Skip to main content

Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard

What you need

  1. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • 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.

  2. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Hard Drive: step 2, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Hard Drive: step 2, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Hard Drive: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the highlighted screw with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    • Pull the hard drive out.

  3. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, CD Drive: step 3, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, CD Drive: step 3, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, CD Drive: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Hold the laptop in the same orientation as the picture. Then, locate the switch immediately above and to the left of the drive.

    • Slide the switch to the right. A black plastic tab will pop out.

    • Pull the plastic tab to expose the CD drive.

    • If there is a problem with your tab, whether it doesn't pop out or it doesn't expose the CD drive, please check the corresponding entry in the troubleshooting page.

  4. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Carefully pull the CD drive out from the laptop.

  5. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Floppy Disk Drive: step 5, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Floppy Disk Drive: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Hold the Thinkpad as the picture shows.

    • There is a switch located just above and to the right of the drive.

    • Slide the switch to the right. A small, black tab will pop out.

  6. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 6, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Pull the small black tab away from the computer to access the drive.

    • Gently pull the drive out from the laptop.

    • If there is a problem with your tab, whether it doesn't pop out or it doesn't expose the floppy drive, please check the corresponding entry in the troubleshooting page.

  7. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Upper Case: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Make sure the laptop is upside down and oriented in the direction shown.

    • Remove the six 16.7mm screws inside the circled holes.

  8. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  9. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 9, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Flip the ThinkPad over and open the LCD panel.

    • Pry apart the keyboard with a plastic opening tool or with your fingers.

  10. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 10, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 10, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • 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.

  11. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 11, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 11, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Locate the connector attached to the motherboard.

    • Disconnect the ribbon cable by removing the connector.

  12. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 12, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Lift and remove the keyboard.

    • Remove the two 5.6mm screws.

    • Remove the 16.7mm screw.

  13. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 13, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 13, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • You will need to use a little force. Be wary of the tabs.

    • Pry off the upper case with your hands.

  14. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Display Assembly: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the 5.6mm screw that holds the LCD to the upper case.

  15. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 15, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 15, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • 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.

  16. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 16, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 16, image 2 of 2
    • Pull out the white tab connecting the LCD to the motherboard.

  17. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 17, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 17, image 2 of 2
    • Turn the laptop so that the back is facing you.

    • Remove the four 5.6mm long screws.

  18. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 18, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 18, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Place the laptop so that the LCD is facing you again.

    • Gently lift the LCD monitor up and out.

    • Remove the black plastic tab.

  19. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Fan: step 19, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following screws from the fan retention bracket:

    • Single 5.6 mm screw.

    • Three 16.1 mm screws.

  20. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 20, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the heatsink bracket up.

  21. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 21, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 21, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 21, image 3 of 3
    • Be careful not to pull too hard. There is a cable attached to the fan.

    • Lift the fan/heatsink assembly up.

    • Locate the fan power cable and pull upwards near the connector.

    • Remove the fan/heatsink assembly.

  22. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, CPU: step 22, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, CPU: step 22, image 2 of 2
    • Use a flathead to turn the screw 180 degrees.

    • Remove the CPU by lifting it upwards.

    • If the CPU is reusable, place it in an antistatic bag and away from moisture.

  23. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard, Motherboard: step 23, image 1 of 1
    • Locate the floppy drive bay.

    • Remove the four 5.6mm screws.

    • Remove the 16mm screw.

  24. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 24, image 1 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 24, image 2 of 3 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 24, image 3 of 3
    • Turn the laptop over so that the battery is towards you.

    • Locate the modem and ethernet card bay.

    • Remove the two 5.3mm cover screws.

    • Gently lift the cover.

  25. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 25, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 25, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the four 9.1mm screws attached to the modem and ethernet cards.

    • When lifting the cards, be careful not to rip out the cables!

    • Gently lift the modem and ethernet cards.

  26. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 26, image 1 of 1
    • Locate the hard drive slot.

    • Remove the 8.8mm screw with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

  27. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 27, image 1 of 1
    • Turn the laptop over again and orient it as shown.

    • Lift the left side of the floppy disk bay and and pull it out.

    • The black lever will pop out.

  28. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 28, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 28, image 2 of 2
    • Locate the CD Drive Bay

    • Remove the three 5.6mm screws.

    • Remove the 16mm screw.

    • Lift the right side and pull the CD drive bay out.

    • The black lever will pop out.

  29. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 29, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 29, image 2 of 2
    • Once the CD drive bay is removed, locate the speaker data and power cables.

    • Remove the cables from the motherboard.

  30. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 30, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 30, image 2 of 2
    • Locate the expansion bay.

    • Remove the 16mm screw.

    • Lift and remove the expansion bay.

  31. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 31, image 1 of 1
    • Rotate the laptop so that the back ports are facing you.

  32. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 32, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 32, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the three 5.8mm screws with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

  33. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 33, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 33, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the six 11mm nuts with a wrench.

    • Pliers can be used, but are not recommended.

  34. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 34, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 34, image 2 of 2
    • Rotate the laptop to its original position.

    • Remove the 5.6mm screw located on the upper right corner of the motherboard.

  35. Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 35, image 1 of 2 Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 Motherboard: step 35, image 2 of 2
    • The wireless and bluetooth cards are connected to the motherboard!

    • Pull out the motherboard towards you carefully.

    • Place the motherboard somewhere dry and clean.

Conclusion

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

3 other people completed this guide.

Alan

Member since: 10/07/10

380 Reputation

6 Guides authored

Team

Cal Poly, Team 4-44, Amido Fall 2010 Member of Cal Poly, Team 4-44, Amido Fall 2010

CPSU-AMIDO-F10S4G44

4 Members

26 Guides authored

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 3

Past 30 Days: 18

All Time: 8,296