Lenovo Thinkpad R61 Thermal Paste Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          45 minutes

Sections

Thermal Paste
5 steps

Flags

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

BackLenovo ThinkPad R61
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

Step 1

              Opening the laptop.

Unscrew all screws from the bottom and unplug the battery.
Carefully lift up the touchpad panel and unplug it.
Next, carefully lift up the keyboard and unplug it.

Unscrew all screws from the bottom and unplug the battery.

Carefully lift up the touchpad panel and unplug it.

Next, carefully lift up the keyboard and unplug it.

1024

Step 2

              Getting to the insides.

Remove the screws that hold the speaker panel.
Unplug any cables that get in the way of removing it.
Unscrew the screws holding the CPU heatsink and fan. Disconnect the fan cable.
You can carefully use a plastic prying tool to help yourself remove the heatsink, if it is stuck.

Remove the screws that hold the speaker panel.

Unplug any cables that get in the way of removing it.

Unscrew the screws holding the CPU heatsink and fan. Disconnect the fan cable.

You can carefully use a plastic prying tool to help yourself remove the heatsink, if it is stuck.

Step 3

              Changing the thermal paste and cleaning the fan.

Clean the old thermal paste both from the cooler and the CPU. It is best to use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs or paper towel, but be careful not to go too hard on the CPU.
You can remove the few screws and carefully open the fan enclosure to clean it further.

Clean the old thermal paste both from the cooler and the CPU. It is best to use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs or paper towel, but be careful not to go too hard on the CPU.

You can remove the few screws and carefully open the fan enclosure to clean it further.

Step 4

              Applying new thermal paste.

Dont use too much thermal paste, just enough to cover some portion of the pad. If you have a spreader, use it. The thermal paste will apply evenly after you tighten the heatsink.
Last, put the heatsink back carefully and tighten the screws in order to ensure even pressure. Dont forget to plug in the fan cable.

Dont use too much thermal paste, just enough to cover some portion of the pad. If you have a spreader, use it. The thermal paste will apply evenly after you tighten the heatsink.

Last, put the heatsink back carefully and tighten the screws in order to ensure even pressure. Dont forget to plug in the fan cable.

Step 5

              Upgrading the RAM and SSD (Optional)

Once you have opened the laptop, it is a good idea to upgrade the RAM or the SSD if you want.
It is also recommended to use compressed air to remove any dust in the laptop and the fan.

Once you have opened the laptop, it is a good idea to upgrade the RAM or the SSD if you want.

It is also recommended to use compressed air to remove any dust in the laptop and the fan.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      One other person completed this guide.

Author

                    Simeon Brankov

Member since: 11/08/2020

3,455 Reputation

                                      41 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       17







                                                        +14 more badges

Member-Contributed Guide#

Introduction#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction