Opening Belkin wireless case...

Hello group,

First of all, apologies if this is the wrong group for this message - it did
seem the *most* appropriate one.

I have a Belkin wireless router that died on me several months ago. True to
their word, Belkin kindly arranged a replacement under their lifetime
warranty but said not to send the deceased one back to them (no LEDs were
lighting at all, even though tests showed the power transformer was working
correctly).

So, long story short is that I would like to open the case and see if there
is any tinkering that can be done under the bonnet. This is just for my own
interest and not to try and fleece Belkin.

The trouble is, the case is pretty firmly fixed to the base and although it
is worthless in its current form, I am very reluctant to make any
destructive changes to it (for now). I would even like to avoid cosmetic
'screwdriver' marks if possible.

Does anyone *know* of a method of opening these up without causing damage? I
imagine there must be some kind of clip that snaps in place when they are
manufactured.

Thanks for any advice group,


Martyn (not neo).

I dont know how long ago this was, but I can tell you though my experiences
that BELKIN is VERY, VERY on the ball about requesting the defective unit
back. They have two kinds of RMAS, Advanced Exchange and the Standard "You
send in defective, we ship you replacement". If you gave are doing an
Advanced replacement, you can bet that they are awiting that unit to be
returned. Before they send out an advanced replacement they request your
credit card number. If you have given them one, then I can assure you, after
30 days you will be charged the FULL Retail Online Value of that Router.

Not trying to be a "Mr Know it all", just dont want to see someone
surprised.

Now, if they sent you a Router, and you have not Given them a Credit card or
other Type of Collateral, I do not know what to say.
But I have dealt with BELKIN from a Sales and from A End User Position, and
I have NEVER seen them just send a piece of Equipment out and say "Hey keep
the old one on us!" Also, inside the box of an Advanced Replacement, you do
NOT find a Return Label or Anything along those lines. The cost of Shipping
back is on the end user, and the instructions are Emailed to you at the time
the RMA is created. After that, it is your responsibility to get it back to
them.

At best, I would contact them and see what is up, becuase you may need a
warranty replacement in the future and you'll come up as a client. with a
hold on your acct possibly. Then it will be too late to return the Router
and they will want full price for the Router. If you dont know your RMA,
BELKIN uses your Phone Number as a reference point for most transactions. Do
the right thing, call and straighten it out, and if they say " We dont want
it, then it is all yours to tear apart".


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:mRdKg.108942$(E-Mail Removed) .uk...
> Hello group,
>
> First of all, apologies if this is the wrong group for this message - it
> did seem the *most* appropriate one.
>
> I have a Belkin wireless router that died on me several months ago. True
> to their word, Belkin kindly arranged a replacement under their lifetime
> warranty but said not to send the deceased one back to them (no LEDs were
> lighting at all, even though tests showed the power transformer was
> working correctly).
>
> So, long story short is that I would like to open the case and see if
> there is any tinkering that can be done under the bonnet. This is just for
> my own interest and not to try and fleece Belkin.
>
> The trouble is, the case is pretty firmly fixed to the base and although
> it is worthless in its current form, I am very reluctant to make any
> destructive changes to it (for now). I would even like to avoid cosmetic
> 'screwdriver' marks if possible.
>
> Does anyone *know* of a method of opening these up without causing damage?
> I imagine there must be some kind of clip that snaps in place when they
> are manufactured.
>
> Thanks for any advice group,
>
>
> Martyn (not neo).
>
>

PDA Man,

Thanks for your concern however I can assure you - they sent me a written
letter through the mail saying that in this case then they didn't require
the original unit sent back and the very same day I received the new unit
(actually, a 'better' one) through a private carrier.

This all happened about 6 months since and they have never been in touch
about it. I bought the first unit through a PC shed (might have been PC
World actually) and the original unit died within about 6months. I did
ensure that I registered it with them after the purchase and passed on all
original purchase details. I can only re-iterate, they have been true to
their word (or better) than their lifetime warranty claim.

In fairness - I am not concerned about the 'return' unit at all. I did keep
the original letter and the replacement has been registered as such via
their website.

The post itself was more relating to taking the unit apart to see what was
under the hood.

Thanks for your interest. The same question still applies - do you know a
way of taking it apart non-destructively?


Cheers all,



Martyn.



"PDA Man" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:47Wdnf_H-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I dont know how long ago this was, but I can tell you though my experiences
>that BELKIN is VERY, VERY on the ball about requesting the defective unit
>back. They have two kinds of RMAS, Advanced Exchange and the Standard "You
>send in defective, we ship you replacement". If you gave are doing an
>Advanced replacement, you can bet that they are awiting that unit to be
>returned. Before they send out an advanced replacement they request your
>credit card number. If you have given them one, then I can assure you,
>after 30 days you will be charged the FULL Retail Online Value of that
>Router.
>
> Not trying to be a "Mr Know it all", just dont want to see someone
> surprised.
>
> Now, if they sent you a Router, and you have not Given them a Credit card
> or other Type of Collateral, I do not know what to say.
> But I have dealt with BELKIN from a Sales and from A End User Position,
> and I have NEVER seen them just send a piece of Equipment out and say "Hey
> keep the old one on us!" Also, inside the box of an Advanced Replacement,
> you do NOT find a Return Label or Anything along those lines. The cost of
> Shipping back is on the end user, and the instructions are Emailed to you
> at the time the RMA is created. After that, it is your responsibility to
> get it back to them.
>
> At best, I would contact them and see what is up, becuase you may need a
> warranty replacement in the future and you'll come up as a client. with a
> hold on your acct possibly. Then it will be too late to return the Router
> and they will want full price for the Router. If you dont know your RMA,
> BELKIN uses your Phone Number as a reference point for most transactions.
> Do the right thing, call and straighten it out, and if they say " We dont
> want it, then it is all yours to tear apart".
>
>
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:mRdKg.108942$(E-Mail Removed) .uk...
>> Hello group,
>>
>> First of all, apologies if this is the wrong group for this message - it
>> did seem the *most* appropriate one.
>>
>> I have a Belkin wireless router that died on me several months ago. True
>> to their word, Belkin kindly arranged a replacement under their lifetime
>> warranty but said not to send the deceased one back to them (no LEDs were
>> lighting at all, even though tests showed the power transformer was
>> working correctly).
>>
>> So, long story short is that I would like to open the case and see if
>> there is any tinkering that can be done under the bonnet. This is just
>> for my own interest and not to try and fleece Belkin.
>>
>> The trouble is, the case is pretty firmly fixed to the base and although
>> it is worthless in its current form, I am very reluctant to make any
>> destructive changes to it (for now). I would even like to avoid cosmetic
>> 'screwdriver' marks if possible.
>>
>> Does anyone *know* of a method of opening these up without causing
>> damage? I imagine there must be some kind of clip that snaps in place
>> when they are manufactured.
>>
>> Thanks for any advice group,
>>
>>
>> Martyn (not neo).
>>
>>
>
>

<(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Thanks for your interest. The same question still applies - do you know a
>way of taking it apart non-destructively?

Methinks it might help if you would kindly disclose the Belkin model
number. All Belkins are not built the same.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff,

Of course - thank you.

The one in question is: Belkin wireless G router model number F5D7230-4
(version 4, UK)

The problem I was having with it before it gave up the ghost appeared to be
heat related - it would simply drop connections and then the flashing LEDs
became solid orange. Rebooting would usually clear the problem temporarily.

Putting a household electric fan over the case helped but never really
stopped the problem (sometimes as frequently as 3-4 times per hour). Then
eventually the whole thing stopped working - no LEDs lit at all, in spite of
multiple re-boots. The supplied power adaptor was proved to work correctly.

Thanks for any advice as always.

Martyn.



"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>Thanks for your interest. The same question still applies - do you know a
>>way of taking it apart non-destructively?
>
> Methinks it might help if you would kindly disclose the Belkin model
> number. All Belkins are not built the same.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

<(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>The one in question is: Belkin wireless G router model number F5D7230-4
>(version 4, UK)

I have on of these sitting in a box in my office. I'll give it a look
and see how it comes apart when I recover from several days of house
cleaning.

Meanwhile, see:
| http://www.seattlewireless.net/Belkin_F5D7230-4
Apparently, there's quite a bit of hacking that can be done with this
box.

You might also try the FCC ID web pile if your UK serial number tag
has the US FCC ID number.
| http://www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid/
Ah, I got lucky. The search worked (this time).
| https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout =500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=485108&fcc_i d='K7SF5D7230-4'
The "internal photo" page gives a really good picture of where you get
to pry, twist, peel, and brutalize the snap together case. Looks like
about 12 snap together hook and loop links. Try a paint knife or
spatula. Note that there are a few hardware versions of this router
and this may not be the correct photo of the board. However, the case
should be the same in all versions.

>The problem I was having with it before it gave up the ghost appeared to be
>heat related - it would simply drop connections and then the flashing LEDs
>became solid orange. Rebooting would usually clear the problem temporarily.
>
>Putting a household electric fan over the case helped but never really
>stopped the problem (sometimes as frequently as 3-4 times per hour). Then
>eventually the whole thing stopped working - no LEDs lit at all, in spite of
>multiple re-boots. The supplied power adaptor was proved to work correctly.

Heat is the symptom, not the cause. Some component has blown up
inside and is sucking lots of power. Eventually, the power supply
complains and gives up. You might be lucky and it's only an
electrolytic capacitor. The symptoms sound very much like a power
supply shutdown from excessive load. When you get the case removed,
the source of the overheating should be obvious. Good luck.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Ah, I got lucky. The search worked (this time).
>| https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout =500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=485108&fcc_i d='K7SF5D7230-4'
(...)

More:
http://www.linux-hacker.net/misc/F5D7230/
They hid screws under the serial number label. Grrrr...

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff,

That is excellent - thank you for all the time and advice.

All the best,


Martyn.


"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>Ah, I got lucky. The search worked (this time).
>>|
>>https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout =500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=485108&fcc_i d='K7SF5D7230-4'
> (...)
>
> More:
> http://www.linux-hacker.net/misc/F5D7230/
> They hid screws under the serial number label. Grrrr...
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558