Gateway MX6959 Motherboard Removal

You don't need a lab to repair a power connector, that's just a bit overkill.

There's no hardware disassembly guides I could find, but here's some manuals provided by gateway.

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobil [...] 511418.pdf
http://support.gateway.com/s/Manua [...] 511180.pdf

If you've never taken apart a notebook computer before, here's some guidelines to stick by:

1: Remove everything you can that's large right away (hdd, ram, etc)
2: Place your screws on a mat or large magnet in the position you took them out of. Often manufacturers will use different screw lengths in different places - make sure they all go back the same way. I have several Cisco switch mounting magnets that I use.
3: If it doesn't move or come apart, you missed a screw.
4: If you just can't find a screw and it still won't move, take a breathe, get a flashlight, and spend 5 minutes just looking at the notebook. Search for seams, clips, hidden holes, covered parts, etc.
5: Remember what order you took things apart in. Often they only go back that way.
6: Small flathead screwdrivers are your friends. Manufacturers love to use clipping chassis designs, and these drivers are perfect to wedge them apart.

EDIT: oh, and about the power connector. It's just three leads soldered onto your board. Go to radioshack, get a compatible connector, desolder your old one off, and solder your new one on. good as new.

Hey, never dash a man's excuse to go to the lab.