14 replies to this topic

[fluffcat1]

First, a note of caution. This is a *guide* you follow at your own risk. If you are in any way unsure, don't try it. If you've done an XDA or similar before, you'll have no problems.

THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY so only do it if you REALLY have to, for example you need to replace a smashed LCD. Remember kids, crying to HTC won't help if you can't get it back together again  :cry:

You'll need a good torx T6, a small philips, a small flat blade screwdriver and a plastic tool to prise open the case.

( I am working on the phone face down for reference to directions )

First remove the aeriel cover using the flat blade screwdriver at a 45 degree angle in the two holes either side at the top of the battery. This bit's really fiddly as there are 5 clips in total to work free - one at the bottom, two facing either side at the bottom, and two facing up at the top of the aeriel cover. I used the small flat blade between the aeriel cover and the chassis edge to create a gap and worked my 'case opening tool' around the left and right hand edges, creating some minor chew marks on the plastic under the camera lense cover but nothing visibily obvious. You can leave the connector cover in but it may be easier to remove it first. When you lever the edge up, use your finger to slide the aeriel cover slightly towards the top of the phone and then use the case opening tool to free the clips at the top of the aeriel cover.

Once that's off, remove the 2 torx at the bottom of the chassis frame, and the two either side of the aeriel ( 1 is under the void sticker ) and take the aeriel out of the assembly.

Next, use your case opening tool to prise the silver inner chassis over the retaining clip halfway down either side in the black middle frame. The silver chassis can now be fully removed from the assembly once you have disconnected the speaker connection.

To removed the main board, disconnect the screen ribbon and button ribbon, and remove the 2 small philips screws in the top left and bottom right of the main board. Use your case opening tool to lever the board up from either side of the SD slot - the USB sockect and headphone jack are flush into the black chassis so you need to take the top end out first.

The screen itself is held in by two brackets at the top and bottom.

When re-fitting the casing, take care when re-fitting the silver chassis to not damage the battery cover microswitch and also when routing the speaker wires.

Not too difficult eh?

Richard

P.S the fingerprints on the RF shields were not from me, they were already there!

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[Palindrome]

Oh dear, I wish I hadn't read that. I know that at some point I'm going to be beered up thinking it's going to be a laugh to give it a go.

[Pondrew]

Heh. Topic pinned (sorry bout the delay Fluff... )

[MarkW19]

Nice guide! Would it also apply for the iMate Jam?

I'm thinking of painting my Jam, but not having done anything like this before it looks quite a task to get the front case and front buttons off...

Do you think it'd be ok to just mask over the rest of the phone and paint? Or do I risk getting paint and water from the wet/dry in everywhere?

[MarkW19]

I fancy my jam in a high gloss mirror black type finish, like an ipod nano!

[fluffcat1]

MarkW19, on Dec 11 2005, 16:15, said:

Nice guide! Would it also apply for the iMate Jam?

I'm thinking of painting my Jam, but not having done anything like this before it looks quite a task to get the front case and front buttons off...

Do you think it'd be ok to just mask over the rest of the phone and paint? Or do I risk getting paint and water from the wet/dry in everywhere?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you insist on painting it you MUST strip it IMO. (Why not just get a nice carry case?) This guide should be OK as the only differences to the Jam is the casing shape. Is the Jam casing plastic or metal? I don't know how you'd get a decent finish on it spraying by hand :-(

Richard

[MarkW19]

The Jam case is plastic.

I'll be using car spray paints, should come out well!

[fluffcat1]

MarkW19, on Dec 11 2005, 18:10, said:

The Jam case is plastic.

I'll be using car spray paints, should come out well!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thought so. Bear in mind it's difficult / impossible to get cosmetic parts from imate's UK agent SBE...

..but post picture here when you've done it!

Richard

[MarkW19]

I'm pretty confident I'll get a good finish on it - going to practice the whole process on another piece of plastic first.

The main thing I'm worried about is actually getting the front cover and buttons off!!

[fluffcat1]

MarkW19, on Dec 11 2005, 18:29, said:

I'm pretty confident I'll get a good finish on it - going to practice the whole process on another piece of plastic first.

The main thing I'm worried about is actually getting the front cover and buttons off!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easy if you follow my guide :-) They're just held in with screws. The hardest thing is getting the aeriel cover off without breaking it.

Richard

[MarkW19]

Does the whole front case fully remove, and are the front buttons able to be removed on their own too?

What did you use for the plastic "case opening tool"?

Edited by MarkW19, 11 December 2005 - 05:44 PM.

[fluffcat1]

MarkW19, on Dec 11 2005, 18:42, said:

Does the whole front case fully remove, and are the front buttons able to be removed on their own too?

What did you use for the plastic "case opening tool"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used a 'case opening tool' - that's what they're called! Do an ebay search  - possibly under 'ipod / ipaq opening tool' You could use a plectrum or some other thin stiff plastic edge. Yes the fron fully removed - you unscre the brackets and the screen and buttons lift right out.

Richard

Edited by fluffcat1, 11 December 2005 - 06:07 PM.

[MarkW19]

Well as I work in a music store I'll just nick a plectrum I think

So I'll be left with the front plastic case on its own, the front buttons on their own ready to paint, the back plastic aerial cover and plastic battery cover, the black plastic side bit (bit different on the jam) and then basically the rest of the phone (screen/electronics etc.) as mainly one unit? So everything I'll be painting (the front, back and front buttons) will be seperate and on their own?

Thanks for your help mate!

[fluffcat1]

MarkW19, on Dec 11 2005, 19:11, said:

Well as I work in a music store I'll just nick a plectrum I think

So I'll be left with the front plastic case on its own, the front buttons on their own ready to paint, the back plastic aerial cover and plastic battery cover, the black plastic side bit (bit different on the jam) and then basically the rest of the phone (screen/electronics etc.) as mainly one unit? So everything I'll be painting (the front, back and front buttons) will be seperate and on their own?

Thanks for your help mate!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello, I wouldnt paint the buttons - your fingers might rub the finish off and the end / send won't illuminate anymore. The board will be one unit, the screen another, and the buttons will be seperate, but yes, eberything you'll want to paint will be on it's own. If you do screw it up I can supply an m500 housing it should all fit into, but I've never personally tried...

Richard

[Hardz]

I have the oppotunity to buy a scratched MDA Compact and need advice and links to where to get a new body.

Any help would be great.