Computer Club Wiki

1) Find and read the Maintenance and Service manual for the device you’re working on.

 a.  I used the internet to find manuals for the device in question. This example was a HP pavilion 14z-n100 which was found on the back plate of the unit. I used that as the search string in Google. From this I found the User Manual and the first entry I saw was:\\

HP Pavilion 14 Notebook PC
HP Pavilion TouchSmart 14 Notebook PC
Maintenance and Service Guide
I assumed this was the correct manual due to search and the diagrams match the PC I was working on.

 b.This manual had a section on “removal of the Hard Drive” and as that was what I was interested in that is what I focused on. The first page showed:\\

Before removing the hard drive, follow these steps:

 1. Turn off the computer. If you are unsure whether the computer is off or in Hibernation, turn the computer on, and then shut it down through the operating system.\\
 2. Disconnect the power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the computer.\\
 3. Disconnect all external devices from the computer.\\
 4. Remove the battery (see Battery on page 42), and then remove the following components:\\
 5. Service door (see Service door on page 43)\\
 6. Memory module (see Memory module on page 45)\\
 7. WLAN module (see WLAN module on page 47)\\
 8. Optical drive (see Optical drive on page 49)\\
 9. Keyboard (see Keyboard on page 55)\\
 10. Top cover (see Top cover on page 59)\\

 c.  As the system was not working when reassembled, I work through the process slowly and methodically to ensure all steps were followed exactly as stated. This showed me the two screws from the WLAN and the USB card were exchanged with one another and it mattered as they both were ground connections for the cards. I exchanged the two screws and they seated correctly. When the unit was reassembled it work first time.

      1)  Keep parts (screws and cards) removed separate and under control. Don’t intermingle them.

      2)  I used different location on the table as the separation of the parts which had been intermingled. A weekly pill holder (AM/PM) give 14 compartments I find useful for screw isolation and control.

c.   The HP manual states that electrostatic discharge (ESD) is discussed. This is my fear as to strong magnetic fields as well. They do suggest a magnetic screwdriver for use in the manual.

d. Frequently you can determine the correct orientation of the parts from the diagrams in the manual, in this case the SSD replacement part was installed upside down and this could be determined by the cord connection to the device in the diagram from the manual. In this case the SSD in the hard drive carrier was not important however as the cord was long enough to reach when reversed.

 1)  Ensure the correct screw is used for the correct connection. The order of replacement can be important and should be followed from the manual.

In conclusion, the two screws that appeared identical were not. In this case it mattered for completion of circuits. Following faithfully a set procedure can help the technician to keep the circuits straight and working.