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Opening and Repairing a Palm Vx
Replacement and then removal of the backlight IC
Some time ago I received an old Palm Vx which had a problem with the battery: instead of lasting more than 3 weeks, it lasted only less than 12 hours, often less than 5 hours. I kept it unused for one year, then I found this web page, where I discovered the problem could have been caused by the backlight control circuit, going dead and causing a short circuit.
The following pictures show the steps followed to open the Palm Vx, they are similar to these.
I used a big, round iron disk, positioned over a burning methane flame, as heat source. I then removed the back cover with the aid of a wet piece of clothe. With the same clothe, I always kept the display wet, to keep it cool: it is damaged by high temperatures, the water subtracts heat while evaporating.
Once open, I first removed the damaged chip, I verified the handheld was still working, then I soldered the new chip. The backlight was still not working, so I removed the new chip and closed the handheld.
Now I don't have backlight as before, but the battery lasts more than two weeks in standby, not bad at all: both the handheld and the battery have been manufactured in 1999.
Author: Olaf Marzocchi
First version: June 10th, 2007.