iPAQ Repair and Parts Compaq iPAQ 38xx / 39xx Battery Replacement Guide by Nathan Dickman http://www.ipaqrepair.co.uk/ Introduction One of the easiest DIY repairs you can complete on your iPAQ unit is the replacement of a failing or faulty iPAQ main battery. For a small cost your iPAQ will be restored to the same battery life as a brand new unit. This guide aims to provide some tips and advice for the simple procedure of changing a main internal battery. Firstly this is a lithium ion battery; this means that you cannot overcharge the battery, to gain the maximum life from your battery it is advised to keep it on charge as much as possible. Leaving the iPAQ even with a constant orange bar (indicating full charge) will do no damage to either the unit or battery. It is worth bearing in mind that the worst way to treat a battery is to run it until flat before recharging. This bad practice quickly depletes battery life, as these are not NiCad batteries and do not suffer from any inherent battery memory problems. NiCad batteries work best with this run to flat process, but as mentioned this is not the advised practice with Li Ion batteries. Simply remember that these cannot be over charged, and will retain their life span better if kept on as much charge as possible. Required Tools A Torx size 6 (T6) Screwdriver (These are sold in the tools section of the iPAQ Repair website for all iPAQ models) A h3800 / h3900 Series Official HP Compaq new battery Official Batteries are sold here: iPAQ h3800 Range: http://www.ipaqrepair.co.uk/ipaqpart14.html iPAQ h3900 Range: http://www.ipaqrepair.co.uk/ipaqpart13.html
Now you have the required replacement battery and Torx screwdriver to perform this repair begin by fallowing the instructions in Step One on the next page.
Step One It is highly recommended to back up any important data currently held on your unit, after doing so, remove your iPAQ styli and turn the unit over so its back is facing you. It is advised to lay a cloth or soft material on your work surface to avoid scratching the front of the unit whilst you are replacing your battery. Taking your Torx 6 screwdriver unscrew the four back case screws.
Stage Two Once these screws have been removed you need to pop the back case off. This can be done by either using your nails, or flat headed screwdriver (beware scratching the case) the back case can be pried from the front case starting at the bottom left corner.
Once this corner is lifting, move your nail / screwdriver upwards to pop the rest of the case from the front.
If the right side does not lift off at the same time as the left, repeat this case prying on the right side also. Step Three Carefully lift away the back by lifting it from the top, so it rests at a 90 angle (see picture)
You will see that the battery rests in the rear case, which is in turn attached to the main board. You do not need to detach this yellow battery cable from the main board, simply disconnect it from the battery itself. This is done by carefully lifting it from the battery connector with your fingers.
Step Four With this disconnected the back case and unit are now separate, and the battery can be replaced. The old battery is held in position with several glue pads, to remove the old battery use either your hands or screwdriver to prise it away from the glue pads (see picture). This may take some force, and the old battery may bend whilst being removed, but this is not a problem, simply be careful not to pierce the battery.
Step Five Once this old battery is removed, the new battery can be inserted using the same glue pads. Be careful to place it with the connector at the bottom. With this inserted you can reconnect the yellow battery cable.
Step Six With this reconnected your unit is ready to be put back together. Clip the back case securely onto the front, be sure to clip each section in properly you should be able to tell when the case is pushed in fully. Reinsert and tighten the four main case screws. Voila, you have now replaced your iPAQ battery. Now fully charge your unit, until the charge light is constant orange, then your unit is ready to use! The text and images are Nathan Dickman if you wish to distribute or use this document in any way please contact make contact via the website located at http://www.ipaqrepair.co.uk/contact_us.php Revision History Version 1.2 9:20 03/11/06