Taking a laptop apart question

Factual Questions
1

The DC jack in my computer is loose and needs to be resoldered or replaced. I started taking my laptop apart and became concerned about a part that had spring loaded screws. It is part of, or sitting above the jack for router plug and what looks like a docking plug. This is a Compaq Presario R3000.

It’s an older laptop and I’m not thrilled at feeding it another $180 right now.

My guess is that the screws allow the docking plug to float a little but I’m not sure. I also don’t know what to expect with the remaining disassembly. I would assume that the keyboad remains behind with a ribbon plug and there is also a ribbon plug for the display. It also looks like the printer/video plugs are screwed to the case as well as the docking plug.

Any tips would be appreciated as this is my only working computer at the moment.

2

Here is a guide for taking apart your notebook.

Hopefully that takes you far enough. The author of that guide recommends that you take those screws out in a certain order, but doesn’t note any other special concerns.

3

Missed the edit window - but I also found the Compaq service manual (pdf). System board removal is at 5-65. Apparently the springloaded screws hold on the heatsink - maybe spring loaded for vibration minimization?

4

Thanks - That helped. I ordered the part and found a craigslist computer person for a fraction of the price.