How to disassemble an HP ProBook 4720s laptop: detailed instructions with nuances

Laptop HP ProBook 4720s - a popular business class model of the early 2010s, which is still actively used due to its reliable design and upgradeability. However, over time, any laptop requires maintenance: cleaning from dust, replacing thermal paste or hard drive. Disassembly of this model has its own peculiarities associated with the non-standard fastening of some components and the fragility of the plastic latches.

In this guide we will go through the disassembly process in detail. HP ProBook 4720s - from preparing tools to removing the motherboard. We will pay special attention to typical errors that lead to breakage of fasteners or damage to cables. If you are planning to replace HDD on SSD, clean the cooling system or simply diagnose problems - these instructions will help you avoid common problems.

Preparing for Disassembly: Tools and Precautions

Before you start disassembling HP ProBook 4720s, prepare a workplace and the necessary tools. The surface of the table should be smooth, clean and non-conductive (a wooden or plastic base is ideal). It is also recommended to use antistatic wrist strapto avoid damage to components due to static electricity.

List of required tools:

• ✅ Phillips screwdriver PH0 (for most screws)
• ✅ Flathead screwdriver or plastic pick (to release the latches)
• ✅ Tweezers (for removing small parts)
• ✅ Thermal paste Arctic MX-4 or Noctua NT-H1 (if you are planning a replacement)
• ✅ Soft bristle brush (for cleaning dust)
• ✅ Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and cotton swabs (for cleaning contacts)

⚠️ Attention: Do not use metal tools to pry apart plastic latches as this will cause chipping. If you don't have a plastic pick on hand, you can use an old bank card.

Also prepare containers for the screws (for example, small bags labeled "cover", "keyboard", "motherboard"). B ProBook 4720s The screws are of different lengths, and mixing them up can damage the board during assembly.

Removing the back cover and accessing internal components

The first stage of disassembly is to remove the bottom cover. B HP ProBook 4720s it is secured with 11 screws, but there is a nuance: two screws are hidden under the rubber feet. Carefully pry up the legs with a flathead screwdriver and remove them to gain access to all fasteners.

Sequence of actions:

1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the power supply.
2. Turn the device over and remove the battery (move the latch to the side UNLOCK).
3. Remove all 11 screws (9 under the cover + 2 under the legs).
4. Begin to carefully lift the lid from the corner near HDD-compartment, moving around the perimeter.

Important: latches on ProBook 4720s quite fragile, especially in the area Wi-Fi-module. If the cover does not budge, check that all screws are unscrewed. Do not apply excessive force - it is better to go around the perimeter again with a plastic pick.

What to do if the cover does not come off?

If the cover does not come off after unscrewing all the screws, check:

- Did the screw under the sticker go unnoticed (sometimes found on models after 2012).

- Is the touchpad cable caught on the plastic guides (carefully pull the cover towards the screen).

- Is there any deformation of the case (for example, after a fall).

After removing the cover you will have access to:

• 💾 HDD/SSD (in metal compartment)
• 🖥️ Slots RAM (2 slots, maximum supported 16 GB DDR3)
• 📶 Wi-Fi-module (under a small metal cover)
• 🔋 Cooler and radiator (covered with an additional plate)

Replacing a Hard Drive with an SSD: Step-by-Step Process

One of the most popular upgrades for HP ProBook 4720s - replacement HDD on SSD. This increases the system loading speed by 3–5 times. This model uses standard 2.5" SATA-storage, so there will be no compatibility problems.

Replacement instructions:

1. Remove the 4 screws securing the metal plate HDD-compartment
2. Gently pull the release tab to remove the old drive.
3. Remove the plastic adapter from it (it is needed for proper fit in the compartment).
4. Install SSD into the adapter and plug it back into the connector SATA.
5. Secure the plate and screws.

⚠️ Attention: In some modifications ProBook 4720s used HDD- clamp with a spring mechanism. If the tab does not slide out, do not forcefully pull on the drive—first press the release tab on the side of the compartment.

After replacing the disk, it is recommended:

• 🔧 Refresh BIOS to the latest version (on the official website HP).
• 🖥️ Install Windows 10/11 with support AHCI-mode for SSD.
• 📊 Check disk speed in CrystalDiskMark (must be at least 400 MB/s read).

Cleaning the cooling system and replacing thermal paste

Overheating is a common problem HP ProBook 4720s, especially under prolonged load. If your laptop starts to slow down, suddenly turn off, or make a lot of noise, it most likely needs to clean the cooler and replace the thermal paste. This model uses single section radiator with a copper base, which simplifies the process.

Procedure:

1. Unscrew the 4 screws securing the cooler plate (they are marked as COOLER on the motherboard).
2. Disconnect the fan connector from the board (gently pull the plastic tab).
3. Remove the radiator along with the cooler. Be careful - thermal paste can stick the heatsink to the processor.
4. Clean the radiator and fan blades from dust using a brush and vacuum cleaner.
5. Remove old thermal paste from the processor and heatsink with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
6. Apply a thin layer (about the size of a pea) of new thermal paste to the CPU And GPU (if there is discrete graphics).

For ProBook 4720s It is critical not to overdo it with the amount of thermal paste. Excess may leak onto board components and cause a short circuit. Optimal layer - 0.3–0.5 mm after pressing the radiator.

Component	Recommended thermal paste	Quantity	Note
CPU (Intel Core i3/i5/i7)	Arctic MX-4	1 pea (≈5 mm)	Avoid contact with capacitors
GPU (if any)	Noctua NT-H1	1 pea (≈4 mm)	Apply only to the chip, not to memory
Thermal pads	Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8	By chip size	Replace when worn or cracked

Disassembling the keyboard and touchpad

Keyboard and touchpad in HP ProBook 4720s They are attached with latches and cables, so removing them requires care. Most often, disassembly of these components is needed for:

• 🔧 Replacing keys or the entire keyboard (for example, when flooded with liquid).
• 🖱️ Touchpad repair (clicks or gestures do not work).
• 🔌 Cleaning cables (oxidation of contacts).

How to remove the keyboard:

1. Remove the 3 screws under the battery (they are marked with a keyboard icon).
2. Gently pry up the keyboard with a plastic pick, starting from the top edge.
3. Lift it and disconnect the cable by pulling the black lock up.

The touchpad is removed in the same way, but its cable is located under the metal plate. Be careful: in ProBook 4720s The touchpad cable is often glued to the board with double-sided tape. Do not pull it by force - first warm the area with a hairdryer (temperature no higher than 60°C).

⚠️ Attention: If the keys do not work after assembly Fn or backlight, check whether the keyboard cable is connected correctly. In this model it has an asymmetrical connector - an inverted cable will not make contact.

Removing the motherboard: when necessary

Completely removing the motherboard HP ProBook 4720s rarely required - usually when replacing CPU, repairing the south bridge or diagnosing power faults. This process is the most time-consuming, since you will have to disconnect all the cables and unscrew many screws.

Procedure:

1. Remove all previously unscrewed components (cover, HDD, RAM, cooler).
2. Disconnect the cables:
   • 🔌 Display (under the metal strip)
   • 🔌 Webcam and microphone
   • 🔌 Power buttons
   • 🔌 USB port (if there is an additional module)

Unscrew the 8 screws securing the board (3 of them are under the black rubber plugs).

Carefully lift the board, starting from the edge near RAM-slots

When removing the board, be extremely careful with:

• 🔋 Power connector - it is fragile and can come off with sudden movement.
• 📡 Antennas Wi-Fi — their wires often get caught on the screws.
• 🔥 Southbridge - its overheating may indicate a malfunction (check for swollen capacitors).

1. Connect the power cable to the motherboard.

2. Correct installation RAM (try rearranging the slats).

3. Presence of a short circuit (inspect the board for foreign metal particles).-->

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Disassembly HP ProBook 4720s It just seems simple - in practice, even experienced users make mistakes that lead to additional expenses. Here are the most common of them:

1. Screws mixed up. This model uses screws of three lengths:
   • 🔩 Short (3 mm) - for fixation HDD-compartment
   • 🔩 Medium (5 mm) - for the lid and cooler.
   • 🔩 Long (8 mm) - for the motherboard.

If you screw a long screw into a short one, you can damage the board.

Damage to cables. Display and keyboard cables in ProBook 4720s very thin. They cannot be bent or pulled by the wires - only by the plastic connector.

Incorrect installation of thermal paste. Excess paste can flow under the chip and cause overheating. Also, do not forget to clean the old paste - its remains reduce thermal conductivity.

Ignoring antistatic agents. Even if you don't feel the shock, static electricity can cause damage. CPU or RAM. Always touch a grounded object before working.

Another common problem is cooler not working after assembly. This happens if you forget to connect its connector to the motherboard. B ProBook 4720s The fan connector is located next to CPU-socket and marked as FAN.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disassembling the HP ProBook 4720s

Is it possible to replace the processor in this model?

Yes, HP ProBook 4720s supports replacement CPU to any socket compatible PGA988 (for example, with Intel Core i3-370M on i7-640M). However, please note that:

• Will need an update BIOS to support new processors.
• Heat dissipation will increase - you may have to improve the cooling system.
• Not all modifications support processors with a TDP higher than 35 W.

How to check that the laptop is assembled correctly?

After assembly, perform the following checks:

1. Turn on the laptop and check POST (there should be one short beep).
2. Run BIOS (F10 when booting) and make sure that all devices (HDD, RAM, Wi-Fi) are defined.
3. Conduct a stress test in AIDA64 or Prime95 — temperature CPU should not exceed 85°C.
4. Check the operation of the keyboard, touchpad and all ports (USB, HDMI).

If something doesn't work, disassemble the laptop and check the connections of the cables.

What to do if after cleaning the laptop starts to heat up more?

Possible reasons:

• 🔥 Thermal paste was applied incorrectly (too thick layer or getting on the capacitors).
• 🔧 The radiator is poorly secured (the screws are not tightened or skewed).
• 💨 The cooler does not rotate at full speed (check the connector connection FAN).
• 📉 B BIOS The fan control settings are lost (reset the settings to factory settings).

Solution: Disassemble the laptop again, clean and reapply thermal paste, make sure the heatsink is tight.

Where can I buy spare parts for ProBook 4720s?

Spare parts for this model are still available, but they are becoming scarce. Where to look:

• 🛒 AliExpress — keyboards, coolers, cables (delivery 2–4 weeks).
• 🛒 eBay — used motherboards, processors, batteries.
• 🛒 Local service centers — sometimes there are stocks of original parts left.
• 🛒 Groups on VK/Facebook for laptop repair (for example, "HP laptop repair").

When purchasing, check the exact model revision (it is indicated on the sticker under the battery, for example, LA-6011P).

Which SSD is better to choose for an upgrade?

For HP ProBook 4720s anyone will do 2.5" SATA III SSD. Recommended models:

Model	Capacity	Reading speed	Note
Samsung 870 EVO	500 GB – 1 TB	560 MB/s	Reliability, 5 years warranty
Crucial MX500	250 GB – 2 TB	560 MB/s	Good price/quality ratio
Kingston A400	240 GB – 960 GB	500 MB/s	Budget option

Avoid cheap SSDs without DRAM cache (for example, Kingston UV500) - they are very slow when recording small files.