[dannyboyfx]

The other day i wanted to take out a hard drive from an old dell. I had to take the motherboard off in order to take it off. How do people that work on these things for a living deal with all of this. i would shoot it if i had to deal with that for more than 4 hours a day. do you have any tools that make it easier to deal with

[Cosmic]

Assume you are talking a notebook or lap top. Like anything like, once you have done a times it is old hat. The only real trick is to have a good work bench setup properly with the right tools usually on pegboards. A biggie is having strong lighting systems and maybe a magnifier stand. I like the magnifier, you wear as a strap on around the head. Good flash-lamps and mirrors to peek into tight places. Depending what you are going after good documentation is a must. Small power screwdrivers with interchangeable tips really speed everything up. Most computer tech service tools will fit into a very small briefcase. Standard rule is the working environment must be comfortable or it is going to be a drag.

Should be able to tear any normal PC down completely to parts in about 5 minutes. I got an old junker yesterday, scored two hard drives. Would say complete tear down was well under the five minute limit. Need large trash can.

Is all about organization, parts in the right places. Either you like that type work or you never will.

[shadowcat]

I had to take apart an old Compaq desktop (a Pentium -- I remember when that was revolutionary ) and had to take the entire case apart (literally) to get to the hard drives. It had specialized screws that I had to do some serious manuvering to take apart. I understand when you say you would really prefer to shoot it :}

[dannyboyfx]

ive never taken apart a laptop. the hard motherboard was covering up one of the screws for the HDD, the mothreboard was also in two pices parelle to each other. That meant taking off the first part, then the tray for that since the mobo hid the screws for the tray, then the second part, then that tray. the side of the case that came off was the side that held the mobo, not the side that is normally open.

[dannyboyfx]

ive never taken apart a laptop. the hard motherboard was covering up one of the screws for the HDD, the mothreboard was also in two pices parelle to each other. That meant taking off the first part, then the tray for that since the mobo hid the screws for the tray, then the second part, then that tray. the side of the case that came off was the side that held the mobo, not the side that is normally open.

[Cosmic]

A lot of things you never attempt without the manual or at least some diagram (hopefully exploded) to guide you.

About like trying to take the dash out of most modern cars. Have to know not only the diagram but sequence. Trying to do otherwise probably is going to result in a lot of damage. About as much fun as wrestling a bear in a phone booth. Knowledge is power. Sure goes a lot easier too.