Acer Aspire 5538 Service Guide

61Chapter 3
5.Turn the Keyboard over and lay down on the touch pad. 
6.Open the Keyboard FFC securing latch as shown, then disconnect the FFC and remove the Keyboard. 

Chapter 362
Removing the Upper Cover
1.Remove all external modules. See “External Modules Disassembly Flowchart” on page 44.
2.Remove the screws securing the Upper Cover to the Lower Cover.
3.Turn the computer over and disconnect the following cables from the Mainboard:
StepSizeQuantityScrew Type
Upper Cover M2.5*8 18 

63Chapter 3
a.Disconnect the Speaker Cable as shown.
b.Release the locking latch and disconnect the Power Board FFC as shown.
c.Release the locking latch and disconnect the Button Board FFC as shown. 

Chapter 364
d.Release the locking latch and disconnect the Media Board FFC as shown.
4.Remove the six securing screws from the Upper Cover.
StepSizeQuantityScrew Type
Upper Cover M2.5*6 6 

65Chapter 3
5.Starting at a top corner, pry apart the Upper and Lower Covers as shown. 
6.Working from the back corners toward the back center, pry apart the covers to release the securing hooks 
on the top edge as shown.
7.Push the front corner of the top cover towards the back to release the front edge hooks and pry apart as 
shown. Work along the front edge applying force while prying apart the covers.
IMPORTANT:Pulling the top cover back without releasing the clips is likely to cause the securing...

Chapter 366
Removing the Button Board
IMPORTANT: The Touchpad Board cannot be removed individually. To replace the Button Board, replace the entire 
Upper Cover.
1.See “Removing the Upper Cover” on page 62.
2.Remove the mylar sheet covering the Button Board.
3.Remove the four screws securing the button board to the Upper Cover.
StepSizeQuantityScrew Type
Button Board M2*3 4 

67Chapter 3
4.Lift the securing latch and disconnect the single FFC connecting the Button Board to the Touchpad.
5.Peel back the two FFCs to release the adhesive.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that the FFCs are disconnected before attempting to remove the Button Board.
6.Slide the Button Board out from under the securing tab in the Upper Cover as shown. 

Chapter 368
7.Pull the Mainboard FFC through the cover as shown.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that the FFC is not torn off during removal. 

69Chapter 3
Removing the Touchpad Bracket
1.See “Removing the Button Board” on page 66.
2.Remove the single screw securing the Touchpad Bracket to the Upper Cover.
3.Pull the bracket up from under the securing tabs along the top edge.
NOTE: It may be necessary to use a tool to first push the securing tabs back so that the bracket may be more 
readily removed.
StepSizeQuantityScrew Type
TouchPad 
BracketM2*3 1 

Chapter 370
4.Slide the Touchpad Bracket out from the slots in the upper cover.