Disassembling IBM ThinkPad A30 CPU

Slide the highlighted tab to the left.

With your finger on the tab, remove the battery by lifting it upwards away from the laptop.

Remove the highlighted screw with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

Pull the hard drive out.

Remove the six 16.7mm screws inside the circled holes.

Rotate the ThinkPad so that the hard drive bay is facing you.

Remove the black cover to reveal a 14.8mm screw.

Remove the uncovered screw with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Pry apart the keyboard with a plastic opening tool or with your fingers.

Lift the front end of the keyboard as shown.

Using your fingers, remove the black film cover.

Locate the connector attached to the motherboard.

Disconnect the ribbon cable by removing the connector.

Lift and remove the keyboard.

Remove the two 5.6mm screws.

Remove the 16.7mm screw.

Pry off the upper case with your hands.

Remove the 5.6mm screw that holds the LCD to the upper case.

Remove the 5.6mm screw on the left side of the three-pronged connector.

Remove the other two 16.7mm screws.

Lift and remove connector.

Pull out the white tab connecting the LCD to the motherboard.

Turn the laptop so that the back is facing you.

Remove the four 5.6mm long screws.

Gently lift the LCD monitor up and out.

Remove the black plastic tab.

Remove the following screws from the fan retention bracket:

Single 5.6 mm screw.

Three 16.1 mm screws.

Lift the heatsink bracket up.

Lift the fan/heatsink assembly up.

Locate the fan power cable and pull upwards near the connector.

Remove the fan/heatsink assembly.

Use a flathead to turn the screw 180 degrees.

Remove the CPU by lifting it upwards.