HP41CX tragedy strikes

[ajgryc]

I *had* a perfectly good working HP41CX that just had some minor issues in the battery compartment which I previously had fixed with a strategic piece of tinfoil.

Unfortunately my cat only understands algebraic entry, and in his frustration of trying to use RPN he knocked the calculator to the floor. (At least that what I surmise happened from the other room--I heard a crash, and walked into the room to see the cat on the chair and the HP on the floor.) It only fell about two feet, but now will not power on. No visible external damage, which includes the glass in the LCD. My first thought was that the tinfoil bridging the two corroded connectors on the battery was displaced, but in repeatedly popping the battery compartment and re-shifting the tinfoil, that is not seeming to be the problem. It looks like that minor drop has killed my 41CX.

It's not at all obvious how to disassemble the case. Before I crack it open and ruin my vintage calculator, is there anything that anyone has to suggest on how to disassemble it? If this is a common problem, any idea what type of internal damage I should look for? Any other good suggestion for something to try before I attempt a potentially dangerous repair?