Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

I have read the Raphael pdf that details how to disassemble the Touch Pro, including various other sites and how-to's.

They all basically outline the following procedure for starters:

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...titled-1-1.jpg

However, when trying to dismantle / disassemble mine, I can't because the black internal plastic frame that goes around the entire phone appears to be glued to the side of the phone's housing.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...MG9449copy.jpg

I can only remove the top portion that isn't attached to anything else (the only part that appears exposed).

The rest of the black plastic frame (some points of reference circled in red), I can't seem to even make it budge at all, not even in the least bit.

Did Sprint tamper-proof the latest Touch Pro's or something? :scratch:

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Lol, no.. You need a thin tool to stick betweeen the keyboard and the chrom around it.. Careful cuz it's easy to break. The whole keyboard will come out. From there you have access to the Keyboard ribbon, the screen ribbon, and more screws to remove the screen from the keyboard.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

I used a plastic knife.
I used an ultra thin steel knife.
I used a credit card.
I used a super thin and tiny flat head screw driver.

There is literally no space whatsoever between the keyboard and the phones frame, nor is there any apparent space/gaps anywhere to manipulate.

That gap that you see in the bottom left picture of the Raphael pdf document simply does not exist for me. Mine seems welded/glued/something shut...at least I think. :scratch:

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

It's NOT on the bottom of the phone. You actually pry the keyboard with the buttons out. The picture where it shows the red keys with the phone facing up. You pry the keyboard out.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Ooooooooooooh :oops:

I feel like such an idiot now.

Thanks! :thumbright:

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

hehe.. No problem. Took me a little while to figure it out too. If ya don't mind hittin' tha thanks button bro?

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Ill keep on thanking you if you keep on answering! :mrgreen:

OK these instructions on that pdf suck, at least suck to me, you in one fell swoop managed to explain more than that entire document with its pictures did.

So, after I have pried up the keyboard (which Ive done now, its just barely pried open), what should I do next?

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Use a straight razor blade, as often found in exacto-knifes. You might want to dull it first though, so you don't inadvertently cut things you don't want cut. (I accidently cut through the keyboard button board when using it to remove the keyboard to do a swap, and it's a PITA to re-insert the button pad and affix the keyboard in the proper location when you've cut the button pad from the phone). What should have taken me 3min to do, took closer to 25 minutes to get everything properly aligned and put back together again.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Grab ahold and pull in the direction in which you wish to remove the keyboard. Make sure you don't see any metallic buttons on the backside of they keyboard before doing the pull. After you have removed the keyboard, (without metallic backing), insert the new keyboard, remove the plastic sticker gaurd, and make sure everything is lined up. After your keyboard flops into position, press down on the keyboard in an even fashon, (using index finger works). Applying equal force, slowly sweep your finger across the keyboard from one side to the other, Repeat procedure in the opposite direction. Open and close the face of the phone a few times to be sure you have applied the keyboard properly, and then open the phone and hold it upside down, (keyboard down), to be sure it is stuck properly. If it is applied properly, close your phone and start it up.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

the keyboard and screen ribbons clip onto the mainboard. They just pop off. If you have something to get at them with you can just pop them off.. It's a little tough to get the keyboard one back on cuz it's so short, but it's do-able. What exactly are you trying to accomplish here? replace the keyboard or what?

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Sweet.

Thanks guys.

OK, Ive disconnected one ribbon already, but what would be the best way to disconnect the orange one, seems a bit fragile and not sure which end to pull, or does it matter?

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/CIMG9460.jpg

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Trying to soak all of this in.

Yep, trying to fix the keyboard.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Oh, and every component/ribbon seems to be covered by metallic plates/covers, is that normal?

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Yes, it's a biult in shock protection to prevent cables from beind dislodged in abnormal circumstances, (or normal, if you keep it in your pants pocket and change positions may times a day/ walk all day at work).

You're doing it the long way around, but since you've got this far, I'll continue along your work line.

On the picture you posted, you have stripped it down to the inner electronic assembly of the phone. Have you ever swapped a HDD or FDD on a desktop computer? The process remains much the same. Do not yank, or hap-hazardly pull the cable. On the lower section, get as paralell to the connecter as possible, and slowly pull the cable to you, while holding the phone base stable. You do not want to force this removal, as you can easily seperate the cable from the connection point. (and you'll be forced to buy a new keyboard cable because unless you like working on a microscopic level, it's damned near impossible to re-connect the junction w/ the wire). If you can, remove the metallic barrier, and slowly work the connecting joint off of the junction. Otherwise, just apply uniform pressure paralell with the connection point and pull it slowly away from the connection junction.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

the plates are what attach them to the board.. They have a male and female end. you should just be able to pry up on them gently and they will pop off.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

Thanks again guys.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

no problem.

Re: Sprint Touch Pro : Can Not Disassemble -- did they make this tamper-proof?
 

It's all a process of education in electronics. :) You are electrically neutral to the device you are working on, correct? Glad to help, btw. :) You're willing to learn and put some effort in, so I'm willing to teach/help you. :) Soon, you'll be more capable then assemblers at SEL. :D

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.30 (Nintendo Wii; U; ; 3642; en))

So do i follow these same steps to replace my cracked lcd screen? Is it as easy a changing a laptop screen?