How do I get the metal shield off an A501 memory expansion?

absence · 22 December 2009, 12:43

Just posting this question in a separate thread since it drowned a bit in my other "Broken A500" thread. I've tried searching for info on the forum and the net, but the closest I've come is some warning about leaking batteries that says the A501 shield has to be removed. Easier said than done! Look like the shield goes through the circuit board from the top and is soldered shut on the bottom. Is that right? Do I just desolder the "pads" on the bottom side to get the shield off? Can I leave it off at that point, or does it have to be on to work properly?

Loedown · 22 December 2009, 12:54

Greetings,
It's been a very long time since I pulled the shielding off a 501, but if you use desoldering braid and a good hot iron, along with some strategically placed screwdrivers, the case can be *gently* prised open, will be much the same as shielding for neck boards in TVs.

Start at a corner and work your way around, using the screwdrivers ( flat ) to put slight tension on the casing as you take it off, but be wary, when you hit the next joint along with heat, take care that the solder doesn't splash and hit you in the eye as the case flicks out from the slight tension.

Paul

absence · 22 December 2009, 13:52

Thanks, that went well! By some strange luck, there is barely any leakage. I've attached a couple of photos. On the first one, you can see the "legs" of the battery. Are they part of the battery casing and have to be desoldered from the circuit board, or is the battery just kept in place by tension so I can pry it loose?

As you can see from the second photo, there is a small spot of green on the circuit board around the right leg. Can this prevent the memory expansion from working (I don't have a working A500 to test it on), or is it nothing to worry about? The board looks completely mint otherwise.

alexh · 22 December 2009, 14:19

The photographs are not enough of a wide angle to be sure but I'd say it is intact.

absence · 22 December 2009, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

The photographs are not enough of a wide angle to be sure but I'd say it is intact.

It's only the small spot you can see on the photo, so I didn't bother with a wider angle since the rest of the board looks good.

That's good ... or bad.

I was hoping the A501 would be damaged and the cause of the A500 not working, but no such luck.

alexh · 22 December 2009, 16:09

It also means the A500 motherboard is probably not damaged due to acid fumes either though which is a good indication that with some work you can recover it.

absence · 27 December 2009, 23:29

I've desoldered the battery at any rate. I assume the A501 will work without it, except it won't remember the time when the power goes off?

prowler · 27 December 2009, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by absence

I've desoldered the battery at any rate. I assume the A501 will work without it, except it won't remember the time when the power goes off?

Correct!

22 December 2009, 12:43	#1
absence Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: moon Posts: 373	How do I get the metal shield off an A501 memory expansion? Just posting this question in a separate thread since it drowned a bit in my other "Broken A500" thread. I've tried searching for info on the forum and the net, but the closest I've come is some warning about leaking batteries that says the A501 shield has to be removed. Easier said than done! Look like the shield goes through the circuit board from the top and is soldered shut on the bottom. Is that right? Do I just desolder the "pads" on the bottom side to get the shield off? Can I leave it off at that point, or does it have to be on to work properly?

22 December 2009, 13:52	#3
absence Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: moon Posts: 373	Thanks, that went well! By some strange luck, there is barely any leakage. I've attached a couple of photos. On the first one, you can see the "legs" of the battery. Are they part of the battery casing and have to be desoldered from the circuit board, or is the battery just kept in place by tension so I can pry it loose? As you can see from the second photo, there is a small spot of green on the circuit board around the right leg. Can this prevent the memory expansion from working (I don't have a working A500 to test it on), or is it nothing to worry about? The board looks completely mint otherwise. Attached Thumbnails

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22 December 2009, 12:54	#2
Loedown Precious & fragile things Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,946	Greetings, It's been a very long time since I pulled the shielding off a 501, but if you use desoldering braid and a good hot iron, along with some strategically placed screwdrivers, the case can be gently prised open, will be much the same as shielding for neck boards in TVs. Start at a corner and work your way around, using the screwdrivers ( flat ) to put slight tension on the casing as you take it off, but be wary, when you hit the next joint along with heat, take care that the solder doesn't splash and hit you in the eye as the case flicks out from the slight tension. Paul

22 December 2009, 14:19	#4
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,354	The photographs are not enough of a wide angle to be sure but I'd say it is intact.

22 December 2009, 16:09	#6
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,354	It also means the A500 motherboard is probably not damaged due to acid fumes either though which is a good indication that with some work you can recover it.

27 December 2009, 23:29	#7
absence Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: moon Posts: 373	I've desoldered the battery at any rate. I assume the A501 will work without it, except it won't remember the time when the power goes off?

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