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USB connector (device-side) broke off and fell into MDA Pro

I tried the search function but could not find any related posts.
The female USB mini connector on the device-side of my MDA Pro broke off and fell into my MDA Pro! This happened when I inserted the original supplied travel charger. My MDA Pro was four weeks old and I have never ever dropped it or damaged it in any way. It was even completely scratchless as i am very carefull with this very expensive machine.
I sent it to TMobile ProAssist, thats were the devices get repared. After one month, I got the message this problem is a "User fault" and it is not part of the warranty!!! I could choose: Have the device repared for 480 euro's (replacing motherboard) or returned at no additional costs!
I am very angry at TMobile Netherlands, as they keep saying this is just not covered in warranty... They also say that the connector is very solid and can not break off without intervention of the user. But still, it happend to me in a routine process like charging!!
So i have the following questions.
1) Is there anyone who has also experienced problems with the USB connector on the device?
2) I figure this is a designflaw or productionfault and should fall under warranty, no matter what the people at TMobile say, right? Or why not?
3) Has anyone experienced more trouble with TMobile as repaircentre?
4) Would another operator repair this within the warranty?
5) Is it me or is it madness to replace a motherboard for 480 euro's on a device that would costs TMobile like 400 euro's new?
Thanks, you are all very well appreciated in advance for your reactions!

They are lying. The connector is known to be weak, and has broken of for a number of people already. Search around a bit more and present them with the evidence, and threaten to take them to consumer court.
Surur

Here's 2 to get you started.
Jasjar USB terminal on phone broken
http://forum.xda-developers.com/vie...order=asc&highlight=repair+usb+solder&start=0
qtek 9000 broken connection port help
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=296699&highlight=usb+broke#296699
Surur

thanks! im searching

I complained about my connector breaking off on pocketinfo.nl. There were several others there with the same problem and I saw more on this forum.
I fixed the connector myself (I was in a hurry) so I know for sure that it is stuck on really badly. This IS a construction (or design) fault. It's only hold down by a tiny amount of solder. Completely unacceptable for a component that will be under so much stress.
The trouble is that it can do a lot of damage. In my case it damaged the wiring for the usb connector (it ripped a line off) So it can be very costly for them to repair if they need to replace the motherboard.

Happened to me too, fortunately I have Insurance provided by o2 and they sent a courier to my house to exchange it the very next morning for free.

patrickl said:
I complained about my connector breaking off on pocketinfo.nl. There were several others there with the same problem and I saw more on this forum.
I fixed the connector myself (I was in a hurry) so I know for sure that it is stuck on really badly. This IS a construction (or design) fault. It's only hold down by a tiny amount of solder. Completely unacceptable for a component that will be under so much stress.
The trouble is that it can do a lot of damage. In my case it damaged the wiring for the usb connector (it ripped a line off) So it can be very costly for them to repair if they need to replace the motherboard.
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Click to collapse
Patrick, are you also the owner of a MDA Pro? Isn't it very weird that TMobile Netherlands doesnt consider this as a design flaw, while other providers such as O2 are conducting repairs under warranty? This is outragous.
Is there anyone that knows about laws in Holland/Europe about warranty and designflaws? Can we make a stand?

yes, mine is an mda pro too. I'm guessing mine worked lose from using the charger in the car. There is a lot of vibration on the cable that works it's way into the mini usb connector.
One morning I took out the usb cable and the connector came off and dropped back inside.
I didn't check it for warranty since I didn't want to be without my phone for a few weeks. I was just about to go on holliday for a few weeks too. So I repaired it myself. It wasn't really difficult, but you should be able to work with SMD components. I only fixed the charging though. One of the signal lines was ripped off the motherboard.
I have the same problem with my Logitech Harmony remote. I guess these mini USB connectors are the cause of the problem. They don't come with mechanical fastening or something. What kind of freaky designer uses solder for fixing mechanical components? Or at least they should use more of it. Mine was attached by the lines and maybe 2 tiny pads at the sides.
Anyway, I digress. I have no idea how you can convince T-Mobile. Guess that's where the problem with warranty is. Sometimes you don't get warranty unless you "sue" them, but then that's not worth it either.
It's pretty obvious that putting a cable in and out of the usb port is "normal use". Maybe if you say yyou dound lots of others with the same problem you can get it repaired under warranty. Ask for their manager. That might help too. or is that an american thing?
I still use a Sony Clie NX70 to read books on. That thing is built like a house. The hinge is still great and the metal housing keeps the screen from getting cracked (two other known design faults with the MDA pro) It really puts the MDA pro to shame. Just wish Sony was still making PDA's.

Goddamn im angry. T-mobile just called, all they can do is exchange my MDA Pro for a Nokia 6230i. Not over my dead body! :x
Is there anyone that has gotten it's provider to repair this flaw? If yes, can you post your RMA/reparationnumber here? I can use these numbers as evidence that this is a flaw that needs to be covered under warrantee.
Please give me your RMA's and your provider/brand/country. Thanks very much!

Wow you mean they can't even repair it anymore? Is that because they don't sell the MDA pro anymore. Or is it because you want it repaired for free?

They CAN repair it, but just not for free, as this problem is not covered in warranty. In the price offer they have sent me, they suggest to replace the entire motherboard.
I think, with a repair price of 480 euro's, it's a total loss. I'm affraid the sum of 500 dollar is too low to take this into civil court or even to let a lawyer take a look at this. So next thing what i'm gonna do is write a lettre to the CEO of T-Mobile Netherlands.

replaced under warranty reciept attached
I grow tired of this problem; I made them aware of the situation quite a while back.
though I agree that it would be just to expensive to replace every unit the company should at least replace the broken ones.
Attached is my receipt showing that Imate did replace mine under warranty for free,
I have kept my personal details on the receipt for legal reasons for everyone else.
I hope this helps.
btw- I was sworn at, I was lied to, I was made to go through useless paperwork and there website chat programs are down most of the time and even when u do connect u have to endure a person who cant even grasp the basics of English. I feel sorry for this company, they don’t understand the basics of business.

Thank you for the receipt one piece more to show T-Mobile that a device design error should fall under warrantee. I have heard numberous of bad experiences with iMate customer support, as I also sell iMate phones at my company. Would never even consider to buy one.
There HAS to be somewhere that has a T-Mobile repair receipt regarding an USB connector.. so if you're out there, please contact me!

Where can i get the rubber plug for ext antenna port cover

I've had the 8525 for a day and allready the rubber plug covering the external antenna plug is missing. where can i get a replacement?

My 8525 never had one. I noticed the day I bought it and the service tech in the Cingy store said they don't come with one and he didn't know where to find one. He said something about needing the port to use a car cradle. (Then again... he could be full of crap.)
If anyone knows anything...
Thanks.

he is full of crap. they definitely come with one. He just wanted to act as though he wasn't incapable of servicing his own products.

I'm desperate to find one of these black rubber bungs too... they seem as rare as three legged fish.

Yep, mine went AWOL from my TyTN within the first week. Pretty bad design. Put me on the notify/WTB list should anyone find a source!

i have an extra one $20 dollars
[email protected]
i take pay pal but thats not the email for it
email me with your number and i will call you

Argh! My touchscreen just went dead

MFer. Grrrrrrr.

what were you doing with it at the time. Were you trying to overclock and just passed the limit. it could be some water damage...been taking a bath wit ur phone????. Or you might just get lucky and it could be that the connector for the flex cable has become lose. If you are comfortable with opening electronics I'd suggest downloading the Herald service manual (do a search if you can't find it i'll send you one) and checking out the status of the flex cable. The flex cable can be cut or moved without even opening the phone...all it would take is something like a thin card to slide in bewteen the screen and the keyboard to cause this.
Hope that provides some insight...
Don't give up...it is cheaper to repair the phone than to buy a new one.....unless you were looking for an excuse to get Tytn II

Before you open it and void your warranty, make sure theres NOTHING else you can do about the problem. For example if you have insurance, USE it first, dont try opening it. In the event you mess it up even more opening it, you're DEFINITELY f***ed because you voided the warranty opening it.

I had a touchscreen go dead on one of my Wings.
What happened was, the speaker started giving out, and then all of a sudden the touchscreen died.
I concluded that some moisted go into the phone, thru the earpiece speaker, and mess it up.

duprade said:
I had a touchscreen go dead on one of my Wings.
What happened was, the speaker started giving out, and then all of a sudden the touchscreen died.
I concluded that some moisted go into the phone, thru the earpiece speaker, and mess it up.
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I remember you posting that u recieved a replacement too?? How did u manage to pull that one off. Working at Rogers even if there was a hint of water damage we would deny the repair saying it'll b cheaper to get a new phone...o how we used to rip ppl off...

Well, the way it got "water damaged" .. was bc I was holding the Wing and a Dasani water bottle in the same hand when I was getting into my car. When I was on the road, I went to use my phone, and the earpiece sounded weird... the sound was all the way up, but it sounded really low and distorted... I also noticed some moisture around earpiece from the condensation off of the bottle.
Again, this is me assuming that's what happened, but the evidence points in that directions, since I had been using my phone all along, because I had been on it because I was about to go out clubbing and what not, so I had made repeated phone calls until I was in my car... plus I noticed the moisture because I remember wiping it off as I went to use the phone.
So It wasn't water damaged to the point where it got submerged, but a little while later, the touchscreen went dead as well... so I'm assuming what happened was, water got into the device thru the the earpiece and that caused a problem with the wiring or something.
As far as the replacement, I just went into the TMO store, and *****ed and complained and told them it was ridiculous that the phone quite working after having it just 3 weeks. Luckily I had my receipts and everything saved. They have a 14 day exchange period, but I've also been with Tmo forever. I originally had Powertel a decade ago, then Voicestream bought Powertel, then Tmobile bought Voicestream...
I've been "loyal" for a very long time, not to mention every single phone on the account (6 lines) is one of their expensive one ...either Wings, Blackberries, etc... not the cheap free phone they offer with their cheapest plan... and I think I have every right to expect good customer service from them.

Well I'm glad that they replaced your phone, being a customer for that long they should have just gave it to you free in the first place. But I refuse to believe that a little condensation caused this because of past exp. My friend dropped PPC6700 i sold him in the toilet and it still worked after.
PS:I hope you weren't talking and driving at the same time, bad things happen when you mix the two as shown in this example.

wow. I definitely need to get hands-free setup in my car!

Maybe he tried to install the tochflo .cab...

A member of my team at work had her wing touch screen go out too. She got a brand new one free with the phone warranty. I guess I gotta look out for my wings well-being.

xavier6303 said:
A member of my team at work had her wing touch screen go out too. She got a brand new one free with the phone warranty. I guess I gotta look out for my wings well-being.
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Yeeargh! And T-Mobile tells me I gotta contact HTC directly because I didn't buy directly from them. HTC on the other hand tells me to send it in, they will "determine if it's a warranty issue", whether they feel like repairing it or sending me a replacement, for free or for an unknown charge, and in any case there will be a $28 assessment charge on my credit card should I be unhappy with their decision.

Anyone doing g1 repair?

I've got a g1 bought when they first came out that the screen stopped working on. I suspect that it's just the loose ribbon cable, since it's the initial run of the phone. The phone works, I can adb into it, there's just nothing on the screen. Unfortunately, I don't think I can send it in for repair, even tho it's inside the year warranty, cos I had changed the housing for a different color off ebay, which meant unscrewing the screws and breaking the void sticker. So, any recommendations of reputable-won't rip me off&won't break the phone while fixing it-repair services? I looked at the service manual, and really don't feel comfortable disassembling it myself when I am unsure what the problem is.
Edit-If you saw my earlier thread about flashing back to stock, in which I thought it was my fiance's brand new g1 that had died, we realized when we went to box the phone up that the IMEI on the dead phone didn't match the new box. I'd accidentally switched the phones when rooting his&updating the ROM on mine and not realized it. Moral of the story, never flash two phones at the same time!
Editx2-I'm in the DC metro area.

well since you've changed the shell it shouldn't be much harder to check out the cable. just remember in most cases if you have to force something to come apart you are probably are missing a step.
I've taken a few phones apart (bbs, motos, nokias, htcs) down to bare bones and their not that difficult as long as you follow the steps outlined in the service manual. If you are still uncomfortable messing with it and are near a big city most have well reviewed repair shops which offer warranties on their work. If they don't offer a warranty , I probably wouldn't mess with em.
Not sure anyone can recommend anywhere local (being that you didn't mention your local) but I'm sure a few other people can chip in on online sources(I've yet to use any so not comfortable with recommanding any, sry).
Good luck

I called up HTC a while ago, you can mail them your phone and they can do repairs. Just go to their website, it is under the support section. Unfortunately for T-Mobile replacements, one of the first things they ask is "Is the LCD screen working?"

SolemnWishing said:
I called up HTC a while ago, you can mail them your phone and they can do repairs. Just go to their website, it is under the support section. Unfortunately for T-Mobile replacements, one of the first things they ask is "Is the LCD screen working?"
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I read on here that HTC charges likes $250 for repairing the screen tho, that's insane. I'm willing to pay a REASONABLE price to get it fixed by someone who knows what they're doing, but if the repair is gonna run me more than I paid for the phone and more than 50% the cost of a NEW phone, I'll suck it up and do it myself.

I can fix it for you, I have built a working G1 from two, one that was liquid damage and the other with a shattered lcd and digitizer. Where are you located, i am in alabama... now if you damaged the cable to the lcd, then it would require purchasing a new one. The lcd goes for $65 to $70 and the digitizer goes for about $80 on ebay.

Turboteg1 said:
Where are you located, i am in alabama.
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I'm in DC, so mailing it to alabama is less than ideal. I'm exploring other options, thanks!

odds are you are gonna have to mail it off somewhere unless you do it yourself. i have had MANY phones and taken all of them apart to fix one thing or another, i never had any worries about my work and i never had a service manual. if something where to go whong with this phone i would be more confident in my ability to fix it since i can go find a service manual online

My nonstop issues with my evo =(

dont get me wrong i LOVE my evo. its just a few problems that make me go INSANE most of the time.
to start off my lock/unlock button is on the fritz. I can unlock the screen no problem but when i try and lock it, it DOESN'T work. i have to wait till the screen idles out to go to sleep. gets on my nerves.
another issue is how every charger i get for my evo is crap. in order for me to charge my evo the usb charger/wire has to be in a cretin position in order to charge. this is my biggest issue by far.
lastly is the issue of the white evo. i have the best buy white evo and the paint always chips away and turns ORANGE. where the charger port is and even the headphone jack is the white paint is chipped away and orange just from nonstop plugging wires in and out of it.
does anyone else have any of these issues ?

Warrior 3000 said:
dont get me wrong i LOVE my evo. its just a few problems that make me go INSANE most of the time.
to start off my lock/unlock button is on the fritz. I can unlock the screen no problem but when i try and lock it, it DOESN'T work. i have to wait till the screen idles out to go to sleep. gets on my nerves.
another issue is how every charger i get for my evo is crap. in order for me to charge my evo the usb charger/wire has to be in a cretin position in order to charge. this is my biggest issue by far.
lastly is the issue of the white evo. i have the best buy white evo and the paint always chips away and turns ORANGE. where the charger port is and even the headphone jack is the white paint is chipped away and orange just from nonstop plugging wires in and out of it.
does anyone else have any of these issues ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have any of these issues, nor do I have a white evo, so no paint problems, but I did have a couple of case cracks and dust under my screen. I took it into a Sprint store, and they happily replaced the screen and pertinent body parts. It took about 15 minutes and cost $0. Perhaps, this is the solution to your problems. Good luck.

I use a Blackberry Charger and the cord is super long,, i was annoyed with the stock 1 foot cord!! lol but ya ive been using it the day i bought my evo and not had any problems! give it a shot..

+1, why not return it to stock (unroot it if it's rooted) and take it in? They'll try a wipe on it at least and most likely just replace it if the usb is busted.
Sent from my hand.

I'm sorry... I'm not sure what "the cretin position" means. I can tell you that I don't have any issues with the charger that came with my phone, the charger that came with my headset, a USB cable in my computer, my car charger or the cheap Chinese charger that came with my extra batteries. It sounds to me like you need a replacement phone, friend.

well this is my 2nd evo from sprint. my 1st evo i dropped and the entire screen cracked. i took it to sprint and they gave me a replacment but it was 40 bucks. how come i always hear people saying they get a replacment for free.

Warrior 3000 said:
well this is my 2nd evo from sprint. my 1st evo i dropped and the entire screen cracked. i took it to sprint and they gave me a replacment but it was 40 bucks. how come i always hear people saying they get a replacment for free.
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How long ago did you drop your phone? They initiated a new policy a couple of months ago... Late October I think..
Anyway, if you have TEP, you can go into Sprint and get things fixed or replaced at no charge (not water damage..that is insurance). If you don't have TEP, it is supposed to cost $35.
I did this earlier this week...

im pretty sure i have TEP. i think i pay like 7 bucks a month for it or something, is there a way i can check ?

Log into your account on the Sprint site. While you are there, read about the repair service and details. You want to make sure that you go to a "repair" center store. I am reading on this site that Sprint is changing policy again..not sure what that means, but you might want to jump on this before they do... if they do.

"repair" center store?!?!?
wtf, i have never heard of such a thing haha.

check the Sprint site for repairs and they will tell you where you can go.... It seems that the corporate stores can do repairs and "some" not all of the third party vendors can do them. It is worth checking. If you do a store locator search, the stores will show up with repair as a service (or not...)

odd the one i went to was a repair center.
it was odd the guy made me pay 35 bucks CASH ONLY when it was done. i never got a recipt or anything. i think he pocketed my money lol

Warrior 3000 said:
odd the one i went to was a repair center.
it was odd the guy made me pay 35 bucks CASH ONLY when it was done. i never got a recipt or anything. i think he pocketed my money lol
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Hey, guy. Wanna buy a watch?

Warrior 3000 said:
well this is my 2nd evo from sprint. my 1st evo i dropped and the entire screen cracked. i took it to sprint and they gave me a replacment but it was 40 bucks. how come i always hear people saying they get a replacment for free.
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Click to collapse
ok... you dropped your phone and broke the screen .. right?
well that is not warranted... that is damage due to user. phone warranty should be voided by that. but..
since you have TEP... it should have cost you $100... to get replacement phone. refurbished maybe. and wait till you get the phone in mail.
they did you a favor.. and repaired it for $35.... right there as you waited.
Now.. you can also take your phone in.. to get your power button repaired... that should be warrantied... unless it was damaged due to the drop!