Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

If the motherboard for your Acer Chromebook (model C731-C8VE) is damaged, defective, or requires replacement for some other reason, this guide will help you to do so with ease.

Before removing the motherboard, you must remove cables that connect to peripheral components and the screws that hold the motherboard in place. Afterwards, removing the motherboard is as simple as lifting it out of place.

You will of course need to ensure that your laptop is completely powered off and not connected to a source of power to avoid risk of electrocution or other injury.

What you need

Step 1 Battery

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

Place the Chromebook face down.

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Step 2

Make sure to completely turn off the device before beginning this step.
Use a JIS #00 screwdriver to remove the 11 screws on the underside of the laptop.
These 2 mm screws have washers and will be located on the left and right of the device.
The 2 mm screws marked orange do not have washers attached and must be placed in these specific areas.

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Step 3

Use the iFixit opening tool to remove the keyboard from the device by prying it loose from the base.

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Step 4

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

Detach the wires connecting the keyboard and the touchpad to the motherboard by lifting the black connectors up.

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Step 5

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

Use the JIS #00 screwdriver to take out the 1mm screw that connects the battery to the base.
Detach the battery from the motherboard by lifting it up gently to avoid any damage to the motherboard.

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Step 6

Remove the battery from the base of the device.
Do this step slowly to ensure that you do not damage the battery or the motherboard.

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Step 7 Motherboard

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 7, image 1 of 2

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 7, image 2 of 2

Using tweezers, carefully disconnect the I/O board ribbon cable from the motherboard.
It is not necessary to completely disconnect the I/O board ribbon cable—only from the motherboard.

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Step 8

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

Using tweezers, carefully remove the power jack cable from its port housing.
One end of the power jack cable is adhered to the motherboard. Unless you too are replacing the power jack cable, it is not necessary to separate the cable from its adhesion to the motherboard.

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Step 9

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3

Remove the single 5 mm screw securing the wireless card in place using a JIS #00 screwdriver.
Carefully detach and remove the card.

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Step 10

Using tweezers, gently disconnect the speaker cable from the motherboard.

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Step 11

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

Using a JIS #00 screwdriver, remove the four 1 mm screws that hold the motherboard in place.

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Step 12

Acer Chromebook C731-C8VE Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

Gently leverage the motherboard by using the spudger to nudge it from underneath.
Carefully grasp and remove the motherboard.
Ensure that all screws have been removed and cables attached to the motherboard from other peripherals have been detached.