Creative Zen Disassembly
If your Zen is in need of repair or you just feel like looking at its guts, take a look at this simple guide. The method of opening the Zen is non destructive and can be opened with a few simple tools. You will need a #0 Phillips head screw driver, a slim pocket knife and/or a set of plastic pry tools. A credit card or driver’s license will work in place of the plastic tools.
The difficulty of this disassembly is moderate with nothing overly difficult, but it’s more getting the guts to dig into your fully functional Zen.
Disassemble
I initially used a pocket knife to slightly separate the back of the Zen from the face. I then slid the pry tool underneath the back to pop the clips. Once at least one clip is popped you can ditch the knife and relax a little cause the player will stay apart until you snap those clips back in.
Now run the plastic tool or card along the sides. (You can use the knife too, but you will be less likely to damage the player.) Several clips will pop on each side. Do this to the three sides that do not have the USB port.
Once you separate the back from the rest, there are several screws. You will have to remove the board in order to get to one of them. The board is clipped on one of the sides. Gently pry back the clips and remove the board.
The last part which you may get hung up on is the button array. There is a small nub that keeps it in place. Just make sure you don’t break that nub.
You are done. Marvel at its hi-tech glory or fix what you need to fix.
PS. Don't drink a Redbull like I did before opening. As you can see in the video I am a bit shaky. =)
Reassemble
Just for the heck of it, here is the reassembly video. I cut out the boring screw insert part. I was paying more attention to the player at times so there are a few lame camera shots.
Photos
Comments
dragnandy on March 8, 2008 12:48 AM
when you use the D pad with the zen, its really clicky and noisy. if you put like a small cloth or something under it and reassemble it back in, would it kind of soften the click sound? making it not so noisy?
JeffreyT on March 8, 2008 1:04 AM
If anybody knows what is causing the white screen of death I will be tearing one of mine apart. I bought a 4g for $13 on ebay.
EnzoTen (Grahm) on March 8, 2008 3:07 AM
@dragnandy
There isnt enough room to fit cloth in there, plus im not sure if it would help
@Jeff
I got the white screen of death before and it seemed to be an issue with the newest firmware.
nywytboy68 on March 8, 2008 3:23 AM
Just wanted to know, is the battery soldered and is it possible to get a higher capacity 1 inside? & PS: sorry for the stupidity Enzo.
EnzoTen (Grahm) on March 8, 2008 4:19 AM
no worries. The battery is soldered. I dont think its possible to get something bigger in there since the room is tight. unless there was a higher capacity in the same psychical size.
Yuki on March 8, 2008 9:38 AM
Are you going to take apart the A816 soon ^^ ?
Alex on March 8, 2008 10:58 AM
Anyone know how or where I can get my screen on the Zen repaired, the LCD broke when my backpack full of text books and my Zen was thrown
dragnandy on March 8, 2008 1:16 PM
alex, im not sure if there are specific stores online that sell them yet, maybe eventually they will. but you can try searching ebay and buying a broken zen for parts. i hope this helps
erik on March 9, 2008 7:38 AM
I love these "XY player disassembled" articles!!!!
dragnandy on March 9, 2008 9:31 PM
hey enzo, did you scratch your zen at all when you did this?
EnzoTen (Grahm) on March 9, 2008 10:03 PM
No scratches, but a very small nick in the side where i slid the knife in.
Dilbert on March 12, 2008 11:29 AM
Interesting. There is obviously a lot of space for more flash chips. Did anyone try to solder additional devices on the open space to increase the total flash memory ?. The question is if the firmware would accept this.
Garrison Chrisjohn on March 15, 2008 8:36 PM
Great article. Very helpful. I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about the battery. I figure that the battery will be the first thing that I need to replace.
I found it a little difficult to make out what was written on it in picture #12
Daniel on April 2, 2008 6:08 AM
I would like to know if it is easy to take off the LCD screen?
I mean, is it soldered or a can just pull it out easily just like mobile lcd's?
thanks
Daniel on April 5, 2008 10:18 AM
@Garrison Chrisjohn
i opened mine and the battery is 3.6V lithium 0.55AH
Mike on April 24, 2008 12:59 AM
Dropped mine a few days after buying it. The LCD was messed up. Took it apart and did some googling with all of the numbers on it. I was led here and here:
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/CreativeZVMPort
http://www.lcdsolar.com/products/All/SAMSUNG/LTV250QVF02.html
Seems to be the same screen used in the Vision M. I'm going to buy a used Vision M off eBay and find out.
whackpak on April 28, 2008 2:04 PM
mine is broke since a few days, he felt in the swimming pool.
I "had" a 4 gig version.
I disassembled it to let him dry.
But it was 2 late :(
Battery is soldered and replaceable, the LCD is attached with a connector you can change the LCD if broke :D
I'm gone buy a new one, a 8 gig version now since they get cheaper. Really good player!!!
Now I have parts if my new one gets broke
Matthew on May 6, 2008 3:53 PM
does anybody know where to get a replacement faceplate? mine is really scratched up, but everything is working fine. If nobody knows where to get one, does anybody have one they are prepared for sale? don't mind if it is scratched elsewhere, just not over the screen area. Cheers