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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.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Right now I’m fixing power jack in a Gateway MT6707 laptop (Model No: MA7) and it looks like the laptop is identical to this Gateway nx570x. Same body, same disassembly steps.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
[...] complete laptop disassembly instructions please take a look at this guide. It’s a different Gateway model but the body is very [...]
February 10th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Jim,
Take a look at this guide.
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2008/10/28/fortify-damaged-power-jack-connection-in-laptop/
You’ll get the idea.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:54 am
“I’ll have to connect traces with a cable.”
This was your last statement while replacing a power connector. Where is the rest of the description? I need it. I have a MA7 which I am in the middle of repairing (on my own – I am not a computer tech). I did damage the sleeve and now I need to know where to connect the input pin.
HELP!
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?