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Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement

Introduction

This guide demonstrates how to replace the battery on a Palm Zire 71.

If your handheld is not lasting long on a charge, or isn't charging at all, it's time to replace the battery! It may also be worthwhile to examine the battery if the handheld is bulging, if there is discoloration in the middle of the screen, or if you have difficulty sliding the camera out.

If possible, discharge the Zire 71 to below a 25% battery level before beginning this guide. This is a safety precaution.

What you need

  1. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Preparation: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Flip the device so it's facing screen-side down.

    • Slide the device body upward, exposing the camera.

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  2. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Top Screws (2) Removal: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the top two screws.

    • Don't be tempted into thinking that you can take a shortcut by prying the blue body open after these screws - there are other screws underneath the metallic back section that you can't reach yet.

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  3. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Bottom Screws (3) Removal: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the back sticker, or cut holes into it at the positions marked in the photo.

    • Remove the three bottom Phillips #00 screws.

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  4. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Front Panel Removal: step 4, image 1 of 2 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Front Panel Removal: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the device over so it's facing screen-side up.

    • Slide the screen upward by a few millimeters without detaching the screen - just enough to expose the top edge of the metallic panel so that you can reach underneath.

    • Avoid pulling up too far - there's a fragile ribbon cable underneath the panel!

    • Use the plastic opening tool to pry off the front panel.

    • This part is tricky, especially if you want to avoid damaging the panel. Opening picks are quite handy here; try inserting them in the seam at the bottom of the device, and working them around. You may also find it helpful to squeeze the sides of the device to release the sides of the front panel.

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  6. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Bracket and Speaker Removal: step 5, image 1 of 2 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Bracket and Speaker Removal: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the bottom two Phillips #00 screws.

    • Lift the bracket up from the device.

    • Remove the plastic camera button.

    • Bend the back plate very slightly to aid in popping it out from its home.

    • Use the plastic opening tool to pry off the speaker (taking care not to press on the speaker cone).

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  7. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Back Cover: step 6, image 1 of 2 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Back Cover: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Gently lift the ribbon cable off of the lower panel. If necessary, work the opening tool (or picks) underneath the cable to loosen it from the small tabs on the lower panel, and any glue that may be hiding underneath.

    • Avoid separating the ribbon cable from the interior of the device, and avoid separating the supportive material from the rest of the ribbon cable itself.

    • Slide the back cover off.

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  8. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement, Battery: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the Philips #00 screw

    • Remove the sliver metal piece

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  9. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the Philips screws #00

    • Remove the rear blue panel by prying both sides using the plastic opening tool.

    • A small switch (which activates the camera) sits on the right-hand side. It is suggested to start prying the panel open on the left side. When reassembling, it may be easier to replace the rear blue panel starting on the right-hand side.

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  10. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the tab up to remove the metal cap, which shields the battery.

    • Carefully lift the cap off the battery and logic board, being mindful of glue.

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  11. Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Palm Zire 71 Battery Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cable by pinching the sides and pulling up. You can also use the opening tool to work it loose on each side.

    • Pry off the battery with the plastic opening tool.

    • It may be easier (and safer) to work some opening picks underneath the battery instead, working the glue loose until the battery comes free.

    • For reassembly, insert the (new) battery into the metal shield you removed earlier, then guide the shield back into its home position with the tabs on the right side of the shield and the logic board.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

9 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Jinxian Jiang

Member since: 04/28/11

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Team

CSU Los Angeles, Team 1-5, Nelson Spring 2011 Member of CSU Los Angeles, Team 1-5, Nelson Spring 2011

CSULA-NELSON-S11S1G5

3 Members

6 Guides authored

1 Guide Comment

It's clear they just want you to throw it away when the battery dies. That was quite a chore getting the parts off and such without destroying the circuit board and that fine ribbon cable. Got it done though. No wifi I see. Too bad.

dnphoton - Reply Share

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