Importance: The plastic bottom panel must be removed to access internal hardware, including the optical drive.

Identify and unscrew all visible screws securing the bottom panel to the chassis.

Inspect areas near vents, ports, and hinges for hidden screws. These screws are often overlooked and can cause resistance when prying the panel off.

Remove screws holding the hard drive in place (if present) to facilitate panel removal.

Arrange screws in a pattern matching their original location to avoid confusion during reassembly.