MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

Kralik · 07-27-2009, 05:41 PM

Here's my basic step-by-step disassembly guide (from memory, so I might miss a few things). Tools needed:

-Precision screwdriver set
-Plastic baggies to store screws of varying types
-Patience

All of the screws are small Phillips-type, but the small flathead screwdrivers are handy for prying the case open, peeling back the foil, popping off the number keys, etc.

1) First, remove the SD card. You will not be able to open the case completely with it in.
2) Remove the four small hole coverings from the back. They are round and rubbery with no adhesive. Underneath are four small screws. Remove these, label, and set aside.
3) Carefully pry open the case. I wasn't sure if it would be able to be opened without breaking something, but it can be done with a small amount of force. All it is is a bunch of tabs. I started in the corner by the headphone output, pried it open with my fingernails, and then wedged in a small screwdriver. I then took a slightly larger screwdriver and slowly went around the edges, prying a bit here, wedging a bit there. 3 small drivers is optimal (2 to wedge, one to pry). After you get one side off (the long sides are easiest), the others are easier. Do the SD card area last and slowly, as the plastic is rather thin in that spot.
4) You now have access to the internals and could remove/replace the battery if you want. Note that there are some loose pieces in the area of the reset button: either place these aside for later or keep them in place. They won't slide around but they could fall off if you didn't notice them. And now to remove the screen...
5) Remove all of the screws you can see. There are several in the black area around the battery, as well as a bunch on the green board. They are NOT all the same size, so note which ones go to green, which ones go to black, which ones have larger heads, etc. One small black screw is unique -- it is attached to a gold metal piece and the slider bar for page turns.
6) After removing the visible screws, there are still 4 more under the battery. To access them, carefully remove the foam padding on the end of the battery next to the power switch. With a flathead screwdriver, pry up the metal shielding an inch or so to access the last screws.
7) Voila! You can now remove the screen from the rest of the casing. If it seems to be stuck, check the area of resistance to see if you missed any screws.
8) Preparing for painting with vinyl dye: carefully pop out each of the number keys from behind by pressing on the tabs with a small flat screwdriver. Remove page up/down and arrow key buttons if you haven't already. Either pry off the back Ectaco label or plan to tape over it carefully (I think taking it off is safer. It is a hard metallic type). Remove the remaining two large hole covers from the back (these are the sticky ones).
9) Remove the slider bar. First, you have to detach a springy-bit of wire. Be VERY careful in removing it, and learn from my experience: I slowly popped out one side of the wire and it shot--ZING!--to an unknown part of my office carpet. After scouring the carpet for at least an hour, vacuuming and checking the dust canister, I could not find it. Luckily, I was able to replace its function with a piece of a small safety pin.
10) The jetBook is now ready to spray! The only thing you might be concerned about is the LED light location (clear plastic). I decided to spray it anyway and see what happens. Maybe I'll get a glowy blue light. Otherwise, I don't mind so much, since the LED kinda annoys me.

I think that's it! Here's a quick guide to the painting that was my starting point (first try I've given to something like this). Ironically, I went out and bought the paint and found that it is exactly the same as the can in the article. The right stuff should soak in and stain/dye the plastic, NOT leave a permanent coating. No need to sand/prime/etc.

07-27-2009, 05:41 PM	#13
Kralik Guru Posts: 609 Karma: 1013897 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Rooted NST	Here's my basic step-by-step disassembly guide (from memory, so I might miss a few things). Tools needed: -Precision screwdriver set -Plastic baggies to store screws of varying types -Patience All of the screws are small Phillips-type, but the small flathead screwdrivers are handy for prying the case open, peeling back the foil, popping off the number keys, etc. 1) First, remove the SD card. You will not be able to open the case completely with it in. 2) Remove the four small hole coverings from the back. They are round and rubbery with no adhesive. Underneath are four small screws. Remove these, label, and set aside. 3) Carefully pry open the case. I wasn't sure if it would be able to be opened without breaking something, but it can be done with a small amount of force. All it is is a bunch of tabs. I started in the corner by the headphone output, pried it open with my fingernails, and then wedged in a small screwdriver. I then took a slightly larger screwdriver and slowly went around the edges, prying a bit here, wedging a bit there. 3 small drivers is optimal (2 to wedge, one to pry). After you get one side off (the long sides are easiest), the others are easier. Do the SD card area last and slowly, as the plastic is rather thin in that spot. 4) You now have access to the internals and could remove/replace the battery if you want. Note that there are some loose pieces in the area of the reset button: either place these aside for later or keep them in place. They won't slide around but they could fall off if you didn't notice them. And now to remove the screen... 5) Remove all of the screws you can see. There are several in the black area around the battery, as well as a bunch on the green board. They are NOT all the same size, so note which ones go to green, which ones go to black, which ones have larger heads, etc. One small black screw is unique -- it is attached to a gold metal piece and the slider bar for page turns. 6) After removing the visible screws, there are still 4 more under the battery. To access them, carefully remove the foam padding on the end of the battery next to the power switch. With a flathead screwdriver, pry up the metal shielding an inch or so to access the last screws. 7) Voila! You can now remove the screen from the rest of the casing. If it seems to be stuck, check the area of resistance to see if you missed any screws. 8) Preparing for painting with vinyl dye: carefully pop out each of the number keys from behind by pressing on the tabs with a small flat screwdriver. Remove page up/down and arrow key buttons if you haven't already. Either pry off the back Ectaco label or plan to tape over it carefully (I think taking it off is safer. It is a hard metallic type). Remove the remaining two large hole covers from the back (these are the sticky ones). 9) Remove the slider bar. First, you have to detach a springy-bit of wire. Be VERY careful in removing it, and learn from my experience: I slowly popped out one side of the wire and it shot--ZING!--to an unknown part of my office carpet. After scouring the carpet for at least an hour, vacuuming and checking the dust canister, I could not find it. Luckily, I was able to replace its function with a piece of a small safety pin. 10) The jetBook is now ready to spray! The only thing you might be concerned about is the LED light location (clear plastic). I decided to spray it anyway and see what happens. Maybe I'll get a glowy blue light. Otherwise, I don't mind so much, since the LED kinda annoys me. I think that's it! Here's a quick guide to the painting that was my starting point (first try I've given to something like this). Ironically, I went out and bought the paint and found that it is exactly the same as the can in the article. The right stuff should soak in and stain/dye the plastic, NOT leave a permanent coating. No need to sand/prime/etc. Last edited by Kralik; 07-27-2009 at 05:44 PM.