USB/Auxiliary Port

Written By: Noah Sadler

Comments: 5

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Tools

Step 1

Using the standard metal spudger, begin by prying at the bottom of the plain rubber end cap (the end without the USB or auxiliary input).

I was able to remove the cover without cosmetic damage. I used a 6” sharp knife blade, slid it into the crack and twisted. As Kevin states in Step 2, you are trying to lift up the center of the long edge. The top short end has two tabs and the bottom end has one big tab in the center.

Student4Life - 26/04/20

Yes I agree with Student4Life. Just insert the spudger into the top short edge (the edge without rubber foot) and you can remove the cover without noteble damage.

Leon - 30/08/23

Step 2

Continue prying around the end panel, prying at different points until the entire panel is out of its seating.
Carefully remove the end panel.
The tabs which connect the panel are on the short sides.
WARNING: you will likely cause cosmetic damage to the end cap.

Step 3

Slide out the rubber foot located on the bottom of the case.

Step 4

Using a T6 bit, remove the flat topped 5mm screw located on the bottom of the casing, underneath the rubber foot.
This is the only flat topped screw in the speaker, so keep track of which one it is.

I didn’t have a T6 bit. My set only went down to T7. I was able to seat a jeweler’s flat-blade screwdriver into the head, press down firmly, and turn the screw head. Even after breaking the screw loose, there was significant drag to turn it, so be careful of the tool slipping out of the screw head.

Student4Life - 26/04/20

Step 5

Push against the side without end cap to slide the internal components out of the case.
While holding the metal outset casing with one hand, press on the black inner plastic casing with your thumb.
It will be very difficult the first time. There is a rubber seal on the outside of the plastic inner case that creates a lot of friction with the metal outer case.

Step 6

Using the standard metal spudger, carefully pry up the top 2 plastic tabs which hold the exterior button and port cover onto the interior plastic frame.

Step 7

Using the classic metal spudger, pry up the bottom 2 tabs attaching the other side of the button panel.
It should come off after prying up the first tab.

Step 8

Carefully lift out the end panel.
Unplug both the connection ribbon and the ZIF ribbon using tweezers or your hands.
There is a bit of glue to hold the connection ribbon down.

Step 9

Remove the 5mm T6 screw holding the port assembly onto the end cap.
Unlike the flat top screw holding the metal housing, these screws are roundtop.

Step 10

Remove the old port assembly from the end cap.
Alternate Reassembly required, read on.

Pls how can I purchase the zif and a new port

Okorro Emeka seun - 04/08/19

Step 11

Disconnect the Motherboard connection ribbon from the motherboard.
The ribbon should no longer be connected at either end.

Step 12

Very carefully pull the motherboard connection ribbon through the plastic casing, removing it from the plastic casing.

Step 13

Insert the connection ribbon into its ZIF connection port on the bottom of the new port assembly
ZIF connectors are delicate and often give beginners trouble, search for ZIF connector tips on the web.

Step 14

Position the new port assembly on the end cap and reinsert the 5mm T6 screw.
The rubber insulation around the motherboard connector should help hold the ZIF connector in place after the screw has been reinserted.

Step 15

Reconnect the button ribbon connector on the top of the port assembly.

Step 16

Reconnect the endcap to the plastic housing.
While you reconnect the endcap to the plastic housing, carefully position the ribbon slide through the ribbon slit and into the plastic casing.

Step 17

Snap the end cap back onto the inner plastic casing and reconnect the ZIF ribbon to the motherboard.
Finish reassembling in descending order starting at step 5.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow steps 1 through 5 in reverse order.

Author

Noah Sadler

Member since: 02/04/15

548 Reputation

One comment

Can anyone at all tell us where we can definitely purchase the USB/Auxiliary Port and its Motherboard to Aux Port ZIF Ribbon?

Thanks in advance.

barrysum - 05/01/16