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In the following guide I’ll be taking apart a Gateway NX570X laptop. I think my disassembly instructions will work for other Gateway laptops in the NX570 line too. Please let me know if you have a different Gateway laptop and this guide works for you, you can mention your model in the comments below.
The laptop I’m fixing stopped charging the battery even though the AC adapter works properly and outputs correct voltage. I tested the adapter with a voltmeter. Actually, it’s charging the battery but only intermittently, when the AC adapter pushed in firmly. In order to charge the battery I have to adjust the AC adapter plug inside the power socket on the back of the laptop. Apparently, there is a problem with the power socket (aka power jack) and it has to be replaced or resoldered. OK, let’s take this lappy apart. I’ll be removing the system board so I can access and repair the power jack.
Are you looking for spare parts for your Gateway NX570 laptop? You’ll find them here.
STEP 1.
Turn off the laptop, unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.
Remove seven screws (yellow circles) securing the memory cover.
Remove one screw (yellow circle) securing the keyboard. There are two more keyboard screws under the memory cover. You can see them in the step 5.
Remove one screw (orange circle) securing the Wi-Fi card cover.
Remove two screws (red circle) securing the hard drive. In order to disconnect the hard drive from the motherboard, you’ll have to slide the hard drive assembly to the left. Remove the hard drive assembly from the laptop.
STEP 2.
Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card, simply unsnap them from the card using your fingers. Remove one screw securing the wireless card and remove the card.
Remove both memory modules.
Loosen four screws securing the heat sink assembly (red circles).
STEP 3.
Carefully lift up the heat sink assembly from the laptop. The cooling fan is attached to the motherboard. Unplug this cable from the motherboard.
STEP 4.
Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive. Push the drive to the left and remove it from the laptop.
STEP 5.
Remove all screws from the bottom of the laptop. Two screws marked with green circles are securing the keyboard.
If you are replacing the keyboard, you simply remove one green screw in the step 1 and two green screws in the step 5 and then proceed to steps 7,8,9,10.
STEP 6.
Remove two screws from the hinge cover.
STEP 7.
Start removing the hinge cover with a small flathead screwdriver and continue removing it with your fingers.
STEP 8.
Remove the hinge cover.
STEP 9.
Lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below and place it upside down on the palm rest.
STEP 10.
Unlock connector on the system board. Release the cable and remove the keyboard.
STEP 11.
Release the wireless card antenna cables.
Unplug LCD cable from the system board.
Remove two screws from each display hinge.
STEP 12.
Carefully lift up and remove the LCD assembly.
STEP 13.
Remove four screws securing the top cover.
Unplug the touch pad cable from the system board.
STEP 14.
Lift up and remove the top cover assembly.
STEP 15.
Remove five screws securing the motherboard.
Unplug the speaker cable (left) and the Bluetooth card cable (right) from the system board.
STEP 16.
Start removing the system board from the left side.
You’ll have to disconnect one more cable shown on the picture below.
Finally, the system board has been removed.
Now you can access and repair the power jack. You can use these power jack replacement instructions.
When I was removing the power jack from the system board, it came out with the internal sleeve attached to the “+” connector. This sleeve connects traces on both sides of the system board and normally, when you unsolder the power jack, it stays inside the hole.
Now I’ll have to make a modification so traces on both sides of the system board are connected. I’ll have to connect traces with a cable.
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I have a Gateway MT6840 laptop that I was told needs a new motherboard. I would like to try to replace it myself, but I have never done anything like this before and don’t have a whole lot of time to fiddle with it. I’m a full time student and work full time.
I absolutely love this site for helping people like me, but doesn’t someone here want to make some extra cash and replace my motherboard for me! The computer repair place here said it would be cheaper to buy a new one. I don’t want to do that unless I absolutely have to. Any takers?
January 30th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Thanks for the info. My laptop has been gathering dust for a long time now (over a year) I followed your directions and was able to get it back up and running. I had an extremely difficult time getting the part out. I tried a solder sucker and wick but neither worked. What finally did the trick for me is I cut the metal sleeve in half so I was able to work on pulling out two pins at a time instead of all 6. You could do this with a band saw, hack saw or a dremel. I only did this as a last result but it sure made removing the connector easier.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Brent,
Take a look at this user’s guide for Gateway Gateway MX7118 Notebook. The memory slots is located under the cover on the bottom. I’m not sure why you cannot find it.
There is only one memory slot available for memory upgrade in this model because 512MB of RAM integrated into the motherboard.
The Gateway MX7118 will take up to 1.5GB RAM total (512MB base memory + 1GB installed into the slot).
You should use PC2700 DDR SDRAM SODIMM module.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Im trying to upgrade ram in a gateway MX7118 there are only 2 small panel covers on the back the memory isnt located behind either of them. I tried to take it all the way apart but was unsuccesful. I removed all the screws but it wouldnt come apart. I have removed all visible screws.
Help please
January 24th, 2010 at 5:09 am
I wanted to know how to open it simply to clean the lint off of my fans because the computer keeps overheating but the fan is still running and I wanted to at least try to see if cleaning would help before I plunk down 130$ to get it replaced.
January 19th, 2010 at 7:26 am
I have the same model computer and also have power issues. Mine has a problem with the coaxial DC connector plug instead of the jack. It has been pulled sideways and now has a short in the plug. Do you happen to know the size or specs on the plug? The ac adapter works just fine. I could either buy a whole new one or just replace the plug on the existing one. I would rather fix the existing one. Any ideas?
January 18th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Meka,
Maybe there are some screws securing display hinges on the back side of the laptop?
January 18th, 2010 at 11:56 am
I have a gateway m305crv after removing all the screws I couldn’t get the screen detached I’m having problems with the power jack as well now the plug is shorting out please help thanks
January 16th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I have gateway 4026 laptop. I was successful to dissemble the laptop.thanks for the photo to give me the idea. I wanted to check the power jack since the plug in to the laptop from ac adapter melted in the jack. i replace the jack from ac adapter and it melted again over time about a week.
the jack in the laptop seems to be fine. any idea why its doing that?
thanks
Freebird2k
January 14th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
I was able to change my own mother board on my Gateway 6214 laptop breathing new live into it because of this
AWSOME web page…
Thank you
January 14th, 2010 at 2:31 am
Thank you! Great instructions. I took my Gateway apart to fix the power jack and then put it together again following your instructions. You made it easy!
The tip about labelling the screws is invaluable! I think its best to put the little screws in small envelopes or ziplock bags. Each back should be labelled to reference the position they came from (Location on the laptop, the number of screws as well as the sequential order in which they came off the machine. THis should helpp greatly when putting the machine back together again.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Gil,
Yes, you’ll have to move the processor from the failed motherboard to a new one.
The processor is located right under the heat sink which I’m removing in steps 2-3.
The processor is locked in the socket on the motherboard.
In order to remove the processor and transfer it to the new board you’ll have to go through the following steps:
1. Unlock the processor socket by turning the screw-lock into the open (unlocked) position. You’ll find this screw on the socket.
2. Carefully lift up the processor from the socket.
3. Make sure the socket on the new board is unlocked.
4. Insert the processor into the socket. Make sure the processor is position correctly and pins layout matches the socket.
5. Lock the socket.
Do not forget to apply thermal grease on the processor before installing the heat sink.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
I have this laptop and I was told by the laptop place where I took it that I need a new motherboard. None of the motherboards that I can find online have processors in them. Does this mean that the processor is movable from one motherboard to another? If so, how? And if not, then where can I order a new motherboard with a processor and all else that is necessary for me to take it apart as shown above, switch the motherboards, and put it back together? Motherboards due come with all the ports for wireless cards, hardrive, ram and such right?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
DallasNaijan,
Did you test your laptop with video output on the external monitor? Can you get any video on the external monitor?
Also, take a very close look at the laptop screen (do it in a dark room). Can you see any faint image on the screen at all? Does the screen change color from black to light black when the laptop is turned on?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Having problems with the Gateway MA7 as the screen doesn’t turn on. Is the there a specific device on the motherboard that has burnt out? I read earlier that the video card is integrated onto the motherboard and that it cannot be simply replaced or removed…..Is there a solution around this…..please advise?
December 26th, 2009 at 1:22 am
It worked for the MT6705 with virtually no modification. Now I have to replace the DC-IN jack.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Thank you so much!!! I just replaced the power jack on my gf’s gateway MX6440, thought I did everything right and wouldn’t work. I thought maybe I burned out surrounding components. I didn’t realize the power jack had to contact both sides of the board with that sleeve. I’ll try to jumper the two contacts when I get home. Hopefully it will fix it.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for the excellent instructions; they worked perfectly for my wife’s ML7227b: power problems. Unfortunately, I didn’t find this website until I’d already damaged the keyboard, trying to remove it. When I eventually got the motherboard out, it appears to have been “tracking”, if that’s the correct term, around the power jack area. We already had it repaired once (”dry joints in the power area”) so I think we’ll call it a day now, but I’m glad I managed to get it apart, and back together again.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Thank you very much for the excellent tutorial! I was looking for information on a Gateway MX6650 and it was nearly an identical procedure. I was unable to remove my DC-jack because it had 5 pins and I couldn’t keep more than one heated at the same time, so I removed as much solder as possible, cleaned up, and resoldered nice and neat in place and it works like a charm. Even if it only lasts 5 or 6 months like some people have said, it’s worth it for now! Thanks again and awesome work!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Lawrence,
Check out the “Gateway laptops” category on the right side of the website. Maybe you’ll find something similar in there.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:40 am
I have the same problem with the Gateway model 6520GZ. Do you or anyone here have disassembly instructions for this laptop?
Thanks,
Lawrence
October 30th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Hi … I just want to know how to connect traces with cable Cause same thing happent to me when i was replacing my jack and now laptop only work with battery power .. would you please explain or show some photo on how to connect traces with cable
thanks
October 27th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
karla,
In the post above I explain how to remove the motherboard in order to replace the power jack. You simply swap the motherboard with a new one and install it back into the laptop.
How much for a new motherboard? I don’t know, search on eBay or google it.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Thank you this is exactly what i was looking for!
question though.
i just recently got my computer checked by a professional
and he told me my motherboard is damnaged.
i need to know how to replace this
and what is the cheapest i can buy a motherboard for.
i am not an expert but i caught on quick!
im sure anyone one figure this out but it took me
about 5 minutes to learn how to get my data out of my hard drive
and i only spend $15 on on the hard drive enclosure.
anything will help!
thank you!
October 14th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hello,
First off, awesome site! Excellent work friend.
I have a MT6840 that will not power up at all. I removed the mainboard and examined the DC power connector and found it intact and secure. I also examined the entire mainboard and did not find any obvious signs of overheating/abuse etc.
Battery and Power adapter tests good.
Any suggestions?
Thanks again!
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:52 am
Michael Mil,
First of all thank you for the donation.
I cannot tell if the power jack in your laptop has to be replaced without looking at the laptop. If the laptop switches from AC power to battery power when you wiggle the adapter plug inside the connector, most likely the power connector has to be resoldered or replaced.
You can follow this guide: Fixing DC power jack in a laptop.
It’s not for beginners. Proceed on your own risk.