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Main Board Assembly Removal

Prerequisite Only
This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and isn’t meant to be used alone.

What you need

    1. Main Board Assembly Removal, Prepare your PlayStation for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Prepare your PlayStation for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Prepare your PlayStation for disassembly: step 1, image 3 of 3
      • Before starting your repair:

      • Shut down your console and unplug all cables and accessories.

      • Remove any stands supporting your device and lay it down.

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    1. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the console covers: step 2, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the console covers: step 2, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the console covers: step 2, image 3 of 3
      • Each console cover is secured with hooks along the rear edge and clips along the front edge.

      • To remove a cover, firmly pull up the front edge to release the clips.

      • You'll hear distinct "pops" as the clips release.

      • Remove the cover.

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    2. Main Board Assembly Removal: step 3, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal: step 3, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal: step 3, image 3 of 3
      • Use the same process to remove the three remaining covers.

      • To reinstall a cover, place the hooks into their cutouts along the rear edge and firmly press the front edge of the cover into place to re‑engage the clips.

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    1. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the disc drive: step 4, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the disc drive: step 4, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the disc drive: step 4, image 3 of 3
      • If your PlayStation doesn't have a disc drive, skip this step.

      • Use the cutout on the bottom right corner of the disc drive to lift its right edge and disconnect it.

      • Remove the disc drive.

      • During reassembly, place the hooks on the left edge of the drive into their cutouts and firmly press the drive into place so the connector on the bottom right corner goes into its socket.

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    2. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the expansion slot cover screw: step 5, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the expansion slot cover screw: step 5, image 2 of 2
      Tool used on this step:
      FixMat
      $36.95
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      • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

      • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 17.1 mm‑long screw securing the expansion slot cover.

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    3. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the expansion slot cover: step 6, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the expansion slot cover: step 6, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the expansion slot cover: step 6, image 3 of 3
      • Use your fingers to lift the expansion slot cover near the notch by the screw hole and remove it.

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    4. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan cables cover: step 7, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan cables cover: step 7, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan cables cover: step 7, image 3 of 3
      Tool used on this step:
      Tesa 61395 Tape
      $8.95
      Buy
      • Use your fingers to remove the plastic cover hiding the fan cables connector.

      • The cover is secured with light adhesive.

      • During reassembly, press the piece of plastic back into place to secure it with the leftover adhesive. If it isn't sticking, use strips of double-sided tape to secure it.

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    5. Main Board Assembly Removal, Free the fan cables: step 8, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Free the fan cables: step 8, image 2 of 2
      • Gently pull the fan cables out from under their plastic clip on the frame.

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    6. Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the fan: step 9, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the fan: step 9, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the fan: step 9, image 3 of 3
      • Firmly grip the fan cables white connector head and pull it straight up and out of its socket.

      • If you're having trouble, grip the cables just above the connector head, and gently pull.

      • During reassembly, align the connector over its socket and push down on the edges with the flat end of a spudger until it slides fully into its socket.

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    7. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan screws: step 10, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan screws: step 10, image 2 of 2
      • Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the fan:

      • One 31.2 mm‑long screw

      • Two 21.3 mm‑long screws

      • One 11.6 mm‑long screw

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    8. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan: step 11, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the fan: step 11, image 2 of 2
      • Use your fingers to grab the fan by its vents, and lift it straight up to remove it.

      • During reassembly:

      • This is a good point to clean the fan. Use a clean cloth and some compressed air to remove any dust or dirt.

      • Insert the fan so its cables are near their connector.

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    9. Main Board Assembly Removal, Flip your PlayStation over: step 12, image 1 of 1
      • Flip your PlayStation over.

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    10. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the power supply screws: step 13, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the power supply screws: step 13, image 2 of 2
      • Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the two 21.3 mm‑long screws securing the power supply.

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    11. Main Board Assembly Removal, Flip your PlayStation over: step 14, image 1 of 1
      • Flip your PlayStation over.

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    12. Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the tamper evident sticker: step 15, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the tamper evident sticker: step 15, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the tamper evident sticker: step 15, image 3 of 3
      Tool used on this step:
      Tweezers
      $4.99
      Buy
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    13. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the right‑side inner shell screws: step 16, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the right‑side inner shell screws: step 16, image 2 of 2
      • Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the nine screws securing the right‑side inner shell:

      • Four 18.9 mm‑long screws

      • One 21.3 mm‑long screw

      • Four 31.2 mm‑long screws

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    14. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the right‑side inner shell: step 17, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the right‑side inner shell: step 17, image 2 of 2
      • Lift the right‑side inner shell straight up and remove it.

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    15. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the interconnect cable cover screws: step 18, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the interconnect cable cover screws: step 18, image 2 of 2
      • Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the interconnect cable cover:

      • One 28.7 mm‑long screw

      • Three 7.5 mm‑long screws

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    16. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the interconnect cable cover: step 19, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the interconnect cable cover: step 19, image 2 of 2
      • Remove the interconnect cable cover.

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    17. Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 20, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 20, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 20, image 3 of 3
      • Use the point of a spudger to push the interconnect cable's metal latch down and away from the connector to unlock it.

      • Keep the latch in its unlocked position and carefully pull the interconnect cable straight out of its socket.

      • During reassembly, push the latch into its unlocked position and insert the cable into its socket. Then, push the latch back in place to lock the cable.

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    18. Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the antenna cables: step 21, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the antenna cables: step 21, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Disconnect the antenna cables: step 21, image 3 of 3
      • Insert a spudger under the metal neck of one of the antenna cable's coaxial connectors and lift straight up to disconnect it.

      • Repeat the process to disconnect the other antenna cable.

      • To reconnect a cable, hold the metal connector head over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger until the connector snaps into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the connector and try again.

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    19. Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the antenna cable tape: step 22, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the antenna cable tape: step 22, image 2 of 2
      • A piece of tape and a block of foam secure the antenna cables to the heatsink shield.

      • Gently lift both antenna cables to separate the tape from the heatsink shield.

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    20. Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the antenna cable foam: step 23, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Peel up the antenna cable foam: step 23, image 2 of 2
      • Light adhesive secures the foam block to the heatsink shield.

      • Use tweezers to gently peel up the foam block.

      • If you're having trouble, heat an iOpener and apply it to the foam for one minute to soften the adhesive. If you don't have an iOpener, you can use a hair dryer instead.

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    21. Main Board Assembly Removal, Reposition the antenna cables: step 24, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Reposition the antenna cables: step 24, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Reposition the antenna cables: step 24, image 3 of 3
      • Move the antenna cables over the side of your PlayStation so they're out of the way.

      • During reassembly, use this photo as a reference to put the antenna cables back in their original position.

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    22. Main Board Assembly Removal, Lift the main board assembly: step 25, image 1 of 2 Main Board Assembly Removal, Lift the main board assembly: step 25, image 2 of 2
      • The power supply is connected to the bottom of the main board assembly by metal prongs that plug into the bottom left corner.

      • Lift the bottom left corner of the main board assembly off its gray plastic post. Keep the assembly lifted for the next step.

      • Your PlayStation's plastic housing will likely flex while lifting the assembly.

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    23. Main Board Assembly Removal, Detach the power supply: step 26, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Detach the power supply: step 26, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Detach the power supply: step 26, image 3 of 3
      • Keep the main board assembly raised with one hand.

      • With your free hand, insert your finger between the assembly and power supply.

      • Push down on the power supply and lift the assembly to separate them.

      • It'll take a significant amount of force to separate the two.

      • During reassembly, press down firmly on the bottom left corner of the main board assembly to fully connect it to the power supply.

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    24. Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the main board assembly: step 27, image 1 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the main board assembly: step 27, image 2 of 3 Main Board Assembly Removal, Remove the main board assembly: step 27, image 3 of 3
      • Do not grab the main board assembly by the copper heat pipes or its fins, as they can easily be damaged.

      • Firmly secure the plastic housing with one hand.

      • With your free hand, grab the upper edge of the main board assembly and lift it out of the plastic housing.

      • During reassembly:

      • Make sure the interconnect cable doesn't get stuck under the main board assembly when lowering it into place.

      • Lower the assembly into its recess so its prongs go into their socket on the power supply and the three cutouts go over their alignment posts.

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Conclusion

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

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Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

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