Main Board Assembly Removal

ID: 167780

Description: This guide shows how to remove the main board...

Each console cover is secured with hooks along the rear edge and clips along the front edge.
To remove a cover, firmly pull up the front edge to release the clips.
You'll hear distinct "pops" as the clips release.
Remove the cover.

Use the same process to remove the three remaining covers.
To reinstall a cover, place the hooks into their cutouts along the rear edge and firmly press the front edge of the cover into place to re‑engage the clips.

If your PlayStation doesn't have a disc drive, skip this step.
Use the cutout on the bottom right corner of the disc drive to lift its right edge and disconnect it.
Remove the disc drive.
During reassembly, place the hooks on the left edge of the drive into their cutouts and firmly press the drive into place so the connector on the bottom right corner goes into its socket.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 17.1 mm‑long screw securing the expansion slot cover.

Use your fingers to lift the expansion slot cover near the notch by the screw hole and remove it.

Use your fingers to remove the plastic cover hiding the fan cables connector.
The cover is secured with light adhesive.
During reassembly, press the piece of plastic back into place to secure it with the leftover adhesive. If it isn't sticking, use strips of double-sided tape to secure it.

Firmly grip the fan cables white connector head and pull it straight up and out of its socket.
If you're having trouble, grip the cables just above the connector head, and gently pull.
During reassembly, align the connector over its socket and push down on the edges with the flat end of a spudger until it slides fully into its socket.

Use your fingers to grab the fan by its vents, and lift it straight up to remove it.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to clean the fan. Use a clean cloth and some compressed air to remove any dust or dirt.
Insert the fan so its cables are near their connector.

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the two 21.3 mm‑long screws securing the power supply.

A tamper-evident sticker hides one of the right‑side inner shell.
If you live in the U.S., you're protected under the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act and these stickers are illegal—don't let them intimidate you! Elsewhere, warranty protections differ.
Use tweezers to peel up the sticker until you can access the screw underneath.

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the nine screws securing the right‑side inner shell:
Four 18.9 mm‑long screws
One 21.3 mm‑long screw
Four 31.2 mm‑long screws

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the interconnect cable cover:
One 28.7 mm‑long screw
Three 7.5 mm‑long screws

Use the point of a spudger to push the interconnect cable's metal latch down and away from the connector to unlock it.
Keep the latch in its unlocked position and carefully pull the interconnect cable straight out of its socket.
During reassembly, push the latch into its unlocked position and insert the cable into its socket. Then, push the latch back in place to lock the cable.

Insert a spudger under the metal neck of one of the antenna cable's coaxial connectors and lift straight up to disconnect it.
Repeat the process to disconnect the other antenna cable.
To reconnect a cable, hold the metal connector head over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger until the connector snaps into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the connector and try again.

A piece of tape and a block of foam secure the antenna cables to the heatsink shield.
Gently lift both antenna cables to separate the tape from the heatsink shield.

Light adhesive secures the foam block to the heatsink shield.
Use tweezers to gently peel up the foam block.
If you're having trouble, heat an iOpener and apply it to the foam for one minute to soften the adhesive. If you don't have an iOpener, you can use a hair dryer instead.

Move the antenna cables over the side of your PlayStation so they're out of the way.
During reassembly, use this photo as a reference to put the antenna cables back in their original position.

The power supply is connected to the bottom of the main board assembly by metal prongs that plug into the bottom left corner.
Lift the bottom left corner of the main board assembly off its gray plastic post. Keep the assembly lifted for the next step.
Your PlayStation's plastic housing will likely flex while lifting the assembly.

Keep the main board assembly raised with one hand.
With your free hand, insert your finger between the assembly and power supply.
Push down on the power supply and lift the assembly to separate them.
It'll take a significant amount of force to separate the two.
During reassembly, press down firmly on the bottom left corner of the main board assembly to fully connect it to the power supply.

Do not grab the main board assembly by the copper heat pipes or its fins, as they can easily be damaged.
Firmly secure the plastic housing with one hand.
With your free hand, grab the upper edge of the main board assembly and lift it out of the plastic housing.
During reassembly:
Make sure the interconnect cable doesn't get stuck under the main board assembly when lowering it into place.
Lower the assembly into its recess so its prongs go into their socket on the power supply and the three cutouts go over their alignment posts.

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