VisorCentral.com - How easy to replace broken screen?

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Posted by srwdc1 on 04-24-2002 10:27 PM:

How easy to replace broken screen?

broke the screen of my early VDX (purchased on Oct 99, one month after they came on the market (replaced a Palm III). (I think it cost $200- $250 back then, is that correct?)

Looking at the options now, it seems I can:

(a) buy and fix the screen myself for $50 at gethightech.com. (keep data, hopefully)
(b) have gethightech repair it for $60. (keep data, hopefully)
(c) have handspring swap it with a refurb for $100. (then have to reinstall everything)
(d) buy an equivalent Neo for $125 or so. (reinstall, etc)
(e) buy an equivalent entry-level Clie or Palm for $150 or so
(f) buy the next step up monochrome for $200 or so.
(g) buy color for $250 or so.
(h) keep going up and up in price and features.

As I'm the kind of guy who keeps a car for 8-10 years, and my VDX is barely half full, and I don't use Springboards much, I think (a) or (b) is the way to go. for (a), it will be quicker turnaround (don't have to wait for it to go to California and wait on their workbench and then get mailed back.)

(OTOH, being on the far side of 40, but not yet 50, the visibility of the Visor gets worse every year. brighter screens might be better.)

How easy is it to repair the screen? 1/2 hour, 3 hours, what? basic tools, special tools?

Thanks in advance.

Posted by imabug on 04-24-2002 11:19 PM:

Screen repair is pretty simple. I think gethightech.com has directions somewhere on the page.

All you need is a small screwdriver. Take the screws out (2 at the bottom in the holes, 2 in the springboard slot). Carefully take off the top cover. might take a bit of gentle squeezing on the sides to get it to unlatch.

Once you get the cover off, take the screen out and gently slide the connector off the mainboard.

connect the new screen, put it back in place, snap the cover on and put the screws back. Shouldn't take more than a half hour if you're careful.

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Posted by terrysalmi on 04-24-2002 11:34 PM:

If the screen is broken, your data might already be lost. Either the machine will want a hard-reset with the new screen or you took the batteries out to get the machine to turn off, etc.

My opinion? Use this to get an edge. You don't use springboards that often, they are only $160-$199, and this way you can start a warranty process where if the edge's screen breaks, you can get it replaced for free! Plus, the looks are worth the cost, and you will find how nice it is to be able to carry your PDA everywhere with you w/out having a bulky pocket.

If you want, get the screen replacement and use your deluxe as a backup, if the screen on the edge does decide to break!

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Posted by imabug on 04-25-2002 04:18 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by terrysalmi
If the screen is broken, your data might already be lost. Either the machine will want a hard-reset with the new screen or you took the batteries out to get the machine to turn off, etc.

but if he synced recently, this is a non-issue. once the screen is replaced, pop it in the cradle, sync and most everything is restored.

batteries don't need to be removed to do a screen replacement (might want to do it anyway to avoid shorting stuff out). whether or not it will want to reset after the replacement, I don't know.

If you've got the $ available and are looking at upgrading, then this would be a good opportunity to get a new unit. Then you can replace the screen at your leisure and use it for backup or sell it to someone.

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