## StarBook Mk V / Mk VI / Mk VII— Disassembly Guide This guide explains how to safely disassemble your StarBook Mk V or Mk VI for component access, cleaning, or part replacement. > > ⚠️ **Important:** > You’ll need a **PH0 Phillips screwdriver** and **thermal compound** (if removing the mainboard). > Screw lengths vary by component — keep each set separate and label them if possible. Before you begin, place your laptop on a **soft, protected surface** to avoid scratching the anodised finish. ![Laptop Preparation](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8816.jpg?v=1629296240) --- ### 1. Remove Outer Screws Remove the **2 long Phillips screws** located in the **top corners** of the backplate. ![Outer Screws](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8818.jpg?v=1629297196) --- ### 2. Remove Remaining Screws Remove the **8 short Phillips screws** securing the rest of the backplate. ![Short Screws](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8817.jpg?v=1629297575) --- ### 3. Remove the Backplate Gently lift the backplate away from the chassis. ![Backplate Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8819.jpg?v=1629297575) ![Backplate Off](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8821.jpg?v=1629298198) --- ### 4. Disconnect the Battery > > **Important:** Always disconnect the battery before removing the SSD or RAM. Failing to do so may result in a board short. **Disconnect the battery connector** carefully by gently pulling downwards. ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8843.jpg?v=1629301545)![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8844.jpg?v=1629301708) ### 5. Remove the Battery 1. Unscrew the **5 Phillips screws** securing the battery. > > Note: The **centre-right screw** is intentionally missing. ![Battery Screws](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8847.jpg?v=1629301986) ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8849.jpg?v=1629302467) --- ### 6. Remove the SSD Unscrew the retaining screw and **slide the SSD out** of its slot. ![SSD Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8824.jpg?v=1629298506) --- ### 7. Remove Memory Modules 1. Press the **silver clips** on either side of the memory slot **outwards** to release the module. 2. Gently **slide it out**. ![Memory Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8827.jpg?v=1629299366) Repeat for the second memory module. ![Second Memory Slot](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8926.jpg?v=1629380661) --- ### 8. Remove the Wireless Card 1. Lift the **plastic antenna cover**, then **detach both antenna cables** carefully. ![Antenna Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8834.jpg?v=1629300596) ![Wireless Card](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8835.jpg?v=1629300596) 2. Remove the retaining screw and **slide out the wireless card**. ![Card Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8837.jpg?v=1629300896) --- ### 9. Remove the I/O Board 1. **Lift the ribbon cable clamp** to release the cable. ![I/O Cable](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8851.jpg?v=1629302556) 2. Unscrew the **2 Phillips screws** securing the board, then lift it out. ![I/O Board Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8855.jpg?v=1629302663) --- ### 10. Disconnect the Screen Lift the **screen connector clamp** to detach the display cable. ![Screen Connector](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8856.jpg?v=1629372924) --- ### 11. Disconnect Cables from the Mainboard Detach the following connectors: - I/O Board - Keyboard and keyboard backlight - Speakers - Trackpad - Fingerprint Reader (Mk VI only) **I/O Board:** ![IO Cable](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8861.jpg?v=1629373183) **Touchpad:** ![Touchpad Cable](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8865.jpg?v=1629373265) **Speakers:** ![Speaker Cable](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8858.jpg?v=1629373445) **Keyboard & Backlight:** ![Keyboard Cable](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8863.jpg?v=1629373224) ![Backlight Cable](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8868.jpg?v=1629373511) --- ### 12. Remove the DC Jack 1. Remove the **2 silver screws** securing the DC Jack shield. 2. Disconnect the DC Jack cable from the mainboard. ![DC Jack Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8860.jpg?v=1629373549) --- ### 13. Remove the Fan 1. Disconnect the fan cable from the mainboard. ![Fan Connector](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8920.jpg?v=1629375269) 2. Remove the **3 Phillips screws** securing the fan and lift it out. ![Fan Screws](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8921.jpg?v=1629375334) ![Fan Removed](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8880.jpg?v=1629376452) --- ### 14. Remove the Heatsink Remove the **4 short Phillips screws** holding the heatsink, then lift it off the mainboard. > > These screws are **shorter** than other silver screws. > ![Heatsink Screws](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8883.jpg?v=1629376099) > ![Heatsink Removed](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8884.jpg?v=1629376117) --- ### 15. Remove the Mainboard Remove the remaining **4 Phillips screws** around the edge of the mainboard and lift it out of the chassis. ![Mainboard Removal](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8886.jpg?v=1629376883) ![Mainboard Lifted](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8887.jpg?v=1629376883) --- ### 16. Remove the I/O Ribbon Cable Detach the ribbon cable from the chassis. ![I/O Ribbon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8890.jpg?v=1629377068) --- ### 17. Remove the Display Assembly 1. Remove the **4 Phillips screws** from the **left hinge**. ![Left Hinge](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8892.jpg?v=1629377472) 2. Remove the **4 screws** from the **right hinge**. ![Right Hinge](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8893.jpg?v=1629377563) 3. Lift both hinges to a **90° angle** to allow the chassis to clear them. ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8898.jpg?v=1629377749) ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8899.jpg?v=1629377780) 4. Carefully lift the chassis to **separate it from the display array**. ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8902.jpg?v=1629377967) --- ### 18. Disassembly Complete Your StarBook disassembly is now complete. ![Disassembled Laptop](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8904.jpg?v=1629378017) --- ### 18. Reassembly Reassemble by reversing the above steps. > > ⚙️ **Note on Thermal Compound:** > When reattaching the heatsink, clean off the old thermal paste from both the CPU and the heatsink using a lint-free cloth. > Apply a **small, fresh amount** of thermal compound to the centre of the CPU before reinstalling the heatsink. ![Cleaning Paste](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8905.jpg?v=1629379443) ![Reapply Compound](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2059/5897/files/IMG-8910.jpg?v=1629379443)