Hi Folks...
I've been using a Hero full time for just over a year, and lately have had problems charging it. Seems like the USB / EXT port has weared down to the point where the cable doesn't contact as well as it should.
Anyone else had a similar problem? Wonder if this is fixable, or time for a new phone?
If you're talking about the cable just fitting loosely, you can always put a little bit of pressure inside edge the metal end on the cable to slightly bend it outward and it will help it fit a bit more snug.
If you're talking about it actually making contact loosely on the inside, you can always get a small piece of scotch tape and put it on the outside of the large side of the metal that fits into the phone, it will help push the contacts closer to the inside of the hero's usb.
Thanks for the suggestion, ill give that a go....
fosco_boffin said:
Hi Folks...
I've been using a Hero full time for just over a year, and lately have had problems charging it. Seems like the USB / EXT port has weared down to the point where the cable doesn't contact as well as it should.
Anyone else had a similar problem? Wonder if this is fixable, or time for a new phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here, will be trying suggested solutions.
But I see no answer to your first question: Anyone else had a similar problem?
Grtz Henro
henro said:
Same issue here, will be trying suggested solutions.
But I see no answer to your first question: Anyone else had a similar problem?
Grtz Henro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this issue with 3 of my usb cables that have pulled out while using the phone in disk mode and in the car charging. I used the method to slightly bend the connector outward on the cable itself and worked fine for me. One cable is a 12" that I use on my netbook, the other 2 are 3' -- one of which I use in my wife's car for charging and the other I use on my home desktop PC.
But there are other cables that I have not had issue with --the OEM cable I use in my car and I use a different cable at work. That said, in my case, it seems the issue is more with the cables then the actual port on the phone. Either way, by using one of techniques I suggested previously and what I've mentioned above, I have no issues now. I hope that clarifies the answer.
U seem to be right..... Different cables, diffferent results.....
Bought new ones and they work beautifully
I find this incredible, my hero's usb port is still really tight after over a year of use--to the point of being hard to plug in--especially the wall charger cable (uses the full ExtUSB?) which I use every single day. What do you guys do to the poor things?
My 3.5mm port has gotten a little loose though (shear force on the connector no doubt) but bending back the copper "spring" a little has fixed that for now.
Related
I used a pixi charging back case (5.99usd) and touchstone charging base (9.99usd) to create this mod. You can find them on clearance at radioshack!
Can be made for other devices: ipods, iphones, bluetooth headset, etc...
Comment plz.
-Carnivore
Maybe some photos and more descriptions?
Im curious how this looks/working.
sure interesting, and most valuable as a proof-of-concept realization, even if I'de never go out with a setup like that
Hey, why do you use this microUSB port?
There's one marvelous thing about our HD2 : the dual-backplate setup
-> Use the golden plated contacts right next to the sim card.
They're used for the "old/weird" special car back-plate in order to make contact via the magnetic holder (aka the "original" car kit)
This way u'll be able to mod a plastic back plate with all the mechanism integrated, you just have to "make" two pins (and understand how the third middle one works) that connects to the HD2 motherboard
Hope that helps But i'm sure our HD2 will be the only one who will survive the wireless charging mod without too much trouble vs unibody etc
Nice
Yeah it looks nice but i don't think anybody is siriously going to use this do you??
Wy doing all this effort for making while you just can plug your charging cable in??
Anyways nice work. Good that people are trying to improve the phones usability.
keesmathot said:
Wy doing all this effort for making while you just can plug your charging cable in??
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oh I bet he's had a lot of fun doing it That alone is more than enough of a reason
I tried doing something like this a little while back, the connectors next to the sim card can be used for charging which would make the whole thing much nicer and easier, it worked good, but the HD2 metal door blocked the signal so it would not charge, so I used it with a sillicon case on top, it was good but not the best, then I tried to hard wire it inside, opened the HD2, it got few dust specs behind the LCD from opening, I tried blowing them away and the whole screen died, well it was a sad story which eventually ended up on ebay, and I had to get a different one I WILL NOT TRY THIS AGAIN, i hope.
thats good of you to try. hope you find a compatible plastic back for it or some other solution.
ill be looking forward to your progress on this as i have a palm pre and an extra touchstone charger.
RedWave31 said:
Hey, why do you use this microUSB port?
There's one marvelous thing about our HD2 : the dual-backplate setup
-> Use the golden plated contacts right next to the sim card.
They're used for the "old/weird" special car back-plate in order to make contact via the magnetic holder (aka the "original" car kit)
This way u'll be able to mod a plastic back plate with all the mechanism integrated, you just have to "make" two pins (and understand how the third middle one works) that connects to the HD2 motherboard
Hope that helps But i'm sure our HD2 will be the only one who will survive the wireless charging mod without too much trouble vs unibody etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The car kit's replacement back is also metal. But I will look into those 3 pins in back. Anyone know what they do exactly?
Carnivore9 said:
The car kit's replacement back is also metal. But I will look into those 3 pins in back. Anyone know what they do exactly?
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Click to collapse
they activate the navi-panel and charge your phone at the same time. Do they have the navi-panel for the TMOUS version? I'm not really sure, but yea, if you're able to use the 3 pins inside, then it'll free up your micro usb connector.
lude219 said:
they activate the navi-panel and charge your phone at the same time. Do they have the navi-panel for the TMOUS version? I'm not really sure, but yea, if you're able to use the 3 pins inside, then it'll free up your micro usb connector.
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I actually was fooling around with a microusb charging head and found that if you ground one of the data wires, the navpanel will show up. I was a little confused at first since I've never used it before then figured out it was a hidden feature.
He guys,
(small) problem, I have my super HD2 now for over a year. Due to you guys here I keep reinventing my phone with all the different builds and possibilities.
The problem is that I have put the micro USB cable in and out of the phone so many times that the connector is a bit loosened.
Does anybody have an idea how I can tighten the USB port again, what do I have to bend??
Tnx…
You cant tighten it due to the fact its inside the phone, maybe removing and doing it would work, but then the chances of destroying it is greater
***Bump***
Anyone ideas?
It is getting really annoying due to the fact when I am in my car the usbcable falls out with every bump.....
Bazzz66 said:
***Bump***
Anyone ideas?
It is getting really annoying due to the fact when I am in my car the usbcable falls out with every bump.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bring a roll of tape in the car..cheap fix...lol
A piece of blue tac.....
Not sure what its called in other countries, the soft blue adhesive putty.... you know the stuff....
Sent From My Fingers To Your Face.....
I have a Samsung Vibrant T959 TMobile US with 2.1-update1, Baseband T959UVJI6.
The battery is fully charged, it registers in the phone as fully charged 100%, but when I hit the power button I get a progess wheel that gets stuck, then the phone just turns off. It never gets passed that wheel, it only displays for a second then dies.
However, when I plug in the USB and hit the power button, it comes right up like it should. Then I can unplug the usb and use the phone just fine. Its almost as if I need to jump-start the phone with a power source.
I have reset the phone, even re-flashed the stock firmware using Odin. Same results. I have even swapped batteries with a buddy just to see if that was the case, but I still got the same results.
Any advice or suggestions is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks Very Much In Advance!
Anybody? Any ideas?
Well, that is new to me...
I'll preface with, I have no clue how/why that is happening. But, this is what I would do:
1 - If really opposed to rooting, I'd call T-Mo / Samsung and get a replacement.
2 - If I liked my phone and wanted to make it better, I'd root it and flash a custom ROM. It likely would take care of the issue, as it clearly is not a hardware thing (well, I say clearly).
Worst case with #2, ODIN back to stock and then do option 1.
possible solution
also it says "USB connected" even when cable is unplugged? I had similar problem.. I tried everything, flashing, changing batteries.. none of that was useful. Then I find some post on some forum that says it might be corrosion, so i scratched my USB with thin wire and everything worked fine, but also scratching USB I was doing one more thing. In my opinion, I think that it's not corrosion. I think that USB is slightly bent (middle part of it), try to bent it in other direction, possible that it's too close to edge. That solved my problem. Tell me if this helpful for you, sorry about my english
we87 said:
Anybody? Any ideas?
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Click to collapse
did you ever figure out? im in the same boat...
admirh said:
also it says "USB connected" even when cable is unplugged? I had similar problem.. I tried everything, flashing, changing batteries.. none of that was useful. Then I find some post on some forum that says it might be corrosion, so i scratched my USB with thin wire and everything worked fine, but also scratching USB I was doing one more thing. In my opinion, I think that it's not corrosion. I think that USB is slightly bent (middle part of it), try to bent it in other direction, possible that it's too close to edge. That solved my problem. Tell me if this helpful for you, sorry about my english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think i can get what you are saying, cleaning the usb port on the phone right??
BUT how does this affect turning the phone on?? if usb port is rusty, it will only affect charging, not turning the power on?
I experienced this identical issue last fall -- the USB would always say it was connected, wouldn't startup unless connected to actual USB, but otherwise worked fine.
Take your phone apart and look at the solder joints on your microUSB port... mine all had cracks in them or had broken free. I re-flowed the solder while holding the port down and it resolved my issues. (put on some flux, and run a hot soldering iron across the joints, clean up... it's not very difficult. just be sure you don't short out any of the pins.) I also added additional solder to the four points that just hold the mircoUSB to the circuit board. It's been rock solid since
Rahhstah said:
I experienced this identical issue last fall -- the USB would always say it was connected, wouldn't startup unless connected to actual USB, but otherwise worked fine.
Take your phone apart and look at the solder joints on your microUSB port... mine all had cracks in them or had broken free. I re-flowed the solder while holding the port down and it resolved my issues. (put on some flux, and run a hot soldering iron across the joints, clean up... it's not very difficult. just be sure you don't short out any of the pins.) I also added additional solder to the four points that just hold the mircoUSB to the circuit board. It's been rock solid since
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that sounds very difficult actually.. as I dont own any of the tools
anywhere cheap to recommend?
lazi punk said:
that sounds very difficult actually.. as I dont own any of the tools
anywhere cheap to recommend?
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Click to collapse
See if there is a TV or electronic repair place still in business in your area. Or post an ad on CL asking someone with knowledge and skill to do it. Be careful they aren't an idiot just wanting 20 bucks and happen to own a soldering iron.
lazi punk said:
that sounds very difficult actually.. as I dont own any of the tools
anywhere cheap to recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could see if Cell Phone Repair/ is near you and describe to them what you want to do.
I would go through these guys they are top notch helped me when i soft bricked my wife's phone. He even convinced me that i could fix it myself when i was ready to send it to them for a jtag.
They can replace the usb plug if thats the issue.
http://mobiletechvideos.mybigcommerce.com/samsung-vibrant/
I would test to see if my battery is bad first before i went about resoldering, it could easily be a bad battery.
Xdogg said:
I would go through these guys they are top notch helped me when i soft bricked my wife's phone. He even convinced me that i could fix it myself when i was ready to send it to them for a jtag.
They can replace the usb plug if thats the issue.
http://mobiletechvideos.mybigcommerce.com/samsung-vibrant/
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Click to collapse
thank you for the response. I definitely think the usb port is an issue. what is a jtag? haha
ferhanmm said:
I would test to see if my battery is bad first before i went about resoldering, it could easily be a bad battery.
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Click to collapse
No my stock battery is charging and i did buy a separate battery. same issue.
Ok so the USB port doesnt charge or show up on the computer, it was working then i had to bend the cable to certain angles for it to work then it stopped working completely is it possible to fix this?
Connection to the mainboard has broken.
Solution: Needs soldering
Probably not doable so just use a main battery charger and then use Dropbox for file transfers.
Verify that it isn't just the cable. Most of my cables have suffered from my wife walking off with the phone still attached. Had to find a really cheap source locally, fast
[EDIT]Some people may suggest using a dental tool, toothpick or strong pin to attempt a repair. If you do this, be sure to remove the battery before, just to ensure you don't short the pins and ruin your phone.
what do you mean toothpick fix how does that work?
Anybody know anywhere that can fix this? or someone or someway? whats this fixed talked about above?
Hyuukai said:
Anybody know anywhere that can fix this? or someone or someway? whats this fixed talked about above?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remove battery, then with a toothpick(doesn't conduct electricity), carefully clean out the usb port of the phone. you'd be amazed at the stuff that can lurk in there, fluff, potatoes etc.
did you have to bend the cable at the phone end or the middle, if middle it is more likely to be your cable that is duff.
If you get a new cable make sure it is a data cable (4 wires), not a charging one (only 2 wires)
Hyuukai said:
Anybody know anywhere that can fix this? or someone or someway? whats this fixed talked about above?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This depends where you are in the world, in the UK there is a small oufit in South Wales that repairs the USB port for about £20 (google is your friend) but elsewhere I have no idea
Hello everyone,
Since a few days my phone doesn't charge unless I hold the cable up and in the left or right corner of the port.
If I just stick it in, it doesn't connect/charge at all. And sometimes it says it's charging, but it isn't at all (or it's losing more power than it's receiving because it doesn't have good contact with the port).
Is there any fix to this or does anyone else have this problem?
It is NOT a problem with my micro-USB cable, I tried many, they all act the same.
Bad news
You have to replace your USB port, there's no doubt about, unfortunately!:crying:
Edit: there's a little chance to solve this by cleaning up your USB port...
i had this and it turned out to be dirt ground into the bottom of the USB port. A thin piece of wire from a tie wrap sorted it.
(of course, usually it IS a faulty USB port)
samsamuel said:
i had this and it turned out to be dirt ground into the bottom of the USB port. A thin piece of wire from a tie wrap sorted it.
(of course, usually it IS a faulty USB port)
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Click to collapse
I suppose this is a stand for what I said:highfive:?!
hehe,. yea, , only to begin with i was countering your 'theres no doubt' remark, , but then realised i hadn't read your whole post.
Well guys, I tried cleaning. A layer of dust came of so I got excited, but it didn't work.
There also is way too much play with the cable when it's in, so yeah.
How much is that port change going to cost me?
from what I've read its not so much the price as the difficulty, , there are loads of stories of repair shops screwing it up. If you're a dab hand with a soldering iron, give it a go, or if you go to a repair shop, get down in writing what they are gonna do if they screw it up.
Yet again a good advice!
I wouldn't suggest to do it your self unless you're a soldering master: as samuel suggested there are (so called) profesionals failing to do this, just because it's tricky enough to get the job done the right way.:fingers-crossed:
Sometimes it is possible to resolve by tightening up the connector in a fashion that promotes the contact of the female to male contacts.
Done one dismantled once as easy to work on connector, basically I pushed the shorter edge in just slightly & with CARE on the female socket in the area over the contact plate thus forcing the male plug to push tighter against the contacts, also tweaked the to plug retention lugs so plug clips tightly.
Worth trying as if lucky can be a cheap easy solution & has worked fine on one I did but as only done the 1 I have no idea if it going to work for majority of worn plugs :-S
Replacing board socket is tricky & not that cheap normally as a good tech knows it a not liked or easy repair ... good luck
Thanks for the great advice everyone, I really appreciate it.
Mister B said:
Sometimes it is possible to resolve by tightening up the connector in a fashion that promotes the contact of the female to male contacts.
Done one dismantled once as easy to work on connector, basically I pushed the shorter edge in just slightly & with CARE on the female socket in the area over the contact plate thus forcing the male plug to push tighter against the contacts, also tweaked the to plug retention lugs so plug clips tightly.
Worth trying as if lucky can be a cheap easy solution & has worked fine on one I did but as only done the 1 I have no idea if it going to work for majority of worn plugs :-S
Replacing board socket is tricky & not that cheap normally as a good tech knows it a not liked or easy repair ... good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try this first, if it doesn't work, I'll follow samsamuel's advice.
I love this community!
Unscrewed said:
Thanks for the great advice everyone, I really appreciate it.
I'm going to try this first, if it doesn't work, I'll follow samsamuel's advice.
I love this community!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May take couple of adjustment to get it good & best do a little at a time.
Will only work if is contact issue between plugs, if issue is broken contact leg or poor connector leg solder joint to mainboard then no benefit.
Post back if get it working ...
Mister B said:
May take couple of adjustment to get it good & best do a little at a time.
Will only work if is contact issue between plugs, if issue is broken contact leg or poor connector leg solder joint to mainboard then no benefit.
Post back if get it working ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure thing! I have one question, though. How do I correctly open up the device without damaging it (too much)?
Torx screwdriver and a thin credit card, there break down videos on youtube.
As above really, do your homework on stripdown & take a lot of care, back cover is easy if done right, plectrum is useful plastic tool for prying things apart or get hold of decent plastic opening tools, credit card can be used but too thick really.