Samsung Chromebook Series 3 Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Tyler Schultz

Comments: 1

Samsung Chromebook Series 3 Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

This guide will demonstrate how to take out and replace the motherboard in a Samsung Chromebook Series 3. A motherboard is a circuit board that controls most other components in a laptop. A damaged motherboard might be the culprit behind serious issues such as overheating, Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD), or system components such as RAM not being detected.

Ensure that the laptop is powered off before proceeding with the repair. ESD-safe tools are recommended to prevent any static shock damage.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Lay the Chromebook down so that the bottom cover is facing up.
Remove the rubber feet on the four corners of the Chromebook in order to get to the screws underneath. They are stuck on with an adhesive.

Step 2

Remove the nine 4.7 mm screws on the bottom cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 3

Pry up the plastic strip on the back of the Chromebook using a plastic opening tool.
It is not necessary to remove it completely. It just needs to be separated from the bottom cover.

Step 4

Pry off the bottom cover using a plastic opening tool.

Step 5

Remove six 3.5 mm screws holding the battery using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Pull out the battery partway in order to easily get to the battery connector.

Step 6

Disconnect the battery connector by pulling straight up at its base.
When reassembling, simply position the connector above it's original place, and push down.

Step 7

You can now remove the battery.

Step 8

Unscrew the four 3.1 mm screws holding the motherboard with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 9

The audio cable can be removed by simply pulling gently.
Use the iFixit opening tool to pop out the 2 antennae lines from the motherboard.
When reinstalling these Wifi Antenna connections, align the antenna on top of the fitting and gently use the Plastic Spudger to apply pressure and seat the connection. Do not use your fingers to press down on the connector, or you risk permanently damaging the connector by bending it.

Step 10

Now, disconnect the keyboard and trackpad ribbon cables.
This requires lifting the lever securing the cables to free them, and then gently pulling them out.

Step 11

The screen cable is secure in place by a lever. Lift the lever to release it, then gently pull it out.

Step 12

This cable comes out by just pulling gently.

Step 13

Lift the motherboard out of place and pull out the CMOS battery cable.

Step 14

Finally, remove the three 3.1 mm screws with the Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the plastic cover and completely free the motherboard.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Tyler Schultz

Member since: 25/03/19

606 Reputation

One comment

One other thing I thought I'd add is if you're doing this and get to as far as removing the motherboard, personally after removing the plastic cover I'd also replace the thermal paste and re-paste the CPU (grey paste you can see smothered between the chip and the plastic/metal heat spreader). Something like PTM7950 would be good in this use case, and saves you having to do it later on as well/better performance and longevity :)

Aadi Bhamidipati -