The first step in fixing any internal problem in your Gateway laptop is disassembling the base unit and motherboard completely. You will need to do this as well if you want to clean its fans, replace the adaptor for wireless network connections, and upgrade its memory. Having these processes done by a certified technician can cost you a lot of money. However, if you have a little hardware knowledge, a few basic tools, and a few hours to spare, you can easily take apart your Gateway laptop on your own. Just follow these steps.
Prep the laptop before taking it apart. If your laptop is switched on, shut it down and wait for it to cool down before unplugging the adaptor. Turn the unit over and remove the battery pack. Lay the laptop down on a flat and dry surface. Position the unit so that the hard drive is at the corner, bottom left side and the slot for the battery is at the far side. Prepare several marked dry containers for your screws.
Detach the covers of the hard drive and the memory board. Locate the two screws securing the cover to the rest of the unit. They should be found on the cover’s left side. Use an appropriate screwdriver to remove these and detach the cover completely by lifting it off the laptop’s base. Now that it is off, you should be able to see the cover of your laptop’s memory board. There should be eight screws securing it. If you are having a hard time finding this, just look for the product sticker marked Gateway and look at the area above it. Again, use the correct screwdriver to get these securing pins loose.
Disconnect the adapter for the wireless network connection and the pair of memory modules in your Gateway laptop. Locate the cover right above your laptop’s hard drive. Take off the cover of the Wi-Fi card by undoing the screw holding the adapter in place. You should see two cables attaching the adapter to the wireless card. Simply disconnect these cables then snap the wireless card out of its holder. You will find the memory modules in the middle of your motherboard. With your fingers, pull them out and place them in a safe area on your table.
Remove the heat sink and CD or DVD drive. Find the screws holding your CD or DVD drive to your unit. There should be about four of these screws. Unscrew them carefully and gently push the drive out of the slot. Find the unit’s cooling fan and locate the heat sink. Unscrew all four of the tacks securing the assembly and gently lift the heat sink and fan out. You will see a cable connecting the fan to the laptop, firmly unplug this cable.
Remove the remaining covers. You will find eighteen screws around the base of your Gateway laptop. Look between the product stickers and at the center of the board. Remove the screws and place them inside your marked container. Stand the laptop on one of its edges with its back facing you. You will find two more screws securing the hinges. Remove these screws then pry hinge cover up. Gently lift this cover off.
Detach the laptop’s keyboard and LCD screen. Lift your laptop’s keyboard and gently release the data cable connecting it to the motherboard. Unplug the cables for the Wi-Fi antenna and video. Unscrew the bolts on either side of the LCD screen. You should now be able to lift this off the base unit.
Finally, you can disconnect the system board. Just flip over the base unit and remove the five screws securing the system board. Unhook the data cable attaching it to the base.
Now that you have completely taken apart all the components of the Gateway laptop, you will be able to perform any of the upgrades and repairs that you need to do. Just remember that if your unit is still under warranty, do not open your laptop or else the warranty will be voided.
Prep the laptop before taking it apart. If your laptop is switched on, shut it down and wait for it to cool down before unplugging the adaptor. Turn the unit over and remove the battery pack. Lay the laptop down on a flat and dry surface. Position the unit so that the hard drive is at the corner, bottom left side and the slot for the battery is at the far side. Prepare several marked dry containers for your screws.
Detach the covers of the hard drive and the memory board. Locate the two screws securing the cover to the rest of the unit. They should be found on the cover’s left side. Use an appropriate screwdriver to remove these and detach the cover completely by lifting it off the laptop’s base. Now that it is off, you should be able to see the cover of your laptop’s memory board. There should be eight screws securing it. If you are having a hard time finding this, just look for the product sticker marked Gateway and look at the area above it. Again, use the correct screwdriver to get these securing pins loose.
Disconnect the adapter for the wireless network connection and the pair of memory modules in your Gateway laptop. Locate the cover right above your laptop’s hard drive. Take off the cover of the Wi-Fi card by undoing the screw holding the adapter in place. You should see two cables attaching the adapter to the wireless card. Simply disconnect these cables then snap the wireless card out of its holder. You will find the memory modules in the middle of your motherboard. With your fingers, pull them out and place them in a safe area on your table.
Remove the heat sink and CD or DVD drive. Find the screws holding your CD or DVD drive to your unit. There should be about four of these screws. Unscrew them carefully and gently push the drive out of the slot. Find the unit’s cooling fan and locate the heat sink. Unscrew all four of the tacks securing the assembly and gently lift the heat sink and fan out. You will see a cable connecting the fan to the laptop, firmly unplug this cable.
Remove the remaining covers. You will find eighteen screws around the base of your Gateway laptop. Look between the product stickers and at the center of the board. Remove the screws and place them inside your marked container. Stand the laptop on one of its edges with its back facing you. You will find two more screws securing the hinges. Remove these screws then pry hinge cover up. Gently lift this cover off.
Detach the laptop’s keyboard and LCD screen. Lift your laptop’s keyboard and gently release the data cable connecting it to the motherboard. Unplug the cables for the Wi-Fi antenna and video. Unscrew the bolts on either side of the LCD screen. You should now be able to lift this off the base unit.
Finally, you can disconnect the system board. Just flip over the base unit and remove the five screws securing the system board. Unhook the data cable attaching it to the base.
Now that you have completely taken apart all the components of the Gateway laptop, you will be able to perform any of the upgrades and repairs that you need to do. Just remember that if your unit is still under warranty, do not open your laptop or else the warranty will be voided.
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