Creative Zen Microphoto Screen Replacement

Written By: Emily Hill
  • Comments: 9
Creative Zen Microphoto Screen Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

17

Time Required

15 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the screen of the Creative Zen Microphoto.

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    • Slide off the back cover to reveal the battery.

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    • Removal of the battery may require some force.

    • Beginning with the notch directly beneath the battery, use the plastic opening tool to loosen the battery.

    • Once the battery is free, remove it from the device.

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    • Turn over the device.

    • Use the plastic opening tool to separate the front and back covers.

    • Move the opening tool around the perimeter of the device until the front cover detaches.

    DO NOT DO THIS. Slide the metal panel under battery away from the battery contacts, then apply pressure at the bottom of the device on that panel while holding the sides. You can then jump directly to step 7 without ripping the touch panel cable off by tearing off the front panel

    Nick Burtinsky -

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    • Slowly detach the front cover from the rest of the device to reveal the interior.

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    • Insert the flat-head screwdriver into the notch on the bottom of the device. Pry the main board and screen from the outer shell of the device.

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    • The power button will come loose upon removal of outer shell. When reassembling, align power button properly.

    • Remove the main board and screen from the outer shell.

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    • No tools are needed. The prongs (pictured) will release easily to remove the back cover.

    • Carefully remove the back cover.

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    • Be gentle when removing the main board. The main board is attached to the front panel of the device by wires.

    • Using the flat-head screwdriver, carefully pry open the prongs on the sides of the device, and remove the main board from the screen.

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    • Do not damage the ribbon tab (pictured). It is vital to the device.

    • Push the ribbon tab (sticking out below the main screen) backward through the square hole to remove the main board of the device.

    • Once the wiring is removed from the front panel, release the hinge at the bottom of the device. To do so, gently pry underneath the clip (pictured) with a plastic opening tool. The clip will pop up, and the motherboard can be completely removed.

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    • With a set of tweezers, Carefully pull off the the bottom blue cover and remove it from the 8 GB hard drive.

    • DO NOT REMOVE THE TOP BLUE RUBBER COVER.

    Alternatively, save the hassle and just remove the drive completely since it’s now not attached to the motherboard, leave all covers and cable in place and gently push it out of the frame

    Nick Burtinsky -

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    • Using a screwdriver, remove four Philip screws from the back of the screen.

    • Place the four screws in a small baggy for later reassembly.

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    • Carefully pull out the gold piece from the top of the hard drive.

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    • Carefully use your thumbs to pull out the screen (that is below the hard drive).

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    • Look for a black strip on the side of the screen.

    • Remove the strip from the screen using your fingers or tweezers if needed.

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    • With tweezers, lightly pull down on red strip in the middle of the back of the screen.

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    • With the tweezers, carefully pull the red strip off of the back of the screen.

    • DO NOT FULLY DETACH THE TAB FROM THE DEVICE.

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    • Carefully lift up the two pieces of the screen to reveal the actual back of the screen.

    • Pull out the screen from the device.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Emily Hill

Member since: 30/09/14

146 Reputation

7 comments

Great way to destroy a Zen. Don’t pry the front off. Slide the metal cover under the battery down away from the contacts so that the tabs beside the battery contacts disengage, then press on the lower part of the battery compartment while holding the front. This keeps you from ripping the touch pad connector off and you can access everything with the front panel still glued on. Just proceed to remove the rear cover, then remove the motherboard, and you have access to the screen.

Nick Burtinsky -

Thank u very much.

Barbie Calzado -

I was just coming to comment this, I wish I had read the comments first. Along with not destroying the player, it's also so much easier. This seriously needs to be corrected.

ocddev -

Where can i buy a new screen for my zen microphoto?

Pedro Neves -

Seconded. Looking for a new screen. Anyone have any tips?

Cory Roberts -

Ditto, also need a new screen. Mine is totally blacked out.

michael -

My issue is different- the back cover has bulged. Screen is ok. But as it is bulged in the center, I can not get it to work properly. Switches on only when connected to power but only showing recovery screen. What can I do? Thank you.

Jamooi -