How to Replace a Motherboard on a Laptop by Hewlett Packard

Your motherboard, the main circuit board inside your computer, is where all components connect with your laptop. Replacing any motherboard is a risky procedure that should only be performed by a certified laptop repair technician. Without a working motherboard, your HP laptop is useless. Removing the motherboard yourself can open your computer up to irreversible damage, if you're not careful. Consult with a laptop technician before performing the removal procedure, if possible.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Antistatic strap

Instructions

1. Turn off your laptop, disconnect all cables, and remove the battery from the bottom casing. Pull the display panel closed, and then place the laptop face down. Position the laptop so the fron opening is facing forward.

2. Remove the Phillips-head screws securing the hard drive to its compartment in the laptop's upper left corner. Place the laptop vertically with the back edge facing upward. Remove the visible Phillips-head screws. Remove all unmarked screws from the bottom casing.

3. Place the laptop with the top side facing upward. Pull the display panel open as far as you can. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the keyboard cover's right side. The keyboard cover is the thin plastic strip located above the keyboard. Carefully pry the cover from the laptop. Disconnect the power cable extending from the keyboard cover to the motherboard, if present.

4. Locate the speaker assembly revealed by the keyboard cover. Disconnect the speaker cable from the laptop. Remove its retaining screws. Remove the speaker assembly from the laptop.

5. Remove any screws securing the keyboard in place. Place it with the keys facing downward on the palm rest. Disconnect the keyboard's ribbon cable from the motherboard. Remove the keyboard.

6. Remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the CD/DVD drive to its compartment on the right side of the laptop. The screws are accessible through two access holes near the center of the upper casing. Pull the drive from its compartment.

7. Disconnect all cables extending from the display assembly to the motherboard. Remove the Phillips-head screws securing the display hinges in place. Carefully lift the display panel from the laptop's base. Place it face up on a flat surface.

8. Remove all Phillips-head screws from the laptop's top casing. Disconnect the touchpad cable from its connector situated above the touchpad device on the motherboard. Carefully lift the top case from the laptop, and set it aside.

9. Remove the Phillips-head screws securing the hard drive compartment from the lower left corner of the motherboard. Then remove the Phillips-head screws securing the floppy drive to the motherboard's lower left corner. Disconnect the floppy drive's ribbon cable from the motherboard. Remove the floppy drive.

10. Remove the Phillips-head screws securing the cooling fan assembly to the motherboard's upper left corner. Disconnect its power cable from the motherboard. Lift the cooling fan out of the laptop.

11. Remove all remaining Phillips-head screws securing the motherboard to the laptop's base. Remove all screws or bolts from the back panel securing the data, or monitor ports in place. Disconnect all remaining cables from the motherboard. Carefully remove the motherboard from the laptop.

12. Repeat this procedure in reverse to install your new motherboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent electrical damage to your motherboard by using an antistatic strap.

References

• HP Support: HP General Service Manual

Resources

• Hewlett Packard