Gateway FX Disassembly Guide (Covers all 17in FX Notebooks)

[Omexis]

im afraid so yes, but i have read that some people have managed to undo the bottom right of the palm rest and slipped the module in that way, but thats risky as you might break the plastic.

[achensherd]

Ergh... I was afraid of that. Well, I suppose it'll be a good learning opportunity. I've already had a swell, if tedious time taking apart the keyboard (key by key, switch by switch) to clean out all the cat hair the previous owner of my FX left dwelling underneath. Anyway, thanks for the uber-prompt reply! Fun times ahead!

[Omexis]

Well if you follow the guide, then you shouldn't have a problem, plus you can thoroughly clean out your laptops vents and fans, and maybe apply some better thermal paste to your CPU and GPU.

[achensherd]

I might do that, though judging by the guide it seems messing with the HSF can be a sensitive matter... which leads me to something I forgot to ask: does the CPU/NB HSF need to be removed during the disassembly? I can't really tell from the pictures (at least in the order they're placed in the guide), since some of the pictures following its removal instructions still show it as attached.

If the HSF doesn't need to be removed, I suppose I can leave it alone when installing the bluetooth module, and wait until a later time to glob on better thermal paste since it's easily accessible.

[Omexis]

I think you can leave it on, but then again i have never done a full disassembly, but i dont see why you cant leave it on.

[stinger608]

Awesome guide Azrickster!!! I have been looking for a dis-assembly manual for my 7800FX forever

Glad to see someone decided it was time

[Ultimate Destruction]

I had to send my P-7805u in for repairs and when I got it back, they had replaced the motherboard. There is an apparent bulge in the media bar, creating a crack that exposes the hardware underneath a little bit. The peak of the bulge is at about the Insert/print screen key. The crack goes from the F5 key all the way to the end of the right side of the laptop. None of it really pushes down much. Any idea what could be under there? I'm a little afraid to attempt to take the media bar off.

[N00d13s]

I had to send my P-7805u in for repairs and when I got it back, they had replaced the motherboard. There is an apparent bulge in the media bar, creating a crack that exposes the hardware underneath a little bit. The peak of the bulge is at about the Insert/print screen key. The crack goes from the F5 key all the way to the end of the right side of the laptop. None of it really pushes down much. Any idea what could be under there? I'm a little afraid to attempt to take the media bar off.

I've run into this a few time when putting my 6860 back together, not completely sure what it was. My guess is that it happens when part of it isn't lined up or clipped in right. I usually just take the media bar back off and try again, which works, but sometimes it takes a few tries.

Be careful when removing the media bar, the ribbon cables can rip easily, I just ripped the power button cable (which was already replaced once) but this time the bar got caught on my sleeve.

[Ultimate Destruction]

I've run into this a few time when putting my 6860 back together, not completely sure what it was. My guess is that it happens when part of it isn't lined up or clipped in right. I usually just take the media bar back off and try again, which works, but sometimes it takes a few tries.

Be careful when removing the media bar, the ribbon cables can rip easily, I just ripped the power button cable (which was already replaced once) but this time the bar got caught on my sleeve.

When you take the media bar off and try again, do you push up on the motherboard or something like that, or do you merely just put the media bar back on and hope it goes on right? Also about the cables, do I need to worry about them ripping as I pry it off or is it that I should worry about where they are as I put the media bar back on? Thanks for your help.

[N00d13s]

When putting the media bar back on I try and keep the front pushed in while I push the back down. By "in" I mean towards the keyboard and by front I mean the half with the orange.

You shouldn't have to disconnect the cables to try and fix the media bar, but be careful when you lift it up not to pull on the cables too much. My power button cable ripped when pulled at an angle, so I don't think you should have too much worry about if you accidentally pull up on it a little, which I had done before without it ripping.