MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement

Introduction

The CPU module is plugged into motherboard connector U1. The module contains the main SoC (System-on-Chip) and memory.

The original release of MNT Reform ships with the Boundary Devices Nitrogen8M_SOM CPU module, however alternative CPU modules are in development, and you can also develop your own

Please note that removing the CPU module will require re-applying thermal paste.

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Étape 1 Remove Bottom Plate Screws

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove Bottom Plate Screws: étape 1, image 1 de 1

Remove the following screws securing the transparent acrylic bottom plate to the main box:
Ten M2×6mm silver Phillips screws

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Étape 2 Remove Bottom Plate

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove Bottom Plate: étape 2, image 1 de 1

Lift the bottom plate and set it aside.
Before servicing anything on the inside, make sure to remove all battery cells.

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Étape 3 Remove Battery Cells

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove Battery Cells: étape 3, image 1 de 2

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove Battery Cells: étape 3, image 2 de 2

Pull out the eight battery cells one by one, and set them aside safely.
Do not use a metal tool to remove the batteries. You may accidentally short-circuit the metal pins of the battery holders.
When replacing the batteries, pay attention to the polarity! Inserting a cell the wrong way in will damage your device.
The circuit board indicates the + and - orientation for each cell.

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Étape 4 Remove Heatsink Screws

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove Heatsink Screws: étape 4, image 1 de 1

Remove the following screws securing the heatsink:
Four M2×12 Philips screws

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Étape 5 Remove the Heatsink

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove the Heatsink: étape 5, image 1 de 1

Gently pull the heatsink up.
Take care not to lose the four cylindrical plastic spacers supporting the heatsink.
When replacing the heatsink, remember to place the spacers over the screw holes before screwing down the heatsink. It may be helpful to use tweezers to align the spacers if placing the heatsink on top shifted them.
When replacing the heatsink into the laptop, you will need to apply new thermal paste. We have a thermal paste guide that makes replacing the thermal compound easy.
If you need to remove the heatsink frequently, it is possible to replace the thermal paste with a 0.5mm thermal pad instead.

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Étape 6 Disconnect CPU Module Ribbon Cable

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Disconnect CPU Module Ribbon Cable: étape 6, image 1 de 2

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Disconnect CPU Module Ribbon Cable: étape 6, image 2 de 2

Gently lift the black tab on the ribbon cable connector, then slide the ribbon cable out.

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Étape 7 Release CPU Module

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Release CPU Module: étape 7, image 1 de 1

Release the tabs on each side of the CPU module by pulling them at the same time.
These tabs lock the module in place and releasing them will cause the module to "pop" up, similarly to a RAM stick on other laptop computers.

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Étape 8 Remove CPU Module

MNT Reform CPU Module Replacement, Remove CPU Module: étape 8, image 1 de 1

Pull the CPU module out of its socket on the motherboard.
To avoid damaging its socket on the motherboard, do not excessively lift the free end of the CPU module.

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