SDS100/SDS200: help dust behind screen

[kaitlyn4589]

earlier today i accidentally dropped my sds100 scanner on the floor, it slid off while i was adjusting my position on the bed. the scanner works fine i tested it, but theres a small speck of dust between the lcd and the outer screen, i dont wanna void my warranty is there any way for me to fix this issue so it doesnt drive me crazy below is a pic showing the issue circled in red

i checked it doesnt look like a dead pixel any ideas on how to remove the dust or should i just leave it

 

[tumegpc]

In the past, I would remove the 6 screws and separate the front housing just enough to use a short blast of compressed air. The kind that comes in a can for PC or electronics.

 

[kaitlyn4589]

@tumegpc you think i can take it apart that easy is there a guide so i dont **** anything up if i decide to take it apart

 

[trentbob]

@tumegpc you think i can take it apart that easy is there a guide so i dont **** anything up if i decide to take it apart

You might mess up and if you doubt yourself, don't try. Others who have made basic repairs probably on the same level as Uniden always clean up. Use caution if you're not sure.

 

[kaitlyn4589]

is there a guide on how to carefully take apart my sds100 so i can get access to the front screen to try to remove some dust? see red circle i need to take it apart to use my canned air duster to remove it

 

[wizardofid]

Here's an old laptop computer fix that I read off of the web years ago. It worked on my laptop computer screen when I had a pixel that didn't light or adjust to the background properly. (1) I would turn the computer off, (2) then apply firm finger pressure to the display screen (over the pixel(s) in question, and (3) turn the computer back on while still applying pressure over the pixel. In most cases this would re-activate the pixel. (I don't know how or why... but it did.)

Seeing that your SDS100 is basically a computer you might want to give it a try. You won't void your warranty in trying it... and you've got nothing to lose if it don't work.

 

[kaitlyn4589]

@wizardofid that is a good idea but wont work for two reasons 1 the front is a hard plastic and 2 the lcd display has a gap between it and the hard seethrough screen

 

[kaitlyn4589]

@trentbob is there a guide that will show me how to take it apart?

 

[wizardofid]

@wizardofid that is a good idea but wont work for two reasons 1 the front is a hard plastic and 2 the lcd display has a gap between it and the hard seethrough screen

Good point! I never thought about the front screen being made of hard plastic.

 

[Ronaldski]

Here's some pictures included in this video, looks like 4 screws bottom section and 2 at the top corners - also mentioned by Rich. I would open the scanner if I was in your place to remove the dust, opened plenty of electronics and scanners.
Looks like to me if I did it, pretty simple, just a matter of don't want to pull on the ribbon cable as the top and bottom is separated. It would appear to me the display itself is sealed as I would expect so the dust isnt inside it. The dust would be a matter of brushing off the screen or glass wherever it is - So much for being waterproof huh?
I wouldn't use your fingers as it could leave grease from the fingers and leave fingerprints, maybe a small clean paint brush would be prudent.
-

 

[kaitlyn4589]

@Ronaldski would a can of compressed air work as thats all i have?

 

[Ronaldski]

Well I would think if you say that, I would just do a one very quick shot from ... oh a couple feet away I guess, just to be safe and at an angle.
Might be lucky just tipping it to the side and fall out on its own, course while open, take care as you wouldn't want to have more dust come in too!
If still uncomfortable, ask around maybe have someone else do it.

Thinking about it, I bet it was in there from manufacture and when it was dropped it, dislodged it? Just guessing.

 

[trentbob]

@trentbob is there a guide that will show me how to take it apart?

Yeah, Hi Kaitlyn... sorry for the misunderstanding, I'm sure there are posts on how to take the radio apart but that was not my point. If you are going to take apart the radio and void the warranty you should know what you're fixing and your target outcome.

As far as cleaning up your problem of dust after repairing the radio, post #2 clearly identifies how to do it. Many people who go in and do simple repairs on their own always give a good blast on the display as they have introduced dust, Uniden, I don't know. LOL

 

[kaitlyn4589]

Yeah, Hi Kaitlyn... sorry for the misunderstanding, I'm sure there are posts on how to take the radio apart but that was not my point. If you are going to take apart the radio and void the warranty you should know what you're fixing and your target outcome.

As far as cleaning up your problem of dust after repairing the radio, post #2 clearly identifies how to do it. Many people who go in and do simple repairs on their own always give a good blast on the display as they have introduced dust, Uniden, I don't know. LOL

thanks trent ill keep that in mind

 

[trentbob]

It's Bob... I was a reporter in Trenton, New Jersey for many years before I retired, that's where my username came from. You might see me around once in awhile. ... welcome to radio reference.

 

[n1chu]

No recommended manufacturer’s guide on disassembling but there are those who have done it. I imagine they would record in order what they did, develop a checklist, so that they don’t forget a step upon reassembly. There are items of concern such as the gasket used to keep the radio moisture resistant and covers on the sides of the radio you must watch and assure they get seated correctly upon reassembly, circuit board connectors attaching each level of stacked boards, speaker connection, etc. Good luck. When I read someone is asking what you are, my first thought is to advise against it. It’s somewhat risky but I disassembled my BCD436HP using the “create a checklist as you go method” and an egg carton to contain the screws and parts removed in each step, labeling the egg carton by the number of the step they referred to. It worked fine.

 

[jaspence]

I have a collection of older Hts, some of which I have had to repair. I would not try to open a $600+ radio without some previous experience, proper tools, and experience with cable connectors. Static electricity can also be a problem in some situations.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Personally I wouldn't worry about a little bit of dust if the screen is still readable. The components contained within are delicate and can easily be broken. It may be more trouble than it's worth if the radio itself otherwise works fine

 

[ten13]

Just how bad is that little piece of "dust" that he had to draw a circle around it to bring it to other people's attention?

 

[MStep]

Just how bad is that little piece of "dust" that he had to draw a circle around it to bring it to other people's attention?

It's like getting that first "ding" on your brand-new car. For some, it's just par for the course, owning a piece of equipment that gets "handled"--- there will be some eventually wear & tear; for others, it drives them crazy.