Thread: Dismantling the laptop

Dismantling the laptop

Many laptops open keyboard-first, so use a flat screw driver to push the latches on the sides till the keyboard pops out. This will expose the core components including the main heatsink, hard drive and such. Detach all the data cables from the headers on the motherboard.

Lower the screen and flip the laptop, upside down: Remove all screws that secure the upper and lower panels. Ensure, there are no screws holding the two
panels together, and look out for screws hidden under labels and stickers. Use a flat
screwdriver at the edge and separate the two halves. The panels may not separate completely; ribbon cables for the touch pad, LEDs and speakers may still be connected to the motherboard. Disconnect them.



You should now be able to see all the components. Remove them carefully, starting with the hard drive while it's still in its metal casing (if any). Next, remove the optical drive and floppy drive (if any). You might see other components such as a dial-up modem module and other devices. Unplug them as well.

If the motherboard is mounted on a metal chassis-independent of the body-then remove the motherboard with the chassis still attached. You now have only the screen remaining. Pulling a laptop screen apart can be dicey. It is a very-if not ~he most-expensive and fragil'e part. Detach it with the utmost care and precision. Assuming that you've detached the screen's data cable from its header, look for screws, clamps and latches on the edges, sides and bottom of the screen. Open the frame by removing the screws and pushing the latches. Remove the hinges to separate the screen from the body, then put the screen back in its frame and secure it with screws. It's now time to plan your project in detail.