SlowCoder Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I just received my CV. I'd like to open it for internal cleaning. I've removed the 8 bottom screws, but I can't get the front to detach. I read somewhere that you DON'T want to remove the front screws behind the silver label, and that it's not actually required. What is the best method to open 'er up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph74 Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 The front should stay attached to the top of the unit. For me, I've always flipped it on it's top, then gently lifted the bottom half of the case from the back (power and RF connector side) and then slipped it out of the faceplate. It's almost like the faceplate acts as a hinge when opening it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowCoder Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Ikrananka sent me a PM with info. I also tried yours, Murph74. I've gone as far as opening the back of the case about 3 inches, which feels like enough force to crack the front. I'm pulling backwards on the bottom plate, and I can't get it to budge. I'm afraid it's going to break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC-MAN PRIME Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I've gone as far as opening the back of the case about 3 inches, which feels like enough force to crack the front. I'm pulling backwards on the bottom plate, and I can't get it to budge. I'm afraid it's going to break. I was experiencing the same thing when I tried opening mine up a couple of weeks ago. Removed the bottom screws, then tried prying it open from the bottom, but it didn't want to give and seemed like it was about to break. So I threw in the towel and just put it back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowCoder Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 I got it open! It took a bit more fenagling, but it eventually gave in to my pressures. Got it all cleaned up, including the controllers, inside and out. Just waiting for the power brick to see if it actually works. I appreciate everyone's input here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I got it open! It took a bit more fenagling, but it eventually gave in to my pressures. Got it all cleaned up, including the controllers, inside and out. Just waiting for the power brick to see if it actually works. I appreciate everyone's input here. Where there's a will, there's a way! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph74 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Did you do anything special or different to get it open, SlowCoder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Tomlin Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 To me, it always seemed like the "official" way to open it must have been to peel off the front label to get access to those screws. If you peel and store it properly, it shouldn't get too messed up, and an "official" repair place would probably have sheets of replacement labels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowCoder Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Did you do anything special or different to get it open, SlowCoder? Well, not really. I just kept working at it. Finally I grabbed the front where the expansion slot is and pulled. I did come slightly loose, and I continued to work the bottom backwards. A big part of the problem is that there is a plastic tab that protrudes into a hole in the RF shield. I think that's what makes it so difficult to remove. Putting it back together was almost as fun. I turned it upside down again, placed the power and reset buttons in their slots. I had to work the tab back into the shield hole and slowly work the unit back together. In the meantime I had to move the buttons around from the bottom to match them up with the switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC-MAN PRIME Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Glad to hear you did it successfully. Would you do it again or recommend others trying it? I am still afraid of breaking mine if I try again. :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowCoder Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 (edited) Glad to hear you did it successfully. Would you do it again or recommend others trying it? I am still afraid of breaking mine if I try again. :-/ Very carefully. I bet mine would be easier now that its been opened once. Yes, I'd be willing to do it again now that I know how it's assembled and what I'm up against. Its not like an Atari that basically falls apart once the screws are removed. Edited October 9, 2010 by SlowCoder 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC-MAN PRIME Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Ok, thanks for the advice. I may try again after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+5-11under Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I've probably opened about 50 ColecoVisions (scary!). I'm sure a few others have also. I've never broken one by opening or closing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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