On 7/12/2005 4:20:38 AM, "Bruce N. Wheelock" wrote:
>I have purchased a new fan (from Toshiba) to replace the noisy old one in my
>Portégé 3505. I find myself unable to figure out how to open up the case
>sufficiently to get to the fan, and have had no success searching online for
>instructions on doing so. My Portégé is, of course, way out of warranty, and
>I would just as soon do the work myself.
>
>Can anyone tell me where to find instructions (hopefully with diagrams or
>pictures) so that I can open it up without fear that I will break something?
>I am aware of the risks with working with delicate electronic components and
>connectors, and the static electricity precautions. But I'm not sanguine
>about trying to pry open the case without knowing where all of the
>fasteners, clips, etc. are located.
>
>How-to advice greatly appreciated.
>--
>/Bruce/ [aka Slasher]
>DPC, USN (ret.)
>
>

I no longer have my 3500, having sold it to a friend recently.

But I remember when I had to have them replace my fan, I had the keyboard off
and could see it directly under there, so it shouldn't be too hard.

The keyboard, if you didn't know, can be removed by two screws that are under
the plastic cover that goes along the "top" edge of the keyboard. That piece,
if you look closely at the left and right edges (when the unit is oriented as
a notebook and you're facing the keyboard) has two small spaces in it, where
you can get a small screwdriver to lift up the edge. Once you have an edge
out, lightly tug it *towards* you - the piece is secured by protrusions in
the bottom of it, and tabs in the back - by slightly tugging it towards you,
you will remove the tabs from their retaining slots, and it will lift out
slightly. Once you do this on both sides (work from outside in), you will be
able to lift the long back edge up and simply lift it out of it's position.
When you work those tabs out, it's easiest if you rotate the screen 90
degrees so it's perpindicular to the keyboard, as if you were going to flip
it around to tablet mode and stopped half way there, with the screen blocking
the center of the keyboard.

Under that portion you remove, there are two screws. Unscrew them, and the
keyboard lifts up from the function keys section. There are tabs on the lower
end (control, alt, etc.) that secure the bottom, so there are only the 2
screws on top. The bottom left edge is where the ribbon cable is to connect
the keyboard to the unit. It's easily removable once you see it.

But that won't give you full access to the fan- you'll only see it's position
clearly. From here I can only speculate, but around the bottom edge there
will be many screws. If I recall correctly, the mainboard and such will be
fitted into the bottom of the "case" so if you can find the way to separate
the top, it should come off relatively easily. Failing all else you can
remove the screws from the bottom and test the edges to see if you can
"split" the main part of the tablet. If you can just get the top cover away
(keeping in mind there will be a connector for the touchpad) you will likely
be able to get at the fan.

My question to *you* is how you managed to get a fan from Toshiba - they're
notorious for not selling any "parts" - they consider even the keyboard a
depot maintenance unit, despite the fact that it's held by only two screws,
and don't sell pieces for people to install themselves. Since my M200 has a
keyboard that's starting to fail, even though I'm in warranty I'd love to be
able to replace it myself rather than run to the depot location here in town
to have them do it some afternoon.


--
John D [MVP - Tablet PC]