rtv1907vw-d228 rev.3 Teardown

ID: 117276

Description:

Take your modem and place it on the workspace, along with all the necessary tools.
Now flip it over, exposing the bottom side (photo 2).
Using tweezers or opening tools, pry up the rubber feet to remove them from their housing. They will offer a bit of resistance as they are secured with adhesive. Gradually apply more force until they detach completely. Then, set them aside in a place where they won't get dirty or stick to anything else.
Once removed, you will have access to the screws underneath. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove them.

Now, position the modem so that its front is facing to your right, and its bottom is facing you.
On this side of the modem, there is a small flap. Remove it and set it aside in a safe place where it won't get lost.

Reposition the modem with the bottom facing toward you, just as it was originally, to remove the feet. Now that the screws have been removed, you need to work with precision and patience to avoid damaging the case.
Use the metal spudger to apply pressure to the points indicated by the markers in the second photo so you can begin to unclip the two parts of the case that make up the modem's body.
Apply pressure to the two clips without overdoing it. Once the right amount of pressure is applied, the gap indicated in orange should become more pronounced.

Now, with a bit of determination and care, use the opening tool and Jimmy to pry into the seam so that it expands as shown in the photo. The two halves of the casing are held together by plastic pressure clips that we need to release.
Starting from the bottom side and using the tools to assist you, continue working along the edges of the seam you've created so that it gradually opens further. Use caution, because if you apply too much force, there is a risk of breaking the clips, which would compromise the device's ability to close properly later.
Proceed methodically, taking care to expand the gap along both sides of the modem as you go. The opening created previously will partially help us in this step, allowing us to progress quickly.
Caution! Do not pry against the thin metal plate you see inside the opening; it is very delicate and bends easily.

In this step, I will show you where the clips are located so you can determine where to pry to open them. It is a bit more difficult to do blindly, but by knowing their positions, you will finish the opening process in no time.
A quick note: the third photo shows the top of the modem. Unfortunately, the photo was too large. Keep in mind that there are 5 clips; the third one is in the center of the modem, and the others are spaced out towards the side edges.

Once all the clips are open, you will finally be able to separate the two covers. Set the rear one aside and focus on the front one.
Now, following the marker in photo 2, lift the black fabric adhesive that hides the connector for the front button board of the modem.
Then, disconnect the connector in photo 3, and route the cable so it comes out of its housing on the PCB.

Now, in the two spots indicated by the markers, you will find 2 more Phillips screws. Removing them will free the PCB from the plastic casing.
Congratulations! You have disassembled the FastGate modem router!
Small addition: it is also possible to remove the glossy front shield using the snap-fit tabs located on the back of the front modem casing (they are not photographed, but the parts in question are the two pieces to the left in the second photo).
From that same panel, it is also possible to remove the small button board that controls the modem's buttons.
On the back of the main PCB, however (also not pictured), there is an additional removable portion of the PCB that controls the status LED of the modem. It is enough to remove two small Phillips screws and gently remove the board. Be careful because there is a 6-pin connector underneath it; act with caution.

We have reached the end of this short guide. All in all, there are no particularly difficult steps; there are very few screws, and they are clearly visible. The only challenge is to avoid damaging the housing clips.
Using this guide, you will be able to access all the internal parts of the modem.
I hope it is useful for those who want to improve its software in the future, or perhaps repair it, given its tendency to become damaged.
Best wishes to all, and enjoy your work!

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