Repair my Amiga... But it seems difficult?

[evil_nerd]

Hello,

I've tried opening up my Amiga 500. I've disassembled the skrews, but it seems very difficult to open it (short wires, al some things are placed over each other. Is it save to just unskrew the whole thing???

[Homer]

Erm, It's only safe if you make notes where each wire goes, and take adequate antistatic precautions as you dismantle it and then store the parts carefully until it is rebuilt.
Why do you need to repair it ? what has happened ?

[macto]

As Homer commented, just remember where everything goes as well as the orientation of the various plugs and you should be fine.  I've dealt with similar hardware (mostly all-in-one Macintosh models) and have found that the first couple of attempts to service a particular model is very frustrating, but it becomes much easier as you learn the little tricks.

[Ilwrath]

The Amiga 500 is actually a snap, once you've worked on 'em for a while...  Some good notes so far, though...

To re-emphasize-
1) make a note of where things plug in, and keep track of the alignment of wires.  You don't want to be trying to remember if the red wire should be on the left or the right side of the connector.  (it'll fit either way, but only one way will work.  the other risks damage)

2) keep track of the screws, and where you removed them from.  Don't mix the screws from the front of your case with the ones from the back of it.  The ones that go on the back (by the ports) are a little longer, and you'll dimple the plastic below your keyboard if you use the wrong screws!

3) be wary of the metal shielding.  they didn't really file it down any, and multiple cuts can occur.  Also, you can damage the printed circuit board if you gouge it with metal.

4) be careful of electro-static shock.  this is a given with any computer equipment...  have a properly grounded wrist strap or pad.  Not all Amigas have a nice chassis ground like PCs do.

5) make sure the keyboard is properly lined up before snapping and screwing it all together.  nothing is more annoying than thinking you're done, only to realize your escape key is sticking on the plastic case.  ;-)

[zipper]

I've always used a white correction pen to put white dots to mark how everything was put together.

[HopperJF]

2) keep track of the screws, and where you removed them from.  Don't mix the screws from the front of your case with the ones from the back of it.  The ones that go on the back (by the ports) are a little longer, and you'll dimple the plastic below your keyboard if you use the wrong screws!

5) make sure the keyboard is properly lined up before snapping and screwing it all together.  nothing is more annoying than thinking you're done, only to realize your escape key is sticking on the plastic case.  ;-)

Ah I learned these things from all those fun hours playing with my A1200 over recent years.
Such fantastic machines, don't make them any rarer by breaking them!