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Rio Karma
Our first device to be dismantled, the Karma, was chosen because dust had begun to accumulate between the screen and the LCD display.
The first step is to remove the two screws on the base of the Mp3 player. Order is not important this time, but as usual, be careful not to scratch the device.
After the screws are removed and stored safely (in a cup or other such vessel), the next step can be performed. Pinch the dark gray thumb rest near the screen and pull out to the right, to remove it from the device.
Now the innards of the Karma are exposed, you will see another small screw located to the right of the RioStick (the red trackpoint.) Remove it.
This next step is to be performed very carefully. Gently wiggle a small flathead screwdriver or device between the two main halves of the Karma. Be careful not to force it too much, or to push it in too far, as this may cause permanent damage. Continue wiggling the wedge, and slowly sliding it down the seam until the two halves totally separate.
It is important that the battery is not removed at this point. Doing so will tear the wires and ruin the Mp3 player.
If the battery is lifted lightly, you can see the hard drive resting underneath.
Do not remove the two screws holding the hard drive together. Notice that there are now two screws sitting outside the perimeter of the hard drive, Not the screws attached to it!!!
Removing the screws near the edge of the PCB screws will allow the entire PCB-HDD-Battery module to be removed from the case.
The RioStick can now be removed, but it is not necessary to do so.
To remove the battery, gently separate the PCB located on the top left from the main PCB. To do this, use both thumbs and forefingers, and pinch the PCB on both sides. Rotate your fingers towards the PCB, so that they push against the main chip and separate it from the main chip. (In effect, use your fingers to pry it up, using the main PCB as the fulcrum.)
That’s it!
To reassemble, align the pins on both PCBs and gently press them together, the rest is pretty easy. Note: Make sure the hold and volume buttons are properly aligned between the case and the PCB. If they are not, it will cause damage. Also, the positioning of the Riostick is important to proper function; it must be replaced in the same way it was taken off.
When closing Karma’s case, the two halves should be first joined at the top, and closed in the same manner used to close a pizza box.
It should be noted that it’s really, *really* important to be careful when removing the bottom half of the casing. I’ve damaged the lock switch when removing the case, since it’s hooked into the gray slider on the case. So take special caution here.
I got that wrong: the slider is on the top half, so the above applies when removing the circuit board from the case.
[…] Overall, its a very good hard drive based mp3 player, and I’ve never had it skip. Its nice to have a good alternative to the iPod everyone already has, and if you can find this one on E-Bay, I highly suggest picking it up. Here is the Karma TakeItApart page […]
Hi,
the advice regarding the lock slider is a little late for me, already broke it
Other bad thing happened was that the round button on top came off and I can’t fix it short of glueing. Is there any other way?
I have exchanged the 20 GB (broke) for a 40 GB drive which unfortunately is 2,5 mm thicker. Did anybody do this before and get the thing to close again?
Marc
IF you Replace the battery with a SONY CLIE NX70VL Battery Pack it will help
Nice article, helped me to overcome indecisiveness to open up my Karma to replace screen
Thanks
Is it possible to use the hard drive out of this say make it into a flash drive like device for storing files like pictures/music/videos
does any body know where i can get a new lcd screen for my karma?
Thanks to this, i was able to revive my dead Karma !
Fantastic instructions - saved me from buying a new player.
Tymlee, will the SONY CLIE NX70VL Battery Pack fit after replacing the 20mg with the 40mg. I have tried to make the 40 work and it does I just can’t get the case to close. So is the SONY CLIE NX70VL Battery Pack thinner than the old Rio Battery Pack?
http://stores.ebay.com/LicketySplitAuctions has replacement batteries for the Karma, I just installed mine and it’s happily charging away. It’s identical to the oem battery.
WHat’s this device used for?
Hi all, thanks very much - I have a couple of dead Karmas that I am going to try and Frankenstein. A quick question regarding the 40GB HDD mentioned above:
Marc - Could you get the back cover on again after you installed the new HDD? Do you have the specs for the 40GB HDD and a decent supplier?
Eric - Once I get around to creating the monster, you can have my spare LCD screen (if you’re willing to pay postage from Australia, that is)
Carl - did you find out if the SONY CLIE NX70VL Battery Pack would fit once a 40GB HDD was installed?
I appreciate the reference by Henry H to the eBay site with replacement batteries. I also found one listed for the Karma at http://www.ipod99.com but I have a question for the users who may have replaced a battery. When I got mine out, it was attached to the smaller circuit board with two sets of wires, not the one set pictured in the listings for replacement batteries. There is a red-black pair coming off one corner, and there is also a slightly thinner and shorter black-black pair coming off the other side. What is that? If I get a replacement battery like those pictured, it doesn’t appear that there is another set of wires. Any clues? Is this some thermal sensor I can peel off the old battery and stick on the new one?
I also installed a battery from ipod99. After following these steps, I think my KARMA actually fits together better. The old battery was swelling. For Jim L, The smaller black wires are connecting a thermistor to the control circuit, it is used as a safety device to prevent the charge circuit form overcharging the battery whch will definately overheat and cause(catastrophic) damage. I found that it is important to relocate these wires in the proper position between the case and the PCB, otherwise they will push the case wall away and interfere with the action of the volume switches. I plan to hack my Karma to 40gb, I will post the process when it happens.
The grey volume control has come off my son’s Rio Karma - can anyone please tell me if all I need to do is stick it back on? Thanks.
My trackwheel came off and I can not it back on….. anyone have any ideas?
My lock switch somehow broke during the process. As I no longer see the switch, I suppose I broke it off. Thank goodness it’s in the unlocked position.
Thanks for the great instructions. I don’t think I could have replaced the battery at all with out your detailed pictures and descriptions.