Lenovo 500e Chromebook 2nd Gen Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Nicolas Lidinsky

Comments: 4

Lenovo 500e Chromebook 2nd Gen Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

This guide will show you how to replace the motherboard in the Lenovo 500e 2nd Gen Chromebook, model number: 81MC005AUS. The motherboard is essentially the brains of the laptop. It has many key components that make the device work properly. If the device is having trouble starting, then refer to our troubleshooting page.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Remove nine 6 mm screws from the bottom cover of the laptop using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

A Philips #1 might work better, less risk of stripping the screw head

Fritz Borrelnootje -

Step 2

Remove stylus from the lower left corner of the back panel.

Step 3

Go along the edge of the back panel with an iFixit opening tool until it pops loose.
Remove the back panel from the laptop.

Step 4

Remove the four 4 mm Phillips #00 screws holding the battery in.

Removing the battery is not necessary for removing/replacing the WiFi card. However, as a precaution, do unplug the battery as shown in Step 5

Fritz Borrelnootje -

Step 5

Use the iFixit opening tool to unplug the battery from the motherboard.
Potential for device damage: Make sure to be gentle while removing the wire.

Step 6

Remove the battery from the laptop.

Removing the battery is not necessary for removing/replacing the WiFi card. However, as a precaution, do unplug the battery as shown in Step 5

Fritz Borrelnootje -

Step 7

Remove the three 4 mm screws (six total) from the left and right side brackets using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Gently remove the metal brackets from the motherboard.

Step 8

Remove the nine 4 mm screws from the motherboard using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 9

Gently remove the USB port from the side housing using an iFixit opening tool.

Step 10

Gently peel the metal strip away from the metal backing.

Step 11

Remove the single 3 mm screw that holds the Wi-Fi card in place using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 12

Disconnect the Wi-Fi card from the motherboard using an iFixit opening tool.

Step 13

Using an iFixit opening tool, disconnect the camera cable.
Potential for device damage: Be gentle while removing the wire.

Step 14

Using an iFixit opening tool, detach the speaker wiring from the motherboard.
Set speakers aside for reinstallation.
Potential for device damage: Be gentle while removing the wire.

If adding new keyboard, you will need to keep the speakers.

Ben Henker -

Step 15

Using an iFixit opening tool, detach the track pad connector from the motherboard.
Potential for device damage: Be gentle while detaching the connector.