This is the trickiest step of the procedure. You want to crack open the power brick's plastic case along the existing seam, without cosmetically ruining it. Ideally, nobody will be able to tell that you opened up the case but--even if you are very careful--in most cases you will leave behind some minor scars on the plastic.

Sometimes you get lucky and the power brick case is held together by screws. Sometimes these screws are hidden underneath printed labels. If there are labels on the power brick, press your fingertips against the label, feeling for small screw holes hidden underneath.

If you discover screw holes, either peel back the label or else punch through the label to reveal the holes. You have to decide which is cosmetically better. Then use the appropriate screwdriver to remove all screws. Take careful note of which screw comes out of which hole, in case some are longer than the others.

More likely, the power brick is glued together, as is the case with the pictured Bose power brick. To carefully break this glued joint: Using wood blocks to avoid marring the plastic, place the unit into a bench vise and tighten until you hear light popping sounds of the glued joint giving way. Note how the case seam bulges upwards (first photo).

With the vise, alternately squeeze the upper and lower halves of the case in different places and different directions (second photo). Try squeezing at the corners, along the end, and just in the middle of the case. Eventually the seam will split open enough for you to pry the case open with your nails (third photo).