How To: Clean the Heatsink/Fan Assembly on a dv2xxx.

** NOTICE: If you do not feel confident about doing this fix yourself, thats ok, being worried about opening a notebook is perfectly normal. You can always find someone who is capable of doing it or if your notebook is still under warranty,(which it should be) you can always send it in to be serviced. **



Best place to work on a PCB or electrical device is; Kitchen(tiled) or bathroom. Avoid carpet, and to be extra safe take off your shoes and socks...





Ok, now we'll start;





Step 1.



a) Remove all power from the notebook.(never a good idea to work on a computer thats on ~) This includes; Ac Adapter, Battery, and any USB device.



b) Start unscrewing all the labeled screws and arrange them on your post it note groups(use the image included).









Step 2.



a) Now turn over the notebook, open the lid (careful, the keyboard may be loose inside and can fall out partially), The power panel and keyboard will now be loose and are ready to be removed.



b) Take your soft durable piece of plastic (your listerine pack), locate the left side gap between the bottom case and power panel, and pry the corner closest. It should come up pretty easily, if it does not make sure you got all the screws you needed to from the bottom of the notebook.







c) Once you pop up that side you should be able to get a grip of the keyboard, pull the keyboard towards you, you don't have to disconnect it, once its out of the way you should be able to get your fingers under the power panel, you'll hear some clicking... but don't worry thats normal.







d) Now the power panel should only be connected by 2 connectors. The power switch and the media touchpad. First unplug the power switch, BE VERY CAREFUL, try not to pull on it with the cord... the power buttons are very fragile, try and get your 2 index fingers to pull the top corners. It can be hard but it will come out, try wiggling it.







e) All thats left is the media touch pad. using your 2 thumbs and/or index fingers pull up on the either side of the input, should be fairly easy to get open. Then remove the power panel.





Step 3.



a) Now that you have removed all the top case attachments, we're going to remove the screws holding the top case down, Use the screw map to remove the; D and A screws.







b) Now that you have removed all the D and A screws, we will remove the C and B screws. A couple things before you do that though, go through and unhook all the wire running through the top casing. Once you have freed all those wire from the top casing, pull your LCD Assembly up to a 90 degree angle(straight up). I will explain in the next section.



c) Now while holding the LCD Assembly, remove the first C screw and the first B screw. After that, remove the second C and the second B screw, we do this as a safty precaution in case while something happens after you take out the screw(s). Now all the screws should be out of the top case, and the LCD Assembly should be loose, just simply pull your LCD Assembly straight up. It should come off without issue.



d) To remove the top casing with either you finger nails or a your plastic tool, pry apart the top/bottom casing on either side and pull up, make sure the touch pad is disconnected. The entire casing should come straight up and off of your unit.





Step 4.



a) Now you should be staring at the guts of your notebook, looks pretty intimidating doesn't it? Its really not so you don't have to worry. Start by unplugging anything that is attached to the bottom and right sides of the logic board(motherboard). Using the Logic map below, Unscrew anything inside the Blue boxes, and Unplug anything in the Green Boxes.







b) Everything should be unplugged, clear of the logic board. Using your right hand maneuver it under the right side of the logic. Gently pull up on the right side as shown in the picture below. It should come up fairly easily, If you find it hard to pull up then wiggle it slowly back and forth.







c) Now continue pulling the right side up until you feel little to no resistance from the bottom case. Then slowly pull the logic out and to the right, as shown in the picture below.









Step 5.



a) Now that you have the logic out, place it on a static free surface, i.e. rubber(best), wood, cement, etc.... No Cloth or Leather like material.







b) Flip your logic over so you see your 2 sticks of ram as well as your heatsink and fan. Unscrew the 4 screws on the heatsink in order(each screw has a number you can go up or down, it doesn't matter). Once unscrewed the cross beam on the bottom of the logic will come off, all thats left now is to unplug the fan on the opposite side of the ram and heatsink.



c) Now that you have your heatsink/fan assembly off, unscrew the 3 screws on the top of the fan, and the cover will flip forward allowing you to clean it thoroughly.







** Cleaning tips: You can use virtually anything you to clean it, except liquids... liquids may has erosion on the fans motor or the heatsink itself. Recommended: toothbrush(an old one you aren't planning on using again...), compressed air, lint brush, etc. **





ADDITIONAL NOTES:



When putting heatsink back on your logic 3 things you need to make sure of;



** Make sure the Processor is in the locked position.



** Make sure the connector from the fan is clear, and isn't wedged between the heatsink/fan assem. and the logic.







** Place Crossbeam on bottom of logic before attempting to screw the heatsink/fan assembly back on. Below are a couple pictures to better explain.











If you have any questions, corrections and/or comments, Please feel free to post.



Hope this helps.... good luck.