BlackBerry Cool

If you’ve got a roasted keypad on your BlackBerry 8800-series device, take a look at this video. It’s a little long, but goes through every step nice and slowly. Even if you’re carrying something else, it might be worth checking out The Moment of Truth at 14:50. Oh, and the skin is from DecalGirl, if you’re curious.

• Tools: You’ll need a prybar (two if you’re extra Hulk-smashy) and a Torx-5 screwdriver.
• Battery screw removal: Pop off the battery door, remove the batter, and take the Torx-5 to the four screws around the battery slot.
• Side panel removal: Slide the prybar between the device and the chrome side panel, and give it a little pull around the middle and the bottom. Beware of double-sided tape.
• Back plate removal: Lift the back plate off and pull out. Remember the back plate includes the power and mute buttons, so don’t freak out when they come off.
• Top screw removal: Now you can get to the top-left and top-right screws on the back of the BlackBerry.
• Front plate removal: The front face, including keyboard and protective screen, should be loose. Flip that sucker over and put the front plate to the side.
• LCD screen removal: Disconnect the copper-coloured bit on the top left. It’s glued down pretty tight, so it might need some work. After that, you’re clear to pull the screen off - it’s got double-sided tape underneath, so take your time and be careful not to bend it.
• Antenna cover removal: Use the pry bar to work the bottom cover from the left side. This will get you easier access to the keypad.
• Keypad removal: Disconnect the keypad from the connector at the top-right, much like the LCD screen minus the adhesive. Now work a prybar underneath the keypad - try to get under the brown adhesive layer to take it all off in one go.

After that, just reverse the steps to reassemble. Have fun!