Compaq Presario R3000

[Thomas Palmer]

Taking apart a Compaq Presario R3000

Background information:  I have two Compaq Presario R3000’s.  The screen on my first one broke, so instead of spending a krap load of money, I bought a second of the same laptop (cheaper model) and swapped the screens.  I never took apart a laptop before and because of the lack of instruction on the Internet (like this), I had no guidance.  Naturally I approached the problem the wrong way and almost messed up my laptop.  Well, I finally figured it out and now I take it apart sometimes just for fun!

Since I am writing this on my good laptop I will demonstrate on the laptop without the screen.  Oh, both laptops work, I just have to plug a monitor into the one without the screen.

The Screen!



Step 01: The Screws



The screws are located in the corners underneath the rubber/friction pads.  Those can be removed by using your finger nails and pulling them out.  Unscrew those screws with a medium sized Phillips head screw driver.

Step 02: The Faceplate



Once the screws are out you can remove the faceplate by sticking your finger nail between the plastic and the screen and pulling.  Once that section is pulled out you can run your fingers around the faceplate to completely pry it away.

Step 03: The Screen Itself



There are six screws that need to be removed now, they are circled in red.  These six places are at the top of the screen, the bottom of the screen and where the metal "arms" are attached to the plastic casing.  Please note that when I did this originally I lost some screws, that is why you don't see a few of them were there are circles.

Step 04: The Screen Connections



There are two things that need to be disconnected before completely removing the screen.  The first item is the video cable which can be removed by pulling it out from the back of the screen.  The second item is the power cable which can be removed by pulling it out from the power module thing.  Both places are noted by red boxes.

An Overview of the Screen Deconstruction



The screen is pretty simple to take apart.  If you really wanted you could remove the latch, but what is the purpose of that?  Oh, I forgot to mention that on the sides of the "arms" there are screws connected to the screen.  You might want to removed those too .

At this point you can now swap screens if necessary or replace it with a piece of cardboard it necessary.  P.S.:  I'm thinking about drawing some kind of funny pretend desktop, either Windows or OSX, anybody have any ideas?  Thanks.

Now for the MORE FUN Part!

The Back Where All The Important Components Are Located!



Step 01: The Removal of the Battery and Hard Drive



To remove the hard drive, unscrew the two screws noted in the uper-right of the laptop.  Please note that these two screws are attached to the case so they will not come out.  Once those two screws are unscrewed, use your finger nail and place it in the grove and pull out.  To remove the battery, slide the button up.  When the battery ejects, remove it completely.

Step 02: The (Many) Screws



I counted 30 screws!  That's alot!  Anyways, all of those screws can be removed with a medium sized Phillips head screw driver.  Please note that if you with to put this laptop back together you need to figure out some way to remember which screws go where.  (There are two different length screws.)

Step 03: The (One) Screw



Once you loosen all the screws as shown in Step 02, you need to pull out the disc drive to access and unscrew the last screw to remove the back cover.

Step 04: The Speakers



To remove the speakers, unscrew the noted screw and unplug the wire where noted.

Step 05: The Heat Sync



To remove the heat sync you need to remove the four screws.  These are special screws which have springs or shocks on them, why?  I have no idea.  However I suggest taking them off and putting them on in order as they are numbered.  (Off: 4, 3, 2, 1; On:  1, 2, 3, 4)

Step 06: The CPU



To remove the CPU, get a small flat head screw driver and unscrew the scren on the CPU mount counter-clockwise one-half rotation.  Now you can use your finger nail and place it between the CPU and mount to pull it away.

An Overview of the Back Deconstruction



The back was a little harder to take apart.  If you really wanted you could remove the motherboard, but my head hurts and it's late, plus you have no reason to remove it anyway.  Actually, the only reason you might have to remove it is if it trash, and at that point I'm sure you could have a lot more fun that using a screw drive to take it apart  .

Congratulations!  If you have a laptop of this make and you successfully took it apart like I did: Kudos.  If you really want to put it back together just reverse the same process.  This is my first post here so I would gladly appreciate any comments or questions.  Thanks.

Thanks For Reading (Or At Least Looking At My Post (How-To)!

[Chris]

Awesome job, Thomas!  We'll add your guide to the homepage, if you would like us to.

I especially like the last photo.  You've got it broken down and displayed in true TIA fashion.  Your guide is exactly what this site is all about! Nice work!

[Thomas Palmer]

Sure! not a problem at all.  Anything that can help show other users the TIA way.

[ragge]

Nice job!

Makes me wanna take my brand new FS lifebook apart also  

[lonewolf]

Im desprate. i need to know where the location of the Wireless card is in the laptop so i can buy one to plug in. oh and are you selling parts from your other R3000 if so send me an email to lonewolf317@gmail.com. i need the internal wireless card. and a CD RW drive

[JoJo173]

I looked all over the place for some kind of hint at how to disassemble the screen on my Compaq. I didnt want to just start pulling stuff apart without some idea of what needed to be removed. Fantastic step by step of what to do. These instructions were a lifesaver.
My screen quit working, but I was not willing to take it to somplace and let them charge me some insane amount to replace the lcd screen. After finding these instructions I ordered a lcd inverter from Ebay and swapped them out myself. Laptop working like new again, and only cost $70 instead of $300 - $400.
If you have problems with your screen and there is any kind of image at all visible, mine would show a very dark outline on one side of the screen occassionally, try replacing the inverter before you spend the bucks to replace the lcd screen. May end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Thanks
Jason

[daiadams]

Hello thomas

Your guide is really good.Have you any advice on removing the front keyboard so I can upgrade the memory that is suppoused to be underneath it?.

Ta Dai

[DougMcC2]

Good morning Thomas:

FYI - I did a single Google search for "power connector repair to a Compaq Presario R3000" and came to you post!  Great job and very informative!

Question - have you ever had trouble plugging your power supply and the battery charge indicator not coming on.  I first thought the charge sensor in my battery was shot, that my battery was old and in need of replacement.  It would hold a 1.5 to 2 hour charge but if I didn't plug in the power supply, hold it in firmly for a second, then stablize the cord, the charge battery indicator would flicker off...  I think now that I have a short in the connector but when I get inside, the connector wires are on the underside and not visible for inspection or repair. 

Any idea on how to get the connector assembly open and accessible?  Thanks for any tips. 

Best regards - Doug McCullough

[ArdvarkMaster]

This is the link for the R3000 maintenance and service guide from HP : http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00212209.pdf

This is a link for all the HP manuals available for the R3000: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?lc=en&cc=us&product=442915&dlc=en&lang=en

Hope someone finds this useful.

[Graham]

Hello Doug,
I have inherited a battered HP Laptop and it has similar power problems to the ones you describe, power indicators flashing on/off and unreliable connection. Searching the internet it seems many HP's have a problem with the power jack. Was hoping to find here someone who had figured out how to get inside the darn thing!
Best Regards

[ShatterWulf]

hey thomas, wonderful disassembly!

[protocol32]

Hello, was just wondering if anybody might have had the same issues.Was using laptop, then went to blue screen for a quick second,didnt get to read it cause it was to fast,then it went to a black screen.So now you turn it on, just get black screen, power light,all lights actually light up solid orange.Sounds like it is doing something, but i cannot here the windows greeting music or any sounds through the speakers, so not even sure if it is even really booting,cause cant see the screen.I tried poping out the battery to see if it would do anything and nothing different,i heard something might have messed up my bios,and if i take the battery off the motherboard and put it back on it will reset the cmoss .Any suggestions?   Thanks

[Adewade]

Hmm... this might be the wrong place to ask, but through this taking-it-apart, can I upgrade the video card? Mine has a GeForce4 440 Go 64M, which recently stopped me from trying the Lego:StarWars 2 demo (no... 1.1 Pixel Shading capability?), as well as just being a bottleneck in general.

The official documentation just tells me not to worry my pretty little head about it, as it's not accessible.

But... with your wonderful guide, it is...

Any advice?

[bigugly]

To keep your screws all in order so you can't mess them up make a template of the back, and make holes where each screw goes then push that screw through the hole that way you got it where it goes and you have the right length screw in the right spot. This also works for you shade tree mechanics that tear down engines. Great job on your detailed tear down 

[YOARGENTINO]

Hello there, I need help about one piece this machine, need to disarm the keyboard... somebody where is the secret?? Thank you...