Tools used in this guide Parts relevant to this guide Phillips #0 Screwdriver (1) Replacement Motherboard compatible with the Acer Aspire 5100 (1) Spudger (1)
Step 1 - Fan Place the laptop upside down. Although the battery is missing in this photo, it is not necessary to remove. Locate the largest removable panel on the back and remove the four screws connecting it.
Step 2 Lift up and remove the panel.
Step 3 Locate the fan and remove the two screws connecting it.
Step 4 Lift out the fan CAREFULLY and detach the cable that connects the fan to the motherboard. When detaching the cable, do not pull on the cable itself. Instead, use a small spudger to detach it at the white section that connects it to the motherboard.
Step 5 - Keyboard Open and push the screen back all the way until it is horizontal with the rest of the laptop. Locate the panel above the keyboard that has the power button on it. Remove this panel by using a spudger to pry up the sides. You are using the spudger to release tabs holding the panel in place.
After you have used the spudger to release the tabs, lift up the panel.
Step 6 Under the panel, locate and remove the two screws that connect the keyboard to the laptop. One screw is located above the F5 button, and the other one is located above the F10 button. Lift up the keyboard CAREFULLY because there is a ribbon that connects the keyboard to the motherboard.
Step 7 Pull the ribbon, which is located under the keyboard, to detach it from the motherboard. Remove the keyboard.
On the back of the laptop, locate and unscrew all nine of the screws located at the edges.
Step 9 Open the lid of the laptop and locate the cover that surrounds the keyboard and track pad. Use the spudger to pry open the sides of this cover. You are using the spudger to release tabs holding the cover in place.
DO NOT lift cover off after detaching it
because the track pad is connected to the motherboard.
Step 10 Slightly lift up the cover to see the ribbon connection. Pull the ribbon to detach it from the motherboard. Lift up the cover from the laptop.
Step 11 On the cover that was removed, flip it around and locate where the back of the track pad is. Remove the three screws located at the corners. Lift up the bracket that you just unscrewed and remove track pad.
Step 14 Place the laptop upside down. Locate the largest removable panel on the back and remove the four screws connecting it. Lift up and remove the panel.
Step 15 Locate the black and white wire and detach it. You do not need to remove the cooling fan
Step 17 - Motherboard Locate and remove the screws on the motherboard.
Step 18 Flip the laptop upside down. Locate the heat sink, which is the copper "L" shaped component, and unscrew the four screws that connect it to the motherboard.
Step 19 Find the VGA connector located next to the USB ports. Push out the back of the casing by the VGA connector to be able to get the motherboard out.
Step 20 Lift up and remove the motherboard from the laptop casing. Remove the USB add-on card to use it with the new motherboard. To remove, grab on the sides and lift upward.
