More Pictures

More Pictures

This is the underside of a MP-975 or MP983 (TravelPro) with the hard drive module removed. To remove the module, pull back on the retainer near the center bottom in the above picture. Then push the module towards the fan opening (towards laptop center) about 1/2" or 12 mm. It will hit a stop. Then lift the module out. Don't drop the module - hard drives won't survive a major fall.

If you are installing a larger hard drive click here to go to pictures of taking apart the module.

Then remove the two screws that hold the fan cover on place. Slide the fan cover towards the hard drive opening. Until it hit a stop and then lift off. Don't be surprised to see a wad of dust stuck in the fan and CPU heatsink. You should open up this panel and gently clean the fan and heatsink at least once a year. (more often for MP-983 - TravelPro 2500)

If you are disassembling the machine to replace a broken case, then you need not remove the CPU heatsink.

Changing a CPU

CPU socket in the MP-983 (TravelPro 2500 series) motherboard

The above picture is a MP983 (or TravelPro 2500) CPU & socket. Note SW1 DIP switch above the left brass stud for the CPU cooling fan & heatsink mounting.

Remove the two screws from the heatsink and lift it out. One screw is under the taped over hole in the heatsink and can be a real bear to reinstall if you totally remove it from the heatsink. I'd recommend that you just unscrew it and leave it in place.

The heatsink will pull out about 2" (50mm) before the power lead is at the end of it's travel. Disconnect the power lead from the motherboard at it's connector and place the heatsink in a safe spot.

The bottom of the heatsink has some pink heat conducting material that is squeezed between the heatsink and the CPU. It may all stay on the CPU or it may stay on the heatsink when you lift up. Don't disturb this material any more than necessary. If it comes apart so that half is on the heatsink and half is on the CPU - don't worry. It will still be fine when you reassemble the computer.

There is one DIP switch. The switch is located just above the brass stud for the left screw that held the heatsink in place. There is also a rotary switch centered below the CPU. The rotary switch controls CPU voltage. Don't mess with this one unless you're 250% sure that you've got it right. There is a small yellow chart printed just below the stud for the heatsink that lists voltage vs. switch position. If you plan on updating the CPU you MUST reset the rotary switch to the new CPU's voltage setting BEFORE installing the new CPU and powering it up for the first time.

CPU in the MP-975 (TravelPro 100 & 1950, 2000 series)

The above picture is a MP-975 machine.

Same thing as above, remove the two screws from the heatsink and lift it out. One screw is under the taped over hole in the heatsink and can be a real bear to reinstall if you totally remove this screw from the heatsink. I'd recommend that you just unscrew it and leave it in place. Then heatsink can be lifted out about 2" (50mm) before the power lead is at the end of it's travel. Disconnect the power lead from the motherboard at it's connector and place the heatsink in a safe spot. The bottom of the heatsink has some pink heat conducting material that is squeezed between the heatsink and the CPU. This pink material conducts heat to the heatsink from the CPU.

The pink stuff might stay on the CPU or it might stay on the heatsink when you lift the heatsink up. Don't disturb this material. If it comes apart so that half is on the heatsink and half is on the CPU - don't worry it will still be fine when you reassemble the computer.

There are two DIP switches and no rotary switch on this motherboard. The two switches are located just above the brass stud for the left screw that held the heatsink in place. To reset the CPU voltage you must move 3 of the switches on the lower DIP switch. If you plan on updating the CPU you MUST reset these switches to the new CPU's voltage setting BEFORE installing the new CPU and powering it up for the first time. Note - there's no chart this time. The chart is imprinted on the motherboard under the black plastic insulator (see top picture this page) along with all the other switch settings.

This is a CPU socket for an MP983. the MP975 socket is exactly the same, but the switches to the left will be different.

Note on the left and right sides of this socket that there are areas to insert a screwdriver to force the CPU socket open or closed. (right or left in this photo) The above socket has been levered to the right and a gap can be seen between the main socket area (with holes for CPU pins) and the fixed bottom part of the socket.

If this CPU socket is not COMPLETELY locked then the CPU will not make contact with the pins in the socket. Computer crashes or a totally dead computer WILL result from this condition. This is a great tip for troubleshooting a dead MP975 or MP983. CHECK that the socket is locked.

I repeat - check the socket on a dead laptop!

SW1 for a Rev C - Rev F motherboard (6 switch assembly) can be seen above the left brass stud mount for the heatsink.

Hard to see in this lousy quality JPG, but dead-center below the CPU socket is the rotary Core Voltage switch. (silver square device with round cream colored center)