I think your instincts re socket is good! Whilst I've not fiddled inside a laptop too much, I do remember that there is some kind of process for 'demagnetising' or de-staticing, whatever it's called, the computer before opening it up, to avoid charges, I think, transferring to some component or other! It's straight forward, and totally understandable, I just can't remember what is was, just worth a quick google about cracking the case, if you're not familiar with it????????