HP Stream 14-CB174WM Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Grant Minh Phan

Comments: 0

HP Stream 14-CB174WM Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

40 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

The motherboard is the heart of any computer, including laptops, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring that all the components work together seamlessly. Over time, you might encounter issues with your laptop that point towards a faulty motherboard. Whether it's due to physical damage, component failure, or simply age, replacing the motherboard can breathe new life into your laptop.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to safely and effectively replace the motherboard in your laptop. All you will need for this guide is a Phillips #1 screwdriver and plastic prying tools.

Tools

Step 1

Use an opening pick to gently pry up the edge of the rubber foot.
Grab the lifted edge of the foot and gently pull it away.
Repeat for the other rubber foot.
The oils on your skin can damage the adhesive on the rubber feet. Try not to touch the adhesive part of the feet with your hands.

Step 2

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the eight 6.6 mm screws that secure the lower case.

Step 3

Insert an opening pick in the seam between the lower case and chassis.
Slide the opening pick around the perimeter, prying every couple of centimeters as you go.
You will hear "snaps" of the lower case retaining clips releasing.
Continue prying around the entire perimeter until the lower case fully releases.
Lift off the lower case.

Step 4

Remove the following Phillips screws that secure the battery:
Three 2.9 mm
Two 6.8 mm
Be sure to keep different screw types separate from one another throughout the battery removal process.

Step 5

Use your fingers or the point of a spudger to slowly “wiggle” the battery connector directly out of its socket.
Do not pull on the wires.

Step 6

Gently unseat the battery connector wire out from under the two plastic tabs.

Step 7

Lift the battery up and out of the laptop.
The battery should lift out with very little effort. If the battery cannot easily be lifted out of the laptop chassis, check to see if you missed any screws.

Step 8

Locate the Wi-Fi card module near the top of the laptop.
It is right above the large copper heat sink.

Step 9

Use a plastic opening tool to gently lift and detach the two Wi-Fi card antenna cables.
Each wire features numbered tags (1 and 2) corresponding to identical numbers printed on the card. These numbers indicate the designated ports on the wifi card where each wire should be plugged in.

Step 10

Remove the single screw that secures the Wi-Fi card using a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 11

Pull the card directly out of its socket.

Step 12

Use an opening tool or your fingernail to flip up the black ZIF connector locking flap next to the RAM.
Use tweezers to grip and pull the blue plastic tab on the ribbon cable.
Remove the ribbon cable.
Ribbon cables are delicate and can tear if pulled directly. Instead, grasp and gently pull the blue plastic tab protruding from the connector to release the cable. Avoid using metal tweezers on the cable as they can damage it; opt for tweezers with soft, non-abrasive tips for safer handling.

Step 13

Use an opening tool or your fingernail to flip up the black ZIF connector locking flap on the right side of the motherboard.
Remove the ribbon cable.
Ribbon cables are delicate and can tear if pulled directly. Instead, grasp and gently pull the blue plastic tab protruding from the connector to release the cable. Avoid using metal tweezers on the cable as they can damage it; opt for tweezers with soft, non-abrasive tips for safer handling.

Step 14

Use an opening tool or your fingernail to flip up the black ZIF connector locking flap on the lower-left side of the motherboard.
Remove the ribbon cable.
Ribbon cables are delicate and can tear if pulled directly. Instead, grasp and gently pull the blue plastic tab protruding from the connector to release the cable. Avoid using metal tweezers on the cable as they can damage it; opt for tweezers with soft, non-abrasive tips for safer handling.

Step 15

Flip up on the black locking flap that secures the display cable.
Remove the cable.

Step 16

Use two plastic opening tools to gently "walk" the the speaker connector directly out of its motherboard port.

Step 17

Use two plastic opening tools to "walk" the white sliding connector directly out of its port.
This connector is for the laptop's power board.

Step 18

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three wide-head screws from the motherboard.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two small-head screws from the motherboard.
Do not unscrew the two screws that secure the heatsink.
The heatsink is the large copper plate screwed into the motherboard.

Step 19

Lift the motherboard straight up and out of the laptop chassis.
The motherboard should come out with no force. If it does not lift up with little force, check for screws you may have missed.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Grant Minh Phan

Member since: 14/02/24

172 Reputation

HP Stream 14-CB174WM Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

Tools

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