Disecting Ipaq 3850

[zinger]

I finally broke one of the buttons on my Ipaq. It looks like the button just came loose from the front assembly. So I'm going to take it apart and see if I can repair. Has anyone taken apart the 38xx and if so are there any hazards I should look out for? I'll be stoping at the local hardware store for a #6 torx. Has anyone ordered from here http://www.services.foxconn.com/ they have the entire front assembly for $30. The $25 service charge kinda stinks.

Thanks,
Brian

[James S]

Check out PocketPCPassion.com, they have pictures of the inside of the iPaq.

[Dan East]

I took my iPaq 3630 apart and repaired the power button. It sounds like the same thing happened to you. Basically the hard plastic button you press on the outside is just an extension that presses the actual surface mount button. With the power button there is a small extension sticking off the side of the plastic button that holds it in place. It was melted to a post, and that "plastic solder" broke loose. I simply put a drop of glue from a hot glue gun and it was better than new.

The worst part of the iPaq was the whole dpad arrangement. It is pretty difficult to get everything all back in place. There is a small circuit board just for the dpad and 4 front buttons. That board also contains a digitizer IC (the same infamous chip that only allows for single button presses on this model). When you take the DPad off carefully note how everything is assembled, particularly the long spring on how it fits in place. It took a bit of experimenting on my part to get things back properly because I didn't note the original position carefully enough when I removed it. Each pair of buttons on either side of the DPad is a single assembly, sort of like a see-saw arrangement.

My buttons were pretty gunked up on the front, even though they weren't actually broken. I cleaned them up with some alcohol and they were as smooth as new.

Dan East

[Fish]

I'll save that Foxconn link. That'll come in handy.

[zinger]

Thanks for the replies.
I've looked at Dale's 36xx surgery. I was hoping there was 38xx specific info out there. The D-Pad assembly is likely to be different, no speaker to deal with. The PCBs for both Ipaqs shown on Foxconn's site are different. It looks like the rubber contact mat was replaced with actual switches. It's odd on the 38xx there appears to be no switches for up-down. I wonder if the center button is a rocker switch. Anyway, hopefully a little hot glue is all I'll need to fix my button.
Thanks for the help guys I'll update my results post-op.

[zinger]

Well I finally found a #6 Torx at Lowes and now my Ipaq lies in pieces. My problem is not as simple as a hot glue fix. The application buttons have plastic posts that actuate the PCB mounted switches. The way the buttons are designed the posts contact the switches at slight angles and rub across the surface of the switch. All the posts show some degree of wear. The post of the button that got stuck was worn down at an angle to one side. This allowed it to swing in past the switch and get stuck. Poor design if you ask me. I used a thin layer of two-part epoxy to rebuild the post. Waiting for it to dry so I can re-assemble.

[zinger]

On a side note there is no spring in the 3850's D-pad. The D-pad snaps on the center switch. Which is a vertical rocker switch.

[pretz]

Heh. I just went to future shop (Canada's crappy version of best buy) and played with it for a bit and realized it was broken when it stuck down (the dpad).

[Ainvar]

PocketPCTechs helped a friend of mine with the type of glue epoxy to use. He broke his power button off a 3850. I have taken both my 3850 anf 3835 completely apart. It is very easy and not to hard. The gluing made it simple and a lil secure with not much mess. One thing I will say about the 38xx series is it is very nicely done. The way everything fits together and is pretty much like a very easy puzzle. The next one on my list to take apart is my Toshiba e550G. Someone already has done this but I want to to say I have and answer what questions there is for it. If you email pocketpctechs they really are very helpful and will let you know exactly what you need to do the job. Plus the glue was like under 6 bucks and it is some really good epoxy glue for electronics. I have used it to fix a apex dvd player remote.

[zinger]