E6400 tips needed on replacing system board

The clock on my E6400 stops when system is off. When I booted to just the bios (A25) the clock is stuck not moving. Looks like this is why the time has been getting messed up. I checked the coin batt with it plugged into the mobo it had 3.04 volts. I think it is pretty clear that the mobo is bad if the clock is not moving at all even when just in the bios.

Dell is sending a new system board. This will only be the second mobo I have replaced in a laptop.

manual page for Replacing the System Board Assembly Documentation


Please let me know any tips or tricks I should be aware of when doing this.


Thanks for your input! Wish me luck.

 

- Make sure you ground yourself before touching the motherboard

- I personally like the draw a diagram of where all the screws go. I draw the base of the laptop and draw circles and put the screws accordingly. Makes it easier on reassembly. Dells I tend to find are very consistent with the screws, but the SM sometimes has funky angles or off pictures to go off of.

- Magnetic/magnetized screwdrivers!!

- Patience

- Make sure you POST test it to a certain degree before putting all the final screws back together

- Use the SM as a guide

 

Be paitent with the keyboard, it's easy to bend it when removing it.

Keep a few clean plastic drinking cups around for the screws, more the better, I once saw a tech label each cup where each batch of screws came out of.

 

Sadly, I've had to remove the motherboard in my E6400 several times already (base replacement, corners lost paint, and later, the LCD latch got stuck, so I requested a complete replacement of all latch parts)...

Is Dell sending a parts-only dispatch? I would imagine they will send a tech, since you don't seem to be familiar with servicing systems. Anyhow, the only tricky part is the VGA port, which is fairly snug (push the edge outwards while lifting the motherboard), and the card cage. Be sure to remove the SD card blank and WiFi card before you begin.

The most important piece of advice: when re-assembling, make sure the LCD latch release mechanism works before closing the LCD, or else you will be in really bad shape!

 

Well unless he takes the screen apart, I doubt it's an issue, but your right that is a downright PIA. I had an E6400 in for service with a stuck latch. NIGHTMARE!

 

The latch release is at the front of the palm rest, so it could be upset by a major disassembly.

John

 

I find that a plastic ice cube tray works well - more compartments, takes up less space, and less likely to fall over and spill screws on the floor.

 

I am not an expert, but I have worked on electronics. I have replaced one MOBO in an older HP laptop, and the hinges on my D630. the biggest concern I have is around the heat sink. The replacement has the "powerstrate xtreme" Loctite phase-change thermal interface pad, any tips on this part of the operations?

 

The heatsink should just be a direct remove and replace. Since the CPU is also getting moved, you don't have to re-apply thermal grease. The same goes with the thermal pads.

 

Are you able to remove the CPU and heat sink as a unit from the zif, and what about the gpu (this one has the nvidia)