Disassembly top

This is a description of how to disassemble the top portion of an XO laptop. This is part of the Disassembly section of the Troubleshooting Guide and Repair Manual.

XO before disassembly

As a precaution, remember to remove the battery.

Before we begin

Remove the battery.

Removing the front panel

Step 1

Open the laptop and flip the screen up. Rotate it a 90 degree angle as shown in the sequence below. Next, remove the screws from the bottom of the screen - there are two on each side (right/left) of the XO, so make sure to get all four.

Flip screen up

Rotate

Unscrew - remember, there are 4.

Step 2

Remove the two green panels from the side of the XO. Slide them upwards and lift them off as shown.

Slide up

Lift off

Step 3

Finally, pull off the front panel. It is tabbed, so it can simply be pulled out. Pull the bottom out (where the screws came out), and gently slide the piece downwards and out.

Removing the screen

Step 1

To get the screen out, remove the four screws highlighted.

Unscrew

Step 2

Next, carefully slide the screen out, pulling the bottom out. Do not tug it or let go, as it will still be connected to the motherboard by two cables.

Slide out gently

Watch out for cables!

The connectors have a black plastic bar holding the cable down. To unclamp the cable you have to lift that bar by tugging on the little tab away from the circuit board.

Unhook the cable

Watch out for this little cable, too.

Good to go!

Optional: Removing the wireless antenna

You do not need to remove the wireless antenna if you are trying to get to any other part.

Step 1

Keep the screen out of the way until the replacement is complete.

Take out 4 screws

Turn over. Pull up and remove the back plate

Take out two screws holding the top bar in place

Watch out for this tab! Pop it out on both sides

Pull the top bar off.

Step 2

Unclip the cable as shown

Peel up the tape.

Remove the two screws.

Watch out for this tab!

Carefully pull out the antenna.

A removed antenna.

Removing the back cover / reaching the motherboard

Step 1

Take out 4 screws

Turn over. Pull up and remove the back plate

Optional: Removing the "XO Person" on the back cover

You do not need to remove the "XO Person" on the back cover if you want to get to any other part.

Step 1

Turn the back plate over. Note where the colored plastic fits in.

Use a screwdriver to pop these out

Turn plate over so the XO man faces you. Pull the plastic part out.

Note how the tabs fit in with the back plate.

Replacing the "XO Person" on the back cover

Step 1

Fit the new piece in the back plate and snap it back in place.

Replacing the back cover

Step 1

Turn over. Replace the back plate.

Pick the right screw!

Turn over. Secure the back plate by putting in the four screws where indicated.

Replacing the wireless antenna

Step 1

Carefully put in the new wireless antenna

Pick the right screw!

Screw in the antenna

Step 2

Clip the antenna cable back in.

Replace the top bar. Do not forget the tabs on the sides! Replace the screws to secure the bar.

Turn over. Replace the back plate.

Pick the right screw!

Turn over. Secure the back plate by putting in the four screws where indicated.

Replacing the backlight

Replace the backlight by attaching the new backlight to the display. Ensure the backlight connection cable is attached and lying flat along the display.

Gently put the new backlight in place

Reattach tape to the center of the backlight

Place the two screws back in

Reattach the tape on the small cables

Replacing the screen

Step 1

Reattach the screen by sliding the connection cables into place and clipping them back down (it is generally easier to clip the thinner one that has a longer tether first). Reseat the screen, making sure that it sits flat and that none of the spacers are gone.

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Clip little cable in

Clip big cable in

Gently slide screen back in

The screws with the large heads (4) go back in

Replacing the front panel

Step 1

Slide the front panel back on, making sure that it sits flat. Note that there are hooks on the side of the panel (highlighted in blue) that need to slide into place; pushing the top of the screen flat and sliding it upwards works well.

Watch out for these hooks

The rest of the panel slides into place

Step 2

Slide the green side pieces back into place. Then, rotate the XO 90 degrees and put the remaining screws back. Don't forget that the screws go in on both sides (right/left).

Side panels slide back in place

Almost there!

Rotate

Put screws (4) back in.