3. Remove the Cover

In order to remove the cover, you must first loosen the thumbscrew on the back. Turn the screw in a counter-clockwise direction several turns until you feel it pull back and spin freely. The screw will not come all the way out - it is designed to stay with the cover.

If you are vertically challenged, you may stand on the venting grid for support. Be mindful of sharp edges on the metal, though.

Once the screw is loose, you must remove the cover. The cover is designed to slide toward the back of the computer. COMPAQ has engineered a depression into the side of the cover to assist you. The depression will help provide you with leverage which you may need in order to slide the cover off. The cover will slide toward the back about a half-inch, and then you may lift it off.

It may prove necessary to apply quite a bit of force to remove the cover. We recommend using one hand to apply pressure near the back, and using the heel of your palm on the other hand to gently strike the cover in a direction toward the back. The photograph is intended to illustrate the direction of the force necesary to remove the cover. It does not depict a recommended cover removal method due to warranty concerns.