Disassembly of Viewsonic VP201s

Hello, snipped-for-privacy@cullmail.com! You wrote on 23 Jan 2006 23:34:06 -0800:

m> I've noticed there is a slot on the back cover with a padlock icon m> embossed just above it. I gather this has something to do with m> "unlocking" the back cover for removal, but after studying it for a m> while cannot solve this disassembly puzzle.

m> Can someone advise on how to remove the back cover?

Use a flat blade like a blunt penknife blade and press down on the latch through the slot, whilst at the same time gently prise apart the two faces. You get the hang of it after a while. Don't use a screw driver as they are too fat and will mark the soft plastic.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com

That did not work... there appeared to be no "give" or springiness in the tab/latch at all. After pushing with only a moderate amount of force & prying the front & back halves of the enclosure with my fingernails, the metal disc separated from whatever was holding it in place, and is now rattling around inside the enclosure.

I assume this is an LCD monitor. Many of them have little plastic internal catches that hold the back cover on. After removing the corner screws, try prying, with a wide screwdriver, between the middle of the seam where the back cover meets the front mask. Ususally, you can see the back cover give a little, then the catches will break contact, and the back cover will lift off a little. You have to do this on all middle of all four sides. After one catch opens, try working around the seams for the next catch. Hope this helps.. John

Yes - the VP201s is an LCD monitor.

No - the prying won't work - I tried that before initiating this help request. Whatever it is that's holding the front & back halves together is holding it securely - there's no slop or play in it. When I saw the embossed "padlock logo" above the slotted hole, I figured that had to be responsible for barring entry. I think it's some sort of device that requires a "special tool" to gain access to the monitor's internals. One final note: the embossed padlock logo has the letter "K" in it.

It would seem this would have to be described in a repair manual... does anyone know where I might get access to one?

Thanks, Jay

I think the padlock logo slot you are talking is for use with a padlock as anti-theft. It is not for openning up the back cover.

Try 3T39 reply again. I did succed in oopening a LCD back cover of another model.

JBH-HK

SOLVED!

Thanks to all who responded. As it turns out, the slot with the embossed padlock icon in the lower right-hand corner of the rear half of the case had *nothing* to do with gaining entry. Determination was all that was required to remove the plastic case! The case halves fit together very precisely - there are a series of slots on the front half that mate with tabs on the rear half. I think fingers are the only tool that should be used as anything else will leave marks on the soft plastic - strong fingernails are a big help.

I'd still like to know what purpose is served by that slot with the padlock icon (other than to confuse people who think too much :)

Jay

That one should be obvious. It's the security slot for Fellowes type cable locks. You insert the end of the device in the slot, lock the key. All that's attached to a chunk of vinyl coated aircraft cable which is choked around something (hopefully) immovable.

They're not perfect, but better than leaving your expensive device (they're common on laptops, video projectors and--apparnetly--lcd displays)

jak

" snipped-for-privacy@cullmail.com" bravely wrote to "All" (28 Jan 06 14:43:18) --- on the heady topic of "Re: Disassembly of Viewsonic VP201s"

me> From: snipped-for-privacy@cullmail.com me> Xref: core-easynews sci.electronics.repair:356777

me> SOLVED!

me> Thanks to all who responded. As it turns out, the slot with the me> embossed padlock icon in the lower right-hand corner of the rear half me> of the case had *nothing* to do with gaining entry. Determination was me> all that was required to remove the plastic case! The case halves fit me> together very precisely - there are a series of slots on the front me> half that mate with tabs on the rear half. I think fingers are the only me> tool that should be used as anything else will leave marks on the soft me> plastic - strong fingernails are a big help.

me> I'd still like to know what purpose is served by that slot with the me> padlock icon (other than to confuse people who think too much :)

me> Jay

It might be an accessory mounting point for a security cable or chain to keep the monitor anchored to the workstation.

As for opening, sometimes judicious use of pressure at certain points on the case will release the tabs. Alternatively a gentle slap while pulling typically releases them. If you want to get some experience find an old tv remote control and try opening that. These can be murder sometimes!

A*s*i*m*o*v