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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.
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.
UPDATE (January, 2011):
Compaq Presario F700 specification says this laptop can support only 2GB RAM max (1GB per slot).
I just tested a Compaq Presario F700 (running Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit OS) with two 2GB modules. I used Crucial DDR2 PC-6400 memory modules.
After I installed two 2GB modules the laptop started properly. In system properties I can see 3.19GB total RAM reported.
The BIOS shows all 4GB.
I think that 3.19GB is only limitation of a 32-bit OS. Most likely if you install a 64-bit OS, you can use all 4GB.
Were you able to upgrade your Presario F700 to 4GB? Please leave a comment.
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.
November 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm
ReneeG57,
Check this out: http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2010/10/06/fix-video-problem-hp-laptops/
Same tower trick performed with bubble wrap.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:10 pm
DS got a new computer (student and gamer) and I got his “old” (but still faster & newer than my XP) F730US – 4gb RAM is much better than 1gb, 1.5 gb, or even the 2gb I upgraded the 1gb desktop to after the warranty period expired.
The onboard WiFi quit working. Tried replacing the card and it still didn’t work – the hardware no longer shows it listed when the computer turned on. I went to eBay and bought an N-class USB adapter – which is faster than the G-class built into the laptop, so I figure I might actually be ahead of the game. (I liked the faster speed so much that I got a PCIMIA card for my Dell notebook since we’d just upgraded our router to the N level).
As a work around on the keeps trying to turn on, blinking off, and restarting again (and again, and again, and………) – I have found that pressing the power button to a count of six and then letting go will work MOST of the time. Not always – sometimes I have to try counting to four, five, seven, and once in a while eight – but trying it at each number takes less time than waiting for it to try restarting 47 or 348 times until it finally “catches” and turns on by itself. (That number is a sarcastic guess, by the way, I didn’t bother to count how many times it TRIED to turn on in fifteen minutes for real.)
I have found that an external fan under it or keeping the room really cool helps the overheating problem.
Now – what is this towel trick that has been referenced?
October 31st, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I bought a used Compaq Presario f700 at Goodwill for $215. I had to load Vista on it, but it had the same problem with the wi-fi card. I googled for the problem and eventually found an answer. Not being a geek, I don’t recall the details…I had to reinstall the nvidia drivers and then download updates from broadcom. It’s been woring beautifully since then (September 2010). But today, I turned it on and it’s doing a new dance. Turns off automatically and when I press the “On” button, it lights up for a few seconds and then shuts off. Repeat, shuts off etc. I tried the alt/on and low and behold I have it running now. We’ll see how long it lasts. I love the machine compared to the old Dell 600 I’m typing from now, but who knows how long the Presario will last. Lots of probs found on internet…yada yada yada.
September 30th, 2010 at 7:51 am
J. Carrington Robertson,
Thank you.
Check out my other guides:
For Toshiba Satellite L355 laptops. Could be helpful in the future:
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L355D/laptop-disassembly-1.htm
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L355D/remove-replace-lcd-screen-inverter-1.htm
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/repair-damaged-power-jack-toshiba-satellite-l305-l355-laptops/
Here’s how you can take apart your Toshiba Satellite P25:
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/ToshibaP25/SatelliteP25_1.htm
And repair the broken DC jack (soldered to the motherboard):
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/06/dc-power-jack-repair-guide/
Donations always welcome.
September 30th, 2010 at 4:13 am
I didn’t think one could do such a great job w/online repair sites. You have. I have studied (hands on) desktop repair about 10-15 yrs. ago, and built top of the line computers from the MB up. Hand-picked each component from Fry’s electronics when they were in Sac., CA. I have Toshiba Sat. L355, (various probs. -touchpad scrambles words everywhere, Toshiba P25 with(power input broken), and a Compaq Presario F 700 with same prob. I plan to purchase a new Dell and fix these probs in short time and I really believe your site will be of great help. I’ll most definately be VERY happy to make a nice donation to your rather thorough site(s), as laptops have intimidated me when attempting repair (as opposed to desktops). Thanks for the encouragement! I hope others are as appreciative as I, and I would like to encourage them to make donations as well. Mine will be forthcoming asap. Yours in Electric-Ladyland, Carrington
September 18th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Let me thanks you again. yours encourage me to disassemble my dead baby and keep looking for solving the black screen problem. without you I can do nothing because I already retired from my computer carrier, now I pick up it again.
September 18th, 2010 at 7:21 am
I followed the towel trick about 1 hour, hoping not cause any damage to CPU. it
did solve my 28 months old dead baby (compaq presario F761us) 3
lights on/off, on/off…problems, but didn’t solve black screen. And during the 3 lights hold “ON”, the Fan running, the power adpter warms up as normal. I can turn power off as normal.
I thoght after I pressed power button (turned off ) overnight, it would happen on/off, on/off.. again, next day but Amazing it didn’t , 3 lights hold “ON”.
ps towel trick found in– free fast fix for hp tx1000 no video or boot.
but not recommand by another smart guy–Permanent RROD Repair guide xbox 360.
September 17th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
bill224,
I guess it’s time to move on and buy a new laptop.
It’s not worth fixing your laptop.
September 17th, 2010 at 7:52 am
why HP freaky afraid of my comment in their HP Support document
HP Notebook PCs – Troubleshooting LED Blink Codes or Beep Codes During Startup or Boot
Content feedback : I tried paste it –the Caps, Lock/Num lights didn’t turn ‘ON” at all. you didn’t mention power button,power lights,touch pad lights on then off, on then off….
After I adjust a connection nearby phone jack#2 original didn’t properly connect I got 3 more (DVD,WI-FI,SD-MS lights on then off, on then off…
Guess what I got HP respose ?
We’re very sorry!
The page you requested can not be found.
We apologize for the inconvenience!
T tried Any other words than the above are all accepted !!!
even I inquired –why are you so freaky afraid your client to tell you the real problems symptons.
September 17th, 2010 at 3:17 am
I got HP manager Ana responsed who wanted to give us 25% discount, i.e. $299 to repair.
my husband’s answer is : F700 value is less than $200, why should we spend $300 ? we are definitely buy other brand in the future.
I told Ana HP shouldn’t sell poor quality to us.