Restoring an HP Vectra 386s/25: can't get motherboard out of the case

[mk2987]

Hi folks,

I found an old HP Vectra 386s/25 in a barn and am trying to restore it. It was in pretty bad shape when I found it.
I don't have much experience with restoring old equipment so I'm going to be making plenty of newbie mistakes













The CMOS battery had of course leaked its guts, but it was mercifully mounted on a metal surface away from the motherboard.

Apart from one acid splotch on the motherboard (which might turn out to be a problem later), the rest of the main board had seemingly been spared.


I cleaned the computer up a bit, looked for any obvious burnt areas or bulging caps, and then tried to power it on. For one glorious second the front LEDs lit up, but then a capacitor on the motherboard promptly popped and released its magic smoke.

To do a thorough cleaning, debug further and attempt repairs, I've been trying to get the motherboard out of the case.
I was able to remove all other components easily, but I can't figure out why the motherboard refuses to let go of the case

I removed the one obvious screw I found (green circle below) on the motherboard. From what I can tell, the motherboard is supposed to slide to the left so plastic tabs (like the ones circled in red below) disengage, and then the board should come right out. However, there seems to be something along the I/O ports (circled in yellow) that's not letting the motherboard slide to the left beyond a few milimeters. I have no idea why, and I'm worried about snapping the board if I pull too hard.



Any ideas or suggestions?
I wasn't able to find a disassembly manual or anything about this computer besides its specs.

Thanks for your help!

 

[seaken]

Maybe one of the ports is clamped to the case somehow. Try removing the studs that are used to secure a cable to the port.

Seaken

 

[Plasma]

That's not an "acid splotch", that's mouse urine. Along with the numerous mouse turds. It's definitely a problem, some of the traces are completely gone...

 

[twolazy]

I've brought worse back to good working order, but its going to be a long month of cleaning and drying and cleaning and drying and crossing your fingers it didn't get into other layers of the pcb. Might need to fix some via's too with a drill, solder and a wire.

You will need to remove all the studs from the ports on the back of the motherboard for it to come out. The math coprocessor socket is also compromised, but you dont need it.

If it was mine, I pull the board and let it soak in some vinegar a while, then throw it in the dishwasher after a good scrub with dawn platnium. Run with it being the only thing in the dishwasher, heated dry, on the top rack if possible. Use 2 tablets, and make sure to unseat/remove any socketed chips.