Gateway MA7

Here we will be showing you how to disassemble the Gateway MA7 series laptop.  Specifically in this example it will be the NX570X model.

Step 1: Removing screws from the base.
Step 2: Removing the power/media button cover and keyboard.
Step 3: Removing the display assembly.
Step 4: Removing the top case (palmrest).
Step 5: Removing the motherboard.
Step 6: Removing the CPU and heatsink.
Step 7: Disassembling the LCD assembly.
Extras and Compatibility

Step 1 - Removing screws from the base.

1.1 There are 19 screws total that need to be removed. Two of them will be located under the optical drive once it can be pulled out. The circled points on the pictures show where they are.

1.2 Remove the 2 screws located behind the laptop attaching the hinge covers.

1.3 Once all screws have been removed, the memory/CPU and hard drive covers can be removed and the optical drive can be pulled out. Replacement optical drives can be found here.

1.4 The wireless card will need to have the antenna disconnected by gently lifting up on them. It can then be removed and replacements can be found here.

1.5 The hard drive will be attached to the cover since it acts as a caddy as well. There will be 4 screws securing the drive to the caddy that can be removed. Replacement hard drives can be found

Step 2 - Removing the power button/hinge cover and keyboard.

2.1 Gently pry the cover upwards. There will not be any cables attached to this part. Replacements can be found here.

2.2 With the power button/hinge cover removed, the keyboard can now be lifted up and disconnected. The connection for this keyboard flips up to open and down to close. Refer to the pictures for the open and closed state. Replacement keyboards can be found here.

Step 3 - Removing the display assembly.

3.1 Lift on the tab attached to the video cable to disconnect it. Remove the 4 screws holding the hinges, and pull the wireless antenna out from the hole. The display can then be lifted out.

Step 4 - Removing the top case (palmrest).

4.1 Remove the 4 screws securing the palmrest. Disconnect the touchpad cable the same way the keyboard cable was removed and the palmrest can then be taken off. There will be some sections on the front that are held by plastic latches. Replacement palmrests can be found here.

Step 5 - Removing the motherboard.

5.1 Remove the 4 screws shown in the picture.

5.2 Disconnect the speakers from the motherboard by lifting up on the cables.

5.3 The motherboard can now be removed from the base. The VGA board will still be attached to it and can be disconnected once the motherboard has been removed. Replacement motherboards can be found here.

Step 6 - Removing the CPU and heatsink.

6.1 Unscrew the heatsink from the 4 points shown and disconnect the fan cable from the motherboard. Replacement heatsinks can be found here.

6.2 Use a flat head screw driver to turn the lock on the CPU to the unlock position and the CPU can then be lifted out. Replacement CPU can be found here.

Step 7 - Disassembling the LCD assembly.

7.1 Remove the 6 rubber screw covers and their screws.

7.2 Gently pry the bezel off from around the LCD. The latches can easily be damaged during this process.

7.3 Remove the 6 screws securing the hinges and bracket to the cover.

7.4 Disconnect the inverter from both ends. Replacement inverters can be found here.

7.5 Lift the LCD out of the cover and remove the screws securing the LCD to the brackets.

7.6 Remove the video cable and you now have the screen completely removed. Replacement screens can be found here.

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Extras and Compatibility

The Gateway MA2, MA3, MA7 and MA8 series are all similar looking and some parts are compatible between the series.

Below is a picture of 4 different motherboards. Three of them are similar except for the MA8 which would not fit into the case of the the others. They all will require different heatsinks and CPU's.

The palmrests are also similar between them. The pictures below show an MA3, MA7 and MA8 Palmrest.

There are quite a few different heatsinks for these series. In the picture below from left to right they are:

AMD Socket 754
Intel Socket 479
Intel Socket M
AMD Socket S1