The Z88 Upgrade Page
2: Removing the main board.


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We need to get access to the Z88's main board, so it must be completely disassembled. This requires the removal of eleven cross point screws in the base of the case. Most are easily visible, but two are beneath the rubber front feet, which must be carefully peeled off, whilst another two are under the pull out support flap. The left one of these is probably hidden under the edge of the serial number label, which can just be bent back enough to release the screw. All of these are highlighted in the following picture.

Back of case, showing position of 11 screws.


These are the only fixings, and purely friction holds the parts together. You should very carefully pull out the ribbon connector of the Epson display unit, from its black socket at the middle of the board, so it can be removed.

Main board, showing ribbon from display just removed.
The two big chips on the left are the ROM and RAM.

Now the keyboard must be removed and again care must be taken in gently pulling out it's two ribbon connectors.

Edge of keyboard showing it's two ribbon connectors.

Ease the two battery springs from off their mounting, and slip the 9 pin D socket out of it's recess, and then the main board should just pull over its mounting pillars and come out as a single unit. Handle it carefully, static isn't a real problem with the whole unit, but you should avoid touching any of the exposed contacts, particularly for the expansion slots, as these can be easily oxidised by sweaty finger contact, and made less reliable.

The Z88 Main board free of it's case.

Got out the main board, so let's prepare it for the new chips