I purchased a Lemur Ultra Thin from System76 a few years ago. It's been a great computer and a good introduction to Ubuntu and the Linux world in general.
About 6 months ago, its fan began to get really loud. Probably a case of the bearings wearing out. The machine is well past warranty, and I began looking around for DIY repair guides.
To that end, I started a thread on the Ubuntu > System76 Support forum. No one responded, except to say that System76 support is helpful. That's fine, but they're also expensive. I received a quote of $100 to replace the fan in their shop. So I found a new fan on Ebay for $10 and did the repairs myself.
About 6 months ago, its fan began to get really loud. Probably a case of the bearings wearing out. The machine is well past warranty, and I began looking around for DIY repair guides.
To that end, I started a thread on the Ubuntu > System76 Support forum. No one responded, except to say that System76 support is helpful. That's fine, but they're also expensive. I received a quote of $100 to replace the fan in their shop. So I found a new fan on Ebay for $10 and did the repairs myself.
Lemur Ultra Thin
model: lemu2
Tools:
- PH0 computer screwdriver (phillips head) for the M2.5 screws
- PH00 computer screwdriver (phillips head) for all the rest
- spudger
- small bowl for the screws
- can of compressed air
- anti-static wrist strap
Disassembly:
- Unplug the computer and remove the battery.
- Remove the M2.5 keyboard screw in the center.
- Flip the computer over, open the lid, and remove the keyboard. Press in the four tabs above the top row with the spudger until the keyboard pops out.
- Unlock the keyboard ribbon and gently pull it out with the spudger. Set the keyboard aside.
- Unlock the trackpad ribbon and gently pull it out with the spudger.
- Unplug the black monitor cable connector.
- Unfasten the tape holding down the 3G wire.
- Remove the screw to the lower left of the fan.
- Close the lid and flip the computer over.
- Remove the two remaining M2.5 screws. Note that they are shorter than the keyboard screw.
- Remove the two screws at the bottom edge of the hard drive cover.
- Remove the hard drive cover.
- Remove the remaining visible small black screws.
- Find a spot where the case has opened slightly and slowly work the spudger around the edge until the entire case has cracked open.
- Flip the computer over and open the lid. This is where it gets a bit tricky. There are a few wires on the right side that seem difficult to disconnect. I left those in place and worked from the left side of the computer. This is easier to do if you're left-handed like I am.
- Gently lift up the left edge of the top case with one hand to expose a working space above the fan, like opening a book with the binding on the right edge. You'll need to hold the top case open for steps 17-20.
- Remove the screws holding in the fan.
- Unplug the fan.
- Remove any accumulated dust with compressed air.
- Insert the new fan, replace the screws, and plug it in.
Reassembly:
- Set down the left side of the top case and gently press all edges until the case has completely snapped back together.
- Replace the screw to the lower left of the fan.
- Reattach the monitor cable, trackpad ribbon, and keyboard ribbon. Refasten the tape holding down the 3G wire.
- Reinsert the keyboard.
- Close the lid and flip the computer over.
- Replace the two screws on the top edge and left corner of the hard drive enclosure.
- Replace the hard drive cover.
- Replace all remaining screws.
- Reinsert the battery.
So far, so good. I can hear myself think now, the computer's been running much cooler, and I saved myself about $100.