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Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

This guide explains how to replace the motherboard of a Lenovo ThinkPad P50s. The motherboard is the main circuit board that powers and connects all internal components, such as the RAM, processor, and graphics card, enabling them to communicate.

Common signs of a failing motherboard include slow performance, boot issues, frequent errors, random restarts, an unresponsive touchpad or keyboard, or the laptop not turning on. However, these symptoms can also have other causes. For more troubleshooting steps, refer to the Lenovo ThinkPad P50s troubleshooting pages here. If you’ve confirmed the motherboard has failed, follow this guide to replace it.

There are many cable connectors that need to be disconnected to complete this repair. For additional information and tips on disconnecting cables, refer to the guide on Recognizing and Disconnecting Cable Connectors.

Before starting, disable the built-in battery. Instructions can be found on page 123 here. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charging cable before proceeding.

What you need

  1. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the device over so the bottom is facing you.

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  2. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use your thumb to slide the right lock switch button outward.

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  3. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • With your thumb slide the left lock switch button outward while sliding the battery out with your other hand.

    • When replacing the battery, make sure that the connectors are aligned properly.

    • You may hear a click when the battery is fully seated and the lock engages.

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  4. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Base Cover: step 4, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Base Cover: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to unscrew the eight 2 mm captive screws.

    • These screws should not be removed entirely; you will be able to take off the base cover once they are loosened.

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  5. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • With the plastic opening tool, pry up the base cover.

    • Slide the opening tool around the edge of the laptop to release the snap tabs.

    • You may need to use opening picks to hold the tabs apart, as the base is securely attached and tends to snap back into place.

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  6. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the base cover off the laptop.

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  7. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Battery Pack: step 7, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Battery Pack: step 7, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Battery Pack: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • With your fingers or a spudger, disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard.

    • Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket.

    • It may take a lot of alternating before the connector comes out. Be patient, and don't pull on the cables.

    • To reconnect the cable, align the connector and use a spudger or clean fingernail to push it fully into the socket.

    • Don't push or pull on the cables themselves, or you may damage the connector.

    Edit

  8. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 2.5 mm retaining screws.

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  9. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery away from the device to remove it.

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  11. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 10, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to push on the indents in the keyboard approximately 2.5 mm forward to reveal the 1.7 mm screws.

    • While the images show a metal spudger, you should avoid using one as it could damage the electronics of the device.

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  12. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the six 2.5 mm screws on the keyboard

    • Flip the keyboard forward to lie flat on the keys, exposing the two ribbons.

    • Be careful not to rip the ribbons when you flip the keyboard over.

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  13. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to flip up the locking flap—this is the unlocked position.

    • Use the widest tool possible to avoid damaging the delicate hinge pins.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cables out of their sockets.

    • If the cable has a pull tab, use it to grip the cable. You may damage the cable by gripping it directly.

    • To reconnect, make sure the locking flap is flipped up and gently reinsert the cable. Then, flip the locking flap down to secure the cable. The cable should slide into the socket with little to no force. If you're having trouble, remove it, check that the flap is fully unlocked, and try again.

    • Remove the keyboard from the laptop.

    Edit

  14. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Fan assembly: step 13, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Fan assembly: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the fan connector to "walk" it out of its socket.

    • It may take a lot of alternating before the connector comes out. Be patient, and don't pull on the cables.

    • To reconnect the cable, align the connector and use a spudger or clean fingernail to push it fully into the socket.

    • Don't push or pull on the cables themselves, or you may damage the connector.

    Edit

  15. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Use the opening tool to lift up the locking flap on the power button cable.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cable out of its socket.

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  16. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to loosen the seven 2.5 mm captive screws securing the fan assembly to the motherboard.

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  17. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Gently peel back the power button cable.

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  18. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the fan off the board to remove it.

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  19. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 18, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 18, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • Use the plastic opening tool to lift the locking pad on the trackpad cable connector to the unlocked position.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cable out of its socket.

    • If the cable has a pull tab, use it to grip the cable. You may damage the cable by gripping it directly.

    • To reconnect, make sure the locking flap is flipped up and gently reinsert the cable. Then, flip the locking flap down to secure the cable. The cable should slide into the socket with little to no force. If you're having trouble, remove it, check that the flap is fully unlocked, and try again.

    Edit

  20. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Use the plastic opening tool to lift the locking pad on the fingerprint cable.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cable out of its socket.

    Edit

  21. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the single 2.5 mm screw securing the WLAN card.

    • Slide the WLAN card out of its socket.

    • When replacing the WLAN card, carefully align the connecting pins with the socket to prevent damage.

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  22. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • Use the opening tool to lift the locking flap on the LCD cable connector.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the LCD cable out of its socket.

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  23. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the DC-in cable connector out with your fingers. If you aren't able to pull it by the connector, use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket.

    • It may take a lot of alternating before the connector comes out. Be patient, and don't pull on the cables.

    • To reconnect the cable, align the connector and use a spudger or clean fingernail to push it fully into the socket.

    • Don't push on the cables themselves, or you may damage the connector.

    Edit

  24. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Use the point of a spudger to push on alternating sides of the speaker assembly cable connector to remove it from its socket.

    • Don't pull on the cables as this may cause damage.

    Edit

  25. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 2.5 mm screws securing the motherboard to the chassis.

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  26. Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 3 Lenovo ThinkPad P50s Motherboard Replacement: step 25, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the motherboard from the laptop.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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Jaylan

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Austin Community College, Team 8-3, Watkins Fall 2024 Member of Austin Community College, Team 8-3, Watkins Fall 2024

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