Workabout MX
Service Manual
Psion part no: A6124-0002-02
Version 2.0 - 2000
English
Confidential - PSION ENTERPRISE COMPUTING LTD
Workabout MX Service Manual
© Copyright Enterprise Computing Ltd 2000.
All rights reserved. This manual and the programs referred to herein are copyrighted works of
Psion Enterprise Computing Ltd, 92 Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4RY, United Kingdom.
Reproduction in whole or in part, including utilisation in machines capable of reproduction or
retrieval, without the express written permission of Psion Enterprise Computing Ltd is prohibited.
Reverse engineering is also prohibited.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Psion and the Psion logo are registered trademarks, and Psion Workabout, MX, 3Link, SSD and
Solid State Disk are trademarks of Psion PLC.
Some names referred to are registered trademarks.
Psion Enterprise reserves the right to change the designs and specifications of its products at
any time without prior notice.
Psion part no: A6124-0002-02
Version 2.0 - May 2000
English
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Confidential – Enterprise Computing Ltd
Workabout MX Service Manual
Note
The Psion Workabout contains CMOS devices that may be damaged by electrostatic
discharge (ESD). The following steps to minimise ESD must be taken before the unit is
dismantled. To prevent any damage that could result if the unit or its parts are not handled
properly, observe the following precautions during any handling procedures:
n Minimise all handling of static-sensitive components and assemblies.
n Transport and store static-sensitive components and assemblies in their original containers
or in anti-static bags.
n Label accordingly any package that contains static-sensitive components or assemblies.
n Discharge static electricity from the body by wearing a grounded anti-static wrist strap
while handling these components. Servicing static-sensitive components or assemblies
should be done only at a static-free workstation by qualified service technicians. Increasing
the humidity in the work area minimises static electricity problems.
n Do not allow anything that can generate or hold a static charge on the workstation surface.
n Pick up components by their bodies, never by their leads.
n Do not slide components over any surface.
n Avoid handling components in areas with a floor or work -surface covering that can generate
static charge.
FCC Information for the USA
Radio and Television Interference:
This equipment radiates radio frequency energy and if not used properly - that is, in strict accordance
with the instructions in this manual - may cause interference to Radio and Television reception.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
n Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
n Increase the separation distance between the equipment and the receiver.
n If you are using the Workabout computer with a mains adapter, plug it into an outlet, which is on a
different circuit from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult an authorised Psion dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This equipment was tested for FCC compliance under conditions that included the use of shielded
cables and connectors between it and the peripherals. It is important that you use shielded cable and
connectors to reduce the possibility of causing Radio and Television interference. Shielded cables,
suitable for the Workabout, can be obtained from an authorised Psion dealer. If the user modifies the
Workabout or the Multiple Docking Station, and Psion does not approve these mo difications, the FCC
may withdraw the user's right to operate the equipment. For customers in the USA, the following
booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission may be of help: "How to Identify and
Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems". This booklet is available from the US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402 - Stock No: 004-000-00345-4.
Y
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Workabout MX Service Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................1
Part Number Information.........................................................................................2
Serial Number Information......................................................................................3
Troubleshooting Guide............................................................................................4
Exploded View - General Assembly......................................................................7
Exploded View - Chassis Assembly.....................................................................9
Exploded View - Drawer Assembly.....................................................................10
Spares Kits................................................................................................................11
Dismantling the Workabout ..................................................................................11
Tools Required.............................................................................................................11
Dismantling Procedure .................................................................................................11
Dismantling the Chassis Assembly ...............................................................................12
Dismantling the Drawer Assembly.................................................................................14
Selecting the PCB Type.........................................................................................15
Re-assembly Instructions.....................................................................................16
Re-assembling the Drawer Assembly.............................................................................16
Notes on Drawer Re-assembly .................................................................................16
Re-assembling the Chassis Assembly ...........................................................................17
Notes on Chassis Re-assembly................................................................................17
Final Re-assembly.......................................................................................................18
Notes on Final Re-assembly ....................................................................................18
Checking the Operation of the Options.............................................................19
Checking the RS232 Interface .......................................................................................19
Testing the TTL Interface...............................................................................................20
Testing the Barcode Interface........................................................................................20
Expansion Interface................................................................................................21
RS232 AT/TTL Serial Interfaces.....................................................................................21
RS232 AT Serial/Barcode Interfaces ..............................................................................22
Circuit Description..................................................................................................23
LIF Converter...............................................................................................................23
Final Test...................................................................................................................24
Equipment...................................................................................................................24
Test Setup ..................................................................................................................24
Test Sequence............................................................................................................25
RF Final Test.............................................................................................................28
Equipment...................................................................................................................28
Test Setup ..................................................................................................................28
Test Sequence............................................................................................................28
Appendix A-Workabout Expansion Option Tests…………………………...31
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Confidential - PSION ENTERPRISE COMPUTING LTD
Workabout MX Service Manual
Introduction
The purpose of this service manual is to give an overview of the service procedures that may
need to be performed on the Workabout by either a third party user, or a registered Psion
service centre. It has been designed to be used by the service and repair technicians who have
the responsibility of maintaining the products.
The Workabout uses both conventional and high-density surface mount component technology,
which requires specialist-servicing techniques. We therefore recommend that repairs be carried
out at circuit board level, rather than at component level. We also encourage service centres to
carry a small buffer stock of replaceable parts, to allow immediate exchange, should they need
to be replaced.
Although a Final Test Unit is not essential to service a Workabout, it is recommended and is
described in the Final Test section on page 24. The Final Test Unit (Psion part no. 1828-0100-
01) is used within Psion during the manufacturing process to run a final check on the assembly.
When a Workabout is connected to the Test Unit via the LIF Connector, test code (the test
program) is downloaded into the machine, which then automatically performs an exhaustive and
modifiable series of tests on the Workabout.
This test program can be run to monitor the liquid crystal display (LCD), keyboard, drawer
switch, solid-state disks (SSDs), serial channel, and piezo status. Operating, idle, and standby
current consumption can also be measured. This can be very valuable when investigating or
diagnosing a reported problem. Also, once a repair has been completed, a full test can be run to
ensure that the repair has been done correctly and that no other fault has been introduced.
+ Note: - The information in this document is confidential and should therefore only be released
under a non-disclosure agreement.
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NNNN-NNNN-NN
Workabout MX Service Manual
Part Number Information
The part numbers referred to throughout this manual typically do not show the revision suffix.
Consequently, refer to your Psion distributor for information on the latest revision of a specific
part.
The format of the part numbers issued by Psion Industrial is as follows:
Part Category
Number
Revision Suffix
Serial Number Information
Each Workabout has a unique serial number that includes codes for the year and week it was
manufactured. The serial number can therefore be used to determine whether a Workabout is
still within its warranty period.
The serial number is located on a label on the Drawer Assembly. It has the following format:
generic code for the MX
generic code for the RF .
1 letter - used for manufacturing purposes.
1 letter - variant (see table below).
1 letter - product type.
A = alphanumeric keypad
B = numeric keypad
C = future variant
M L V T Y W W X X X X
1 number - year of manufacture.
1 = 1993
2 = 1994
…
9 = 2001
2 numbers - week of manufacture.
01 = first week in January
52 = last week in December
4 numbers - unique identifier .
0001 = first product of its type to be
produced in a week
9999 = 9999th product of the same type
to be produced in the same week
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Workabout MX Service Manual
The tables below lists the variant code for Workabout MX variants that are expected to be
shipping within a few months of product launch.
Further codes will be released along with new variants.
MX TABLE
Code
Option ports fitted
Top option ports Bottom option port
A - B TTL & RS232 C BCR & RS232 D TTL & IrDA RS232
E Wand RS232
F Scanner RS232
G IrDA IrDA
H TTL & RS232 IrDA
I CCD Scanner RS232
J TTL & IrDA IrDA
K Wand IrDA
L Scanner IrDA
M CCD Scanner IrDA
N BCR & RS232 IrDA
O BCR & IrDA RS232
P BCR & IrDA Q TTL & IrDA R IrDA S - IrDA
T - RS232
U RF ID RS232
V RF ID IrDA
W - -
X - Y - -
Z - -
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Troubleshooting Guide
Fault Cause Cure
Machine fails to
boot up.
Lines on LCD. 1 LCD damaged.
Blue portions on
LCD.
Cracks on LCD. LCD glass broken. Replace LCD.
Workabout has
problems with LIF
communications.
Workabout has
problems reading
SSDs.
No top port
communications
possible.
No infrared
communications.
1 Discharged/faulty
batteries.
2 Main PCB fault.
3 Fuse faulty.
4 Battery contact fault.
2 LCD ZIF open.
3 Main PCB problem.
1 LCD damaged.
2 LCD ZIF open.
3 Main PCB problem.
Main PCB problem. Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
1 Warped Connector
Block Arm.
2 Main FFC faulty.
3 Door switch on Main
PCB damaged.
1 Damaged expansion
FFC.
2 Warped Connector
Block Arm.
3 Loose ZIF connector.
4 Door switch on Main
PCB damaged.
1 Top port damaged.
2 Bottom port damaged.
1 Replace alkalines/replace or recharge
Nicad pack.
2 Remove internals from machine and
check Main Power Flexi ZIF Connector.
3 Remove fuse. Check and replace if
necessary.
4 Check for continuity of battery
contacts/Main Flexi using multimeter.
Replace if necessary.
1 Replace LCD.
2 Dismantle machine until Chassis
Assembly is exposed, close ZIF,
reassemble.
3 Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
remove and replace Main PCB. Return
faulty PCB to Psion.
1 Replace LCD.
2 Dismantle machine until Chassis
Assembly is exposed, close ZIF,
reassemble.
3 Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
remove and replace Main PCB. Return
faulty PCB to Psion.
remove and replace Main PCB. Return faulty
PCB to Psion.
1 Dismantle machine, remove and replace
Connector Block.
2 Replace Drawer Assembly.
3 Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
remove and replace Main PCB. Return
faulty PCB to Psion.
1 Replace Drawer Assembly.
2 Dismantle machine, remove and replace
Connector Block.
3 Remove outer case of machine, relocate
Expansion Flexi and close ZIF.
4 Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
remove and replace Main PCB. Return
faulty PCB to Psion.
1 Replace Drawer Assembly.
2 Replace bottom infrared port flexi-
connector.
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Workabout MX Service Manual
Fault Cause Cure
No TTL
communications
possible.
1 Damaged expansion
FFC.
2 Warped Connector
Block Arm.
3 Loose ZIF connector.
4 Door switch on Main
PCB damaged.
1 Replace Drawer Assembly.
2 Dismantle machine, remove and replace
Connector Block.
3 Remove outer case of machine, relocate
Option Flexi and close ZIF.
4 Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
remove and replace Main PCB. Return
faulty PCB to Psion.
No Bar Code
communications
possible.
1 Damaged expansion
FFC.
2 Warped Connector
Block Arm.
3 Loose ZIF connector.
4 Door switch on Main
PCB damaged.
1 Replace Drawer Assembly.
2 Dismantle machine, remove and replace
Connector Block.
3 Remove outer case of machine, relocate
Expansion Flexi and close ZIF.
4 Follow Dismantling the Workabout to
remove and replace Main PCB. Return
faulty PCB to Psion.
Outer case/ key
mat/window
damaged.
Drawer cannot be
closed.
Drawer not
opening when
release button is
pressed.
User damage. Remove the outer case assembly and
replace. Make sure the labels on the new
case match the labels on the old case.
1 Drawer derailed.
2 Mechanical
interference.
3 Drawer lock damaged.
1 Drawer derailed.
2 Release button
damaged.
3 Mechanical
interference.
1 Refit Drawer.
2 Remove case from machine. Check for
obstructions and interference caused by
misplaced/ill-fitting batteries, battery
contacts, SSDs, Flexi’s, PCBs, seals,
etc.
3 Replace outer case.
1 Refit Drawer.
2 Replace outer case or Drawer Assembly.
3 Remov e case from machine. Check for
obstructions and interference caused by
misplaced/ill-fitting batteries, battery
contacts, SSDs, Flexi’s, PCBs, seals,
etc.
4 Replace Drawer Spring.
4 Drawer Spring missing.
Drawer will not
stay closed.
Alphanumeric
keys not working.
Nicad pack fails to
charge.
1 Mechanical
interference.
2 Drawer lock damaged.
1 Damaged key mat.
2 Defective Main PCB.
1 Central contact not
connecting.
2 Battery contacts
damaged.
3 Nicad pack damaged.
4 Charger problems.
1 Remove case from machine. Check for
obstructions and interference caused by
misplaced/ill-fitting batteries, battery
contacts, SSDs, Flexi’s, PCBs, seals,
etc.
2 Replace outer case or Drawer Assembly.
1 Replace case.
2 Replace Main PCB.
1 Replace Drawer Assembly.
2 Replace Drawer Assembly.
3 Replace Nicad pack.
4 Consult Docking Station Service Manual
Psion p/no: 6104-0004-01.
Machine switches
off when operated.
Backlight does not
work.
Main Power FFC
damaged.
1 Backlight damaged.
2 Main PCB problem.
Replace Drawer Assembly.
1 Replace backlight.
2 Replace Main PCB.
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Fault Cause Cure
Backlight is dim. Backlight worn.
Replace backlight.
Approximate time to 50%
brightness is 500 hours.
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