Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

This guide will show how to remove and replace the motherboard. Please note the motherboard is a very fragile component of the laptop and can break easily.

What you need

Step 1 Battery

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

Turn the laptop over so that the back is facing upwards.

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Step 2

To unlock the left tab, make sure the tab on the left has red showing.

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Step 3

To unlock the right tab, push the right slider to the left with one hand.
Push the battery out with the other hand.

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Step 4 Keyboard

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 1 of 2

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 2 of 2

Using the Phillips #00 screwdriver unscrew all nine screws from the bottom of the laptop, as well as the additional two screws inside the battery compartment.
Nine of the screws are 5 mm long, 4.5 mm in diameter, while two screws closest to the hinges are 7 mm long.

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Step 5

Turn the laptop over and open the top so the keyboard is facing you.

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Step 6

Pry off the keyboard cover on the edge using the plastic opening tool.
Start from one side. Once it is lose, carry out the same procedure on the front and other side.
Only do little sections at a time as the keyboard may break if you attempt to take the whole thing off from a single point.

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Step 7

Slowly lift the keyboard upward, but do not remove completely.
Remove the two data cables that attach the keyboard to the motherboard.

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Step 8

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

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Use tweezers to pull the white plastic piece up that is attached to the data cable.
Repeat this process for the big black cable as well.
Use caution when unlatching the data cables from the motherboard. The cables are extremely delicate and can break.

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Step 9 Fan

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement, Fan: step 9, image 1 of 1

Unscrew the three screws using the Phillips #00 screwdriver.
The three screws are 5 mm in length, 4.2 mm in diameter.

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Step 10

Unscrew the three screws on the left hand side of the big motherboard.
This will loosen the motherboard, which will allow for better access to the cables in the next step.
The three screws are 5 mm in length, 4.2 mm in diameter and Phillips head screws.

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Step 11

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

Remove the connector cable attached to the bottom of the motherboard.
Take the black plastic spudger and press down on the lower half of the white plastic piece to remove the connector cable.

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Step 12 Motherboard

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 1 of 2

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 2 of 2

Unscrew the six screws that hold the motherboard to the bottom of the laptop using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
The six screws are 4.2 mm long, 5 mm in diameter.

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Step 13

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

Buy

Unlatch the data cable by using tweezers to lift the white tab and release the cable.

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Step 14

Remove the cable on the left side of the motherboard.
Use tweezers to pull the white tab up in order to release this cable.

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Step 15

On the left side is a small piece of the motherboard. Unscrew the two screws holding this piece down with the Phillips #00 screwdriver.
The two screws are 6 mm long, 4.2 mm in diameter.

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Step 16

Asus X501A-RH31 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

Release the connector cable on the back right side of the motherboard.
Peel off the tape with tweezers so that the cable can be released.
Using the black plastic spudger, push the back half of the cable towards the screen.

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Step 17

Grip the motherboard firmly and pull the board leftward and upwards so that the ports on the right side escape their frames.

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Step 18

On the back of the motherboard there are two screws that attach the LCD connector to the motherboard.
Unscrew the two screws using the Phillips #00 screwdriver.
These screws are 3 mm in length, 3.5 mm in diameter.
Pull the connector downwards and out.