ByteRot :: Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Upper Case

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Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Upper Case

Device	IBM ThinkPad A30
Difficulty	Difficult
Time	10 - 15 minutes
Steps	9

This guide is by Alan 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 >>

This guide will show you how to remove the ThinkPad's upper case.

Tools: Phillips #00 Screwdriver; Phillips #1 Screwdriver; Spudger

Step 1

• NOTE: Flip the ThinkPad over so that it is upside down.
• Slide the highlighted tab to the left.
• With your finger on the tab, remove the battery by lifting it upwards away from the laptop.

Step 2

• Remove the highlighted screw with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
• Pull the hard drive out.

Step 3

• NOTE: Make sure the laptop is upside down and oriented in the direction shown.
• Remove the six 16.7mm screws inside the circled holes.

Step 4

• Rotate the ThinkPad so that the hard drive bay is facing you.
• Remove the black cover to reveal a 14.8mm screw.
• Remove the uncovered screw with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Step 5

• NOTE: Flip the ThinkPad over and open the LCD panel.
• Pry apart the keyboard with a plastic opening tool or with your fingers.

Step 6

• CAUTION: Be careful not to pull out the keyboard carelessly; there is a connector underneath it!
• Lift the front end of the keyboard as shown.
• Using your fingers, remove the black film cover.

Step 7

• Locate the connector attached to the motherboard.
• Disconnect the ribbon cable by removing the connector.

Step 8

• Lift and remove the keyboard.
• Remove the two 5.6mm screws.
• Remove the 16.7mm screw.

Step 9

• CAUTION: You will need to use a little force. Be wary of the tabs.
• Pry off the upper case with your hands.

Conclusion

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

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