Creative Zen MP3 player broken! Ideas?

Knubje · 2 Sep 2009 at 15:10

Hi All,

Just a quick question really. I have a Creative Zen 16gb MP3 player. Got it a few years ago at least so it's out of warranty.

Recently in transit, the LCD screen has completley b0rked on the front. I can't see any menu's or get to play any music, but I know it's working as I can still press play and it works

Also works fine plugging into my PC.

Anyway, I have ordered a replacement screen for £30 including P&P from the USA as I figure having a go at replacing the screen will be better than buying a brand new one! (Worth a punt anyway).

I have checked Youtube and there are videos on how to disasseble the unit and I'm sure replacing the screen at that point won't be too difficult. I have a mini "electrical" toolkit with differnt screwdrivers and devices needed to perform the job.

Has anyone else done this before or replaced a screen on a similar device like this? If so was it easy? Got any advice for an electrical device repair noob?

I have never really had a go at repairing electrical stuff but the video makes it look easy enough and it's not like I can do any harm as the device is FUBAR anyway if I can't see the screen (have a copy of music etc).

Cheers for reading/any input!

Edit:- Possibly thread might be better in "Sound City". Apologies Werewolf, please move if appropriate!

me227 · 2 Sep 2009 at 21:03

I've replaced phone screens before. My only advice would be to take it slowly as they can be quite fiddley.

Knubje · 3 Sep 2009 at 09:34

Cheers me227. I will probably end up doing it at work anyway and we have quite a few tech guys here who are also DIY orientated.

Slow is definatley on the cards!

Mr Flibble · 3 Sep 2009 at 22:18

I once tried to repair my sister's ipod nano screen. Sadly the daft bint had tried to fix it herself, and ruined a few of the ribbon cables by not releasing a catch before pulling. Couldn't get it to work again after she'd done that... Not sure about the zen, but make sure you're gentle with any ribbon connectors.

Nealio · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:04

I have a dead 16gb zen as well.

I was listening to it on random play all and I think I forgot to turn it off when i had finished listening, so it presumably it played and played and played until the battery was completely dead.

After that it wouldnt turn on. Just got a white screen (no, not the well documented zen 'white screen of death') and then it would switch off again. Managed to get the recovery screen up once but couldnt control it.

Think maybe the battery is knackered from being run completely down and left, was going to grab another one at auction and see if that helps.

Taking it apart is not difficult, just follow the videos on youtube. It makes some scary snapping sounds as the 2 halves seperate but its just the clips undoing.