Amilo Notebook PA 3553 - Fan Assemby: Help? ><

I've been avoiding replacing the fan on my laptop for far too long, since I know how much of a ball-ache it is. But since the grinding sound I'm now used to has changed to a "crunch, kerchit, skit-skit" noise, I figured I've got no option left now but to tackle it before it destroys my laptop.

The problem is, replacing the fan on one of these is a nightmare. You have to take the whole thing apart pretty much, just to get to it - and it's not exactly an open book - so to speak - as to how to get there. What I'm looking for is a step-by-step on how to access the fan to replace it.

So far, I've managed to:

Remove the back covers, to access the heat-sink, and removed and cleared it out. Replaced the goop on the processors as you might expect. I managed to remove all the screws from the frame, loosened the wlan cables, and took the keyboard out. This much wasn't a problem, though the clasp holding in the keyboard is a real pain to set back in afterwards.

Moving the wlan, display and webcam cables to loosen was easy enough, and removing the screen wasn't so hard either. Much like any other laptop I've taken apart. Taking away the top cover reveals the motherboard, but from here it's just a problem for me. I know there must be screws somewhere that keep the motherboard in place, but I just don't see them anywhere.

From what I understand, this is the last step in reaching the fan to replace it, but I just don''t see them. If anyone has a few screenshots of this process, or can tell me how to go about this I'd be forever grateful.

 

It would be easier to tell if you could snap couple pictures of the laptop now, top and bottom.

 

I would if I wasn't on it right now

The laptop works fine most of the time, but I know the fan is on it's way out. Sometimes it stops spinning altogether, and just overheats to shutdown - though a tap above can start it up again. It's prolly the bearing, but yeah. I suppose I should have thought ahead last time, and took a few snapshots while I had it apart then. :/

 

Fujitsu Technology Solutions - Forum &bull; View topic - Amilo Pa 3553 Overheating issues & CPU acting weird

That much I could quickly find but there was no picture on the top side. Usually there's couple screws under the keyboard too. Once all the screws are off, then look for visible cables and carefully disconnect them. Then rip the computer in half Probably you can find some spot where top and lower half are already a bit apart, start from there, gradually take them apart and if it won't go look for a screw you missed.

Can't remember that model exactly. Especially since today is saturday, I'm not supposed to remember work things on weekends

 

Been years since I worked on a 3553, but remove the heatsink and CPU, then try again.