On Disconnecting Tungsten T3 PDA Digitizer from LCD
November 5th, 2008 at 1:45 am (Dust Bin)
The question of how to disassemble T3 components so as to free the digitizer of water was raised, recently. An admirable answer has already been provided in a series of well-illustrated steps, leaving little to the imagination (which is a positive boon, in this case). It’s particularly useful for those who want to replace either the digitizer or the LCD.
However one final step was never reached, namely, after the screen has been separated from the PDA, how to separate the digitizer from the LCD. More to the point, how on earth to disconnect the digitizer ribbon from the LCD. It’s not immediately apparent as one surveys the back of the metal screen case shown here:
View of T3 screen with detail of connector of interest
The digitizer is face-down, its pigtail, the gray ribbon, attached to the edge of the metal case on the left and to a ziff connector towards the middle. Although, the connector appears to be some type of plug that you disconnect simply by pulling it out, it is not, really. There’s a bit that you lift up to release the ribbon from the connection, as shown in the next view.
Digitizer ribbon detail showing ziff connector raised up
A small blade screwdriver can be used to raise this clamping device. As soon as it’s raised, the ribbon end is unclamped and ready for easy removal, as shown in the next and final view.
Digitizer ribbon now separated from LCD ziff connector
Once the disconnection of the ribbon is completed, the digitizer and the LCD can be separated. Separation of the two components is accomplished with the aid of a thin blade knife inside the long edges near the corners and a small blade screwdriver positioned at slots located at the corners. This should be done in a dustfree environment and care should be taken to avoid damage to the LCD. In other words, handle with care and don’t use force to the point of deforming the metal case. The aim is simply to separate the two halves of the metal case.
