Anybody know how to take apart an HP laptop without mangling the screw covers?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I bought an HP Probook 4525s from Newegg for $399 a couple of weeks ago. It's a lot of bang for the buck, and you can call HP to get the restore disks for 32- and 64-bit Windows 7 Pro. I bought 4GB of RAM, but the first step in taking the thing apart is to remove the mylar covers over some screws in the back.

I can do this, but the only way I see to remove the mylar covers is to destroy them.

Should I just destroy them? I hate boogering up a brand new computer.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Probably not what you need, huh? :)

[pennboricua]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr7om-fLkSA

[Always Independent]

isn’t there a separate panel for access to the meymory boards? We have three HP laptops and each has a panel in the base to access memory. The diagram you are showing lookes like removal of the bas of the laptop itself.

[RobertClark]

32 bit will only manage about 3.5 gigs of RAM.

[Revolting cat!]

IBTJ - In Before The Jokers!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I thought of that. That’s why I got the 64-bit disks from HP.

[RobertClark]

RAM access is under the keyboard - remove from topside.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

That is from the HP repair manual. You have to take the whole thing apart. This is classified as business computer, and they don’t expect the consumer to be messing with it.

[Daffynition]

[E. Pluribus Unum]

RAM access is under the keyboard - remove from topside.

I got that straight from HP's service manual

[Drango]

I just did this....on a Thinkpad. Sorry I have no clue on an HP.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I appreciate the thought, but they are all freaking different.

Actually, this isn't a technical question. It's just how to remove the damned mylar covers without destroying them.

[raybbr]

You could try to heat the mylar covers with a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the adhesive. If the adhesive is loosened by the heat they should easily peel off.

In that way you might be able to put them back afterward. Heat them again and stick them back on.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

I’ve been putting off getting dual cores & etc. for a long time. How does this compare to a good old 3GHz single core running sweetly (if you can remember!)?

[Dan Cooper]

This site has pretty good tutorials:

Inside My Laptop

I didn't see one for the model you mentioned, but they might have one for a close model or Compac version of the same machine.

[RobertClark]

There are three screws directly under the battery and one on each side under the mylar / rubber covers. Just use a pin or your thumb nail to pull them off (you can reapply them later if you would like with a dab of glue - most people just leave them off). Then turn over and open the laptop up. The plastic cover at the top of the keyboard will lift straight up. Removing it will reveal two screws (one at the top corner on each side of the keyboard) - remove them and then slide the keyboard forward (it will be tight) doing so will allow you to lift out the keyboard and access the RAM. Reverse to reassemble.

[oh8eleven]

I bought an HP Probook ... a couple of weeks ago.
I think you'll void your warranty if you screw around - no pun intended.

[Mr. K]

I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HP PIECE O CRAP EVER AGAIN

[oh8eleven]

You could try to heat the mylar covers with a heat gun or hair dryer ...
... and make toasted cheese sandwiches at the same time.