How To Disassemble a Computer

In this Instructable, I will give a full documentation of how to disassemble a desktop PC, for parts. The specific computer that I will demonstrate with is an HP Media Center PC m7640n with a dead motherboard. Every computer is different, but this is a general guide.

If you don't fully grasp what I mean when I am describing something, please refer to the pictures!

Picture Quality Notice (and HD pics!):

Due to the amount of pictures I uploaded, they are of lowmedium quality. Click the "[i]" in the top left corner of a picture, then click "original file: (3072x2304) 1 MB" to see the high quality HD pictures!

Step 1: Unplugging

The first thing you do, is unplug every cable that's plugged in to your computer. That includes the following cables:

---

• Power
• USB
• Firewire
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Internet
• Ethernet
• Modem
• AM\FM Antenna
• Cable TV
• etc...

So pretty much just unplug every cable from your computer.

Comments

[TimRaquet]

Thanks for the tutorial. This just happens to be the same computer I needed to take apart.

[nbwriter]

I realize this guide was posted May, 2009. But thanks to author for showing how to remove the heatsink fan ONLY. Most online guides focus on removing fan, heatsink and processor. (Removing a heatsink on a Celeron D can cause processor pin damage and new thermal paste is needed if the heatsink shifts even slightly). And thermal paste ain't cheap.

I nearly unlocked the two metal levers on the heatsink, thinking these are part of the fan locking mechanism. Due to Arbitor's guide, it's obvious fan screws just screw into the metal heatsink itself. In my case, I'm just cleaning heatsink fins for better heat dissipation.

[jlucas15]

Thank you so much for such good info. My computer is shot so I want to remove any important info before I take it to recycling. It won't turn on so I can't use any "wipe-out" software. Thought I'd have to run it over with the lawn mower, but this method is much more civilized.

[darman12]

Haha! More civilized to the lawn mower.

[MRedu]

Great guide to salvaging pc parts from a computer thanks!

[kt2112]

"No disassemble" - johnny 5 lol :)

[whatsisface]

Preferably not a carpet, they can cause static build up which kills components. Best to be on some kind of desktop work surface or antistatic mat, using an antistatic wrist band.

[cyrozap]

This is true. I saw how he was disassembling it on a carpet and thought: lots more dead components.

[Arbitror]

I constantly grounded myself, by touching a ground wire. Also, my mobo is already fried, so I didn't bother with it. All the other components should be fine, as I have done this many times before on other computers on carpet. Those computers are still running.

[katerlyn]

I did not read ALL the comments, did I miss where it's mentioned where you get the copper to recycle? Someone mentioned they used to do that where they worked, and someone else mentioned it is too time consuming or toxic. ??

[ReCreate]

You have Been Lucky,Sadly,I Killed 2 main boards and 4 peices of ram with carpet. If you ground yourself,your not doing anything,you are just grounded,but not the carpet

[Arbitror]

I'm surprised! All the other computers I disassembled were all on the same carpet... It must be some non-static carpet, if there is a thing!

[darkclaw42]

 I am too. Ive gotten, literally, over twenty computers from a country club. I disassembled them ALL on my carpet. None of the components fried that were still working when I pulled them out. Extremely lucky bunch we are!

[ReCreate]

Well you'r Lucky,Very Lucky,Do NOT think that that is a myth,it is NOT,And it is a VERY common problem,Why do you think they sell those stuff in antistatic bags?

[Arbitror]

It turns out it is an anti static carpet... It has wires woven in the bottom which are grounded.

[tanmanknex]

I fried my built in video card because i disassembled it on carpet... I haven't bothered to get a new one because i have another computer, luckily, and there wasn't much good things on there anyway.

[ReCreate]

Well that is proof.

[tanmanknex]

Unfortunately...

[ReCreate]

yeah

[fmuhammed]

Oh My God. I can't describe my impression in words. Thank you very much. I was struggling to remove Hard disk from this machine for 2 hours and totally gave up fed up. But thanks for Istructables. I disassemble this PC within 5 minutes. It was easy as Pie. Thank you again. :)

[Yerboogieman]

That's not an ethernet card, It's a 56k modem. The ethernet is built into the mobo.

[darkclaw42]

 Darn, you beat me too it. I was browsing through instructables and had noticed there were few computer guides, now there's one more added!

I might just do the opposite, if you arent already planning. Assembly of a computer. Whew!

[coldfiregh]

would you be very kind to add how to take out the processor and replace?

[ANDY!]

Take the cooling stuff off, find the little lever, pull it open fully, take chip out. thats it prob.

[Arbitror]

Ill work on it!

And by the way, did you create an account just to ask that question? I see that that was your first comment!

[coldfiregh]

there is a first time for everything; isn't it? the quest for sometime takes people places they never thought about a second ago; anywayz i already figured it out; it implies zero pressure application and release of a latch; thanks very much for the wonderful post

[gorrillamcdouglas]

I don't know if you'll have this problem taking the processor out or not, but for the benefit of everyone else...

If the Processor is stuck to the heatsink, there are a couple ways to get it un-stuck.

First, twist it gently but firmly, avoiding bending the pins on it. If this doesn't work, soak the heatsink and processor in Isopropyl alchohol(70% or more). After a few minutes, take unflavored dental floss and run it inbetween the processor and heatsink. It should come off. But always be sure not to bend the pins and don't use rubbing alchohol below the 70% concentrate.

[IncrediblyCondensedBlackMatter]

you dint cover how to remove the processor from the board but otherwise this is really good. : D

[Solderguy]

Yes he did, in step 15 he said, "The motherboard has seven screws holding it to the frame, which are indicated by large white circles around them. Remove those seven, then lift the motherboard out of the frame." You need to read, and not stare at the pretty pictures. :P

[IncrediblyCondensedBlackMatter]

HA! pwn'd by the AUTHOR! XD anyway, the motherboard and the processorare two totally different components.

[Arbitror]

No I didn't, read some of the comments. Someone asked me before why I didn't show how to remove the CPU, and I replied:

I tried removing the CPU, and it turns out that it is attached to the heatsink itself, and in order to remove a CPU, you must lift a safety bar, that unlocks the pins. The heatsink is in the way of the safety bar, so I cannot unlock the pins. 

In step 15, I showed how to remove the motherboard from the frame. Not the CPU from the motherboard.

Everyone makes mistakes, but just read before you post!

[Adrianb]

Is it wise to lay all the components on a carpet? I'd suggest using a clean (!) wooden desk or something. For one, the carpet is dusty and, although I'm completely not certain about the probability, the carpet may have static electricity..

EDIT: Oops, didn't read correctly.. You already warned for static electricity!
Adrian

[dombeef]

How do you edit a comment?

[ReCreate]

he hacked the instructables comment database to add his edit, Duhh _{lol no}

[Arbitror]

Delete, Add Comment

[Arbitror]

or

1.Copy Comment
2.Delete
3.Add Comment
4.Paste
5.Fix Errors

[dombeef]

Ok but, Nevermind

[memyselfand1]

Blimey! How many pictures did you put in this?

[Arbitror]

As you have probably figured out, I love to use lodes of pictures in my 'ibles!

[tanmanknex]

and that's what makes them good. good job!!!;D 5*