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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 21st, 2010 at 12:22 am
Bri,
I don’t think this laptop worth fixing. You need too many parts and there is no guaranty replacing them will fix the problem.
I would suggest just buying a new laptop.
Don’t waste your money.
November 19th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Thank you so so so so so so much for the wonderful guide, but I have a question.
I’m looking to replace my motherboard, hard drive, and IDE cable. However I have a problem. I don’t know what kind of motherboard is compatible with my model. It’s the Compaq Presario F700 (something or other) but I’m assuming if it’s compatible with one version of this series it’s compatible with all versions. So the question is, what kind do I need, and does it matter if I get one with a new processor and video card, and if it does… back to the first question.. what kind do I need?
Any help would be most appreciated. I already know what kind of hard drive I need so I’m good there.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
What is the maximum memory & largest hardrive I can purchase for the Presario F700?
November 18th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
REF: Presario F700
My lap top number lock & caps locks led lights wont light up.
I was wondering if that is a special circuit board that needs to be changed ?
November 14th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Excellent guide. Nice clear photos. Worked fine for a Compaq V6500 (6630) with the popular graphics chip problem. As mentioned in the text, a couple of extra screws on this model but pretty obvious. I found an old credit card useful for separating the top cover.
November 13th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Hello,
I find this information very useful, and didn’t think myself one could post such detailed instructions like this on the internet like another reader said. Thank you for providing this. My compaq presario died last year. It’s an f500, and at first the signs were that the screen would keep blinking off and on, and then after a while it just showed no display, and keeps restarting. So I’m thinking of purchasing another mobo because it maybe a hardware issue, as I already replaced the ac adapter and battery.
November 13th, 2010 at 10:51 am
This is a good blog detailing the steps in opening the laptop with good photos. This has helped me much in doing the process. No more trial and errors which might break parts and clips. Just a reminder it is always better to remove the battery first before doing anything else.
November 12th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I had Compaq c505 laptop .
My scrren get yellow background . and right now the scrren get ctivated at every application.
I am able to see the content text but the yellow color isther in backgorund ..
November 9th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
would you please tell me how i can over ride the password; i lost my password and cannot log in. please help
November 4th, 2010 at 4:46 am
Thanks for the disassembly help. My problem is my Compaq Presario F756NR can’t detect my hard drive. It says “operating system cannot be found”. ?
I wonder what is wrong, when I tried booting it on my Ubuntu desktop. It worked. Can you please help me on this one sir.