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Mobile Gadget News :: Making Your Mobile Life Simpler _ Motorola MPx200 _ How to strip the MPX200

Posted by: awarner Jul 4 2004, 01:41 PM

It's been a while since my first pictures were posted for the internal
components, so after permission from site admin gryph0n I have created a guide on
how to take the phone apart.
These are all new pictures which include the never seen before keyboard stripped down to expose the circuit layout.

To open the main body of the phone you need a T5 Torx screwdriver
(I have posted in the past saying a T4 but later found out that was due to my old driver being worn out :oops:)
Remove the four screws, then you need a small flat bladed screwdriver to
unclip the two retaining clips in the middle sides of the body see below pointing to one of the clips, the other one is on the oppersite side.



Once you have uncliped the cover, lift back from the battery cover release end to remove the cover out of the way.
Now you can see the SD card socket



After removing the screen connector strip, can be lifted out of the way
to expose the Keypad buttons and keypad membrane side of the circuitboard. You can also see the internal battery.





The metal keypad membrane support plate can be carefully lifted to show the components underneath.



This next part I do not recommend anyone to try unless you want to risk destroying the keypad. I removed the membrane from the backing plate
and then proceded to seperate the top memberane from the circuitboard.
As you can see this is the matix layout of the keypad.





I went this far in my testing to find the actual cause of the DownLeft problem on the main controller.

Now to move on to the Flip section of the phone.
On the display side there are four rubber plugs, remove these and then the T5 Tork srews underneath them.
Now the hard part, there are two clips either side of the case which have to be lifted very carefully with a small thin blade. You have to be carefull
otherwise you will mark the case as the top cover is plastic.



Once you have done this on the hinge is another clip, lift the cover from the top (speaker end) and carefully slide the cover towards the hinge.
Failure to do this will result in the clip being broken off.
You can also see in this picture the vibrate motor and the magnet used for activating the main screen on and off.



Once you have the cover removed unclip the connector cable then you
can lift out the display circuitry.
Note in the two pictures the earpiece speaker and hands free speaker are one component mounted back to back.




Posted by: mkestu Jul 4 2004, 01:55 PM

WOW! That's great, thanks....

Posted by: GrYph0n Jul 7 2004, 06:52 PM

I would just like to add, that no one on this site is responsible for what you may do to your phone. These are pictures showing you the components of the MPx200. If you are not familiar with the inner workings of gadgets, then I recommend that you leave it to the professionals. Remember that it is your phone and you are the only one responsible for what you may do to it...

Just my 2 cents on the matter wink.gif

Posted by: JamesV Jul 15 2004, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the pics. Any idea where the antenna is? Probably a stupid question, but would it be possible to slap an external antenna port in there somehow? I'd love to be able to do that.

thanks,
james

Posted by: GrYph0n Jul 15 2004, 08:00 PM

JamesV, I bellive that there is a member already working on that project, search the forums for it. Wraith already has included a pic elsewhere that the antenna is circled.

Posted by: awarner Jul 15 2004, 09:24 PM

Yep the antenna is located in the bottom housing in the box section behind
the battery contacts.

Posted by: JamesV Jul 15 2004, 11:08 PM

Cool. I searched the forums and the web but nothing turned up. Wraith, would you please direct me to that picture with the antenna circled if it's still up anywhere?

thank you,
james

Posted by: awarner Jul 16 2004, 06:42 AM

Here you go http://mpx200.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=3399&highlight=

Posted by: JamesV Jul 17 2004, 11:23 PM

Thank you. If I ever get the guts up to try this external antenna mod, I'll let everyone know.

-james

Posted by: SavageGimp Aug 17 2004, 02:21 AM

Thank you SO much this was just what i needed to fix the problem i was having with my speaker not working!! biggrin.gif

Posted by: PaulK Sep 3 2004, 01:56 AM

Is it normal for the display to feel a little loose when its not completely opened or closed? I'm just wondering if something needs to be tightened. Thanks

Posted by: awarner Sep 3 2004, 06:53 AM

Yes that's fine, as there is not any spring tension at mid point of the flip opening.
There slight movement when the phone is close but it is more stable when it is open.

Posted by: PaulK Sep 4 2004, 07:39 PM

Thanks!

Posted by: cinimod1000 Sep 29 2004, 12:27 PM

Re: Antenna Mod.
I made an internal antenna mod to my generic OEM (actual tri-band, non-AT&T) phone.
1. I removed the back cover.
2. I took a piece of thin insulated single-strand wire, and wrapped it around a small "lock washer". (The washer provides good contact with the metal antenna plate, which is glued to the inside of the rear cover - read on).
3. I then took a piece of 3M "super strength tape" (it's got a padded backing), and placed the washer against the metal plate, about a third in from the left - the tape holds it in place and in electrical contact with the metal plate on the rear cover.
4. I ran the wire down the left side of the rear housing, and over the hole for the "rotary volume" selector, or whatever you call it. There is a groove down the inside/side of the rear cover that this thin wire will fit in.
6. The wire was cut at roughly 1.44 inches in length, measured vertically from the bottom of the metal plate antenna (This is a good length for 1900mhz - USA).
The mod has improved reception substantially for me. Especially in weak areas. The reason I used the tape, is so I can undo the mod, without causing any permanent damage.
By the way, I purchased a housing somewhere on the web - it was Orange branded, and this had a different antenna installed to the one in my phone. The antenna in my phone is only about half the width of the rear housing, whereas the Orange one runs the full width. (Motorola replaced my rear housing because of the SIM problem). I tried the Orange one, but it made no difference to the reception, when compared with my original, so I went back to my modded antenna.
When I get time, I will take a v66 antenna, and mount it on the spare rear housing. However, I suspect this will only give me the reception I have already gained from my mod, plus perhaps a bit more, due to the antenna being further away from the users hand when in use. Will report back sometime soon. Hope this helps.

Posted by: kailes Oct 1 2004, 01:14 PM

my right direction key has died. if i were to go thru all this trouble, would a layperson(like me) be able to do something to fix it?

Posted by: awarner Oct 2 2004, 04:39 PM

Not really as you would have to strip the keypad membrane which I do not advise.
The problem is possibly oxidisation on the plate of the white part of the keypad
(not shown in my pictures above)

Posted by: mkestu Oct 3 2004, 06:41 PM

wraith, any cahnce of better resolution pics of the chips in the RF section? I'm looking into what exactly they are capable of.....

Posted by: awarner Dec 2 2004, 11:33 PM

mkestu sorry for not replying sooner been very busy but if I get time I will try.

Posted by: oallostavros Dec 8 2004, 10:03 PM

Hey, I'm thinkin about doing the antenna mod, but am gonna hold off until I find out about this.

Was wondering if this type of addition might have adverse effects in terms of our exposure to increased amounts of radiation from the phone, and if so, by how much.

It wouldn't bother me if it increased it a little bit, but if it goes through the roof, then I'll pass.

Thanks


QUOTE
Re: Antenna Mod.
I made an internal antenna mod to my generic OEM (actual tri-band, non-AT&T) phone.
1. I removed the back cover.
2. I took a piece of thin insulated single-strand wire, and wrapped it around a small "lock washer". (The washer provides good contact with the metal antenna plate, which is glued to the inside of the rear cover - read on).
3. I then took a piece of 3M "super strength tape" (it's got a padded backing), and placed the washer against the metal plate, about a third in from the left - the tape holds it in place and in electrical contact with the metal plate on the rear cover.
4. I ran the wire down the left side of the rear housing, and over the hole for the "rotary volume" selector, or whatever you call it.  There is a groove down the inside/side of the rear cover that this thin wire will fit in.
6. The wire was cut at roughly 1.44 inches in length, measured vertically from the bottom of the metal plate antenna (This is a good length for 1900mhz - USA).
The mod has improved reception substantially for me. Especially in weak areas. The reason I used the tape, is so I can undo the mod, without causing any permanent damage.
By the way, I purchased a housing somewhere on the web - it was Orange branded, and this had a different antenna installed to the one in my phone.  The antenna in my phone is only about half the width of the rear housing, whereas the Orange one runs the full width. (Motorola replaced my rear housing because of the SIM problem). I tried the Orange one, but it made no difference to the reception, when compared with my original, so I went back to my modded antenna.
When I get time, I will take a v66 antenna, and mount it on the spare rear housing. However, I suspect this will only give me the reception I have already gained from my mod, plus perhaps a bit more, due to the antenna being further away from the users hand when in use.  Will report back sometime soon.  Hope this helps.

Posted by: oallostavros Dec 8 2004, 10:15 PM

Hey, I'm thinkin about doing the antenna mod, but am gonna hold off until I find out about this.

Was wondering if this type of addition might have adverse effects in terms of our exposure to increased amounts of radiation from the phone, and if so, by how much.

It wouldn't bother me if it increased it a little bit, but if it goes through the roof, then I'll pass.

Thanks


QUOTE
Re: Antenna Mod.
I made an internal antenna mod to my generic OEM (actual tri-band, non-AT&T) phone.
1. I removed the back cover.
2. I took a piece of thin insulated single-strand wire, and wrapped it around a small "lock washer". (The washer provides good contact with the metal antenna plate, which is glued to the inside of the rear cover - read on).
3. I then took a piece of 3M "super strength tape" (it's got a padded backing), and placed the washer against the metal plate, about a third in from the left - the tape holds it in place and in electrical contact with the metal plate on the rear cover.
4. I ran the wire down the left side of the rear housing, and over the hole for the "rotary volume" selector, or whatever you call it.  There is a groove down the inside/side of the rear cover that this thin wire will fit in.
6. The wire was cut at roughly 1.44 inches in length, measured vertically from the bottom of the metal plate antenna (This is a good length for 1900mhz - USA).
The mod has improved reception substantially for me. Especially in weak areas. The reason I used the tape, is so I can undo the mod, without causing any permanent damage.
By the way, I purchased a housing somewhere on the web - it was Orange branded, and this had a different antenna installed to the one in my phone.  The antenna in my phone is only about half the width of the rear housing, whereas the Orange one runs the full width. (Motorola replaced my rear housing because of the SIM problem). I tried the Orange one, but it made no difference to the reception, when compared with my original, so I went back to my modded antenna.
When I get time, I will take a v66 antenna, and mount it on the spare rear housing. However, I suspect this will only give me the reception I have already gained from my mod, plus perhaps a bit more, due to the antenna being further away from the users hand when in use.  Will report back sometime soon.  Hope this helps.

Posted by: oallostavros Dec 8 2004, 10:19 PM

Hey, has anyone tried to manually replace their speakerphone speaker?

Anyone know what the name of the speaker part is, or its product number or make, etc...?


Mine partially blew out when I played an MP3 file too loudly, and I don't want to send it to motorola b/c they might mess up all my settings/programs, aside from the fact that I need the phone for other uses on a daily basis.

Thanks all

Posted by: Oudkerk Jan 31 2005, 11:20 PM

Hi Awarner, could you put the pictures back online? That would be a great help to me.

I can't get the the two retaining clips in the middle sides of the body uncliped. No matter how much pressure I put on them with a screwdriver they remain where they are. Do I have to put extreme pressure on them? Or do I have to presure and pull the cover at the same time?

Posted by: Oudkerk Feb 1 2005, 11:33 PM

Thanks for putting the pictures backup!
Could you describe to me in detail how I should use the screwdriver to unclip the clip's; exactly which place do I have to put pressure on? Sticking the screwdriver in het whole and pressuring the metal doesn't make my MPx200 give in anything ohmy.gif.

Posted by: dazzer_2000 Feb 3 2005, 08:01 PM

I have looked at this thread and dont fully understand it. I want to replace the entire housing of my MPx200 since I have dropped it twice, onto concrete, each time landing on part that is not inside the leather case. I love the little phone and do not want to replace it, so want to repair it.

Is it going to be easy to transfer the entire inner working from one case to another?

Thanks,
Darren

Posted by: Oudkerk Feb 5 2005, 04:39 PM

QUOTE (dazzer_2000 @ Feb 3 2005, 09:01 PM)
I have looked at this thread and dont fully understand it.  I want to replace the entire housing of my MPx200 since I have dropped it twice, onto concrete, each time landing on part that is not inside the leather case.  I love the little phone and do not want to replace it, so want to repair it.

Is it going to be easy to transfer the entire inner working from one case to another?

Thanks,
Darren
*


It look on the pictures that the whole electronic interior comes out of the packadge. How easy it would be to replace the LCD part I don't know. It is in the other side of the flip mechanism.

Any one how to unclip the clips on the side?

Posted by: awarner Feb 9 2005, 08:35 AM

Sorry for not getting back sooner but I have been extremely busy with other Smartphone projects.
To unclip you have to place the screw driver against the clip and move it in an outward movement to unlatch it.
This take a little bit of effort and you must have the right side screwdriver to avoid any damage to the case or circuitboard.

Hope this helps.

Posted by: Oudkerk Feb 11 2005, 08:50 PM

QUOTE (awarner @ Feb 9 2005, 09:35 AM)
To unclip you have to place the screw driver against the clip and move it in an outward movement to unlatch it.
This take a little bit of effort and you must have the right side screwdriver to avoid any damage to the case or circuitboard.

Hope this helps.
*


Awarner Thanks for the reply! You are a great help, but could you be more specific exactly how to unclip? I have gotten the screwdriver above the clip when I pulled I could push the clip a little downward, when I pushed with more force it resulted in distortion of the plastic jacket to the amount that it felt like starting to break. No movement what so ever in het jacket of the phone.

Do I have to push the clips downward or pull it to the inside of the phone
side, so out of the jacket or move the clip sideways or do something else? There is a little space between the clipside standing up and the side-jacket should I put the screwdriver in here? The side of the Jacket feels quite fragile while the clip needs a lot of force to get moving. Did you use a lot of force?

Posted by: awarner Feb 20 2005, 05:36 PM

You move the clips in and down. the case will move slightly so you have to be gentle as you only need to move the clip slightly.
Just remember to undo the screws first wink.gif

Posted by: Oudkerk Feb 21 2005, 02:01 AM

QUOTE (awarner @ Feb 20 2005, 06:36 PM)
You move the clips in and down. the case will move slightly so you have to be gentle as you only need to move the clip slightly.
Just remember to undo the screws first wink.gif
*


All 4 screws were removed but there is no movement at all. I think I misinterpretate your instructions.

I made a simple schema which could make explaining to me easier. The top view corresponds to your first posted picture, the battery compartment when you open up the phone :






Which position should I put the screwdriver(red line)? The top position or the lower position?
Seen from the side should the clip be moved to A(more to the outside of the exterior) B to the inside or C downwards? Or sould it be moved sideways; D up or E down?

Posted by: amsrwc Feb 22 2005, 06:12 AM

Let me take a shot at this one...

I have been playing with my MPX200 for a couple of hours now trying to get into it, and your questions Oudkerk were a huge help. I was finally able to figure out what I needed to do. Let me share...

Put your screwdriver in the top position, and try to move the clip towards B&C at once. The clip itself will not move (at least mine didn't), but in fact, the plastic case then slips around the clip as it is pushed away from the center of the phone. Also, so you know, I was having such difficulty originally because the screwdriver I was using was TOO small. I chose another slightly larger and that helped immensely.
smile.gif

I was also hoping though that awarner could possibly post another picture of the antenna. When I click the link from earlier in this post, it just pushes me to the main forum page. I think I have it, I just want to make sure... wink.gif

My problem is that my phone will no longer consistantly find a signal, and if it finds one, it will promply lose it for hours at a time. I know the area is WELL covered, and the phone used to work there. I put my sim in my old Nokia, and viola, so it isn't a SIM problem. I'm trying to see if anything looks untoward with the antenna itself...

Thx muchly...
AMSRWC

Posted by: Oudkerk Feb 24 2005, 10:39 PM

QUOTE (amsrwc @ Feb 22 2005, 07:12 AM)
Put your screwdriver in the top position, and try to move the clip towards B&C at once.  The clip itself will not move (at least mine didn't), but in fact, the plastic case then slips around the clip as it is pushed away from the center of the phone.  Also, so you know, I was having such difficulty originally because the screwdriver I was using was TOO small.  I chose another slightly larger and that helped immensely.


I have tried it but the exterior wall starts twisting and looks like to be on the edge of breaking. If only feels like the hard plastic exterior is going break, putting more force on the screwdriver in to move it to C and B

Posted by: awarner Feb 24 2005, 11:13 PM

Yep screw driver in A and a BC movement.
it will unclip but it is tight the first time.

Posted by: awarner Feb 24 2005, 11:14 PM

Also the antenna is located at the top of the phone in the picture above underneath
the smooth piece of casing.

Posted by: Oudkerk Feb 28 2005, 05:39 AM

Did it! Thanks guys.

To all others: the side wall has a pin sticking under the clip. So thats why you have to bend the side wall away from the clip to a point it almost feels like braking. A few dental sticks between the opening exteriour helped me to get the exterior up as sson as the pin was released from the clip.
I will try to post a new picture again explaining this better!

Puh.. felt like a journey getting the exterior from the MPx200. First ordered a T4 through ebay. Then a T6, when the 4 did not fit, then a T5 and then then the clip hurdle. Well hope getting a new fuse on it will be easier but it does look awfully small!

Posted by: tiger2380 Apr 4 2005, 03:57 PM

This might be a stupid question, but is there a way I can make my mpx200 to use 850mhz? To do this, do I have to modified the hardware/circuits or the firmware? I was thinking that I could take an 850mhz/frequency component from a phone that support that frequency(like nokia 8595), and put it in my mpx200, if it hardware related. Then I have to modified the software/firmware to look for 850mhz. Any suggest will be helpful. There got to be a way to do this.

Posted by: awarner Apr 13 2005, 02:10 PM

Unless you can start changing chips at component level just for starters it's not possible.

Posted by: ak73 pro a May 31 2005, 03:31 PM

Stupid me tongue.gif


Posted by: ak73 pro a Jun 1 2005, 10:53 AM

QUOTE (awarner @ Jul 16 2004, 06:42 AM)
Here you go http://mpx200.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=3399&highlight=
*


Link doesn't work thanks for help.

Posted by: joo Dec 14 2005, 12:06 PM

QUOTE (oallostavros @ Dec 9 2004, 06:15 AM)
Hey, I'm thinkin about doing the antenna mod, but am gonna hold off until I find out about this. 
Was wondering if this type of addition might have adverse effects in terms of our exposure to increased amounts of radiation from the phone, and if so, by how much. 
It wouldn't bother me if it increased it a little bit, but if it goes through the roof, then I'll pass.
Thanks
*


it's cool
but where can i find the T5and the other tools on net?
i am chinese

Posted by: MACker May 22 2006, 01:53 PM

pics are not showing!

I only got red Xs

Posted by: christer Jun 13 2006, 11:58 PM

QUOTE (MACker @ May 22 2006, 06:53 AM) *
pics are not showing!

I only got red Xs



Yeah, could someone upload the pictures again please?

Thanks, Chris

Posted by: awarner Jun 23 2006, 11:20 PM

QUOTE (christer @ Jun 14 2006, 12:58 AM) *
Yeah, could someone upload the pictures again please?

Thanks, Chris


Doing it now, be nice if someone had told me the images were down wink.gif

Posted by: awarner Jun 23 2006, 11:26 PM

Or I would do if I could actually edit my post :/

EDIT all sorted and pictures now uploaded smile.gif

Posted by: feekbrooks Jul 4 2006, 06:23 PM

hello

Posted by: Harvester Sep 2 2008, 09:01 AM

QUOTE (awarner @ Jul 16 2004, 07:42 AM) *
Here you go http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=3780&view=findpost&p=18041


Hello, can you please post a picture showing where exactly is the antenna in MPX200 ? The link in here doesn't seem to lead to the right page. Thanks.

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