~Toughbooktalk~

Don't worry about those holes by the hinge.

It's there to let water out.... the water seals go around it. Nothing to worry.

Thanks!

P.S, welcome to the nuthouse! It will become and addiction! lol

Thanks again guys.

Great to be able to draw on such a pool of knowledge (I can search before posing questions about new things to me that make people yawn, they've seen them so many times).

I've got the user manual and service manual downloaded, but anything off the beaten track (i.e. the holes underneath) isn't covered, they assume you just know about certain stuff.

The unit I've got has never seen any active service, it's too well looked after, looking forward to getting it running.

We all had to start somewhere. I read up some too before getting my first toughbook a CF-28 Mk2. I should of read a little deeper in finding out after I got it home that I needed a special caddy for the hard drive and cd/dvd drive. Live and learn.

OK I've removed all 13 screws from the bottom cover, and unlatched the port covers as per the removal sequence in the service manual.

The next step describes is 'Remove the rear cabinet' .

I think that this is the first time its been removed on mine, what's the trick to getting the bottom cover off?

The use of an implement to lever the back off is probably required, but what and where, I don't want to cause any uneccesary damage or scratching..

13 screws are right but did you also take the 4 screws out for the speaker and unplug it from the mother board ? If its never been taken off before then its kinda might be stuck down but it will come with a little prying... just close your eyes and hope it comes off in one piece ...kidding .

Yep done that forgot to mention it earlier, noticed when I took out the ram that was stopping it booting, the speaker motherboard connection, so I removed that (and it's cover)first.

Tried a couple of pry tools that I got for use on an Iphone, but the'yre plastic and don't even start to move the cover, it's been in place for years and will probably take some persuading to get it loose.

I will check in tomorrow to see how you made out

All OK

I just need to 'Toughen up' a bit, Toughbooks aren't fragile like normal laptops.

A bit of Wellie and it let go.

All working as expected now.

Time to go shopping for an HD caddy so I can take the next steps...

Thanks for the help guys