How to Change a USB Card on Toughbook

Learn to change the USB card on a Panasonic Toughbook laptop.

There are a few good reasons to change your Panasonic Toughbook's USB port, or USB card assembly. A USB port or card can go bad from repetitive use, or your USB card can become outdated. Most USB-powered devices use the USB 2.0 technology. In either case it may be necessary to replace or upgrade your USB card. This requires that you completely take apart your laptop to gain access to the USB card inside.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Small, flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Power off the Toughbook and then disconnect the power cable from the laptop. Disconnect any other cables or devices. Close the LCD screen until it latches shut and then place the laptop face-down. Push on the retaining tab, latch or button securing the battery pack to the battery compartment. Lift the battery pack out of its compartment and set it aside.

2. Remove the two Phillips-head screws from inside the battery compartment. These two screws secure the keyboard to the laptop casing.

3. Place the laptop face-up and open the LCD screen as far as it will go, until the two Phillips-head screws on either side of the laptop below the LCD hinges are exposed. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the single screw from the upper-right and left-hand corners.

4. Lift up on the keyboard and then place it face-down over the palm rest. Use a small flat-head screwdriver to push on the retaining tabs on either side of the keyboard ribbon connector where it connects to the motherboard. Be careful not to break the ribbon connector. Disconnect the keyboard ribbon cable from the motherboard and then remove the keyboard from the laptop and set it aside.

5. Lift the heat sink carefully out of the laptop casing. The heat sink is a large metal plate that sits toward the center of the motherboard, protecting the CPU. Remove the heat sink and set it aside.

6. Close the LCD screen carefully and place the laptop face-down. Remove all visible Phillips-head screws from the bottom casing assembly. Place the laptop face-up and reopen the LCD screen.

7. Remove the three black Phillips-head screws located on the bottom-left corner of the Toughbook's upper casing assembly. Carefully separate the upper casing from the bottom casing, and then set it aside.

8. Disconnect the USB card connector from the motherboard. Slide the USB card out of its housing on the laptop.

9. Install the new USB card by repeating this procedure in reverse.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an antistatic wrist wrap to help prevent shock or damage to your laptop's hardware from dormant static electricity.

References

• Inside My Laptop: Toughbook Disassembly Instructions
• USB Gear: USB Card Replacement

Resources

• Panasonic: Toughbook