[NTLK] Disassembly tips [Was "Re: Changing motherboard"]

~~~ On 2006/09/05 09:41, Jon Glass at jonglass@usa.net wrote ~~~

> ...
> <http://www.pda-soft.de/2x00_disassemble.html>
>
> I wrote this paragraph at the end, but I'm moving it up top, because I
> think it's too important to miss. You will be taking apart two
> Newtons. You really need to take apart the Newton that you will _not_
> be using first. Use it for your "training" Newton. That way, if
> something goes wrong, you didn't crack the case of, or tear a wire of,
> or break the circuit board of your preferred Newton. So use your parts
> newton to practice on first, and then take apart your good one. I say
> that from experience. I cracked the inside of my good Newton, and had
> to take apart both even further than I had intended so as to swap that
> part too! ;-) So learn from my mistake, and practice on your parts
> newton first.
>
> Some things to consider.... Read carefully everything Frank says to do
> on this page, and read everything first, before you even open your
> Newton. Secondly, what he says about screws is very, very, _very_
> true! I just had a screw from a watch disappear on me in a place where
> it shouldn't be possible! But it did. I have often used egg cartons in
> the past to hold my screws, but have also taped them to photos of the
> item I was taking apart (whether my laptop or whatever).
>
> Second bit of advice. Take is slow! Take your time, and don't get in a
> hurry. If you are having a hard time "cracking" a case, just give it a
> rest. I had a hard time separating the inner from the outer case at
> one point, and went and got a cup of coffee. When I came back, a
> couple gentle movements brought it right out. Don't force anything. It
> will work its way loose if you give it time. However, some of those
> plugs can use some help with a jeweler's screwdriver.
>
> Third hint. When putting screws back in, don't just stick the screw
> in, and start turning. Turn the screws backwards until you feel or
> hear a "click" as the threads of the screw drop into the threads in
> the hole that they previously dug out. This way, you will put the
> screws right back in the same furrows, and not dig new ones, thus
> weakening the whole bit. This, of course, applies to screws into
> plastic, but I always do it just to keep in the habit. ;-)
>
> I'll be honest. I had never taken apart a Newton before I did mine a
> few months ago. I followed Frank's advice, and it went perfectly! So,
> while his page is full of disclaimers and warnings--don't let that
> scare you too much--enough to make you careful, but not too much to
> stop you or paralyze you. :-) BTW, you will be repeating his
> instructions twice--once for the 2100 and once for the 2000. Be
> careful to keep the two apart. I used two separate spots on my bench,
> and two sets of boxes for screws.
>

Jon,

I can't speak for Kate, but I appreciate this post a lot. I'm feeling
encouraged again about the coming surgery for my own problem, and instinct
tells me your tips are important. The one on gently turning a screw
"backwards" first to catch the thread is especially good. I first learned
this some years ago and I've had many occasions to be glad of it. And the
reminder never to force anything is never out of place. These two
especially encourage me.

One thing: what do you mean when you write, "However, some of those plugs
can use some help with a jeweler's screwdriver"? Personally, I tend to
avoid anything that involves a prying action, especially with a metal
implement.

So, thanks.

Shalom

Christian

~~~~~~~~~

³The rule of the last inch is simply this ‹ not to leave it undone. And not
to put it off ‹ because otherwise your mind loses touch with that realm. And
not to mind how much time you spend on it, because the aim is not to finish
the job quickly but to reach perfection.²

                          Alexander Solzhenitsyn, The First Circle

~~~~~~~~~

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