Database Users

self repair universal

Hi, I broke my universal last night :.(
I was using a charger that came with my gps, and it fell 30cm off the bed table and hit the floor, striking the charger cable. The gps charger is longer, so without the rubber collar to absorb the shock, the usb plug twisted inside, and broke the usb connector off the motherboard.
pics: http://boldra.com/images/universal/
I use my universal very heavily, so I want to get it fixed as soon as possible. I've done simple repairs on laptops and phones before, including soldering on a power connector in a dropped vaio. How would people rate the difficulty of this one?
The first issue will be to get hold of a suitable screwdriver, but I'll also have to source a new usb connector.
Has anyone got any experience or tips they could share?
Thanks!
Boldra

Boldra said:
Hi, I broke my universal last night :.(
I was using a charger that came with my gps, and it fell 30cm off the bed table and hit the floor, striking the charger cable. The gps charger is longer, so without the rubber collar to absorb the shock, the usb plug twisted inside, and broke the usb connector off the motherboard.
pics: http://boldra.com/images/universal/
I use my universal very heavily, so I want to get it fixed as soon as possible. I've done simple repairs on laptops and phones before, including soldering on a power connector in a dropped vaio. How would people rate the difficulty of this one?
The first issue will be to get hold of a suitable screwdriver, but I'll also have to source a new usb connector.
Has anyone got any experience or tips they could share?
Thanks!
Boldra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi first of all, based on my experience with opening universal - when you start opening PLEASE READ OPENING INSTRUCTIONS on FTP - there is PDF file for this. And second one - try ty find a cheam MP3 player with same USB connector - you will never belive what is inside of those tousands MP3 players - I even find inside one a DiskOnChip for universal

Thanks, they look like two very good tips! I was actually going to check out the second hand shop for old cameras with mini-usb connectors, but mp3 players sound like a good idea too.
Boldra

I had the same problem. I fixed it myself too. I just used the USB connector that was broken off and soldered it back.
I don't think a new connector is going to be needed. More likely your biggest problem will be broken off tracks on the motherboard.

Thanks Patrick, I love the net! I've never personally met anyone with the same device, but now here I am talking to someone who's actually had exactly the same problem!
I've now opened the case up (after downloading the beautiful maintenance manual), and it looks like there are indeed a couple of bits of the mobo broken off and stuck to the connector.
I've had a look with a magnifying glass, and it looks like the 4th connector in particular is going to be difficult to match up. I've been checking out the USB spec, and, if I'm reading it right, this connector is only used for a usb hub. I think on the universal it's not actually connected to anything. Really, I'll just be pretty happy if I can just get connectors 1 & 5 joined up again, so I can recharge!
The other thing I'm worrying about is how I can firmly attach the connector back onto the board so that it doesn't easily break off again. I'm considering a drop of superglue to fix the usb connector onto the mobo before starting the soldering. How did you solve this problem? Are you relying entirely on solder to take the load?
Boldra

Boldra said:
The other thing I'm worrying about is how I can firmly attach the connector back onto the board so that it doesn't easily break off again. I'm considering a drop of superglue to fix the usb connector onto the mobo before starting the soldering. How did you solve this problem? Are you relying entirely on solder to take the load?
Boldra
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Click to collapse
Don't even think about it !!! If you put some glue there you can say goodbye to your device if it brokes again you cannot protect device from this - is more cheap to repair him again

You should put this warning up:
Warning, HORROR pictures ...
must be over 21 to watch ...

Boldra said:
Thanks Patrick, I love the net! I've never personally met anyone with the same device, but now here I am talking to someone who's actually had exactly the same problem!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you search the forum here you will notice there are hordes of people with the same problem. It's safe to say this is a design flaw of the Universal.
Boldra said:
I'll just be pretty happy if I can just get connectors 1 & 5 joined up again, so I can recharge!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I stopped messing with it when it started charging again. It doesn't connect through USB anymore, but I can do that via bluetooth as well.
Boldra said:
The other thing I'm worrying about is how I can firmly attach the connector back onto the board so that it doesn't easily break off again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put some extra solder on the large pads on the side. I have a feeling that that helped put it on the board more sturdy. I also changed the way I use the Universal. Before I would use it with the charge cable atached so the battery would stay full. Now I never move it around when the cable is attached. So now when the Universal is charging, the first thing I do is take the charge cable out and then open the unit and switch it on.

superglue will not work. you must solder it back on.
from those pics it's impossible to estimate the damage.
open it up and take some new pics.

loose usb port. can't charge now. HELP

I've search the forum first before I posted this message, but no post that gives me the slightest answer to this problem
I lend out my tmo Wing to my gf because her phone broke and I had G1 for awhile already. Apparently it's too much to handle for her so I bought her a cheap nokia prepaid in order to get my wing back.
I'm trying to back up her pics and ringtones from the phone, but I noticed it won't charge. The amber light won't turn. I double check again and I noticed the miniUSB port is super loose. I tried wiggling it, putting the cable halfway, taking out the battery, etc. Nothing work.
What should I do? Does anyone have experience this problem before?

Check the contacts on the female usb port. If they are corroded, which could be the case if not properly cared for, try searching Google for a way to clean them.
The contacts could be skewed at an angle, like my old Kaiser. I used a pair of tweezers to manually move the contacts back to their original position.
Try switching to another USB cable. My phones will only charge with a cable that has a very heavy-duty end on it. Normal USB cables won't cut it, I had to use one that came with a removable hard drive.
That's all I have for now. Hope it helps!

My port is screwed too. I got this charger off of ebay and love it.
cgi.ebay.com/Battery-Charger-for-T-Mobile-MDA-Vario-III-HTC-TyTN-II_W0QQitemZ350298289224QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBatteries_Chargers?hash=item518f67b448
I have two batteries, so one is always charged. I like it so much more than a traditional charger. HTH

Should I return my tablet for a replacement? (USB port tough to use)

The full sized USB port on my Iconia Tab has an issue. I plugged in a device for the first time yesterday, plugging it in was hard, but not to bad. Unplugging the device from the tablet proved to be impossible without the use of tools. I finally managed to get the cable unplugged, but it still is rather hard to use the USB port. It also makes a bit of a clicking sound when removing a USB device/cable.
Anyone else have the issue?

If its a fresh device it may just be this way for a bit. But to be on the safe side just return it you could damage it and thy may not replace it then.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

Yes, the USB port was super tight on my A500 the first time I used it. I thought I was going to break something when I pulled out the USB drive that first time. Same thing the next time I plugged in the USB drive, but easier than the first time. Plugged it in and out a few more times and now it goes in smooth.

My USB ports were really tight at first as well after some use the metal clips loosen a bit and they function normally, they speced them tight due to it being a mobile device they are planning it the things being plugged in getting bumped and pulled

While we're on the subject of USB port and pulling out peripheral devices ...etc
I own the Asus Transformer briefly ( returned due to screen bled ) and it has the option to "unmount" ( MicroSD through tablet & full USB through dock )
for us Iconia owners... without the option and by just yanking things out.... doesn't that increased the chances of damaging the usb drives and corrupting files ??

Markon101 said:
The full sized USB port on my Iconia Tab has an issue. I plugged in a device for the first time yesterday, plugging it in was hard, but not to bad. Unplugging the device from the tablet proved to be impossible without the use of tools. I finally managed to get the cable unplugged, but it still is rather hard to use the USB port. It also makes a bit of a clicking sound when removing a USB device/cable.
Anyone else have the issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep mine is to hard to unplug too

Broken USB port
i noticed mine was like this at first but after a while it got easier to put in. until one day, my flash drive refused to go in all the way. I looked inside using a flash light and one of the gold pins had been bent back all the way. I live outside of the US so no warranty. I panicked and tried to straighten it back with a safety pin. It broke and fell out. I am now left without a usb port at all. any ideas on what to do?

I returned my first Tab because I thought the snug USB port was a defect, but the second Tab was just as bad. Over time the port has loosened a bit but I still have problems after all these months. Recently I inserted a mini wireless mouse USB dongle and I could not, for the life of me, remove it. I finally had to yank it out in pieces with a pair of pliers *shudder*. I still use a wired USB mouse and keyboard from time to time - but they have been tested several times and will unplug with minimal effort. I am very careful with flash drives though. I have one or two that work fine and they are the only ones I trust to use.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium

I have had two Iconias and both have had this issue. I don't think the newer one will help out with it. I use a 32gb USB device and it always hangs up in the port. But I don't use USB that often so my opinion is bias.

Yeah my USB port is super tight as well. The first time I stuck in a flash drive, I ended up pulling off the cover to the drive tying to get it out. After using it for a bit, it did loosen up some, but its still really tight. I just always use an extension cable now, at least that way I have something to grab onto to yank.

seems like a common issue. I also noticed the port was fairly tight at first, but after plugging in and out a few times, it seems to be broken in now - snug, but not overly tight. I use it for an external hard drive which is constantly being added and removed when moving from point a to point b.

Charging port starting to break

Hi XDA,
After being a long time reader, it's time to ask you guys for some advice. My S7E still works great after 1.5 year of quite intensive usage. So far so good.
However, over the past couple of days, I've started to notice that my phone wasn't charged at all after putting it on the charger for 1-2 hours. The first 2 times I just thought that the cable just wasn't in properly, because after I reconnected the cable, it did charge. A few days later it just stopped charging at all. After testing it on a wireless charger of a coworker quickly, I knew the battery itself was fine. I tried a couple of cables, both new and old, but it wouldn't charge. Because I also used new cables, the cable wasn't the problem either.
So then, as a last resort, I tried to push the actual connection part (having the pins on it) within the port on the phone a bit inward. This so the pins in the port would better connect to the pins. And Boom! It started charging. So then I knew where my problem was. But now every time when it stops charging again, I have to do this over and over. This puts stress on the connector, and after repeating this process enough times, it will eventually break.
So here's my problem.. Because of how contracts are setup here, I can't open my phone up myself to simply replace the USB port (namely materials, but also certain skills). Also the repair service that is suppose to do the replacement, basically just sucks. They gave me a phone with a bend LCD back last time. I've fixed it myself afterwards back then. I don't want to send it there, except for screen repair.
So I'm looking for a way to either fix this connector permanently without opening my phone, or a specific type of cable focussed on bad connectors, or whatever might help me in this sitation.
Thanks for all your advices!

Wireless charging is ok. Its not as fast as usb but it gets the job done

tactical bacon said:
Wireless charging is ok. Its not as fast as usb but it gets the job done
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Click to collapse
Thanks, but that's only part of the problem. Let's say I need to connect my phone somewhere on the fly for whatever reason. Or are maybe on an airplane or something like that. I'll always need to bring toothpicks to fix the port, up until it breaks.

Mine s7 edge just stopped fast charging one day and PC doesn't recognize the phone anymore. It's still charging slow though.

Kontsnor said:
Thanks, but that's only part of the problem. Let's say I need to connect my phone somewhere on the fly for whatever reason. Or are maybe on an airplane or something like that. I'll always need to bring toothpicks to fix the port, up until it breaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just use airdroid. can trasnfer files wirelessly.

Well, let me clarify a bit... I know there are workarounds for the issue I'm describing. I could setup SMB and transfer files through that. The heck - I could write my own app, using my own "protocol". Charging can be fixed through wireless charging, thetering can be fixed using the hotspot, adb can also be done wirelessly, and terminal access I could get through an app. I could continue for a while here.
I actually want to fix this specific problem under the given circumstances. Not just dozens of workarounds for specific tasks. Let's say I **** up flashing, and need Odin to restore my device.

there isn't a way to "fix" this without removing a LOT of small, fiddly bits inside the phone. You certainly could get a micro-usb extension cable an leave it plugged into the phone all the time, or MAYBE use a Mophie Juice pack (a battery pack in a case that has a micro usb that plugs into phone and a new port that is on the edge of the case...
Other than that...SOL...

No sorry you can't, its nearly impossible to replace usb port without opening front panel and screen, and there is not a single percent chance to prevent screen from damage when opening front panel and glass, its simply doesn't designed to be opened. Go to samsung care center and give them the fee to replace usb port, if your screen got damaged during repair, they will replace it themselves.
Sent from my S7 Edge using XDA Labs

sbaeder said:
there isn't a way to "fix" this without removing a LOT of small, fiddly bits inside the phone. You certainly could get a micro-usb extension cable an leave it plugged into the phone all the time, or MAYBE use a Mophie Juice pack (a battery pack in a case that has a micro usb that plugs into phone and a new port that is on the edge of the case...
Other than that...SOL...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda was afraid of that, thanks for confirming. I like the idea of the case, hadn't thought of that. But the idea of the extension cable got me thinking. I think I'm gonna order some of those magnetic USB cables. They have a small adapter that barely sticks out. Then I simply need a few cables, for work, home and on the road. Because the adapter has no reason on move, it should be alright.
Thanks for your suggestions everyone!

USB connector not sitting snuggly in the USB port?

Occasionally since I got the phoone I've noticed that the audiobooks I've listened to have suddenly stopped, and prompting me to press play again; it always seemed to happen when I had a hand in my pocket, so I probably just assumed I had touched the screen or something. It was annoying, but I just continued on.
Then late last week after it happened while I was at my desktop and just moving the phone, I investigated a bit more closely.
I found that I could wiggled the headphone USB dongle, and the fit was not as solid as you'd expect (of course, I hadn't really checked this earlier, just putting in and taking out USB connectors up to this point). As I wiggled it, the audio would stop as if my headphones were disconnected and reconnected. Which must've been what had happened before.
Then I checked with my charging cord. Same kind of fit, I could wiggle the connector a few degrees. Enough for me to raise some concern about it being a faulty USB port, or it having somehow gotten loose in the shell.
This is probably RMA worthy, I'm guessing. The question is what will OP do? Replace the whole phone? Repair it (repair what exactly, I'm wondering)? I've not dealt with their support before, and I couldn't really find any suitable thing under their repair service categories.
Could some people check how snug their USB connector fit is and report back to me, so I could find out if this isn't how it's supposed to be?

First check your USB port for lint. I typically use a needle to clean mine out (Don't short any of the pins if using a metal needle). Lint will prevent the cable from fully seating and cause it to feel loose.

OhioYJ said:
First check your USB port for lint. I typically use a needle to clean mine out (Don't short any of the pins if using a metal needle). Lint will prevent the cable from fully seating and cause it to feel loose.
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Click to collapse
The USB port is totally clean. Couldn't even spot any dust particles under a bright light.

I know the 3.5mm headphone jack isn't technically rated for as many cycles as a USB C connector but I still feel it held up to abuse like being in a pocket better than any type of USB connector.