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updated2026-10-04 23:30

 
Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Display Assembly
DeviceIBM ThinkPad A30
DifficultyModerate
Time15 minutes
Steps14
This guide is by Jessica 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 >>

Prerequisite: Battery, Uppercase removed

Tools: Phillips #0 Screwdriver; Phillips #1 Screwdriver


Step 1
[step 1 photo] [step 1 photo]
• 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
[step 2 photo] [step 2 photo] [step 2 photo]
• Remove the highlighted screw with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
• Pull the hard drive out.

Step 3
[step 3 photo]
• 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
[step 4 photo]
• 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
[step 5 photo] [step 5 photo]
• 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
[step 6 photo] [step 6 photo] [step 6 photo]
• 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
[step 7 photo] [step 7 photo] [step 7 photo]
• Locate the connector attached to the motherboard.
• Disconnect the ribbon cable by removing the connector.

Step 8
[step 8 photo] [step 8 photo]
• Lift and remove the keyboard.
• Remove the two 5.6mm screws.
• Remove the 16.7mm screw.

Step 9
[step 9 photo] [step 9 photo] [step 9 photo]
• CAUTION: You will need to use a little force. Be wary of the tabs.
• Pry off the upper case with your hands.

Step 10
[step 10 photo]
• Remove the 5.6mm screw that holds the LCD to the upper case.

Step 11
[step 11 photo] [step 11 photo] [step 11 photo]
• Remove the 5.6mm screw on the left side of the three-pronged connector.
• Remove the other two 16.7mm screws.
• Lift and remove connector.

Step 12
[step 12 photo] [step 12 photo]
• Pull out the white tab connecting the LCD to the motherboard.

Step 13
[step 13 photo] [step 13 photo]
• Turn the laptop so that the back is facing you.
• Remove the four 5.6mm long screws.

Step 14
[step 14 photo] [step 14 photo] [step 14 photo]
• NOTE: Place the laptop so that the LCD is facing you again.
• Gently lift the LCD monitor up and out.
• Remove the black plastic tab.

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

Credit
This guide is by Jessica 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 >>
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