iMac G5 17" Model A1144 Front Bezel Replacement

Written By: Walter Galan

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Remove your front bezel to gain access to your iMac's internals.

Before you work on the computer, unplug the computer and press the power button for 20-30 seconds to drain the stored energy in the power supply.
Loosen the two Phillips screws securing the access door to your iMac.
These screws are captive in the access door.

Orient the iMac face-up, on its backside.
Use your thumbs to press both RAM arms in past the front bezel for enough clearance to lift it off the rear case.

While holding the RAM arms in with your thumbs, lift the lower edge of the front bezel enough to clear the rear case.

Re-orient your iMac so it sits upright on the stand.
Insert a plastic card up into the corner of the air vent slot at the top of the rear case.
Push the card toward the top of the iMac to release the front bezel latch.
Pull the front bezel away from the rear case.
Repeat this process for the other side of the front bezel.
It may be necessary to apply several layers of duct tape to the top of the access card to aid in releasing the latches.
If the bezel refuses to release, try pressing the lower edge back onto the rear case and repeat this opening process.

Using a strongish magnet will grab and release the latches.

Quote from darkstar448:

Using a strongish magnet will grab and release the latches.

Are you sure it's safe to do this? How close is the hard drive, won't magnets interfere with it?

It's almost certainly fine. Modern hard drives are very resistant to magnetic fields.

Lay your iMac stand-side down on a table.
Lift the front bezel from its lower edge and rotate it away from the rest of your iMac, minding the RAM arms that may get caught.
Lay the front bezel above the rest of the iMac.