How to Remove the Casing from an Atari 1040ST Computer

How to remove the case / enclosure from an Atari STE 1040 computer so that you can access the RAM and EPROM chips or perform a modification.

Steps

  1. 1
    Unplug all cables and peripherals from the computer.
  2. 2
    Flip the computer upside down and firstly remove the 3 short screws from the lower half of the bottom edge of the keyboard.
  3. 3
    Next remove the 4 longer screws from the top edge of the computer, the upper part of the case is now separated from the lower part of the case.
  4. 4
    Next remove the three longest screws that are in an L formation below the floppy disk drive, they hold it in place inside the case.
  5. 5
    The keyboard and disk drive will now both be loose inside the case but remain attached to the lower portion PCB by wires, DO NOT PULL AT THE KEYBOARD OR DRIVE AS YOU WILL BREAK THE CONNECTIONS AND/OR DAMAGE THE PCB'S!
  6. 6
    Holding both halves of the case together, flip the computer back over and carefully free the upper casing from the lower portion bearing in mind the disk drive is not secured to the PCB or casing anymore.
  7. 7
    To access the operating system TOS EPROM's, remove the floppy disk drive from its position on the PCB. Make sure the drive is seated on the spacer post pin and that the face of the drive sits square on the side of the lower casing when reassembling the computer.
  8. 8
    To access the 30 pin SIMM sockets and chips remove the screws from the middle portion of the metal shielding.
  9. 9
    To reassemble just do the reverse of the disassembling procedure being careful to make sure that the alignment of the disk drive, casing and keyboard are true and that you do not trap the keyboard wires in the hole where the mouse and joystick ports protrude through the bottom of the case.

Tips

  • When removing any of the screws it is advisable to sort them into lengths and make a note of where they originally came from. Trying to force long screws into the wrong holes may damage the case, PCB and result in the components not being properly secured.

Warnings

  • This procedure is specifically for and Atari STE 1040, but should you decide to follow these instructions then you do so at your own risk, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur to your treasured Atari ST, STE, STFM or Falcon or any other Atari ST variant should you try to apply these instructions to those machines.
  • Always wear an anti-static wristband when you have the case off the computer and observe anti-static precautions when touching the PCB or handling memory chips.

Things You'll Need

  • Small phillips / posidrive / crosshead screwdriver.
  • Long nose pliers
  • Anti-static wristband

Article Info

Categories: Maintenance and Repair