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MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement

What you need

  1. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Make sure the laptop is off and unplugged (not charging).

    • With the laptop closed and upside down, unscrew the nineteen 5.5mm Phillips #1 screws that keep the back cover in place.

  2. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Slide the optical drive out of the laptop.

  3. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws along the edge of the optical drive bay.

  4. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Using your fingers, gently loosen the edges of all four sides of the back cover.

    • Gently pull off the back cover.

  5. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Unscrew the single 5.5mm Phillips #1 screw keeping the battery secure.

  6. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Grab the battery with your fingers and gently pull it up and away from the rest of the laptop.

  7. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • If you are replacing only the keyboard, you can skip to step 18, and then skip the WiFi adapter removal step. The CPU fan, m.2 SSD, RAM and WiFi adapter (marked in green) will all come off with the main board, giving you access to the keyboard.

    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the ten 5.5mm screws.

    • Remove the last two 5.5mm Phillips #1 screws, and remove the washers around them.

  8. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Unplug both of the fan power cords from the laptop using a spudger.

  9. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Continue to use the spudger to carefully separate the wires of the power cord from the laptop.

  10. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Fully remove the fans from the rest of the laptop.

  11. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the six 5mm screws.

    • Separate the fans from the silver fan covers.

  12. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Hard Drive: step 12, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Hard Drive: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the two 5.5mm screws with the Phillips #1 screwdriver.

  13. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Gently pull out the hard drive by wiggling it from right to left with your hands until it is removed.

  14. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Optical Drive: step 14, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Optical Drive: step 14, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Optical Drive: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • Carefully slide the Optical Drive off of the SATA connector.

    • The red marker shows the location for where the retaining screw comes through the back panel to hold the Optical Drive.

  15. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 15, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • When you open the back cover, the RAM will be located as shown in the picture.

  16. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3
    • Press the hinges on the sides of the RAM chip as shown in the picture, in order to unlock it.

    • Carefully, slide it out at a 45 degree angle.

    • Don't press on the hinges too hard.

    • Be careful about the angle at which you're sliding out the chip.

  17. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3
    • Similarly, press on the hinges on the sides of the other RAM chip, in order to unlock it.

    • Some laptop models might not come with two RAM chips, so if that is your case, you can skip this step.

  18. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, SSD: step 18, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, SSD: step 18, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the single 5.5mm Phillips #1 screw attaching the SSD to the laptop.

  19. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Pull out the SSD by gently wiggling it from side to side until it comes out.

    • If the old SSD you removed contains the operating system, then the new SSD must also contain an operating system.

  20. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 20, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 20, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 20, image 3 of 3
    • Pull upward to lift the front speakers and sub-woofer out of place.

    • Carefully slide out the connectors for both of the speaker systems.

  21. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 21, image 3 of 3
    • Use the Phillips #0 Screwdriver to remove the two 4mm screws that are holding the SATA connector in place.

  22. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the WIFI card by disconnecting the two coax cables and removing the retaining screw.

    • Try to preserve the tape that covers the WIFI card so it can be reapplied.

  23. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3
    • Use the plastic opening tool to pry up the connector that holds the display cable so it can be disconnected.

    • The connector for the display cable flips upward, but be careful because it is fragile enough to break.

  24. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the SD card reader by unscrewing the two 3 mm screws that hold it in place.

  25. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 25, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the power and USB connectors that are connected to the left side of the motherboard by pulling them from the motherboard and SD card reader respectively.

    • The power connector pulls out without the chance of breaking, but the USB connector is another fragile flip-up style connector.

  26. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 1
    • Disconnect the motherboard from the mouse key control board by pulling the connector out.

  27. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 2 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 27, image 2 of 2
    • Disconnect the keyboard from the motherboard by carefully sliding the connectors out of the connections on the motherboard

  28. MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 3 MSI GE72 6QF Apache Pro Motherboard Replacement: step 28, image 3 of 3
    • Use the Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the three 3.8 mm standoff screws that retain the motherboard and carefully remove it.

Conclusion

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

2 other people completed this guide.

2 Comments

looking a motherboard MSIGE72 2qe apache pro

AR DaNish - Reply

Hi Riley,

Are you able to tell me what the number on the power IC is on this board? I have the same laptop and the power IC (located on the base of the board below ‘opposite side’ of the AC power connection cable to the board). The IC is fried and need the number to order the chip! It can’t be read off my chip due to damage.

Many thanks in advance, Luke :)

Luke - Reply

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