STEP 1

As with any laptop, start disassembly process with unlocking and removing the battery.

STEP 2

Now remove three screws securing the heatsink/CPU cover and remove the cover.
Remove two screws from the memory modules cover and remove the cover.

STEP 3

The laptop on this photo shows 2 memory modules installed (bottom arrow). To remove the memory module, spread the latches on both sides of the module until it pops up at 30 degrees angle. After that grasp the memory module for its sides and pull from the socket. Do the same with the second stick.
Now remove two screws securing a metal bracket over the CPU heatsink. Remove the bracket and lift up the heatsink from the CPU. Clean old thermal grease off the CPU and the heatsink.
If you need to replace the CPU, you can do it now. Just unlock the CPU socket by turning the screw into "open" position and carefully lift up the CPU from the socket on the motherboard. I'll do it in the step 25.

STEP 4

If your heatsink looks like this one, then most likely the laptop experience an overheating issue. When a laptop overheats it usually shuts down by itself without any reason when you ran CPU intensive applications. Clean up the heatsink and the problem will go away.

STEP 6

Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.
Push the lock into "unlocked" position and pull the DVD drive from the laptop.

STEP 7

Remove two screws from the hard drive door and remove it.

STEP 8

Pull the hard drive to disconnect it from the motherboard and remove it. If you are replacing the hard drive, you'll have to transfer the hard drive bracket. It's easy. Just remove a few screws on the side of the bracket, remove the bracket from the old drive and transfer it to a new hard drive.