How to Disassemble a Gateway Laptop Model MT3705

Anyone can learn to disassemble a Gateway MT3705 laptop.

Knowing how to disassemble the Gateway MT3705 laptop can be useful when attempting major hardware and component upgrades, removals and installations. It can even be helpful when attempting to troubleshoot malfunctioning hardware devices. Taking apart your laptop can seem like a scary task if you've never done it before. While this is a task a novice can do, you should still proceed cautiously. Take your time and pay attention to each step in the disassembly process and you should be fine.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Turn off your laptop, unplug the power cable and close the LCD panel. Place the laptop face-down and remove the battery pack from its compartment.

2. Remove the Phillips-head screws inside the battery compartment.

3. Place the laptop face-up, open the LCD screen and push on the tabs behind the F1, F11 and Insert keys. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry up and lift the plastic keyboard cover from the laptop.

4. Lift the keyboard out of the casing and place it face-down over the palm rest and trackpad. Disconnect the keyboard ribbon cable from the motherboard, and then remove the keyboard from the laptop and set it aside. Close the LCD screen and place the laptop face-down.

5. Remove the Phillips-head screws securing the hard drive, RAM, CPU and wireless card covers to the bottom casing assembly. Remove the plastic covers and set them aside.

6. Remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the hard drive to its compartment. Slide the hard drive out of its compartment and set it aside. Push on the retaining tabs on either side of the RAM module, and then slide the module out of its respective memory compartment. Store each module in a static-free plastic bag.

7. Push on the latches on each side of the wireless card, and then slide the wireless card out of its compartment slightly. Disconnect the antenna cables, and then remove the wireless card from the laptop.

8. Remove the two Phillips-head screws retaining the CD/DVD/optical drive to the base of the laptop. Slide the drive out of its compartment and set it aside.

9. Remove the remaining Phillips-head screws from the bottom casing assembly. Place the laptop face-up and open the LCD panel.

10. Remove the Phillips-head screws from the upper casing assembly. Disconnect the trackpad, video and LCD power cables from the motherboard. Close the LCD screen.

Tips & Warnings

• Re-assemble the laptop by repeating the previous steps in reverse order.

References

• Digital Scoop: Gateway 3000/M210 Disassembly
• Gateway: MT Series Laptop Reference Guide

Resources

• Gateway Computers