The motherboard in your Gateway laptop is the platform where some of the most important internal components of your computer connect. Damage to the motherboard can be potentially devastating, resulting in data loss or even complete system failure. If you need to address a problem with your Gateway laptop's motherboard, you can disassemble the computer's exterior housing to access it.
Instructions
1. Turn off the laptop and remove any power adapters. Turn your laptop face-down and use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the eleven screws that hold the three different compartment covers (Memory, Hard Drive, Wi-Fi) in place. (The compartments are clearly marked.) Remove the three covers and set them aside.
2. Unsnap the two thin metal antenna cables from the wireless card, using your fingers. Remove the single screw that holds the wireless card in place, and remove the card by gently pulling it out of its compartment. Remove the two green memory modules from the memory compartment.
3. Remove the four screws securing the heat sink assembly (two metal bars directly over a copper plate that sits next to the memory modules). Lift the heat sink out of its compartment and disconnect the cooling fan next to the heat sink, by unplugging it with your fingers.
4. Remove the single screw securing the CD/DVD drive in the back corner of the Gateway. Push the drive out to remove it from the laptop.
5. Remove all screws along the sides of the bottom of the laptop to release the plastic housing. Turn your computer right-side up and remove the two screws from the back of the laptop that hold the screen hinge cover in place.
6. Open the laptop and remove the plastic hinge cover by pulling it up from either end at the top of the computer, just above the keyboard.
7. Lift the keyboard gently and place it face-down over the bottom half of the laptop. Remove the thick ribbon at the center of the back of the keyboard that connects the motherboard to the keyboard, by unplugging it.
8. Remove all screws securing the top metal cover of the system board and remove the top cover to reveal the green motherboard.
Tags: heat sink, compartment Remove, fingers Remove, fingers Remove single, Gateway laptop, hinge cover