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In the following guide I’ll be taking apart a Gateway P-series laptop.
In my case I’m taking apart a Gateway P-6825 but the guide should work for the entire P-series line.
If it fits any other Gateway model, please mention the model number in comments after this post.
First of all, turn off the laptop, disconnect AC adapter and remove battery.
Many major laptop components can be accessed if you remove two covers from the bottom.
There are five screws securing the fan/RAM cover and four screws securing the hard drive cover.
Under the fan/RAM cover you’ll find both memory (RAM) modules, wireless card, cooling fan and processor (mounted under the heat sink).
Removing this cover will not allow you to replace the cooling fan, but you’ll be able to clean it. I suggest using compressed air for cleaning the cooling fan and heat sink.
Also, removing this cover gives you access to both memory modules and makes it very easy to replace/upgrade memory.
Under the hard drive cover you’ll find two hard drive bays.
In my case I had only one hard drive installed.
In order to remove the hard drive, slide the entire hard drive assembly in the direction shown by the yellow arrow.
In my case I had to use some force because the hard drive was fitted very tightly.
When the hard drive assembly removed, you can remove four screws securing the hard drive to the caddy.
After that separate the hard drive from the caddy. Now you can replace the hard drive with a new one.
Using a sharp object remove the rubber cover located on the right side of the hard drive bay.
This cover hides a screw securing the DVD drive. Remove the screw.
Now you can slide the DVD drive from the laptop and remove it.
The DVD drive has been removed.
In the following 10 steps I explain how to remove the keyboard.
It’s not necessary to follow all previous steps in order to remove the keyboard.
Remove two screws securing the power button cover in the battery bay.
Carefully lift up the right side of the power button cover.
Continue removing the power button cover.
Be very careful. There are two cables connecting power/media boards to the motherboard. Do not lift up the cover too high.
On the following picture you can see two cables.
Try not to disconnect them from the motherboard or power/media board.
Ideally, these cables remain connected after you remove the cover.
Remove five screws securing the keyboard.
Lift up the top side of the keyboard.
Now you can access the keyboard cable connector.
Before you remove the keyboard, you have to unlock the connector and release the cable.
In order to unlock the connector, flip the right side of the brown clip up so it opens at a 90 degree angle.
After the connector is unlocked, you can release the cable.
Finally, remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one if needed.
Looking for a new keyboard for your Gateway P-series laptop? You’ll find it here.
April 3rd, 2013 at 10:34 am
@ Robert,
I believe this laptop has a regular 3V CR2032 CMOS battery.
I think the CMOS battery located under the wireless card.
To confirm that remove the bottom cover and remove the wireless card.
March 30th, 2013 at 6:52 am
P-6312 keyboard replacement procedure confirmed!
Be very careful opening the power button cover. There are 3 separate tabs that you need to clear.
March 30th, 2013 at 12:11 am
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TYPE OF CMOS BATTERY I NEED FOR MY GATEWAT P-6825.
AND ALSO WHERE EXACTLY IS IT LOCATED AND HOW DO I REPLACE IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH,
ROBERT SANTINI
October 23rd, 2012 at 3:47 am
The hinges on my P series laptop are frozen. Any ideas?
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:20 pm
i hav burned ma screen panal of sony wio pcg71811w hw much it will cost
April 20th, 2012 at 3:27 am
How do you get to the power plug-in port to remove and replace?
December 28th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@ Nate,
Probably you need new video cable.
Are you sure the new WUXGA screen is in a good working condition?
December 28th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@ Laptop Tech,
I got the new WUXGA monitor. I intalled it, but when I turned the computer on I got nothing. It just stayed black like it wasn’t getting power, eventhought I could hear the computer booting up. Thinking I might have broken the inverter or video cable during installation, I re-installed my old screen and it still got power. So tried again with the new screen, but still can’t get power. Do I need to get an inverter and/or video cable? Obviously I’m a noob, so if I do need one or both, how do I go about finding the right ones? Thanks for your help.
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@ Nate,
Can I replce it with a P-7811 FX screen? The specs all seem to be the same except for the 7805u has a WXGA+ (1440×900) resolution and the 7811 has a WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution.
I cannot tell. The new screen with higher resolution might require a new cable.
You can try replacing just the screen and if it’s doesn’t work or the image looks weird, you’ll have to transfer the video cable too.
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A poorly thrown PS3 controller broke the LCD screen on my P-7805U FX. Can I replce it with a P-7811 FX screen? The specs all seem to be the same except for the 7805u has a WXGA+ (1440×900) resolution and the 7811 has a WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution.
December 14th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
@ Heavensangel,
Take a look at this laptop as an example.
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/replace-lcd-screen-inverter-dell-inspiron-1525-laptop/
The guide explains how to access and remove the LCD screen.
After you disassemble the display panel you can figure out how to remove the hinges.
December 14th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Hi,
Appreciate the information as how to disassemble this particular laptop. Wished that you instructed and showed how to replace the hinges and LCD panel. This is my weekend project that I need to work on.
Also, could you please tell me what kind of tools you would recommend to disassemble this laptop?
Thanks for all your hard work! Have a nice day!