The first BlackBerry 8100 Disassembly photos are now available at BlackBerryFAQ.com

8100 Disassembly - BlackBerryFAQ

It took me a while, but their now up!

Will be nice if I could actually permanently take out the camera portion of the device. Anybody have ideas on how to? I could probably follow the dis-assembly instructions, anything after that?

Why would you want to take the camera portion out???

Some of my clients dont like camera phones being brought in...

oooooo cool!

Amazing what a little screw driver could do - I simply pried out the camera without "dis-assembling" the 8100. One after thought was whether the OS would error out since camera is a core app, but seems to work just fine. Now, if I can find a battery cover without the hole for the camera, it would really be cool...

No water damage sticker?!

Works fine, did not have to take the Blackberry apart to pry out the camera.. simply inserted a sharp tool and applied a little force. Then did a mod with black electrical tape on the inside, two black plastic covers for the two holes in the battery cover, with a little epoxy for a permanent fix!

Wah!

Very cool though. =p

A few times every month I go into buildings that restrict camera phones. Yesterday, I had to leave the device outside for a 5 hour meeting, not fun moving SIM to another phone....

I would like to do it myself (w/ instructions) if I ever get in that situation.

If the phone is still under RIM warranty, there should be an option for customers (willing to do it themselves) to just send the replacement screen and then we return the broken screen via pre-postage box. In this case, it would be less down time and you don't have to wait a week or two to get your phone back from repair.

I wish they should have more closeup pictures (e.g. screws location, etc).
Overall, it's very useful instructions. Thanks!

Thanks for the great detailed instructions!
I recently spilled coffee on my BB and the keys were sticky and hard to press. I disassembed it, washed the rubbery keypad in water and put it back together with no issues!!! Thanks a bunch!

Nick

Can anyone tell me where the antenna is located on the 8100?

Thanks,

Jon

I have a fleck of dust under the screen about one pixel in size (I know it's dust cause it's there when the Pearl is powered off).

Picking up a T-6 and prying tool tomorrow (and gloves!). Planning on using some compressed air on the screen.

Does anyone who has followed the dis-assembly instructions have any additional tips?

Underneath the TMobile emblem on the bottom of the BB.

So I disassembled my 8100 as per Guess's direction. Used some compressed air and a laptop wipe. Turns out the dot on my screen was not dust but some dirt stuck to it.

Now gone.

Thanks very much Guess for the photos. Now my screen looks great.

(Kinda demystifies the Pearl which is a good thing).

Doesn't appear that way from the pictures. Looks like it might be the large metal piece on the circuit board under the middle of the keyboard.

I think the John Clark is right. The photos do not adequately show the metal tape-ish antenna that's affixed to the bottom of the phone. In the photos, you can just see the green metal tape around the antenna.

Are you referring to the lighter green part of the circuit board on the bottom in the Step 6 picture ?

Do you think it would be possible to affix a wire or such to improve signal strength?

I'm getting a weak signal using the Pearl compared to my 8700.

I wouldn't care if a short wire hung down from the device.

Jon

If you are connected to a BES 4.1 or higher, instead of maiming your BB you could just have the camera disabled. With BES policies you can limit the user to just about anything. Just a thought.

nice pics. I cant wait to put blue led's on the track ball