectly and the system will shut down in 15 seconds”. It was true – the fan was hardly moving (only 2-3 revolutions and stopping again). I decided to disassemble the laptop.
After I reached my fan I saw no dirt at all!!!
Then I removed the fan from its motor and put grease on the shaft of the fan and inside the motor opening. Turned the fan by hand to spread the grease and assembled everything back.
When I started the laptop it was working perfectly, no noise from the fan, no overheating.
Thanks again to the author of the guide and good luck to the users. Don’t be afraid, just be careful.
February 19th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for the guide! My fan stopped working so I took it apart and removed an insane amount of dust from the fan. So now everything is working fine.
March 14th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
This is a wonderfully thorough guide. Thanks for writing it.
Anyone who owns a dv7 knows they run hot — putting a Radeon GPU and i7 CPU in a laptop is insane, given how hot they both get. I’ve finally solved my overheating problem — sort of — by literally cutting the case with a utility knife, removing the lattice in front of the GPU fan (upper right corner when looking at the back of the laptop). If any other readers do this, also get four pegs to stand the laptop on — the fan just can’t get any airflow otherwise. (This was after disassembling the unit cleaning the fan.)
To other dv7 owners looking to solve the “slows to a crawl and gets red hot” problem: Best of luck to you. Seriously, you’re basically f**ked. Propping up the computer from underneath to improve airflow bought me about 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit improvement, and cutting the lattice got me another 5-10 degrees cooler. Finally I can *do* shit without the computer slowing to a crawl… for a couple hours, at least. Once you’ve done that, disassembling the CPU fan unit and installing new thermal paste on the heatsink is your next best heat-improvement task, but unless you’ve done that kind of thing before, it’s probably best to let a pro do it — getting heatsinks right takes some practice.
My next plan is to cut the top of the case near the power button, to get some top-to-bottom airflow. But that’s a larger project; a utility knife won’t cut it, so to speak.