Behind the
old-computers photos...
Before shooting
photos of our old computers, we often have to dismantle, clean out and test
their good working order. Here is an example of a Compaq 386 salvage.
When we got this computer, it had
spent about five years in a damp cellar. So, before testing it, we decided to
completely dismantle it, clean and verify each parts.
Here is the result. All the parts
are in their original state, that means dirty, really dirty.
Dismantling a
Compaq Portable III
Dismantling a Compaq Portable III
series is quite easy, except for the display unit. You will need two special Torx
screwdrivers and to follow these steps with care and in order:
1 - Remove the rear panel,
2 - Disconnect all the cables from the
mainboard while writing down their location and the way they are connected,
3 - Remove the Mainboard,
4 - Remove the display card located
vertically at the bottom of the case,
5 - Remove the black plastic part
which keeps the two video cables in position (one screw). Write down how the
cables are fixed between the case and the the plastic part,
6 - Unscrew the four screws located on
top of the rear side of the display unit. You can then remove the front panel of
the unit,
7 - Remove gently the display unit and
its two cables by unscrewing two screws on each side of the display panel,
8 - Unscrew for screws located in
front of the case, behind the now removed display unit, they keep the PSU and
drives unit in position,
9 - Remove the PSU and drives unit by
pulling them to the back.
You can now clean all the parts and put them back together again in the reverse
order.
Some keyboard versions don't use screws but only several plastic clips located
around the keyboard shells. With a flat screwdriver, gently push each clip and
move apart gradually the two shells.
If the
CMOS setup information have been erased, you will need the Compaq Setups program, available here for download in
3.5"
or 5.25"
format as well as the Diagnostics program, only available in 3.5"
format.
You can also download the Technical
Refenrece Manual which applies to the Potable III, 386 and later models
(Thanks to Jesko).
