Flip digital cameras are small video recorders designed for ease of use and to record relatively high-quality video. The Flip Mino is a smaller version of the original Flip recorder, and comes with the same basic characteristics, including the ability to shoot in HD, as well as the flip-out USB arm. These devices are technological achievements, so if you want to see what makes them tick, first take one apart.
Instructions
1. Use a prying tool to remove the sticker on the bottom of the device. This sticker has a small bar code on it, and the letters HDMI above the mini HDMI port. Use your small Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the two screws underneath this sticker.
2. Wedge your prying tool in between the two halves of the device, and slide it around the side and bottom edges. Do not slide it along the top of the device.
3. Pull the halves apart slowly, until the side and bottom edges are freed, and the front can be separated from the back. Be careful when pulling the front and back apart, as there is a connector ribbon located near the bottom of the device, connecting the two halves.
4. Disconnect the ribbon cable by pulling it out of its socket on the logic board. Set the back half (plastic half) aside.
5. Insert your prying tool behind one of the top corners of the LCD screen to begin lifting it out of place. After you have begun lifting it out of place on one side, move to the other top corner and insert your prying tool behind that edge. Do not yet attempt to remove the LCD screen from its bracket.
6. Use a prying tool to lift the metal bracket (located below the LCD screen) out of its place. This reveals a plastic bracket that's located underneath. Use your prying tool to lift this bracket out of place as well, and set them both aside.
7. Locate the ribbon connector that runs from the LCD screen to the logic board. Use your fingernail to carefully flip up the latch located at the connection site. Remove the ribbon cable from its connector by pulling it out with your fingers. Remove the LCD screen and set it aside.
8. With the screwdriver, remove the four screws located along the outside edge of the logic board.
9. Locate the two microphone leads near the top of the logic board. These are small red wires connected between two silver dots. One lead is horizontal, while the other is vertical. De-solder these leads to disconnect them. Lift up on the disconnected wire gently with a pair of tweezers while using a soldering iron.
10. Pull the logic board out of its case, making sure not to pull too hard, as it is still connected via two ribbon cables. Disconnect the cables at their connector sites (on the logic board) using a pair of tweezers. Remove the logic board completely from its case, and set it aside.
11. Remove the two screws on the side edges of the battery case with the screwdriver. Use your prying tool to remove the battery, along with its case, from the device.
12. Looking at the front half of the device, remove the three Phillips-head screws around the two microphones (near the camera). Two screws are located by the larger microphone; the third is near the smaller microphone. Remove the microphones and set them aside.
13. Remove the four screws located along the edges of the metal bracket above the camera hole. Remove the bracket to reveal the flip-out USB arm. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the USB arm and set it aside.
14. Looking at the logic board, remove the two screws that secure the camera in place. They're located on the reverse side of the logic board that the camera is on. Remove the camera from the logic board. Your Flip Mino is now completely disassembled.
Tags: logic board, prying tool, your prying, your prying tool, Flip Mino, pair tweezers