Random Ramblings
Disassembling a Belkin wireless MIMO router
November 09, 2011 at 10:00 AM | categories: hacking around, disassembly, howtos and guidesAs I was hoping to install Openwrt on yet another device (The first being a proper Linksys WRT54g), I began to research the hardware on which it will be installed. Seems successful installs on this device are few and far between - found less then a dozen results with Google, one of which will be the base of my installing efforts, and two of which reference the useful link.
As you've probably guessed by now, the device is a Belkin wireless G plus MIMO router, a F5D9230-4R v3001 (The version is important, as the different major versions use different chipsets).
Seeing references to accessing the device via ftp or serial, I tried to find a guide to taking it apart ... and came up dry. Searches like 'serial access to f5d9230-4r' and 'how to disassemble f5d9230-4r' (with various permutations) came up dry, leaving me to try it for myself.
Disassembly
So here you go, a quick photographic guide to taking it apart.
Tools required: a philips head screwdriver and a flat head screwdriver (flatheads of different sizes might be handy, esp if they have a longer handle then the one I have in the photo).
Undo the bottom screws
Prise out the back panel. You should be careful doing this, as the cable into the wireless antenna (next to the power plug) is quite short, and doesn't have a lot of room. Its also worth noting that the back panel is not attached to the ports, but is to the antennas. This means it can be prised out the back, but you might have to poke and push at it a bit.
Carefully insert a flathead down the side, and using the plastic 'towers' (for screwing the two halves together) for leverage undo each hook one at a time.
Once the sides are loose, the top should only need a little wiggle to get the front loose.
And thats pretty much it! From here you can take out the PCB, but there is nothing attached to the underside
But where is that serial port? I'm not sure, but I suspect its CON1 (JP1 is the only other possibility). If I find a link to resolve the question, I'll link it here :)
Reassembly
This is easiest if you take the PCB out. From there you can sit the rear plate against the power/connection ports, and slot it all back into the bottom casing.
Thats about it really, let me know if I forgot to mention something (I might still remember...)