How to take apart Toshiba Satellite A300 or A305 laptop
In this guide I will be taking apart a Toshiba Satellite A305 laptop. Also this guide will work for a Satellite A300 series. Basically Satellite A300 and A305 laptops have a similar design but different names.
I start the disassembly process with removing the keyboard as it shown in steps 1-5. Be very careful with the keyboard cable connector on the motherboard. If you break this connector, you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard.
Steps 6-9 explain how to access and remove the hard drive, both memory modules and the optical drive. Fortunately, in this model both memory modules could be access from the bottom making the removal/upgrade process very simple.
In steps 10-14 I’m removing the laptop top cover assembly. By the way, both touch pad buttons are a part of the top cover. If one of the buttons feels loose, most likely the plastic bridge connecting this button to the top cover is broken. In order to fix this problem, you’ll have to replace the whole top cover assembly.
In steps 15-25 I proceed with removing the motherboard. I would like to mention that the cooling fan is mounted under the motherboard. If you would like to replace the fan, you’ll have to remove the motherboard first.
In the next post I explain the LCD screen and inverter board removal procedure.
Need spare parts for your laptop? Search here by the laptop model and part name or number.
November 21st, 2009 at 3:26 am
I have a A300/300 (purchased in Australia). Is it necessary to remove the keyboard to just clean the fan?
Is there a trick to just cleaning the fan?
November 9th, 2009 at 2:12 am
This is very gooog but i need ask if there i can But another H.D.D in A300-233 with
November 6th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Bucksg,
I cannot tell without testing the laptop. The first thing I would check is the AC power adapter. Maybe it’s just a fried adapter.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I was working on my 2year old A305-s6825 for some time when the battery finally completely drained. As I plugged in the power adapter I immediately smelled the notorious burnt electronics smell. Now, it will not power up or charge the battery.
Would this point to the motherboard/etc being fried or maybe just the power jack/cable? Other?
November 6th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Grophkrasniqi,
You cannot clean it. The key contacts are hidden inside the keyboard and the keyboard is not repairable.
If one of the keys stopped working, you’ll have to replace the keyboard.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:48 am
mike g.
You are correct, the BIOS battery is the blue thing soldered to the motherboard.
Removing the BIOS battery will not clear the password.
This is a known issue with some newer Toshiba laptops. Some laptops can set up the BIOS password without asking you.
Call Toshiba and they should remove the password at no charge. You’ll have to send your laptop to Toshiba or take it to a local authorized center. They will clear the BIOS password even if the laptop is out of warranty. Of course, I assume the laptop is registered on your name and address.
If the Toshiba rep says it’s not covered, do not give up. Call again and talk to the supervisor. I know it’s a very annoying problem and Toshiba knows about this. Call them.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I have a Toshiba Sat. A305 and yesterday when I turned it on a blue box appeared and it asked me for a password. Someone told me it has something to do with the BIOS. and told me to remove the BIOS battery.. I’m not sure what it is but I think it the blue little battery which it attached to the motherboard. in other laptops it can be removed. but I’m not sure if it can be removed in these type of comp. Does anyone know how to fix the problem.. PLEASE. I need help.
October 31st, 2009 at 5:16 am
all of the keyboard characters -[Ë] and [ë]-don’t work on my laptop..
How do I unhinge the keys to clean them ?
With Atl +137 not functioning in my laptop
plzzz tell me withh my problem:)
Thank you
October 29th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Scott,
Thank you very much for your generous donation!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I just sent you a donation via PayPal.
Information such as what you have provided here is invaluable.
I’ve done Dell, HP, SONY, and a few others, but tonight was my first Toshiba LCD replacement.
Thanks to your site coming up in a Google search, the operation went smoothly and the machine is like new again!
Be well.
Scott
September 18th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Can you tell me if this model supports internal bluetooth? My model is also A300, but with this shell: http://pdastore.hu/zone/images/NB_TOSHIBA_A300_GREY_nagy.jpg
I browsed your pictures but couldn’t find any clue. I also installed internal bluetooth in my Acer Aspire a couple of years ago, very handy for mouse, cellphone and wireless headphones.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Thanks cj2600,
I also can not hear sound from headphones?
September 8th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Hi~
my two buttons of the touch pad mouse clicks funny.. and it isn’t smooth when i click it..
is there a way to dissemble the buttons to clean it?
thx!
September 5th, 2009 at 9:19 am
a300,
I guess it’s a hardware related problem.
You have checked all volume controls, right? You know about the volume control wheel on the front or side of the laptop, right?
Can you hear sound from headphones?
September 4th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I have notebook toshiba a300-15b and the sound suddenly disappeared.However every things are installed correctly and I did the recovery but still the same problem.What should I do?
August 25th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
promitheas,
It’s hard to tell. Could be defective battery or motherboard problem. The only way to find out is testing the laptop with another known good battery.
It’s only 4 months old and should be covered by the warranty.
Also, find out if you are running the latest BIOS. If not, update the BIOS. It might help. Be careful doing that and read instructions.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Boris,
Did you buy your laptop in the USA? What is laptop model and part number?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Hi,
It’s pity there is no photo of top cover and touch-pad assembly. I am particularly interested in partnumber of touch-pad buttons board – looks like I’ve got broken the socket under the right button.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
i have a toshiba satellite A300-ND laptop and yesterday suddenly it stoped recharging the battery.when i took out the battery the laptop continued working fine with the ac power plug.so the problem is not the adaptor.the laptop is 4 months old.so i think that the battery should be ok.maybe is malfunction in the charging electronics on the motherboard?
August 4th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Toshiba Satellite A305D.
2 of the keyboard characters -[9] and [o]-don’t work on my laptop.
How do I unhinge the keys to clean them ?
Thanking you in advance.
Gary
July 31st, 2009 at 12:01 am
Hi I try to reset the bios memory in my toshiba A305-s6909 and The RTC (CMOS) battery is permanently soldered to the motherboard. please help me
June 16th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
cj2600, I want to thank you for your comprehensive guide. I was able to gain the small and very important fragments of info I needed to replace a laptop.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Hi,
can you help me find the part number for a lcd screen for my Toshiba Satellite A300 – 034
the Model number is PASG0C – 03401C
thank you in advance.
May 17th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
John,
Here’s the motherboard part number for a Toshiba Satellite A305-S6905 (Model number PSAG8U-04001W) laptop: V000126550
May 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Hi, the model number is PSAG8U-04001W.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
John,
Give me the laptop model number, it’s on the same sticker with the serial number and I’ll look up the motherboard part number for you. There could be more than one motherboard listed for a Satellite A305 laptop.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Hi, looking for a new motherboard for my satellite A305-s6905, need to find the part number, thank you.
May 12th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
John,
Here’s the part number for a new keyboard: V000120280 or V000120090. You can use either one.
May 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Can you help me to find a new keyboard for Satellite A305-S6905. Model number: PSAG8U-04001W. Thanks.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
[...] the previous post I explained the motherboard removal procedure. Need spare parts for your laptop? Search here by the laptop model and part name or [...]