System76 Serval WS User manual
System76
Serval WS (serw11)
Service Manual
Revision history
Author
Date
Version
Remarks
Aaron H / Nathaniel
W
2019-11-15
Initial
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Contents
Revision history
Hardware overview
External overview
Ports overview
Bottom case screw sizes
Front LED overview
Hardware keyboard shortcuts
External displays
Thunderbolt 3 and eGPU
Internal component overview
User-serviceable parts and repairs
Replacing the keyboard
Steps to replace the keyboard
Photo guide for keyboard replacement
Removing the bottom cover
Steps to remove the cover
Steps to replace the cover
Photo guide for bottom cover removal/replacement
Replacing the RAM
Steps to replace the RAM
Photo guide for replacing the RAM
Replacing an M.2/NVMe SSD
Steps to replace the M.2 drive
Replacing the CPU fan/CPU heatsink/thermal paste
Steps to replace the CPU heatsink/thermal paste
Replacing the CMOS battery
Steps to replace the CMOS battery
Replacing the internal battery
Steps to replace the internal battery
Replacing the WiFi/Bluetooth module
Steps to replace the WiFi/Bluetooth module
BIOS utilities
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Hardware overview
External overview
Ports overview
The Serval WS provides multiple connectivity options.
15”
Left side overview
Right side overview
Front side overview
Back side overview
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17”
Left side overview
Right side overview
Front side overview
Back side overview
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Bottom case screw sizes
The Serval WS has uniform size screws for securing the bottom case, battery and
keyboard. M.2 drives and the GPU/Heat Sink fastenings have specialized screws.
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Front LED overview
Icon
Color
Description
Orange
DC power plugged in
Green
Computer is on
Blinking green
Computer is sleeping
Orange
Battery charging
Green
Battery fully charged
Blinking orange
Battery critically low
Green
Airplane mode is ON
(WiFi/Bluetooth disabled)
Green
Hard disk activity
Green
The light will be on when Num Lock is enabled.
Green
The light will be on when Caps Lock is enabled.
Green
The light will be on when Scroll Lock enabled.
Off
MSHYBRD Mode for GPU
Green
Discrete Mode for GPU
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Hardware keyboard shortcuts
Your Serval WS has several actions available using the Fn and numbered Function keys.
Key
Shortcut
Action
Fn+F1
Toggle trackpad
Fn+F2
Toggle built-in LCD
Fn+F3
Mute
Fn+*
Toggle keyboard backlight
Fn+F5
Volume down
Fn+F6
Volume up
Fn+F7
Toggle displays
Fn+F8
Brightness down
Fn+F9
Brightness up
Fn+F10
Toggle webcam
Fn+F11
Toggle airplane mode
Fn+F12
Suspend
Fn+`
Play/Pause
Fn+1
Toggle fan between max/automatic
Fn+/
Cycle Keyboard Color
Fn+-
Decrease Keyboard Brightness
Fn++
Increase Keyboard Brightness
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External displays
The Serval WS has two standard Mini DisplayPorts (MiniDP) and one HDMI 1.4b.
Internal component overview
Below is a color-coded diagram of the Serval WS’s internal components.
CPU fan is highlighted in cyan
GPU fan is highlighted in light orange
CMOS battery is highlighted in red
RAM is highlighted in green
M.2 SSD is highlighted in orange
Wireless/Bluetooth module is highlighted in purple
Battery is highlighted in white
2.5” Drive bay is highlighted in blue
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User-serviceable parts and repairs
Many components on your Serval WS can be upgraded or replaced as necessary. Follow
these step-by-step guides for instructions.
Removing the bottom cover
Removing the cover is required to access the internal components. There are two
panels on the back of the Serval. The top-panel which covers most of the internal
components. The bottom panel covers the additional drive bays. Unless otherwise
noted these instructions refer to the top-panel.
Prior to removing the cover, ensure the AC power is unplugged, and all peripherals
(including SD cards and USB drives) are unplugged or removed from the system.
Tools required: Cross-head (Phillips) screwdriver
Time estimate: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Low
Screws: 5 total:
- 5 small M2 perimeter, black
Steps to remove the cover
Photos are provided in order below these steps.
1. Find a surface suitable for work. A desk or table works well.
2. Place something soft on the table, like a towel or anti-static mat.
3. Place the Serval WS lid-side-down.
4. Remove the external battery.
5. Remove the 5 perimeter screws.
6. Slide the cover away (toward the exhaust vents) and then lift up and away.
Steps to replace the cover
1. Align the bottom cover over the case towards the back and hinges.
2. Set the bottom cover along the edges and confirm the bottom cover is seated.
3. Replace the 2 keyboard screws.
4. Place the bottom cover back on.
5. Replace the 5 perimeter screws.
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Photo guide for bottom cover removal/replacement
1. Serval WS lid-side-down.
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2. Slide the top bottom cover.
Replacing the keyboard
Keyboard replacement is simple and requires a cross-head (Phillips) screwdriver.
Tools required: Cross-head (Phillips) screwdriver
Time estimate: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Screws: 2 total
- 2 large M2, black (Keyboard M2)
Steps to replace the keyboard
Photos are provided in order below these steps.
1. Find a surface suitable for work. A desk or table works well.
2. Place something soft on the table, like a towel or anti-static mat.
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3. Place the Serval WS lid-side-down.
4. Remove the 5 screws from the upper back-panel.
5. Remove the 2 keyboard screws.
6. Using a long screwdriver (or similar tool) gently but firmly push through one of
the keyboard screw holes to lift the keyboard out of it’s tray. Once it is loosened it
is easy to pull out by hand.
7. Flip the keyboard over onto the trackpad.
8. Pull the large ribbon cable out of the connector.
9. The small ribbon cables have latches. Gently pull the latches from both sides
and remove the ribbon cables.
10. Remove the keyboard and replace it with the new one.
11. Insert the large ribbon cable into the connector.
12. Seat the small ribbon cables, then apply pressure equally to both sides of the
connector to secure.
13. Flip the keyboard over and press the bottom tabs of the keyboard into the case.
14. Secure the keyboard by pressing down on the edges of the keyboard.
15. Flip the Serval WS over.
16. Replace the 2 screws holding the keyboard in place.
17. Replace the 5 top-panel screws.
18. Boot your Serval WS and confirm the keyboard is operational.
Photo guide for keyboard replacement
1. Serval WS lid-side-down. There are two keyboard screws and one has a red circle
while the other one has a red and blue circle indicating the keyboard push point.
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2. Serval WS on its side.
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3. Screwdriver in keyboard push point.
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4. Gently lift the keyboard away from its slot, then slide the keyboard free of its grooves.
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4. Flip the keyboard over and rest it on the trackpad. Pull the large ribbon cable out of
the connector. The smaller ribbon cables have latches. Gently pull it forward to release
the connector, then remove the ribbon cables.
Replacing the RAM
RAM acts as temporary storage for your computer. More RAM generally provides better
performance. If you’ve purchased new RAM, need to replace your RAM, or are reseating
your RAM, follow these steps.
Tools required: Cross-head (Phillips) screwdriver
Time estimate: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Steps to replace the RAM
1. Follow the steps above to remove the cover.
2. Press the small tabs on both sides of the RAM simultaneously.
3. Remove the RAM from the slot.
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