Why the NX80 switch is so lousy

[ugokanain]

Had some trouble with my CF and had to open my NX80. Took several pictures and found why the power switch is so lousy. It has really thing sections. They tried to save a few cents from the switch.

However, the pictures describe this better.

[jwm]

eek - that really aint too good now is it? One more reason I'm only using that switch when I need too, and use most other hard buttons to switch the thing on.

[ugokanain]

For an alternative to the power switch, try default capture. This utility allows you to use the the capture button as the power switch.

Did try repairing the slider with some epoxy. It is trickier than it looked. The broken part has to remain seperated from the base so that it can reach the switch. Also need some space underneath to allow the slider to move.

This slider is rather delicate compared to the voice rec slider, which is rather sturdy. Might play with it again another day, but am rather used to the capture button by now. The bright side is that all the switches look rather well made to withstand the use, the trouble lies in the plastic sliders (the capture button has a sturdy button over the switch).

[vw_bugg]

What method do you use to open your nx-80?

[ugokanain]

A small flat screwdriver (use a quality one, cheap ones break). It will only handle two of the arms of the star, though it will not fit properly. I am using a 1.5 mm wide screwdriver.
Press hard against the screw so that the screwdriver will not slide. Most of the screws didn't need too much force to turn. Take the 5 screws on the main body, the screw on the battery cover and the 2 screws on the CF.

Once the screws are out, the cover should come off rather easily.

[flogisto]

Maybe this screwdriver would help:

http://shop.brando.com.hk/penno1screwdriver.php

Did someone tried it?

[smokeymountain]

My Nx80 is basically out of action. The power/hold switch broke and that happened unfortunately when my Clie was still in hold mode. So now it is stuck in hold mode; the power switch just slides around in there.

My warranty has expired and Sony, unsurprisingly, wants to charge me ridiculously just to look the problem. I was toying with the idea of opening my Clie myself to see what's wrong.

My sincere thanks to you, ugokanain, for this very useful thread. Of course, I am a bit apprehensive about opening my Nx80, since it is the only PDA I have and I don't want to spoil it in any way.

Does anyone maybe know of a way I can get my Nx80 off the hold mode to that I can configure the Capture button to act as the power switch?

[ugokanain]

If you don't mind an open slot and possibly some loose debris inside, you could pop out the power switch. Put a knife or screwdriver in the lower edge of the power switch, and pry it off (use the lower edge of the nx as a support pivot). Shine a bright light and you should see a long slender plastic rod from the switch. Move it with a thin screwdriver.
http://www.1src.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3168 is a good picture of the switch.

[flogisto]

Maybe this screwdriver would help:

http://shop.brando.com.hk/penno1screwdriver.php

Did someone tried it?
Just received a response from Brando, they say YES! This screwdriver matches the pentagon screws. Will order one, who knows... ;)

[smokeymountain]

If you don't mind an open slot and possibly some loose debris inside, you could pop out the power switch. Put a knife or screwdriver in the lower edge of the power switch, and pry it off (use the lower edge of the nx as a support pivot). Shine a bright light and you should see a long slender plastic rod from the switch. Move it with a thin screwdriver.
http://www.1src.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3168 is a good picture of the switch.

Thanks very much for the suggestion, though I'm a bit wary of having an open slot with debris sliding around inside my beloved Clie. I'll give it a think anyways. Thanks again.

Just received a response from Brando, they say YES! This screwdriver matches the pentagon screws. Will order one, who knows... ;)

Thanks for the info, flogisto. I might look at ordering one myself.

[glassman]

Just received a response from Brando, they say YES! This screwdriver matches the pentagon screws. Will order one, who knows... ;)


I ordered this screwdriver through Brando. It fits perfectly.

[smokeymountain]

Ok, I've just about worked out enough courage to pop my power switch out (I can't stand having my beloved Clie inactive anymore :( ). Would it perhaps be easier for me to open my Nx80 manually and take it off "Hold" mode? That's so that I don't have any debris shifting around inside.

Further, is there any utility that will allow me to turn my screen off? For example, while I'm using Pocket Tunes. I need something, since the hold switch won't work any longer.

[treffmeister]

smokay: Yes. Close the screen. It will turn off automatically

[Ramfublio]

I have had the power button break and I now use the 4 wonderful buttons and okey to turn it on and off. I dont really miss the power button now I am just used to going with out it. If I need to hold then I use the tip of my stylus to switch the hold button to its proper postion. it scracted it up on the sides but no real damage is done and I still retain ful functionality.

-Ram

[smokeymountain]

Ok, I finally tried to open my Nx80 (using a 1.5mm screwdriver). The 5 screws on the body were no problem. However, I can't seem to budge the 2 screws on the CF slot. I tried using 1.5mm, 1.4mm, 1.2mm and 1.0mm screwdrivers, but all to no avail; the screwdrivers simply keep slipping, although the 1.2mm and 1.0mm fit the screw properly.

ugokanain, how did you manage to open these 2 screws? I have tried applying pressure, but that doesn't seem to work either.

Thanks.
Smokey.

[ugokanain]

Use a 0 philips screw driver (or a 00). Don't put too much pressure or you might bang the cf mechanism out of alignment.

By the way I still give my vote to default capture to turn on/off the clie. Also for the backlight I have it assigned to a long press on the back button (through a hack).

[smokeymountain]

Thanks ugokanain. I just want to open my Nx80 to get it off hold mode (don't want to break the power switch). I'll try and get a 0 philips screwdriver and give it a go.

I'll most probably install default capture as well to get the camera button to act like the power switch.

[starbuckk]

I had installed DefaultCapture, but later decided I liked other features of SharkBtn better so I switched to it. On/Off is now assigned to the TO/DO memo button. The only problem is, uninstalling DefaultCapture didn't seem to return the Capture button to its original functionality. It still turns on the Clie but doesn't activate the Camera program. And it doesn't turn off the PDA.

Zlauncher has a soft button for power off that I put on the upper right of the toolbar. With the windows XP theme, it conveniently looks like the Windows X button.

Hold button has no use since closing the clamshell has the same effect and audio player keeps on playing.

Finally, a piece of scotch tape over the power button for about a month, and I was broken forever of the habit of using it. Funny thing is, yesterday I picked up my son's PDA and kept wanting to hit the capture button to turn it on :D.

[flogisto]

I had installed DefaultCapture, but later decided I liked other features of SharkBtn better so I switched to it. On/Off is now assigned to the TO/DO memo button. The only problem is, uninstalling DefaultCapture didn't seem to return the Capture button to its original functionality. It still turns on the Clie but doesn't activate the Camera program. And it doesn't turn off the PDA.

Zlauncher has a soft button for power off that I put on the upper right of the toolbar. With the windows XP theme, it conveniently looks like the Windows X button.

Hold button has no use since closing the clamshell has the same effect and audio player keeps on playing.

Finally, a piece of scotch tape over the power button for about a month, and I was broken forever of the habit of using it. Funny thing is, yesterday I picked up my son's PDA and kept wanting to hit the capture button to turn it on :D.

Have you tried to turn off (deactivate) DefaultCapture?

[anakuper]

My Nx80 is basically out of action. The power/hold switch broke and that happened unfortunately when my Clie was still in hold mode. So now it is stuck in hold mode; the power switch just slides around in there.

My warranty has expired and Sony, unsurprisingly, wants to charge me ridiculously just to look the problem. I was toying with the idea of opening my Clie myself to see what's wrong.

My sincere thanks to you, ugokanain, for this very useful thread. Of course, I am a bit apprehensive about opening my Nx80, since it is the only PDA I have and I don't want to spoil it in any way.

Does anyone maybe know of a way I can get my Nx80 off the hold mode to that I can configure the Capture button to act as the power switch?

Have same problem with you, i dont have the screwdriver but i push my way to open it. Because i'm a dentist, i use my low-speed diamond bur to change the star shaped screw into "minus" shaped screw and use the common "-" screwdriver to open it up.... Need high-concentration to do it, because we need careful when do it.... It works i open the CLIE and switcth back my button HOLD..

[starbuckk]

Have you tried to turn off (deactivate) DefaultCapture?

Yup...deleted it first. Then since it didn't clear it up, I reinstalled it so I could "switch it off". That didn't solve it either.

[smokeymountain]

Have same problem with you, i dont have the screwdriver but i push my way to open it. Because i'm a dentist, i use my low-speed diamond bur to change the star shaped screw into "minus" shaped screw and use the common "-" screwdriver to open it up.... Need high-concentration to do it, because we need careful when do it.... It works i open the CLIE and switcth back my button HOLD..

I finally managed to open it up last night. I used a 1.5mm flat screwdriver for the 5 screws on my Nx80's body and a philips 00 screwdriver for the two screws on the CF slot. I switched back the hold button but broke off the power switch (from whatever little was holding it on). I will now install Default Capture and see how that goes. I'm just thankful my Clie has returned :) Thanks a lot guys!

PS: Just my 2 cents. I got the screwdriver from Brando and I must say it is absolutely useless. It is made of very cheap quality stuff that wears away very easily. It is much easier to use the screwdrivers I mentioned above to open the Nx80.