Fic a985 Service Manual CHAP5

Chapter

Maintenance & Disassembly

5.1 Introduction

This section contains preventive and corrective maintenance procedures for the A985
notebook. The first part of the section describes the computer cleaning procedures and
preferred handling procedures for sensitive components (e.g. disk drives, LCD, CPU,
batteries).

The second part of the chapter identifies all field replaceable parts with the remainder
explaining the removal and replacement procedures for the field replaceable parts.

5.2 Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is limited to cleaning the plastic case, the keyboard, and the display
screen and cleaning the floppy drive heads as required.

5.2.1 Cleaning the Computer

When it is necessary to clean the plastic case and keyboard, use a soft lint-free cloth, slightly
dampened with a mild detergent solution, or use the contents of any commercially available
computer cleaning kit.

i Never use alcohol, petroleum-based solvents, or harsh detergents to clean the

notebook. Also, do not spray any liquids directly on the computer case,
keyboard, or screen. If the liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen has become
smeared or dusty, clean the screen by first applying a mild glass cleaner to a
soft, clean, lint-free cloth, and gently wipe the glass. Never apply liquids directly
on the screen surface. Moreover, do not use paper towels to clean the display
screen. Paper can scratch the display screen matte.

5.2.2 Protecting the Disk Drives

To protect the disk drives and data, back up the system disk periodically on floppy diskettes.
Periodically use a head-cleaning diskette in the floppy diskette drive to prolong the life of the
drive and to help maintain data integrity.

5.2.3 Maintaining the LCD Quality

When it comes to screen problems, heat plays a big part. After a good working session, the
typical routine is to shut the machine and close the cover. But the display surface - no matter
what type it is - and the components inside the computer radiates heat; when you close the
cover, you trap the heat against the screen. Leave the computer's cover open for about ten
minutes while the heat disperses. Make this a habit.

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Maintenance & Disassembly

5.2.4 Maintaining the Hard Disk Drive

The hard disk drive is one of the most common parts that always gets problem. Here is some
preventive maintenance that you can do when handling the hard disk.

Always back up the data files from the hard disk.

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Run a virus detecting program for possible virus infected area on the hard disk.

•

• Use SCANDISK to correct any errors found in the directory and File Allocation Table

(FAT). This will also free up space from any unused sectors.

Never turn the computer off when the hard disk is being accessed.

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Never move or raise the computer while the hard disk is being accessed, most especially

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don't jar the hard disk as this may cause a hard disk crash.

Use hard disk system tools like

•

your hard disk by eliminating fragmentation and improves the hard disk access time.

Disk Defragmenter

under Windows. This reorganizes

5.2.5 Handling the Computer Battery Packs

The battery packs furnished with the computer require reasonable care and handling to ensure
efficient operation and maximum life. Periodically inspect the battery terminals and the
batteries for evidence of corrosion and oxide build-up.

To ensure that the battery packs endure normal life cycle, always observe the following
precautions when handling the battery packs:

• Do not drop the battery packs or subject them to excessive shock and vibration.

Do not expose the battery packs to direct sunlight, moisture, or chemical compounds.

•

Do not disassemble the battery packs.

•

Do not use the battery packs to power other devices.

•

• Do not short the battery leads or connect the battery with reversed polarity.

Never attempt to charge the battery packs in any way other than as described in this

•

manual and the User’s Manual.

Always charge the battery packs as soon as possible after a low battery indication.

•

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Maintenance & Disassembly

5.3 Required Tools and Equipment

To troubleshoot and repair PC systems properly, you need a few basic tools:

Tweezers

•

Small flat-blade screwdriver

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Small Phillips screwdriver

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Regular size Phillips screwdriver

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Small Hex-bolt screwdriver

•

i All boards, options, and peripherals contain components that are sensitive to

static electricity. When handling any of these items, use wrist or ankle grounding
straps and grounded working mats. When moving or storing items, use the anti­static bags supplied with the items.

5.4 Notebook Field-Replaceable Parts and Assemblies

The notebook contains two major assemblies: The Cover Display LCD Assembly and the
System Unit Assembly.

ΠColor LCD Panel

GlidePad Pointing

•

’

Device

Power On /

Resume Button

Figure 5-1 Cover Display and System Unit Assembly

• Integrated Microphone Ž

•

“ Easy Button

Power Status LED

Indicator

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‘

Keyboard

Status LED

Indicator

Maintenance & Disassembly

5.4.1 Cover-Display LCD assembly

The Cover-Display LCD Assembly includes the following major Field Replaceable
Units/parts (FRUs):

LCD Face and Back Panel Cover

•

These parts are used to cover the whole LCD Panel assembly, which includes the LCD
Display Module, the LCD FPC cables, and inverter board.

LCD Display Module

•

14.1” / 15” LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is used for output display. This part is
assembled together with LCD Power Inverter Board, and LCD cables contained inside the
whole LCD Panel. Handle this part with care against static electricity and accidents that
can break the LCD.

• LCD Power Inverter Board

This part or PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is used to provide high voltage to the CCFT
(Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tube) of the notebook’s LCD backlighting. It is connected to
the right side of the LCD display screen and attached to the back panel by a screw.
Exercise safety electrical precautions in handling and servicing this part. The circuit board
also includes the function for displaying the power status and battery charge LED
indicators.

LCD FPC Cable

•

The LCD FPC cable is used to convert output signals from the motherboard in driving the
LCD display screen. The cable is connected to the back of the LCD Panel.

5.4.2 System Unit Assembly

The System Unit Assembly comprise of several assemblies of which can be divided into two
major sub-assemblies.

• The System Top Unit Assembly.

The System Base Unit Assembly.

•

The following System Top Unit Assembly includes the following major Field Replaceable
Units/parts (FRUs):

• Glidepad Touch Pad Module Assembly

The touch pad (glide pad) pointing device module is assembled at the underside of the top
cover with the sensor pad exposed on the top. The assembly comprises of the glide pad
board, the glide pad converter board, the select buttons bracket casing, the insulator sheet,
the glide pad FPC cable, and the glidepad wire cable. The glide pad board is assembled
just underneath the select button assembly. It provides a FPC cable connector for the
glide pad converter board. The converter board on the other hand provides the wire cable
connector to the battery board of the system unit.

Keyboard Panel Assembly

•

The keyboard is assembled on top of the system unit and connected to the main board’s
keyboard FPC type connector. The keyboard is also secured on the system’s top unit
casing. There are no screws attached to the keyboard.

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• Thermal Plate and Fan Exhaust Unit

The Thermal Plate was located on the upper-right side of the system unit. To remove nine
screws by cross screw driver and then you could lift it up easily~ The Fan Exhaust just
behind the thermal pad unit. There are four screws securing the Fan Exhaust Devices to
the CPU module inserted on the motherboard.

• Keyboard Cover Assembly

The keyboard cover is a thin bracket for holding the keyboard as well as covering the
base unit. It is also includes the power button, easy buttons, and status LED cover
moldings.

The following System Base Unit Assembly includes the following major Field Replaceable
Units/parts (FRUs):

Battery Pack

•

This is one of the more easily replaceable parts. The battery pack is found on the right
side on the base unit and can be easily removed by pressing the latch underneath the unit
and pulling the battery on its handle. The battery pack is replaced as a whole and must not
be opened for repair.

• Hard Disk Drive Module

The Hard Disk Drive is attached on the lower-left side of the system base unit located just
below the palm rest pad. The HDD is secured by one screw. The HDD module is a 2.5­inch hard disk drive with a maximum height of 9.5mm. The hard drive module assembly
is attached to the motherboard through the HDD connector.

• DC-DC Board

The DC-DC board provides the circuitry for the battery & power. It is attached on the
lower side of CPU socket and underneath the main board and can be separated from it.

• Audio Board

The audio board is a daughter board that is attached to the backside of system main board

• CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / CD-RW Drive Assembly

The CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / CD-RW Drive Assembly is attached on the left side of the
base unit and is secured with one screw.

• USB Floppy Disk Drive

The USB Floppy Drive for any USB port of the base unit. More convenience to use~

CPU

•

The Pentium 4 SFF uFC-PGA socket is found on the top right part of the motherboard.
You will need a flat screwdriver for removing or installing the CPU. Refer to Chapter 2
on how to install and upgrade the CPU.

• Speaker Assembly

The internal speakers of the notebook are assembled into front side of the System. The
Speakers are secured into a slot and speaker cable connector is attached into the main
board.

• Motherboard Assembly

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Maintenance & Disassembly

The Motherboard assembly is the most important part of the notebook. It contains the
entire major chipsets including the core logic, PCMCIA, memory, and BIOS to operate
the whole computer. It also includes the sockets, connectors and ports completing the
functionality.

System Base Unit Case

•

The System Base Unit Case is where the Motherboard is placed. It includes openings for
the battery, CD-ROM and PCMCIA equipment.

5.5 Parts Removal and Replacement Procedures

This section contains the field service-level removal/ replacement procedures for the
notebook. The notebook is designed for optimum modularity in order to make field
replacement and maintenance easy and efficient.

5.5.1 Removing the Battery Pack

The procedure for removing and replacing the battery pack is as follows:

1. The battery pack is located on the left side of the system unit.

2. To release the battery pack, locate the battery latch found underneath the unit.

3. Push the latch to release the lock and at the same time pull the battery pack out.

Battery Latch

Figure 5-2 Remove Battery Pack

5.5.2 Removing the Keyboard K/B FPC and Keyboard cover

The internal keyboard is located above the system top unit and is fitted in without screws on
the top unit case. Follow the steps below on how to remove the keyboard and heat sink plate:

1. Remove keyboard cover by gently bending it and sliding it towards in front of you.

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Bend up

Figure 5-3 Remove Keyboard Cover

2. Release keyboard cable by sliding the ZIF connector towards upward direction.

K/B FPC connector

Figure 5-4 Remove Keyboard FPC

5.5.3 Removing the palm-rest

There are five screws on bottom case remove them to take up palm-rest
The procedure for removing the palm-rest is as follow

1. Please see the palm-rest location as the below picture shown

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Maintenance & Disassembly

Palm -rest

Figure 5-5 Location of Palm-Rest

2. To remove the palm-rest, there are five screws on the bottom case.

5 Screws

Figure 5-6 Remove five screws

3. Open the palm-rest and remove G/P cable from FPC connector

Remove G/P cable

Figure 5-7 Remove Palm-Rest and G/P cable

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5.5.4 Removing cover plate

1. Remove cover plate, there are five screws as the picture shown

5 Screws

Figure 5-8 Release Cover Plate

5.5.5 Removing the Thermal Plate and Cooling Fan

1. Release six screws as shown in the picture below, and then remove cooling fan module by
slightly lifting it up.

Fan cable

6 Screws

Figure 5-9 Remove the Cooling Fan

5.5.6 Removing the CPU

The A985 features Intel Pentium 4 uFC-PGA Processors. It is located on the upper left side of
the system motherboard.

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To install or replace the CPU, follow the steps below:

1. Before removing the CPU module, you need first to disassemble keyboard and heat sink
plate.

2. Using a flat screwdriver, turn the socket lock counter-clockwise direction to unlock CPU
from the socket.

Socket locker

Figure 5-10 CPU Assembly

5.5.7 Removing the LCD Panel

The procedure for removing the LCD Panel is as follows:

1. Follow the steps above in removing the keyboard cover.

2. You will find the LCD panel connector attached to the system unit using two screws and
one cable Remove the screws of the cover and cable then pull out the coaxial connector.

2 Screws

LCD cable

Figure 5-11 Two Screws of LCD Panel Connector

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3. There are four screws securing both LCD hinges to the system unit. Two screws are at the
rear side of notebook, and the other two screws are at the under side. Remove the screws
to separate the LCD panel from the system unit.

4 Screws

Figure 5-12 Four Screws Securing the LCD Hinges and six Hex-bolts for M/B

4. Slowly pullout the LCD panel from the system unit.

5. To remove the LCD panel, you need to disassemble the LCD bezel and LCD cover back.
Remove four screws on the front bezel as shown in the figure below. Then, carefully
separate the front bezel cover from the LCD assembly.

4 Screws

6 Hex-bolt

Figure 5-13 Remove four screws

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5.5.8 Removing the Internal Hard Disk Drive

The notebook provides a built-in hard disk for the primary IDE controller. The HDD is an
industry standard 2.5” IDE disk drive with a maximum height of 9.5mm, and can be upgraded
with another standard 2.5” HDD with a maximum height of 9.5mm.

1. Find out the built-in hard disk secured with two screws at the right corner of the hard disk.
Remove that screw and carefully pull the hard disk module from the connector.

2 Screws

Figure 5-14 Remove Two Screws Securing HDD

2. Remove four screws of frame HDD bracket plate. Two small ones of them are at the front
side, and others are at the both sides

4 Screws

Figure 5-15 Screws Locations of the frame HDD bracket plate

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Maintenance & Disassembly

5.5.9 Removing the System Top Cover

The procedure for removing the system top cover is as follows:

1. Before removing the system top case, you need first to disassemble keyboard, heat sink
plate, LCD panel, HDD, and CD-ROM.

2. To remove the system top cover, you need to remove several screws. There are thirteen
screws found on the top case - five screws on the under side and another eight screws on
the upper side as indicated on the figure below. Remove them all.

16 Screws

Figure 5-16 System Top Cover Screw Locations

3. Slowly unsnap the top cover from the bottom case. Release one cable connected from the
glide pad to the battery board and the other cable connected from the internal microphone
to the audio board. Then pull out the top cover.

5.5.10 Removing the DC-DC Board , CD-ROM and Jack/B ,TR/B

The procedures for removing and replacing the DC-DC Board is as follows:

1. The DC-DC Board was located in the lower side of CPU.

2. Removing it and life it up from the socket carefully.

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Jack/B

Remove CDROM

DC/B

5 Screws

TR/B

Figure 5-17 DC-DC Board , Jack/b , R/B Assembly

5.5.11 Removing / Replacing the Motherboard

The motherboard contains the major chipset and components needed to run the notebook.
Follow the steps below on how to remove and replace the motherboard:

1. Before removing the motherboard, you need first to disassemble the all basis unit
modules mentioned in the previous sections.

2. On the motherboard, there are three hex bolts and seven screws as showed below.
Remove these hex bolts and screws.

3 Hex-bolt

7 Screws

Figure 5-18 Motherboard Screws Location

3. When all screws and bolts are removed, slowly detached the motherboard from the base
unit casing.

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