[DuoList] 2400 disassembly help?

[Gene Osburn]

Sooner or later I'll remember to enter a Subject BEFORE clicking 
Send....

OK, making progress taking apart my 2400c Comet for case painting mod.  
Lower case open with palmrest, keyboard, etc. removed (all screws 
carefully numbered and taped together in order of removal).

Display is still connected, but only via ribbon cable.  First question: 
what's the safest way to disconnect LCD ribbon cable?  Do I need to 
remove the subassembly structure that runs across the lower case below 
the display?  Looks like this would allow me to safely disconnect the 
ribbon cable from the mobo; am I right?  Will I then be able to remove 
the lower case's rear panel, thereby having the casing's bottom panel 
separated from everything else (for masking and painting)?

Any and all help from those with experience and knowledge of the 
Comet's innards would be most welcome!

Gene, a.k.a. G-Man
Some days it isn't even worth chewing through the leather straps.