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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.
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.