Removing System board

Flip the computer over to access the screws on the bottom.

Remove 8 black, 7mm PH0 screws (M2 x L7).

Note: Virtually all the other screws for this computer are PH1 screws which may get stripped when using a smaller screwdriver, but these screws require a Philips PH0 driver.

Almost anything that is done with a computer is safer if the battery is disconnected, so it is good to do that now.

Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board using fingernails or a pry bar. Use your fingernails to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable. It can be very tight. I used a 3.5 mm flathead screwdriver to carefully push the side plastic edges down towards the battery. Do not knock any of the components on the board.

Remove 6 black 4mm PH1 screws (M2 x L4). The lower right screw is close to a magnet that may pull it from where you want it to go - tweezers may be necessary. The Hardware Maintenance Manual does not show the bottom middle screw.

Note: Virtually all the screws for this computer are PH1 screws which may get stripped if you use a smaller screwdriver.

Remove the system board mylar.

Note: Retain the system board mylar and reuse it when reassembling the computer. Replace the system board mylar only if it is damaged.

Remove 4 black PH1 screws (M2 x L4) and then remove the SSD shielding.

Note: Virtually all the screws for this computer are PH1 screws which may get stripped if you use a smaller screwdriver.

Remove 2 silver 2mm PH1 screws (M2 x L2), one for each SSD.

Note: Virtually all the screws for this computer are PH1 screws which may get stripped if you use a smaller screwdriver.

Detach the main and auxiliary antenna cable connectors. Note which colour cable is connected to each post - the photographed board has a grey cable connected to the top post (marked as "#1 Aux" with a white triangle on the Wi-Fi card) and a black cable connected to the bottom post (marked as "#2 Main" with a black triangle on the Wi-Fi card).

Remove 1 silver 2mm PH1 screw (M2 x L2).

Note: Virtually all the screws for this computer are PH1 screws which may get stripped if you use a smaller screwdriver.

Remove the Wi-Fi card by pulling it away from the slot.

(1) Peel off the thermal DIMM plate tape from the system board.

(2-3) Lift flap and disconnect the I/O board cable from the system board.

(2-3) Lift flap and disconnect the audio FPC cable from the system board.

(2-3) Lift flap and disconnect the hinge cap lightingbar cable from the system board.

Note: my machine did not have the DIMM plate tape or the cable in the upper right.

Disconnect the three fan cables from the system board by lifting away from board.

Remove 7 black 6mm PH1 screws (M2 x L6) holding the fans.

Note: Virtually all the screws for this computer are PH1 screws which may get stripped if you use a smaller screwdriver.

Remove tape from fans - possibly using gentle heat

Remove the fans - be careful of Wi-Fi antenna cables around top left fan and speaker cable around small bottom right fan.

Disconnect 9 cables connected to the system board.

Disconnect five more cables from the system board