professor Messer - device disassembly best practices

Question 1

• Different than working on a desktop computer
  
  • Many different pieces
  • Intricately engineered
  • Tight quarters
• Taking it apart is easy
  
  • Getting it back together…
• Easy to break something
  
  • Very delicate parts

Answer 1

Device disassembly

Question 2

• Document and label
  
  • It seems obvious when disassembling
  • It’s not obvious at all when assembling
  • Check iFixit and similar sites
• Cable locations
  
  • There are a lot of cables
  • Antennas, drives, video, etc.
• Screw locations
  
  • There are a LOT of screws
  • Different sizes
  • “Hidden” locations

Answer 2

mapping the puzzle

Question 3

• Laptops disassemble in sections
  
  • Outer shell, keyboard, video connector, etc.
• Step-by-step
  
  • Take pictures
  • Use a big workspace
• Use containers to separate the sections
  
  • Glasses, boxes, etc.
  • Magnetic grid
  • Multi-day projects should be sealed or protected

Answer 3

organize parts

Question 4

• Refer to manufacturer resources
  
  • Often provide step-by-step repair guides
• The Internet provides the rest
  
  • Online written guides, YouTube videos
• Specialized sites can help - http://www.ifixit.com/

Answer 4

get the right information

Question 5

• Use appropriate hand tools
  
  • Sometimes a single screwdriver
  • Get a good tweezer
  • Sometimes specialized tools
• Magnification will be needed
  
  • Smaller and smaller devices
• Get a big anti-static cloth
  
  • Something soft to protect screens
  • Easy to break tiny parts

Answer 5

The tools