Computer Repair Issue

Factual Questions
1

I have a Fujitsu Lifebook A6230 laptop computer that the fan has stopped working. I took it to a repair shop, but they want me to leave it with them for a couple weeks before they can get it done. I tried Friendly Computers and Fry’s, both with similar answers on timeframe. Fry’s said it might take a month.

I would rather not be without my computer for 2 weeks minimum. Right now it is limping along. That is to say it runs for a while till it overheats and shuts down. Probably not ideal to keep doing that.

I decided to try the repair myself. I googled up disassembly videos to see what to do. I could not find a video for my explicit model, but did find videos for similar laptops. The videos were useful in pointing out 3 or four items I did not see, which helps.

However, I am having trouble with one step. The next item I am supposed to do is remove the strip along the top face of the keyboard to allow the keypad to come out. All the videos show prying that strip out with some kind of lever - a spackling tool, a pocket knife. One type was pushing on it using a screwdriver through an opening on the bottom.

Anyway, I have removed the hinge caps and can pop the top of the strip loose using the hinge ends, but the bottom edge remains firmly attached to the keyboard and the rest of the frame. I am afraid to just apply more pressure, but I honestly cannot find any other fasteners. I have tried pulling forward away from the keypad, wiggling around, etc.

Does anyone have any ideas on what else I can try? What I should look for? Any help appreciated as I really would like to fix this thing.

2

This video shows two strips to remove starting at about 3:00. The top one is decorative, you remove that and then underneath is another strip attached with screws. Is it the top piece or the one under it attached with screws?

I can’t see how they’re attached, but it looks like you have to pry loose tabs on both, which could possibly break. A broken tab is probably not a big problem with either piece, but I couldn’t say for sure. It looks like you need the top piece to flex to get it up, and if tabs break you may need to use something to hold it back down later.

Good luck with this, and be very careful and keep all the parts straight, re-assembly can be harder than taking it apart the first time.

ETA: Also notice the angle of the display, it’s just about 90 degrees from the base. I can’t see anything to show why, but sometimes the correct angle is needed to remove some parts.

3

Thanks for that. That’s a different model, but I will look to see if it has two pieces.

4

Okay, after close inspection, I did discover that there are two strips. The top is the section with the buttons, but there is a narrow strip right above the keypad that clips in. I popped it out and revealed the screws.

Thanks for the tip.