How to Disassemble Your Laptop Without Causing Damage

If your computer is having problems with heating and seems to be getting un usually hot, or if the laptop is having issues with running loud or the fan running excessively, there's a good chance your device has amassed an large amount of dust and is in need of a cleaning.

If you find yourself in need of internal cleaning, but can't afford to have a professional do it, or would rather learn to do it yourself, then you may end up needing to open the device. This is a daunting task for the first timer, as it is a delicate process, and you don't want to mess up.

To begin disassembling your laptop, the first thing you need to do is check with any warranties you may have and find out if opening the laptop will void the warranty. If that is the case, don't open it, and send it in for servicing.

If you don't have a laptop, then you're save to proceed. Check with the manufacturers website and download the PDF manual for your exact laptop model. It needs to be the exact model, so that you will be completely aware of all parts to the machine.

Get a set of screwdrivers that fit all of the screws tightly, as well as a thin pocket knife or other apparatus - you will need it to pry the rubber covers off the screws.

Look at your manual and look for a disassembly section. It will show step-by-step the parts that you will need to remove, and in the order you should remove them.

There will be two parts to the laptop, the top and the bottom. For almost every task, you will need to access it from the top. This is generally done by carefully prying up a strip of plastic just below the monitor, above the keyboard. Once you have done this, there is generally access to unscrew the keyboard. Once unscrewed, it can usually be pulled out and the connection strips gently removed.

You should consult the manual to find the specific method for your own laptop. To keep the screw drier from scratching the device, place a thin piece of fabric over the screw driver before using it. This will dull the edges and keep them from scratching the surface of the screw or chassis.

Place all the parts onto a towel or other fabric to keep them cushioned and safe while you perform your work. Keep the screws in a cup or baggy so they don't get lost. When you're ready to reassemble the laptop, do so carefully, and in the correct order.

Don't force any parts into place - if something is not going easily into place, then you have done something wrong. Check to make sure the part is in the correct location, and that you have put everything together in the correct order.

If you try to force plastic, it will suffer stress marks, and will eventually crack in that area. Once plastic gets stress marks, they don't go away.