ByteRot :: IBM ThinkPad 380/385 Disassembly

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IBM ThinkPad 380/385 Disassembly

Device	IBM ThinkPad 380 and 385
Difficulty	Easy
Time	10 minutes
Steps	5

This guide is by polymatt on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

In this guide, we'll walk you through the proper way to disasemble a IBM ThinkPad 380 and the 385.

Tools: Phillips #1 Screwdriver; Spudger

Step 1 :: Remove battery and RAM

• Orient the laptop as seen in the picture, with the battery facing you on the bottom right. To remove the main battery, first pull up on the tab with the arrow, then push away from you. You can now lift the battery out by pulling towards you and out. Set aside.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, unscrew the door to the RAM and CMOS battery compartment. This is a captive screw. Once unscrewed enough, open the door, tilting towards you. Remove and set aside.
• Using a plastic spudger, pop the CMOS coin cell battery out of its holder by inserting the spudger under the battery in the notch on the front and pull up. Careful, this thing flies. Hunt it down on the floor or wherever it flew to and set it aside.
• Release the RAM by pressing the clips outward. The RAM chip will pop up and can be lifted out. Set aside.

Step 2 :: Remove case screws

• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the two (2) 8mm screws from the front left.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the two (2) 6mm screws from the right side of the battery well.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the single (1) 25mm screw from the center.
• NOTE: The following is only relevant if you need to remove the CD-ROM/FDD assembly, or HDD
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the two (2) 8mm screws from the middle left of the case.

Step 3 :: Remove keyboard

• Before removing the keyboard, use a Plastic Spudger to slide the keyboard towards you and away from the screen assembly.
• Once the keyboard is loosened, carefully lift it up from the front.
• CAUTION: The keyboard is tethered by a safety clip to prevent damage to the ribbon cables.
• Slide the safety clip to the side to release the keyboard.
• Using a plastic spudger, gently release the bailers for all three (3) ribbon cables and slide them out.
• You can now lift off the keyobard and set aside.

Step 4 :: Remove CD-ROM/FDD Cage

• Turn the laptop so it faces away from you. Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove only the top screw from the left side.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the two (2) 6mm screws securing the drive cage. Note: there may only be one depending on your model.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the single (1) 6mm screw (special head) from the top left corner of the drive assembly.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the 6mm screw from the front of the drive assembly.
• Using a plastic spudger, disconnect the ribbon cable in the center of the case attached to the drive assembly.
• CAUTION: Part of the metal cage and drive assembly is secured under the fragile plastic of the case on the right side. Your aim is to slide both out without stressing the plastic.
• Carefully lift off the metal cage securing the drive assembly by lifting the left part and pulling outward. Set aside.
• You are now able to remove the CD-ROM/FDD assembly. Be careful that the laptop does not fall backwards when removing the assembly. Do this by tilting the left side up and sliding it out from the plastic case on the right side. Set aside.

Step 5 :: Remove HDD

• Turn the laptop so the back is facing you.
• Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the two (2) 6mm screws above the serial port and on the left side of the printer port.
• Turn the laptop back around and open the screen. Using a #1 Phillips bit, remove the silver screw from the bottom left of the top hard drive case.
• Remove the hard drive top enclosure by pulling back toward you and lifting up and out.
• Carefully slide the hard drive to the right. This may take a little force, so be careful not to damage the capacitors on the right.
• Once the drive is disconnected from the IDE connector, lift the right side up and remove it. Set aside or replace.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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