Gateway Parts

How to open the case of a Gateway M-Series notebook computer?

I need to replace the charging port, or possibly repair it. I have removed all the screws and taking out everything that looked like it needed to be taken out. If someone can give me some what detailed instructions of actually opening the case, or a link to instructions, that would be great. Please do not tell me I shouldn't mess with the laptop. Or blah blah, I don't know what I'm doing. I don't care. I know a lot about computers, just not notebooks.

Public Comments

1. You have more problems in front of you than just removing the screws. The part you are talking about is called the DC powerjack. This is a small component that is soldered to the motherboard on nearly every laptop. A few are soldered to a small daughter board that uses a cable to connect to the motherboard and fewer still are on a pigtail that connects to the motherboard. Most likely you are looking at a DC jack that is soldered directly to the motherboard and the board has to be completely removed from the case pieces. Laptop assembly/dis-assembly is nothing like a desktop assembly/dis-assembly. On top of this every laptop model has its own peculiar ways of dis-assembly and it would be impossible to give you a step by step dis-assembly procedure for your laptop without an exact model for me to reference. Another problem you face is finding a replacement DC jack for your laptop. There many different types of DC jacks and some with the same footprint and pin layout will use different diameter center pins that the power supply plugs into ..... You can proceed with dis-assembly, if you wish, but be prepared to have a non working laptop when you finish. I am not doubting your skills with computers. I am doubting that you will be able to correctly identify which DC jack you use and your ability to obtain one if you did. Very good soldering skills will also be required. How good are your soldering skills? Very few repair shops will change out a DC powerjack. I work at one of the few that will. Most repair shops will either replace the motherboard or pass on the job all together. This all sounds discouraging, I am certain. Good luck and I wish you the best with the job before you.