some electrical tape on the end of that flat blade screw driver will also
help you, when you go to press in those tabs on the laptop.  It will reduce
some of the scratches on the case.

Richard Swartz wrote:

> On 18.07.98 14:50 GMT you asked:
> >Have an off-brand laptop with a bad floppy drive.  Called the company
> >and they sent me a new one.  Problem is, I've never taken one like
> >this apart.  Generally speaking, does one simply remove all the screws
> <snip>
>
> Hi Robert,
>
> A few weeks ago I took apart a Toshiba Tecra and generally
> speaking, yes that's what you'll have to do. You shouldn't
> have any problems with tiny parts all over the place though,
> the newer notebooks are pretty modular in their construction
> so you usually have large component blocks to work with. I'd
> keep a flat-head screwdriver handy because the plastic case
> usually has tabs that interconnect with the opposite
> side, so you'll probably have to push them in with the
> screwdriver while pulling a bit on the casing. If all goes
> well you'll get it apart with just a few scratches on the
> casing. (Has anybody found a better way to do this, please
> tell me if you have.) If murphy's law should strike, you
> might also have to remove the mainboard to get to the floppy
> bay. You might want to take a polaroid so you have a way of
> getting everything back where it belongs. If you have parts left
> over when you close the casing: NOT GOOD ;-)In any case you
> probably lose any kind of warranty or guarantee you had.
>
> I wish you luck.
>
> Rick Swartz