Precautions in taking a notebook apart

[ugh]

Hi folks,

I was wondering if someone could point out any extra precautions that I can take when taking a notebook apart. I'm well versed with desktops but when it comes to notebooks, I get all jumpy.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Kaervak]

If you can remove the LCD from the rest of the laptop, do it. Also, be careful removing the keyboard. On my Inspiron 8200 my keyboard is my GPU's heatsink. Also, be careful with any ribbon cables.

 

[ugh]

Thanks for the info. Is there a way to not touch the LCD and somehow expose the internals of the notebook?

 

[Kaervak]

Usually everything major is right under the keyboard, the chipset and memory access is on the underside of the motherboard. Anyway, once you remove the keyboard, everything you need should be right there.

 

[mocca]

I would actually avoid removing the lcd from the laptop. This depend on the laptop design though but most laptops require the LCD cable to be detached before you can remove the lcd panel. And on some laptops, the detachment of the lcd cable is easier to do if you detach it from the behind the lcd panel itself (rather than fron the MB but that depends). In any cases, if you don't need access to the lcd panel (i.e., you are not changing the lcd panel or wiring around the panel or inverter), I would avoid touching the lcd and removing it. Put a soft cloth or if possible a thin and clean bag to cover your lcd while you are disassembly the laptop is also a good idea.

If you have never disassemble a laptop before, be patient, very patient. It requires a lot of fine touch to disassemble a laptop without damage. Diagram might help especially if the laptop have a lots of clips instead of screws (I hate clips on the laptop since it is easily broken). Get a nice set of equipments. If you can afford it, buy a set of precision screwdrivers (they are better mfg and more precise in term of the size and construct). And ground yourself before touching any electronic part inside the laptop just for precaution.

Mocca

 

[loup garou]

First of all, why are you taking it apart?

First rule of taking apart a laptop: remove the battery before doing anything!!
Other than that, it's pretty easy, just pay attention to how everything comes apart and goes together. Keep track of all the screws and where each one goes. Don't apply too much pressure when removing parts, the plastic and metal parts of the laptop are often very thin and break easily.
If you do remove the LCD, don't touch the inverter as it can very easily get fried.
As mentioned, be careful with any ribbon cables. If you pull one out, it may look like you broke it, but they usually have a tan plastic clip that holds them in place.

 

[ugh]

Kaervak: I saw a couple of "modular" notebooks last time when they took off everything except the LCD with ease. There wasn't any need to touch the LCD

mocca: Is there a site which hosts all the service manuals for laptops?

werk: Just to broaden my knowledge and to get the notebook phobia that I've had for very long. Since I have a spare notebook, I figure I might as well try it out

 

[BurnedOutComputer007]

i was a laptop tech for a while which one do you have?
pm me maybe i can help with some pointers.
oh and if your case doesnt just come apart from removing the screws then it also has plastic clips around the edges (DO NOT USE ANYTHING METLE to open it with!!!)
i can give you some points on how to make your own tool to open it that wont damage yuor case.
let me know

 

[mocca]

The service manauls for laptops are hard to come by unless you are a tech for that oem (except IBM and Dell which you can just download from their web site which I consider very good). For Sony brand, some guys on the Vaio Village (search on the google for this) have few service manuals for some models but the detials are not very good and the IBM one are much better organized. Compaq lists some service manual on their web site as well but it is hard to find (it'd been a long time since I last need Compaq laptop service manual). As for Toshiba, this becomes really hard to find (may be it is just me but I cannot find it). GL.

Mocca