Introduction

If your motherboard is causing issues such as system freezes and random crashes, this guide shows the correct way to remove the motherboard.

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    • Before you begin, power off your device completely and disconnect from the charging adapter.

    • Flip the laptop over so the bottom is facing up.

    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove ten 5.6 mm screws from the back panel.

    • Place the end of an opening tool in the seam between the bottom and top case and slide it around the perimeter to release the clips holding it together.

    • Use a few opening picks in the seam to keep the clips from reattaching.

    • Remove the back panel.

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    • Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the battery connector to "walk" it out of its socket on the motherboard.

    • It may take a lot of alternating before the connector comes out. Be patient, and don't pull on the cables.

    • To reconnect the cable, align the connector and use a spudger or clean fingernail to push it fully into the socket.

    • Don't push on the cables themselves, or you may damage the connector.

    • Lift the battery upwards to remove it from the device.

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    • Use the end of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the sliding connector and remove it from the socket on the motherboard.

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    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the two 3 mm screws attaching the fan to the chassis.

    • Slide the fan out from the socket to remove it.

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    • To disconnect the speaker cable, use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Don't pull on the cables.

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    • Gently remove the speaker wire from routing guides.

    • The wire may also be attached to the chassis with adhesive.

    • Remove the speakers and wire that connects them from the laptop.

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    • Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or angled tweezers under the metal neck of the white coaxial cable connector (as close to the head as possible) and lift straight up from the board.

    • Repeat to disconnect the black coaxial cable connector.

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    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the 2 mm screw securing the Wi-Fi card to the motherboard.

    • Slide the Wi-Fi card out from the socket.

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    • Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to flip up the locking flap on the four ZIF connectors—this is the unlocked position.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull each cable out of its socket.

    • Try pushing on alternating sides of the CMOS battery connector with a spudger to disconnect it from the socket.

    • If that doesn't work, use a pair of tweezers to firmly grip the sides of the connector and pull straight away from the socket. Hold the tweezers closer to the connector to get a better grip.

    • To disconnect the display connector, first, gently push the tip of a spudger under the metal buckle to unclip it, then swing it over the socket.

    • Next, hold the buckle and cable together and gently pull the connector straight out of its socket.

    • Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the power connector to "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Don't pull on the wires or you risk damaging the connector and device.

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    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the four screws from the hinge.

    • Lift the hinge to allow the motherboard to be removed.

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    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the motherboard to the chassis.

    • If your replacement board does not come with a heat sink, remove the three screws in descending order of the inscribed numbers on the heat sink.

    • If you aren't replacing the heat sink, loosen the screws before removing the motherboard.

    • Lift the motherboard from the laptop.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Knicholas Taylor

Member since: 10/02/25

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