HTC Vive Focus Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Sam Omiotek

Comments: 1

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Follow this guide to remove or replace the motherboard on a HTC Vive Focus.

Power down your device before you begin. Be careful not to power on your device while making repairs. If you accidentally power on your device, stop working and power it back off before you resume.

This repair requires breaking the plastic welds that help secure the front cover to the device. If you complete this repair, the gaps between the plastic front cover and side panels will no longer be flush. This damage is permanent but only cosmetic and will not affect the device’s functionality, usability, or operation.

Tools

Parts

HTC Vive Focus Headset Motherboard

Step 1

Place your device upside-down on your work surface.
The facerest cushion is lightly held into place by seven plastic clips.
Use your fingers to gently pull the facerest cushion straight off of the facerest to remove it.

Step 2

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the eight 4.5 mm screws securing the facerest.
One of the screws will be covered by a tamper-evident sticker. Press the driver through the sticker to remove the screw.

Step 3

Insert an opening pick into the upper-left corner of the facerest.
Twist the opening pick to release the plastic clip securing the facerest.
Repeat for the upper-right corner.
Don't remove the facerest yet. It's still attached by the facerest sensor ribbon cable.

Step 4

Carefully flip your device over.
Pull the facerest out just enough to access the screws securing the facerest sensor.
Don't put any strain on the facerest sensor ribbon cable.
During reassembly, make sure the facerest sensor ribbon cable is positioned between the lenses before reinstalling the facerest.

Step 5

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 2.4 mm screws securing the facerest sensor to the facerest.

Step 6

Remove the facerest.

Step 7

Use your fingers to slide the lenses towards each other so that they are positioned towards the center of the device.

Step 8

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the front cover from inside the device:
Two 5.7 mm screws with fine threads
Two 5.5 mm screws with coarse threads
The coarse-thread screws can strip easily. During reassembly, tighten the coarse-thread screws until they're hand tight and then no more.

Step 9

Note the location of the plastic welds on both vertical edges of the front cover.
After reassembly, the gap between the front cover and the side panels may no longer be flush. This is a cosmetic defect only and will not affect operation. The front cover's clips and screws are sufficient to secure it to the rest of the device.

Step 10

Insert an opening pick into the top of the front cover near the upper left corner.
Slide the opening pick around the upper left corner of the front cover.

Step 11

Use the opening pick to separate the weld securing the left side vertical edge of the front cover.
The weld may require significant force to separate.

Step 12

Insert an opening pick into the top of the front cover near the upper right corner.
Slide the opening pick around the upper right corner of the front cover.

Step 13

Use the opening pick to separate the weld securing the right side vertical edge of the front cover.
The weld may require significant force to separate.

Step 14

Flip the device upside-down.
Use an opening pick to disconnect the plastic clips securing the bottom right edge of the front cover to the device.

Step 15

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the front cover to separate it from the device.

Step 16

Use the opening pick to disconnect the plastic clips securing the bottom-left edge of the front cover to the device.

Step 17

Flip the device right-side up.
Use the opening pick to separate the last few plastic clips securing the top of the front cover.

Step 18

Remove the front cover.

Step 19

Use a pair of angled tweezers to disconnect the CPU fan cable from the motherboard.
Lift the CPU fan connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect it from its socket.
During reassembly, align the CPU fan connector with its socket and use your finger to press it straight down into the motherboard.

Step 20

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 5.5 mm screws securing the CPU fan.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 2.3 mm screws securing the CPU heatsink.

Step 21

Remove the CPU fan.
During reassembly, do not sandwich the red antenna cable between the heatsink and contact plates.

Step 22

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the black 5.5 mm screw from the power button cable bracket.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2.3 mm screw from the power button cable bracket.

Step 23

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the power button cable bracket from the motherboard.
During reassembly, slot the power button cable bracket back onto the peg on the motherboard before reinstalling the screws.

Step 24

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the power button cable from the motherboard.

Step 25

Pry up with the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the three ribbon cables connecting the proximity sensor array to the motherboard.

Step 26

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the 4.5 mm screw from the proximity sensor array.

Step 27

Remove the proximity sensor array from the motherboard.

Step 28

Antenna connectors are fragile and can break off of the motherboard. Use this technique when disconnecting antenna cables.
Use a spudger or a pair of tweezers to disconnect the red antenna cable from the front of the device.
De-route the antenna cable from the front of the device and place it to the side.
During reassembly, be sure to re-route the cable through the brackets and clips securing it.

Step 29

Use a spudger or a pair of tweezers to remove the black antenna cable from the motherboard.
During reassembly, re-route the black antenna cable through its channel and clip.

Step 30

Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable connecting the volume buttons and headset jack to the motherboard.

Step 31

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully disconnect the speaker wire from the right side of the motherboard.
During reassembly, reinstall the speaker wire with the gold contacts facing towards you and the red wire on top.

Step 32

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully disconnect the speaker wire from the left side of the motherboard.
During reassembly, reinstall the speaker wire with the gold contacts facing towards you and the black wire on top.

Step 33

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 5.6 mm screws securing the corners of the internal assembly to the frame.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 7.2 mm silver screws from the bottom of the motherboard.

Step 34

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 5.5 mm screws securing the internal assembly to inside of the frame.
During reassembly, make sure the internal assembly is fully seated on its centering pegs on each side and sits flush on the tabs on the frame before tightening these two screws.
Check for proper rack and pinion operation before continuing reassembly.

Step 35

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 4.5 mm screws securing the bracket under the left lens.

Step 36

Remove the bracket under the left lens.
To ensure correct operation, make sure this piece is properly seated on the adjuster mechanism by sliding the lenses as close together as possible before reinstalling it.

Step 37

Before removing the internal assembly, tilt the front out slightly to feed the microSD card slot cover through the frame.

Step 38

Carefully remove the internal assembly through the front of the device.
The internal assembly may not come out easily. Gently bend the outer frame as necessary to create space for the edges to clear.
Do not force any part of the internal assembly out.
During reassembly, feed the microSD slot cover referenced in the previous step back through the frame as you slide the internal assembly back into place.

Step 39

During reassembly:
Make sure not to trap any of the five loose wires and cables when reinstalling the internal assembly.
Hold the lenses as close together as possible and align the rack and pinion with the gear and washer.
This will ensure the lenses are properly aligned.

Step 40

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the left LED display ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Step 41

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the right LED display ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Step 42

Swing the midframe open to access the battery.
During reassembly, be careful not to crush the LED display ribbon cables when folding the midframe back into place.

Step 43

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 2.3 mm screws securing the battery cable to the back of the motherboard.

Step 44

Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the battery from the back of the motherboard.
During reassembly, use a spudger to align the battery connector screw holes and press it into place.

Step 45

Flip the internal assembly over to access the motherboard.
Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the white antenna cable from the motherboard.

Step 46

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the following screws securing the motherboard to the midframe:
Six 5.5 mm black screws
One 2.9 mm silver screw

Step 47

The motherboard is still secured to the midframe with adhesive.
Apply a heated iOpener to the motherboard for one minute.

Step 48

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the motherboard off of the midframe.
If the motherboard is difficult to remove, apply isopropyl alcohol between the motherboard and midframe and allow it to soak for one minute to soften the adhesive.
It is not necessary to apply adhesive to the new motherboard. The screws are sufficient to secure it to the midframe.

Step 49

Remove the motherboard.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Sam Omiotek

Member since: 25/02/19

78491 Reputation

One comment

Does anyone know where to get replacement flex cables for the focus plus? I have been given one to repair but the power button flex was torn and is beyond repair.

Thanks

Ryan -