HP Z2 Mini G3 Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Sympson Placide

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

35 minutes

Introduction

The motherboard connects and powers HP Z2 Mini G3 (Model No. 1LE81UP#ABA) hardware components. Communications between the CPU processor and other hardware components is possible because of the motherboard acting as a printed circuit. If you need to replace your motherboard, follow this guide.

Be sure that the power is off and the A/C power cord has been disconnected before starting. Removing hardware while the power is on could damage the device.

Components of the device are subject to static damage. Work on a hard, grounded surface to prevent damage to the workstation.

Tools

T15 Security Torx Screwdriver

Step 1

Turn the device so the back-side of the device is facing you.
Be sure that the power is off and the A/C power cord has been disconnected before starting. Removing hardware while the power is on could damage the device or harm yourself.
Components of the device are subject to static damage. Work on a hard, grounded surface to prevent damage to the workstation.

Step 2

Slide and hold the latch in the direction of the engraved arrow (to the right).

Step 3

While holding the latch, lift the access panel upwards and towards yourself and set it aside upside-down.

Step 4

Rotate the device so the front side is facing you (the side with the power button) and locate the CPU fan.

Step 5

Swing the fan upward, to a 90-degree angle.

Step 6

Carefully disconnect the CPU fan by pulling out the wires from the motherboard.

Step 7

Swing the fan back down and carefully unhook the CPU fan notches by pulling each tab away from the heat sink holes.

Step 8

Swing the fan up again and pull it out.

Step 9

Remove the 9mm Torx screw with a T15 Torx screwdriver to release the SSD assembly.
Lift the assembly upwards to remove it.

Step 10

Pull the metal arm out from under the frame and lift it up. The frame should slide back from under the screw.

Step 11

Lift the frame upward to gain access to the processor
Take note of a triangular mark on one of the corners of the processor and bracket it is mounted on. The triangles must be aligned together during reassembly.

Step 12

Grip the processor on each side, carefully lifting it up.
Do not touch the underside of the processor. Doing so may damage the processor and prevent a connection to the motherboard.
Be careful inserting the new processor. The connectors on the new one and the motherboard are fragile and damage easily.

Step 13

Remove the thermal sensor cable from the motherboard.
Grab and lift the cable from the chassis to finish removing the thermal sensor.

Step 14

Some models may have a wireless LAN module installed under the GPU fan.
In this case, use a T15 Torx screwdriver to remove the 9mm Torx screw from the module and take the component out.

Step 15

Unplug, then carefully detach the system speaker from the chassis by gripping the frame and pulling back.
You do not need to remove the speaker from its frame.