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Loose hinge. Fixable?

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I've only owned my exec a couple weeks and already I notice the pivot hinge loosening.
Has anyone tightened theirs? If so, any tips?

Get in touch with HTC and see if its warrantied.
Likely just needs something tightening.
Altho I work in a customer service department for a laptop repair workshop and they would likely accuse you of having bent it the wrong way and class it as "Accidental Damage".
In which case you'd be getting a bill for a hinge (£12) and labour (£130).
You may find HTC are a little nicer than my lot tho. Hehe.

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to be able to unscrew the hinge myself, but I wanted to know if anyone's tried it themselves yet.
My other stupid question is; How do I get in touch with HTC? Anyone have a link? Can't google it.
I bought my unlocked O2 Exec new, but not from O2. I'm in the U.S. and I'm afraid they might not help me because I'm not a customer.
Nowhere I can just drive to for repairs either, because this unit isn't sold here.
Thanks again.

I don't have a loose hinge yet, but I'm sure we will all be at that point eventually. I noticed two small screws on the inside of the hinge (underneath the screen part) when you twist the screen half way around. I wonder if they do anything useful

I've noticed those screws as well. There's also a single screw on the base side. The base metal piece is the wiggly part on the non-screw side (right).
I'll wait another day or so to see if anyone has tried this yet. If I don't get a response, I'll hold my breath and give it a go.
If it works and I end up tightening my unit - great.
If not, then I've just made a very expensive mistake.
Either way, I'll update my post here with the results..
I can't be the only person with an exec/universal that has a loose lid. Pls excuse the pun.

hazer said:
Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to be able to unscrew the hinge myself, but I wanted to know if anyone's tried it themselves yet.
My other stupid question is; How do I get in touch with HTC? Anyone have a link? Can't google it.
I bought my unlocked O2 Exec new, but not from O2. I'm in the U.S. and I'm afraid they might not help me because I'm not a customer.
Nowhere I can just drive to for repairs either, because this unit isn't sold here.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC warranty the product unless a third party warranty provider is nominated - which is very unusual in the first year tbh.
Normally you return to the point of sale and they will either repair it or replace it themselves and bill HTC or send it back to the manufacturer.
In this case the product is less than 28 days old? So in the UK you would be covered by the Sales of Goods Act 1979 and entitled to a repair or if you so choose an exchange. This would probably also be the case in some form or other in the USA, but I suspect since this was a product originally intended for the UK market (and if the seller was British) you would be bound by this law.
Since you're in the US you will likely have no warranty with the retailer ie. o2 since large companies often operate warranty services within the borders of the nation it was originally purchased in and never beyond.
So you're best bet is to contact HTC - whom are an international company - and they will assess the claim and arrange shipping to and from either a) an authorized local repair agent or b) back to the main repair and warranty facility in whichever country that is.
As far as I am aware you should definately either contact the point of sale if a large company and enquire as to the repair service route or just skip them compeletely and go for the manuafcturer.
For the European Union the warranty provider is: http://www.htceurope.com/
There doesn't appear to be one for the USA.
I'm sure there is but its likely going to be a case of shipping it back to Dubai or wherever anwyay so ping them some mail and see what they say.
Either way you must act quickly and keep a record of all correspondence.
In the UK we call consumer rights 'statutary rights' and the electronics world often goes far far beyond these in terms of warranty repair/s.
The only caveats are often companies assume that since you arent asking for or invoking your rights on a certain issue that they don't need to inform you of them.

YES, I have opened mine up & can give some insight. firstly it's all very robust and safe to open the hinge on the base side (have not opened screen side). it'a ALL metal - screw, plate u can see, & chassis screw goes into - so little/no danger of loosening things by unscrewing.
u will 1st find that the single screw on the base side may be half a turn loose. tightening it with a jewelers screwdriver will make a hug defferenc4e. possibly same benefit screen side but there r more screws there so I doubt it.
if u undo screw, base pops out as it hooked at one end, and thus only held by this 1 screw. u will find a nice, strong, ropey cable linking 2 halves - NOT a ribbon that breaks the moment u open this up - so safe again.
next, u can bend the plate slightly so that it sits lower in the middle. this makes a huge difference to screen looseness or play when in position. it's like tensioning a bow.
so, all very easy and safe FOR BASE SIDE. screen side looks way more delicate & hopefully someone will update this thread with similar info.
I found that when I dropped mine a few times, the screw came loose. a bit worrying cos it means a thread miust have skipped. but now I know that if the screw ever strips I can get it re-tapped by a jeweler and a new screw put in. there's enough chassis 4 this I think. please let us know how it goes.

Shame no pics ...!
:lol:

yeah, exec battled 2 take pics of its own arse when dissembled

First let me say THANKS to Gubbs and Craigie!
Unfortunately it's now past closing time at HTCEUROPE, so I'll have to try and call them tomorrow.
I tried to take the pda apart and concur with Craigie regarding its simplicity. The wiggle in my Exec comes from the pivot and not the base plate with the single screw. I tried to remove the lid side plate by unscrewing the 4 screws that hold it, but it cannot be removed w/o spreading the plastic housing which holds the LCD. Scary.
There are 2 additional screws which bind the plastic housing (can be seen w/o taking anything apart). There are also 2 rubber inserts at the tip (tried, but can't pull out). So, my theory is that by removing the 6 lid screws and these rubber inserts, I'll be able to separate the plastic halves and remove the metal plate. Again...SCARY.
I'm hoping there's a screw which tightens the pivot. From what's visible it is made up from a press fit washer and a bent spring washer around a metal shaft. If there is a screw, it's on the side I can't get to. If there isn't a screw, then it's got to be another press fit washer used to hold the assembly together. I can use pliers to squeeze the opposite washers toghether if I can get to them.
If I have to, I'll send it to HTC. But I'd rather try and fix it myself to save the time lost and expense. Granted I should stay away from coffee or any other caffinated products before I do.

Just seen this posting by "stot" selling a replacement screen for the Universal, he gives a link showing instructions for stripping down the Universal, any help with tightening the hinge?
Thanks Stot!
http://www.artworkfiles.com/XDA/
Regards

When I did open up the screen there is no inherant way of adjusting the tension of the spring. It is basically a rivet with a curved washer that gets squashed and provides the tension.
Only thing I could suggest would be to squash the rivet section on 2 sides with a pair of pliars, or vice grips may be better so that you can set the pressure, i.e. close the vice crips and adjust them so that they are snug on the edge of the rivet, open them, adjust them closed evvver so slightly and then close them on the rivet. This will basically put more tension on the washers.
Its from the school of smack it til it works but its all I can think of.
Ill put some more pictures up of what I mean on that link shortly.
BTW. wanna buy a screen?! :wink:
Thanks
Stot

I think it was the swivel action some were interested in any suggestions to tightening that mechanism? Photo's would be good too, or is that one a case of squash it with pliers too?
I dont need a screen myself sorry my friend
Hope you find a buyer!

Hi,
Yeah Its the swivel I mean, not the opening mechanism. Pics are up you'll see what I mean.
Just noticed this is the idea Hazer had and ill agree thats the only way to do it.
Cheers
Stot.

Brilliant Stot! Great work my friend, the pictures are perfect. Thanks
Regards

These pics are fantastic gooroo.
All of you who have contributed to this tread - THANK YOU.
As soon as the kids are asleep tonite and the wife is watching tv - I'll get started. I'll need the peace and quiet required when handling such a delicate operation.
Think I'll wear a mask and gloves, just to make it official. I guess I won't be needing my tablesaw or reciprocating saw. Too bad.
I've gotten as far as spliting the lid from the main section, but I was afraid to split the lid in half in order to get at the metal plate. No more.
I'll report soon.
Thanks guys.

Pictures unavailable?
It seems http://www.artworkfiles.com/XDA/ is no more available!
Has anybody downloaded the pictures and instructions?
Can you please sent them to me?
I have the same loose hinge problem...
Thanks in advance
Anton
anton.ruzicATijs.si

Hey,
It's easy tightening the hinge! Mine was lose, and when I say lose I mean basically spinning 360 degrees! So what did I have to lose... nothing. I took my Exec apart.
When you rotate your screen.. to the right of the light sensor and 'Xda Exec' text there is a grey metal panel, with a small standard 'phillips' screw in there. Undo this one screw, and the metal plate will lift of. In there you will find a thick cable that connects the screen and the hardware keyboard. Simply twist the wire up a bit (you'll understand what I mean) and then put the panel back on, screw it up, and the screen will be tight as it was new..
I have started to notice that the hinge is starting to get lose again - wait there and I shall do the above proceedure again (undo the metal plate, unwrap the cable, wrap it back up and screw up) - oh look it's tight as brand new.
Don't worry about loosing anything whilst un-screwing you exec, NOTHING pops out!
Good luck - you won't need it!
I'll keep an eye on the thread incase there is any questions.
Pete

That's a brilliant post Pete. When my hinge comes loose I will not have any fear about following your instructions. Luckily, the missus is an optometrist, so she has plenty of tiny screwdrivers, etc. Maybe I can get her to do it, that way if she breaks it, it's not my fault... :wink:

replacement Screen Help
I read the post and I thought someone said they have a link on where to buy a replacement screen for the HTC Universal. Can someone help me... I drop the device and the screen cracked Lcd.

How to disassebmble the Prophet?

I have an XDA Neo whose soft buttons haven't been working for quite a while and I cannot find a right moment to send it for repair. But I suspect it's the dust that has made its way beneath
But the bolts are so strange, I cannot unscrew them with anything - screwdrivers, knives I tried - nothing helps
Any suggestions?

this is easy you need a torx 6 screwdriver good luck

10x a lot

Look no further..
http://www.modaco.com/Changing-you-prophet-caseand33-t240109.html

Attention to side plugs...
Yes that's torx 6. It's rare but available in some stores.
But it's not over. There are some steps which need special care. Otherwise you may break some fragile parts of the body. I dismentled 2 times completely but i broke some plastic ears on the sides and the screws are not enough to come back to a tight fixing. Some spaces remian on the sides if you break the small ears while disassembling.
The steps, roughly:
1- Pull out battery, sim card.
2- Unplug upper rear cover (not necessary to unplg the antenna cover) starting from top, then bottom. Pushing 2 ears at left and righ side of the bottom is enough.
3- Unscrew 4 x torx6
4- Pull out front frame by unplugging side ears surrounding the whole frame but PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO KEEPING THE EARS UNDAMAGED. The frame is still connected to the board and the speaker. So separate it slightly, not too much.
5- Unplug the speaker unit by pushing its caoutchouc frame and slide it through the hole to free the rear frame. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISCONNECT THE SPEAKER SOCKET. IT'S DANGEROUS AND NOT NECESSARY.
6- Pull out the camera. Its body is not fixed but only pushed into its frame. Pay attention while disconnecting its cable.
7- Unplug the keypad socket by pushing upside from sides. It's fragile but not too difficult.
8- Unscrew 4 little screws. One may be masked by a spacer. You can push it the access the screw.
9- Unplug the AC connector if necessary. Not screwed. So, you can get manually.
10-Pull out the keypad towards the rear of the phone. It will not come very easyly. Find the right angle. It's not necessary to pull out the white cover but you can do this if you want.
I write this using what i remember. I may forgot some small details but the order should be correct.
Finally don't use battery screwdrivers on a/m screws. The torque will be too strong and may destroy the plastic holes. You can unscrew but don't screw.

Thanks a lot man. I know it's dangerous, so want to be extremely careful. But some people told me that doing this can break my warranty because some of some manufacturer sticker being damaged. Is that true?

Yes, Warranty Voids If Dismantled
Yes indeed. One of 4 torx screws is covered by a warranty label. You have to destroy it to unscrew.
I did it because i never trust warranty issues on PDAs, at least in my country. Mine was fallen on its upper left corner and the body has taken a good crash make-up! It's 100% sure that u have no warranty because of user fault.
So, i dismantled and tried to repair the cover like a garage man works on a crushed car. Result: Not bad. Better than nothing. Some painting has gone. I add a silicon case on the device and everybody's happy.

Hi. Can anyone help me identify where a part comes from? I took apart my Prophet because of the amount of dust it in and the very irregular digitiser calibration. This is much better but I seem to have a piece left over and I don't know where it should go. I think it must be something to do with the phone antenna as I have very poor telephone reception since.

can u post a pic of the top end of the circle? can't really make out what it is. didn't have this problem when i opened my case

Hi, thanks for taking an interest. Here's another couple of shots.
Richard

i'm kinda guessing that it's the external antenna? u know the 1 with the rubber circle at the back of the pda? can't seem to find my tools atm to see what it actually is...

Yes, I am sure you are right - I will get my tools out and have another play with it. I may find an obvious place where the antenna goes which will fit the part in.

Well I feel pretty silly now. I took the Prophet apart and realised that this part was just a mount which the long screws screw into. One mount had come loose so I superglued it in and the screw firmly screws in now, making the whole device hold together better.

part
Richard Fantom said:
Hi, thanks for taking an interest. Here's another couple of shots.
Richard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think that part is below the antenna cap

Richard Fantom said:
Well I feel pretty silly now. I took the Prophet apart and realised that this part was just a mount which the long screws screw into. One mount had come loose so I superglued it in and the screw firmly screws in now, making the whole device hold together better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahah... well, it did look like the ext antenna part to my eyes... heheheh glad you know what it is now

[GUIDE][IN-PROGRESS] Ripping the thing open: A guide to disassembling your DHD

A prelude...
Right, the other day I dropped my DHD onto some concrete from about 2 meters... Predictably the glass digitizer shattered!
However, I have no insurance (because I'm an idiot) and HTC quoted a repair cost of £85. Yes, £85. So I hit ebay and bought a digitizer, and decided to do the job myself!
Before I start:
1) THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY
2) I am not responsible if you do anything wrong, or even if you do everything right and it still goes wrong, or if your girlfriend leaves you, or if your dog dies, or if... You get the point
Part 1: Preparation
What you will need:
Your hands
A little brute force
1) Turn your DHD off!
2) Remove battery door and battery.
3) Remove sim card cover and take out sim card + SD card.
Done! That was definately the easy part...
Part 2: Taking off the unibody cover
What you will need
A torx 5 and torx 6 (T5, T6) screwdriver (or a very small flathead)
A small flathead screwdriver
LOTS of brute force
Some brain cells
1) Remove the LED flash cover. To be honest im not sure if their is a way this is meant to be done properly, but I used a flathead screwdriver (a VERY small one) to force it out from the top. This of course risks damaging the unibody cover but I really cant see a better way of doing it! (Turns out there is a better way of doing it, but you need an 'opening tool.' Cool).
2) Undo the 5 T6 screws holding the unibody to the device, they are labelled in the picture below in purple:
If you dont undo the screw underneath the LED flash cover and try to pull the unibody off, you end up with this:
Yes, I am that stupid.
(Still works though!)
I actually used a small flathead screwdriver to undo the T6 screws, but this risks ruining the screw itself. Also, the screws are tiny so make sure you keep them safe!
3) Remove the volume strip, its just a piece of plastic that covers the buttons inside, pinch it and then gently pull it upwards. It is quite delicate so be careful!
4) Slide the unibody case off. This isnt as easy as it sounds, it involves some brute force and some shimmying around... Be careful though! When I did this I think I damaged the LED at the top that flashed when you are low on battery. To be honest I found it extremely irritating anyway so I'm quite glad...
Part 3: errr...
Ok, I must admit I haven't actually got any further yet, I'm in the process of peeling away the old glass digitzer. When the new one arrives on wednesday I will complete this guide, but in the meantime here is a picture of the beasts' insides! If you have any requests for anymore pictures please don't hesitate to ask:
Poor thing

man, i think you should remove "desire hd" from your signature! =o)
i just want to know a little more about power button and volume button, since i think i will need to change it someday! =oP

thiagodark said:
man, i think you should remove "desire hd" from your signature! =o)
i just want to know a little more about power button and volume button, since i think i will need to change it someday! =oP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure!
Power button:
It's the small grey square thing, the rest of it is attached quite nicely to the unibody!
Volume button/thing:
Looks quite flimsy the actual bit of plastic itself that comes off can be bought on ebay though!

Nice
Thanks for this but a fix guide from the manufacturer would have been great...

For peeling away old digitizer, put your DHD for 5min in oven previously heated to 60°C .
One guy do it with HTC Desire and it works. There is actually full guide from this guy how to change digitizer on HTC Desire (not DHD) but guide is in latvian and Google translate is not very accurate, so it will not help you But idea with oven heated to 60°C is usable.
And dont overheat it

I found a disassembly video on youtube.
Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfatoeWbMRk:D

thanks! Now I know how to open my phone when i want to mod it.

Robi-K said:
I found a disassembly video on youtube.
Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfatoeWbMRk:D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good video... But that voice is the most irritating thing I have ever heard in my life!

any progress?

wao....who on earth will want to disassemble?

aivarss said:
For peeling away old digitizer, put your DHD for 5min in oven previously heated to 60°C .
One guy do it with HTC Desire and it works. There is actually full guide from this guy how to change digitizer on HTC Desire (not DHD) but guide is in latvian and Google translate is not very accurate, so it will not help you But idea with oven heated to 60°C is usable.
And dont overheat it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Can help to translate from Latvian to English just give me the link of that guide.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

thiagodark said:
any progress?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I havent progressed any further is that I dropped the damn thing again whilst it was in pieces so its completely wrecked...
Open circuit board + wooden bedroom floor = £500 down the drain!
If anyone wants me to finish the guide I can, I got as far as getting the LCD off.

Keep Going
If its toast then please keep going, anything your able to document will help the next one of us that ends up having to take our phone apart.
Yours may be dead but you can help save others!

cool guide ))
now i know

[GUIDE] Xperia Arc Disassembly

EDIT
"meyourchum" has provded a link to get offical disassembly instruction with lot more information.
Check it for yourself
Hello folks,
I had a chance to work on my friends arc who bought a Rogers version and dropped it. He had it totally mess on the case and needed the full housing replacement.
I hope that doesn't happen to anyone. I didn't take any photos but I am trying to explain everything as it was to help anyone with this.
General Note:
- Anywhere you got stuck, watch some X10 Disassembly video
- Be very gentle to your phone in this process
- Besides all the screws the rest of the phone is put together with glue(Sticky Back) and snap(plastic for main board)
- Using this information on your own risk as I don't take any responsibility if anything happens to your phone.
Instruction
1) Remove the back battery cover. Thats the easiest part
2) Need star shaped screw driver[Trox](I bought the set for $5) there are 4 screws like that and two which opens with phillips screwdriver(tiny) This is what I bought
All the above we all have seen them
3) After removing the 6 screws remove the front fascia of the phone with a guitar picks, something skinny but sturdy*
* I recommend not using anything other than rubber or plastic in the whole process.
4) Main board is snapped in with plastic to the body which easily can be opened.
5) Little board on the bottom is glued(sticky back @ top) which you can remove with pulling little hard but make sure you don't break it.
6) Majority of the wire you see connected to mainboard can be discounted (snap in wires)
7) Removing the screen: from outside of the phone (like you are looking directly to screen like you normally do) you need to put something under neat and raise up the screen. This part has glue as well and its hard to lift but I did it and it should be possible.
8) if you are doing a full housing replacement, then there are stuff here and there that you need to remove and re-use it on the new housing(Like 3.5 mm jack, HDMI lid, etc.)
Good Luck and let me know if you have any questions.

1st time... ehm.. taking the Arc apart, that is!
Helluw there
Just read your post, and thought I wanted to share with you, that I might be opening one of these slick little things. My friend broke his display, and the ISP is talking about some 'off the scale' repair prizes.
...So, he asked me to do the job
Told him I didn't have any experience on the disassembling of this phonetype, but he trusts me it seems
I might return with some questions in case of problems, is that OK with you Nimche?
Greetingz

Hope u have the courage to make a video next time
Sent from my Arc using XDA premium App

xelion said:
Helluw there
Just read your post, and thought I wanted to share with you, that I might be opening one of these slick little things. My friend broke his display, and the ISP is talking about some 'off the scale' repair prizes.
...So, he asked me to do the job
Told him I didn't have any experience on the disassembling of this phonetype, but he trusts me it seems
I might return with some questions in case of problems, is that OK with you Nimche?
Greetingz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, no problem. I would be more than happy to answer. Lets see just some general stuff...
Note: anywhere you got stuck, watch some X10 Disassembly video
Note: be very gentle to your phone in this process
- you remove the back battery cover. Thats the easiest part
- you need that star shaped screw driver(I bought the set for $5) there are 4 screws like that and two which opens with phillips screwdriver(tiny)
All the above we all have seen them
after removing the 6 screws
note: besides all the screws the rest of the phone is put together with glue and snap(plastic for main board)
- remove the front fascia of the phone with a guitar picks, something skinny but sturdy*
* I recommend not using anything other than rubber or plastic in the whole process.
- main board is snapped in with plastic to the body which easily can be opened. I change full housing and not sure if you have to remove the hard key button from the bottom end of the phone too or not but that little board on the bottom is glue which you can remove with pulling little hard but make sure you don't break it.
- All the wire you see connected to mainboard can be discounted (snap in wires)
- There is a big one which goes to the screen you have to dis-attach that before removing the screen
- Removing the screen: from outside of the phone (like you are looking directly to screen like you normally do) you need to put something under neat and raise up the screen. This part has glue as well and its hard to lift but I did it and it should be possible.
Good Luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Can you answer this??? It get's hot here (and also in the same spot on the front.. so what's inside at this point??

CPU is right behind the second cover. I wish I could take some photos.

Nimche said:
CPU is right behind the second cover. I wish I could take some photos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. I was also suspecting since this area gets damn hot when playing games and even at charging (sometimes).
So seems like they move the CPU from behind the battery in X10 to near to the camera in Arc .

Can I change only the front faceplate around the screen without removing the mainboard? How easy would that be? I want to change mine to Misty Silver as Rogers only carry the Midnight Blue.
Also, for glued parts, do I have to glue them back on the new housing?

hellocng said:
Can I change only the front faceplate around the screen without removing the mainboard? How easy would that be? I want to change mine to Misty Silver as Rogers only carry the Midnight Blue.
Also, for glued parts, do I have to glue them back on the new housing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glue part, they are more sticky than glued. You just simply stick it back where it was.
Where is the silver face you found?
This is retarded from them...
Digitizer and screen(one part) are sticked to the front face. In order to for your to change the faceplate only(front) you may have to go through the whole process because the wires from digitizer are going through a big hole to the main board. You don't want to mess around with $700 or $800.
Inside, everything is small. really small. I thought I totally screwed up the whole thing. Technology has gone forward alot since I was a kid putting radio together.
Good Luck

prathaban said:
Thanks for the clarification. I was also suspecting since this area gets damn hot when playing games and even at charging (sometimes).
So seems like they move the CPU from behind the battery in X10 to near to the camera in Arc .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there are two board one above battery and one below batter @ bottom of the phone
On top is the main board
on bottom is the board for hard keys.
Nicely put together but they could have done a better job there....

Are there three parts to the housing? I assume there is the front plate, middle housing with the chrome, and the battery cover. The mainboard should be in the middle with the chrome. So I can't just detach the screen front the front plate? What is holding the three pieces of housing together? The six screws?
There are silver housings on eBay from time to time. Though, blue is a lot more common.

Three pieces. Back battery cover which is nothing.
Then there are two main pieces.
Chrome which is more like a holder of the fascia.
If I remember correctly, the front Fascia is the one holding all the board on it including that metal look piece(aluminum probably)
I will take photos and upload here...

Uploaded photos to the first post...

Hey, I'm looking to replace the chrome piece which has a few nasty chips in it, after removing the second back cover, how easy is it to take off that chrome piece?

Great post

How can I replace digitizer? I dropped my phone and the glass cracked

anyone know where i can get the tiny screw driver? I cant seem to find the correct one. they are either too small or too big.

how easy is it to replace the front cover, ive cracked the top of it and chipped a bit out the side (surrounding the screen) i presume it'd be simple enough. And does anyone know where i can get a good quality/genuine front cover replacement?

soldiers33 said:
anyone know where i can get the tiny screw driver? I cant seem to find the correct one. they are either too small or too big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, you could have sent a private message.
I bought the screw driver here at local tool shop. Home Depot sells them.
Its called Trox Screw Driver and I bought exactly this one http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100087664&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100087664&ci_kw={keyword}&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100087664&ci_gpa=pla&locStoreNum=618
I don't have the packaging but they should be standard.
Good Luck

mps83 said:
how easy is it to replace the front cover, ive cracked the top of it and chipped a bit out the side (surrounding the screen) i presume it'd be simple enough. And does anyone know where i can get a good quality/genuine front cover replacement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can find the whole housing between $30 to $40 but the front cover is that actual main piece that holds all the internal components + the screen.
If the crack doesn't bug you much, I would not do it since you have to replace the sticker behind you battery as well, which is not easy to peel off + you have to take the screen off the old front fascia which is glued and kind of hard to take off.
Downside of the whole thing for me was the sticker. I have to find an alternative for this problem.

anybody tried opening the tab 7.7

Does anyone here tried opening their tab or is there any link about the disassembly . I've looked everywhere but just cant seems to find any .

Where's an iFixit teardown when you need one?
I guess these things are too expensive to be guinea pigs and the process is probably like the later Samsung tablets -- no screws, all snap together and with the aluminum back a high risk of damage.

Same here. Can't find a thing on them.
I'm going to attempt to open the one I have here. If I figure it out, I'll let you guys know how to do it.
Wish me luck!

You can find complete instructions to open in samfirmware site.

Done!
It just snaps apart. The screen lifts from the housing. It's very tight though, be prepared to spend about 10 minutes (and a few hand cramps!) separating all 22 clips on each side. Phew. It's also easiest to lift from the bottom, near the charging port so you don't damage the headset jack.
Voila!
Good luck everyone. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.

Did you get it back together with no issues or scratches?

Yep! Very easy. It just snaps back together.
Slide the screen into the top part of the housing first, realigning the chrome headset jack cover so it doesn't slip (that thing is a pain!), then snap the rest back into place.

NaeNegriTech said:
Done!
It just snaps apart. The screen lifts from the housing. It's very tight though, be prepared to spend about 10 minutes (and a few hand cramps!) separating all 22 clips on each side. Phew. It's also easiest to lift from the bottom, near the charging port so you don't damage the headset jack.
Voila!
Good luck everyone. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your awesome Nae how did you open it can you give me some instruction i mean a video on how you open it?

Got it removed men that was nerve wracking. The problem is i forgot to remove my 32gb microsd next thing i know is that my card was cut into half , oh well.
Reason why i want it open is because i want to remove the small ding on the case. After removing the case i put a small magnet and small metal screw on the otherside to pinpoint the dent then i start rubbing it using the screw drivers handle and after a minute the dent is gone! Yesssssss thanks again for the instruction.

It wasnt that hard. I used the bigger part from my simcard you know ehere you have to press out your tiny sim. Put my nail between screen and case en the inserted the card and pushed it deep then wikkle it around and the case is loose 30sec work.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-P6800 met Tapatalk

NaeNegriTech said:
Done!
It just snaps apart. The screen lifts from the housing. It's very tight though, be prepared to spend about 10 minutes (and a few hand cramps!) separating all 22 clips on each side. Phew. It's also easiest to lift from the bottom, near the charging port so you don't damage the headset jack.
Voila!
Good luck everyone. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering whether we can change the back panel? Mine has drop down, it become really bad behind. I'm looking to change it if possible
Sent from my GT-P6800 using XDA Premium App

You may be able to find a part online. I'm really not sure..

This is good to know if I ever need to replace the battery..

Inside the GT
Here is a link to Samsung Tomorrow where they open the GT LTE.
Looks pretty interesting even if they do not do a step by step dis-assembly.
http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/?p=13163

joseph168 said:
I'm wondering whether we can change the back panel? Mine has drop down, it become really bad behind. I'm looking to change it if possible
Sent from my GT-P6800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use this Blue Plastic Opener to easily separate the screen and the panel.
http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Phone-Cover-Plastic-Opener/dp/B0055B3QL4
The back cover can be changed. It is available through a Samsung Service provider in your region. I guess it cost about US$ 25.

photos of how to open
My english is unfortunately not as good to understand what exactly to do to open the 7.7.
Can Somebody post some fotos of describing what is the easiest way to open the tab?
Thanks very much.