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How To Disassemble a Computer

by Arbitror on April 26, 2009

Table of Contents

How To Disassemble a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: How To Disassemble a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Picture Quality Notice (and HD pics!): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 1: Unplugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The first thing you do, is unplug every cable that's plugged in to your computer. That includes the following cables: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 2: Outer Shell/Casing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Now that your computer is fully unplugged, move your PC to a clean work space, preferably a carpet. The carpet is better than tile, because screws and
other small parts will roll around. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 3: Outer Shell/Casing (cont.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

In the last step I removed both side panels. In this step, I will be removing the front and top panels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 4: System Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Now that the case is off, I will begin to remove the internal components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Step 5: CPU Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Now that the system fan is out, we can remove the CPU fan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Step 6: Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The power supply manages all the power for the machine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Step 7: CD/DVD Drive[s] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

I have one CD/DVD drive, but you might have two. If so, follow this step twice! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Step 8: Card Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Most new computers have built in card readers, but old computers almost never have them. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Step 9: Hard Drive & Portable Hard Drive Slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

I have included both components together in one step, because in order to remove the hard drive, you must remove the portable hard drive slot first. . . . . 19

Step 10: Expansion Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Expansion cards are like small upgrades to your computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Step 11: Connectivity Center Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Most new computers have a connectivity center located at the front of the computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Step 12: RAM (Random Access Memory) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

RAM allows for the near instantaneous transfer of information to and from the CPU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Step 13: Power Button & Power LED + HDD LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

The power button, power LED, and hard drive LED are all within a plastic "chasis". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Step 14: Connectivity Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Not every computer has a connectivity center, but most new ones do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Step 15: Motherboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

The motherboard is well, the mother of the computer! It is what links every component in the computer together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Step 16: Done! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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 This concludes my Instructable "Disassemble a Computer"! In this step, I will give an overview of every component you get out of a computer with a fried
motherboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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 Author:Arbitror Check out my blog!
Previously known as: Shadow Ops

One of my favorite hobbies is dismantling electronics, then either combining them together to create something new, or adding components to make them
better. I also like gadgets, whether it's taking them apart, making them, or just using them!

I also enjoy computers, whether it's hardware, software, programming, or finding better cooling solutions. I know vbs and AutoIt, and I'm learning C++ and
Java. I've also twiddled around with Perl.

Joined: Sep. 19-07

30 Subscribers: Aug. 18-09
40 Subscribers: Dec. 06-09
PRO: Jan. 06-10
50 Subscribers: July 12-10

Intro: How To Disassemble a Computer

In this Instructable, I will give a full documentation of how to disassemble a desktop PC, for parts. The specific computer that I will demonstrate with is an HP Media
Center PC m7640n with a dead motherboard. Every computer is different, but this is a general guide.

If you don't fully grasp what I mean when I am describing something, please refer to the pictures!

Picture Quality Notice (and HD pics!):

Due to the amount of pictures I uploaded, they are of lowmedium quality. Click the "[i]" in the top left corner of a picture, then click "original file: (3072x2304) 1 MB" to
see the high quality HD pictures!

Step 1: Unplugging
The first thing you do, is unplug every cable that's plugged in to your computer. That includes the following
cables:

Power
USB
Firewire
Mouse
Keyboard
Internet
Ethernet
Modem
AM\FM Antenna
Cable TV
etc...

So pretty much just unplug every cable from your computer.

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 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Sub Woofer 1. Yes, that is a tackle box.
2. I know, I need to organize it...
3. HP Media Center PC m7640n with a dead motherboard- The Victim!

Image Notes
1. Unplug all of these...
2. Unplug him too...

Step 2: Outer Shell/Casing

Now that your computer is fully unplugged, move your PC to a clean work space, preferably a carpet. The carpet
is better than tile, because screws and other small parts will roll around.
NOTICE:
If you are working on a carpet, about every five minuets touch something that is grounded (Sink faucet\pipe, wire coming from the ground part of a wall
outlet). This is so you don't shock your motherboard or other parts.

First off, unscrew the four screws on the back of the computer. On most computer cases, there will be large knobs that you can unscrew by hand or by screw driver on
the back-right side of the computer. The left side has small screws because on that side you can't access much on the inside.

Once the screws are removed, you can remove the side panels. On most computers, they just slide off. Start with the left side panel (the side that once had the knobs),
slide it towards the back of the computer. Now you can remove the left panel. Just like the other one, slide it towards the back of the computer.

Please refer to the pictures if you are confused!

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 Image Notes
1. Unscrew
2. Unscrew
3. Unscrew
4. Unscrew

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 Image Notes
1. Slide the whole panel <<<</td>

Image Notes
1. Slide the panel >>>

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Step 3: Outer Shell/Casing (cont.)
In the last step I removed both side panels. In this step, I will be removing the front and top panels.
Just like the side panels, the top panel slides off. Also like the side panels, the top one slides toward the back of the computer. The front panel clips on to the metal frame
with four tabs, so you must push them in and slide the whole panel forward.

Refer to the pictures to see what I mean by "clips".

Image Notes
1. <<Slide the top panel off<<

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 Image Notes Image Notes
1. >>Push the tabs out>> 1. >>Push the tabs out>>

Image Notes
1. >>Push the tabs out>>

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Step 4: System Fan
Now that the case is off, I will begin to remove the internal components.
Most computers have two fans: the system fan, the one blowing air into the computer, and the CPU fan, the one blowing air onto the CPU heat sink. I will start by
removing the system fan first. It is located at the back side of the computer, the side with all the component plugins.

First, unplug the fan from the motherboard. You can find the plug by following the wire from the fan. It should be labeled "SYS_FAN1". Next, you will have to unscrew the
fan from the outside. You should now be able to lift the fan out of the PC.

Image Notes Image Notes

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 1. System Fan 1. System Fan
2. CPU Fan

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Unplug SYS_FAN1 1. SYS_FAN1 Unplugged

Image Notes
1. Unscrew
2. Unscrew
3. Unscrew
4. Unscrew

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 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Good. Three more. 1. You can now lift the fan out!

Step 5: CPU Fan

Now that the system fan is out, we can remove the CPU fan.

The CPU fan is located right on top of the CPU heat sink, which is a large piece of metal with fins on the top. The CPU fan plugs into the motherboard in an awkward
place, that is hard to access. But just follow the wires and you should easily find it. It is labeled "CPU FAN1". To remove the fan from the heat sink, remove the four
screws securing it in place.

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 Image Notes
1. The CPU fan's plug, CPU_FAN1, is located beneath these wires...

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Unplug 1. Unscrew
2. Unscrew
3. Unscrew
4. Unscrew

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Unscrew 1. Three more to go!

Step 6: Power Supply

The power supply manages all the power for the machine.
The power supply is a large metal box located at the upper-back part of the computer. They sometimes come with an on/off switch that is acessable from the back of the
computer. The main power cord also plugs into the back of the power supply.

The power supply supplies power to every component in a computer, therefore it has the most wires out of every other component in the computer. The first thing I will do
is unplug every wire coming from the power supply. The list below is every thing that I had to disconnect:

Motherboard (very large connector/plug)

CD/DVD drive[s] power
Internal hard drive power
Portable hard drive slot power

Once everything is unplugged, unscrew the four screws holding the power supply in place, on the back of the computer. Next, push the power supply from the outside,
then lift it out.

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 Image Notes
1. Unplug the "very large" motherboard plug

Image Notes Image Notes

1. See why I call it big.. 1. Unplug CD/DVD Power

Image Notes
1. Unplug Hard Drive Power

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 Image Notes
1. Unplug Portable Hard Drive Power

Image Notes
1. Unscrew

Image Notes
1. Push the power supply in..

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 Image Notes
1. ..and lift out!

Step 7: CD/DVD Drive[s]

I have one CD/DVD drive, but you might have two. If so, follow this step twice!
The CD/DVD drive is one of the easiest components to remove. First, unplug the ribbon from the back of the drive. Once that is completed, pull on the tab securing the
drive in place, then push it out from the inside.

If you don't have a second drive, there should be a flat piece of metal covering the drive slot. Follow the inscribed instructions to remove it.

Image Notes
1. Pull out

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 Image Notes
1. Pull tab, and push from the box to the left.
2. Pull the tab in the box to the right, then push here.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Now you can pull the drive out from here. 1. Going, going!

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Gone. It's just gone. 1. You can't see from the image, but there is instructions on how to remove this
cover inscribed on it.

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Step 8: Card Reader
Most new computers have built in card readers, but old computers almost never have them.
Just like every other component, unplug the wire first. On my computer, there is just one screw holding the card reader in place. Your computer might have more, so just
unscrew them all! After that, the card reader should be removeable.

Most card readers have a protective plastic cover on the part that you can see from the external computer, which can be removed by lifting the tabs on the top and
bottom. Refer to the pictures.

Image Notes
1. Unplug

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 Image Notes
1. Unscrew

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Pull this up. 1. Now pull down.

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Step 9: Hard Drive & Portable Hard Drive Slot
I have included both components together in one step, because in order to remove the hard drive, you must
remove the portable hard drive slot first.
First off, de-attach the connector at the back of the slot, and unplug the other end from the motherboard. Also unplug the SATA cable from the motherboard and the hard
drive. The portable hard drive slot is secured the same way the CD/DVD drive is, with a tab. Pull on the tab, then slide the slot out.

To remove the hard drive from the side of the slot, unscrew the four screws securing it in place. You must be very careful to not drop the hard drive, as it is very delicate!

Image Notes
1. The hard drive is behind here...

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 Image Notes
1. Pull the tab up..

Image Notes
1. ..and push from here, or pull from the front.
2. ..and pull from here, or push from the back.

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 Image Notes
1. Unscrew

Image Notes
1. Unscrew
2. Unscrew

Image Notes
1. DO NOT DROP!!!
2. I say he's little. Most people say he's big!
3. Pretty sweet name...
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 Image Notes
1. My computer is compatable with 4 HDDs.

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Step 10: Expansion Cards
Expansion cards are like small upgrades to your computer.
Expansion cards give a computer new capabilities, once installed. Different examples are:

Bluetooth
Wireless Internet
Ethernet
TV

Different computers come stock with different cards. My computer came stock with a TV and Ethernet card. If you only have one, remove that one. If you have two,
remove the two!

There should be a single screw on top of each expansion card slot, whether it's occupied, or empty. Remove the screws on the occupied card slots. Once the screws are
removed, you should be able to remove the cards by pulling them carefully upward. Some expansion cards have cables leading to other parts of the computer, for
example, my TV card is connected to the connectivity center on the front of my computer. You will have to unplug any cables attached to an expansion card.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. TV Card 1. TV
2. Dial-up Modem, I never use it... 2. Ethernet

Image Notes
1. Unscrew
2. Unscrew
3. Unscrew

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 Image Notes
1. Lift Up ^

Image Notes
1. Unplug

Image Notes
1. Unplug

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Step 11: Connectivity Center Cables
Most new computers have a connectivity center located at the front of the computer.
The connectivity center is the area on the front of the computer where there is many input sections, like usb, firewire, microphone, headphones, video, etc.. I won't
remove the whole connectivity center in this step, but I will unplug all the cables coming from it.

Do that (unplug all cables), then unplug the wires leading from the power button, hdd light, and power light.

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Step 12: RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM allows for the near instantaneous transfer of information to and from the CPU.
So pretty much, the more RAM you have, the faster your computer runs. Most computers have 4 RAM slots, and two RAM chips. My computer came stock with two, but
yours might have more or less. To remove the RAM, push down on both tabs holding the RAM in place, which are located at both ends of the RAM. Please see the
pictures.

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Step 13: Power Button & Power LED + HDD LED
The power button, power LED, and hard drive LED are all within a plastic "chasis".
There is a zip tie holding the wires/cables for the front connectivity center and front power button/LEDs. Cut it.

To remove the chasis, press in on the tabs that are located on the chasis' side. Refer to the pictures to see the tabs. Once the tabs are being pressed in, pull the whole
chasis out of the computer.

To remove the LEDs from the "chasis", push them from the front with a screw driver. To remove the button, you will need to push it from the back, the side with the wires.
For clarification, see the pictures.

Not all computers may be set up like this, so your computer will probably be different. Just use common sense to find a way!

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Step 14: Connectivity Center
Not every computer has a connectivity center, but most new ones do.
Like I said in step 11, "The connectivity center is the area on the front of the computer where there is many input sections, like usb, firewire, microphone, headphones,
video, etc.". But this time, I will remove the whole component, not just unplug the cables\wires!

First thing, unscrew the single screw holding it in place. There might be a different amount of screws, in different locations on your computer, but just unscrew them all!
One the screw[s] are removed, the whole component should slide into the inside of the computer, which can then be removed.

Just like every other step, refer to the pictures if you are confused!

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Step 15: Motherboard
The motherboard is well, the mother of the computer! It is what links every component in the computer together.
My motherboard is fried, but I will remove it anyway. The motherboard links every component in the computer together. The CPU, RAM, and expansion cards are
attached directly to it, and every other part of the computer is in one way or another attached to it.

The motherboard has seven screws holding it to the frame, which are indicated by large white circles around them. Remove those seven, then lift the motherboard out of
the frame.

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Step 16: Done!
This concludes my Instructable "Disassemble a Computer"! In this step, I will give an overview of every
component you get out of a computer with a fried motherboard.

Please remember to rate, and ask questions if you find something confusing!

Case:

Metal Right Panel

Metal Left Panel
Plastic Front Panel
Plastic Top Panel
Metal & Plastic Frame

Hardware:

Hard Drive
CD/DVD Drive
Power Supply
Card Reader
Expansion Cards
RAM Chips
Connectivity Center

Cables\Wires:

SATA Cable (Hard Drive to Motherboard)

Portable HDD Dock and Wires (Power and Data from Portable HDD to Motherboard)
Accessory Wire (Connected Card Reader to Motherboard)
Drive Ribbon (CD/DVD Drive to Motherboard)

Miscellaneous:

33 Screws
Drive Slot Cover
2 Expansion Card Slot Covers
Plastic Piece (I refured to it as a "chasis" for a button and LEDs in step 13)
Large System Fan
Small CPU Fan
Portable HDD Slot

http://www.instructables.com/id/Disassemble-a-Computer/
 Image Notes
1. Portable HDD Slot
2. CD/DVD Drive
3. Hard Drive
4. Small CPU Fan
5. Large System Fan
6. Power Supply
7. RAM Chips
8. Expansion Cards
9. Ethernet Card
10. TV Card
11. 33 Screws
12. Connectivity Center
13. Card Readers
14. Plastic Top and Side Panels
15. Metal Left and Right Panels
16. Metal and Plastic Frame
17. Drive Slot Cover
18. Expansion Card Slot Cover
19. Card Reader Cover
20. Plastic Piece
21. Different Wires/Cables/Ribbons
22. Amber LED, Blue LED, and 6 pin Button

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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 114 comments

Yerboogieman says: Apr 2, 2010. 8:29 PM REPLY

That's not an ethernet card, It's a 56k modem. The ethernet is built into the mobo.

whatsisface says: May 9, 2009. 3:03 PM REPLY

Preferably not a carpet, they can cause static build up which kills components. Best to be on some kind of desktop work surface or antistatic mat, using an
antistatic wrist band.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Disassemble-a-Computer/
 cyrozap says: May 9, 2009. 3:22 PM REPLY
This is true. I saw how he was disassembling it on a carpet and thought: lots more dead components.

Arbitror says: May 9, 2009. 3:59 PM REPLY

I constantly grounded myself, by touching a ground wire. Also, my mobo is already fried, so I didn't bother with it. All the other components should be
fine, as I have done this many times before on other computers on carpet. Those computers are still running.

ReCreate says: May 13, 2009. 10:46 PM REPLY

You have Been Lucky,Sadly,I Killed 2 main boards and 4 peices of ram with carpet. If you ground yourself,your not doing anything,you are just
grounded,but not the carpet

Arbitror says: May 15, 2009. 6:52 PM REPLY

I'm surprised! All the other computers I disassembled were all on the same carpet... It must be some non-static carpet, if there is a thing!

darkclaw42 says: Feb 12, 2010. 10:15 PM REPLY

I am too. Ive gotten, literally, over twenty computers from a country club. I disassembled them ALL on my carpet. None of the
components fried that were still working when I pulled them out. Extremely lucky bunch we are!

ReCreate says: May 15, 2009. 7:40 PM REPLY

Well you'r Lucky,Very Lucky,Do NOT think that that is a myth,it is NOT,And it is a VERY common problem,Why do you think they sell
those stuff in antistatic bags?

Arbitror says: May 7, 2010. 7:02 PM REPLY

It turns out it is an anti static carpet... It has wires woven in the bottom which are grounded.

tanmanknex says: Jul 23, 2009. 9:16 AM REPLY

I fried my built in video card because i disassembled it on carpet... I haven't bothered to get a new one because i have another
computer, luckily, and there wasn't much good things on there anyway.

ReCreate says: Jul 23, 2009. 9:48 AM REPLY

Well that is proof.

tanmanknex says: Jul 23, 2009. 11:26 AM REPLY

Unfortunately...

ReCreate says: Jul 23, 2009. 11:36 AM REPLY

yeah

darkclaw42 says: Feb 12, 2010. 10:13 PM REPLY

Darn, you beat me too it. I was browsing through instructables and had noticed there were few computer guides, now there's one more added!

I might just do the opposite, if you arent already planning. Assembly of a computer. Whew!

coldfiregh says: Oct 24, 2009. 12:29 PM REPLY

would you be very kind to add how to take out the processor and replace?

ANDY! says: Jan 8, 2010. 8:53 PM REPLY

Take the cooling stuff off, find the little lever, pull it open fully, take chip out. thats it prob.

Arbitror says: Oct 24, 2009. 1:39 PM REPLY

Ill work on it!

And by the way, did you create an account just to ask that question? I see that that was your first comment!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Disassemble-a-Computer/
 coldfiregh says: Oct 26, 2009. 4:22 PM REPLY
there is a first time for everything; isn't it? the quest for sometime takes people places they never thought about a second ago; anywayz i already
figured it out; it implies zero pressure application and release of a latch; thanks very much for the wonderful post

gorrillamcdouglas says: Feb 10, 2010. 10:44 PM REPLY

I don't know if you'll have this problem taking the processor out or not, but for the benefit of everyone else...

If the Processor is stuck to the heatsink, there are a couple ways to get it un-stuck.

First, twist it gently but firmly, avoiding bending the pins on it. If this doesn't work, soak the heatsink and processor in Isopropyl alchohol(70% or
more). After a few minutes, take unflavored dental floss and run it inbetween the processor and heatsink. It should come off. But always be sure
not to bend the pins and don't use rubbing alchohol below the 70% concentrate.

IncrediblyCondensedBlackMatter says: Aug 28, 2009. 4:28 PM REPLY

you dint cover how to remove the processor from the board but otherwise this is really good. : D

Solderguy says: Aug 28, 2009. 5:36 PM REPLY

Yes he did, in step 15 he said, "The motherboard has seven screws holding it to the frame, which are indicated by large white circles around them.
Remove those seven, then lift the motherboard out of the frame." You need to read, and not stare at the pretty pictures. :P

IncrediblyCondensedBlackMatter says: Oct 15, 2009. 2:09 PM REPLY

HA! pwn'd by the AUTHOR! XD anyway, the motherboard and the processorare two totally different components.

Arbitror says:
No I didn't, read some of the comments. Someone asked me before why I didn't show how to remove the CPU, and I replied:
I tried removing the CPU, and it turns out that it is attached to the heatsink itself, and in order to remove a CPU, you must lift a safety

In step 15, I showed how to remove the motherboard from the frame. Not the CPU from the motherboard.

Everyone makes mistakes, but just read before you post!

Adrianb says: May 21, 2009. 8:49 AM REPLY

Is it wise to lay all the components on a carpet? I'd suggest using a clean (!) wooden desk or something. For one, the carpet is dusty and, although I'm
completely not certain about the probability, the carpet may have static electricity..

EDIT: Oops, didn't read correctly.. You already warned for static electricity!
Adrian

dombeef says: May 21, 2009. 5:34 PM REPLY

How do you edit a comment?

ReCreate says: Jul 23, 2009. 11:36 AM REPLY

he hacked the instructables comment database to add his edit, Duhh lol no

Arbitror says: May 21, 2009. 5:55 PM REPLY

Delete, Add Comment

Arbitror says: Jul 20, 2009. 6:29 PM REPLY

or

1.Copy Comment
2.Delete
3.Add Comment
4.Paste
5.Fix Errors

dombeef says: May 22, 2009. 3:29 PM REPLY

Ok but, Nevermind

http://www.instructables.com/id/Disassemble-a-Computer/
 Bob Phil McMooow says: Jun 29, 2009. 8:29 PM REPLY
Blimey! How many pictures did you put in this?

Arbitror says: Jul 3, 2009. 2:33 PM REPLY

As you have probably figured out, I love to use lodes of pictures in my 'ibles!

tanmanknex says: Jul 19, 2009. 9:31 PM REPLY

and that's what makes them good. good job!!!;D 5*

iProton says: Jul 4, 2009. 3:41 AM REPLY

Is it possible to disassemble and reassemble it as a Network attached Storage device? :P

Arbitror says: Jul 4, 2009. 8:18 AM REPLY

While it's running?

iProton says: Jul 4, 2009. 11:09 AM REPLY

That would be top of the pilot aceage :P

dingus234 says: Jul 3, 2009. 1:58 AM REPLY

Good Job. A lot of work has gone into this. By the way the 'Ethernet expansion card' is actually a dial up modem. :-)

viviluk says: Jun 16, 2009. 11:05 PM REPLY

hey heres a random question, can i bring the whole desktop on the plane (as a hand carry)? even when there are things that are "sharp"? nice instructable
btw.

Arbitror says: Jun 17, 2009. 7:14 AM REPLY

Just put it in your luggage!

viviluk says: Jun 25, 2009. 4:05 PM REPLY

I am now. but first I have to take out the important parts so they wont get squished in my luggage. which parts do you recommend to take out?

crazytrain320 says: Jun 17, 2009. 3:32 AM REPLY

I dont think so. they might think that it is a weapon

ReCreate says: Jun 15, 2009. 9:14 PM REPLY

Ironic.

Arbitror says: Jun 15, 2009. 9:36 PM REPLY

What?

ReCreate says: Jun 15, 2009. 9:56 PM REPLY

What the...?
I replied to your comment that said
It runs Vista Ultimate with all of it's effects, smoother and faster than Windows 98, and it's even faster than many Linux distros!

ReCreate says: Jun 15, 2009. 9:57 PM REPLY

man this is a bug

http://www.instructables.com/id/Disassemble-a-Computer/
 ReCreate says: Jun 15, 2009. 6:17 PM REPLY
It would have been much wiser to buy a new mainboard and replace it...

Arbitror says: Jun 15, 2009. 6:50 PM REPLY

Nah, I got a new super computer. 9GB of RAM! But, I used all of the parts from this computer, and hooked it up to another mainboard I have.

Arbitror says: Jun 15, 2009. 9:13 PM REPLY

"this computer" as in the disassembled one.

Arbitror says: Jun 15, 2009. 9:13 PM REPLY

Not my new one!

ReCreate says: Jun 15, 2009. 7:09 PM REPLY

9GB of ram? Run cpuz and put the memory tab, take a screenshot and upload it here, I want to see proof...

Arbitror says: Jun 15, 2009. 8:41 PM REPLY

It won't let me add a pic to the comment... I'll try again later...

view all 114 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Disassemble-a-Computer/