[SLL] Laptop getting a bit warm

[Robert Woodcock]

On Mon, Jul 23, 2007 at 11:06:47AM -0500, Mike Stunes wrote:
> Well I tried taking it apart--took out every screw I could find, but I
> couldn't get the case apart. Instead I did give it a few sharp breaths
> through the exhaust port--a few chunks of dust did come flying out.
> We'll see if that helped.

I've taken apart about two dozen laptops over the last few years and most of
them come apart the same way. In addition to all of the screws on the
bottom, there are a couple screws underneath the keyboard and in the display
hinges.

To get to those, usually you very gently pry off the panel just above
the keyboard (where the power button and keyboard indicator lights are),
then you can get at the screws attaching the keyboard and display. Look for
a little notch that seems to want to accept a flat-blade screwdriver.

Some laptop keyboards are held in place using a couple screws from the
bottom and must also be pried up from the bottom of the keyboard - but these
are the minority.

The CPU heat sink will be just about the last part you get to.

I'd recommend doing all of this on a well-lit floor, so no parts can fall
and get lost. Also it's worth writing down which parts came off in which
order. You can figure it out again by trial and error but it saves you a lot
of backtracking, especially if you get interrupted halfway through the
process.

Also make sure you're using the right screwdriver for the job. A #1 Phillips
screwdriver will turn a #2 screw, but it'll also strip it a little bit every
time. Using the proper bit also means the screw is more likely to stay on
the screwdriver after you remove it from the chassis.
-- 
Robert Woodcock - rcw at blarg.net
"Obviously some modifications are going to be made in order to make sure
that national security is intact" -- Andy Radlow, Vodafone AirTouch