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- HP Z8 G4 motherboard removal tool?

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05-15-2023 02:46 PM
Tools and software requirements
Servicing the computer requires these tools.
● Torx T-15 screwdriver
● Flat-bladed screwdriver (can sometimes be used in place of the Torx screwdriver)
● Phillips P1 screwdriver
● Nonconductive, nonmarking pry tool
You are in the Notebook section and your machine seems to be a tower desktop. But the links I gave should have your answers.
05-15-2023 04:32 PM - edited 05-15-2023 04:37 PM
Here is a nice overview straight from HP, on YouTube:
If you search the YouTube site via its search bar for HP Z8 G4 you'll see a lot of listings but it becomes pretty evident quickly which ones are from HP. There you will find more detailed videos on the subsystems you'll be working on.
There is a nice long T-handle McMaster.com Torx drive, HERE , that I've used since the xw workstation era... they all seem to use that for heatsink removal/replacement. I use the original Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound... it is nonconductive and spreads very nicely using a dab in the middle of the processor's stainless cover, and then evenly spreading it with a finger in a latex glove.
Another tip... I use good tape to hold up and out the cables so things don't become a jumble, and tape the cables up in the order of removal along the side of the case edge, back to front. This way the motherboard goes back more easily and it helps me remember where they came from. Some quick pics before starting can be handy too once you have the surface stuff cleared away some.
If you're putting in a brand new "virgin" motherboard there is a method of "branding" it with the codes available on the outside of your case/case bottom. This also is known as "to tattoo" the motherboard. That enters the codes into firmware of the motherboard so certain serial numbers and licensing capabilities are transferred to the new motherboard. I don't think you can brand in a different UUID than what the MB comes with. If you bought a used one you'll probably be fine with the branding that it has (statistically likely W10Pro licensed).
Let us know how it went if you wish...