# Taking a laptop apart question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 3, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-laptop-apart-question/491886 "2009-04-03T16:51:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-laptop-apart-question/491886/1 "2009-04-03T16:51:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ClintPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@ClintPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClintPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-laptop-apart-question/491886/2 "2009-04-03T17:37:06Z")
[Here is a guide](http://www.takeitapart.net/archives/compaq-presario-r3000/) 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. ---
**Author:** ![ClintPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@ClintPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClintPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-laptop-apart-question/491886/3 "2009-04-03T17:49:57Z")
Missed the edit window - but I also found the [Compaq service manual](http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00212209/c00212209.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN) (pdf). System board removal is at 5-65. Apparently the springloaded screws hold on the heatsink - maybe spring loaded for vibration minimization? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-laptop-apart-question/491886/4 "2009-04-04T01:15:47Z")
Thanks - That helped. I ordered the part and found a craigslist computer person for a fraction of the price.