Database Users

Jasjar USB terminal on phone broken

I went to plug the phone in tonight to charge it and no charge light, the terminals have broken on the usb socket on the back of the phone. May be a stupid question but is this warranty?????. I have always been careful with the phone and charge it every night and in the car as well, the phone has never been dropped or damaged, has anyone else got a loose terminal.

hmm
that certainly is warranty!! and you are not the first with that problem..
I do have to say i heard about people having it on the Exec and on the jasjar not on the mda pro and qtek9000 yet..
Why dont they make it fit nicely in the cover i dont understand.. only thing which comes to mind is for it to break..
:shock:

Thanks for your reply, what do you mean by "only thing which comes to mind is for it to break.."
I will contact i-mate on Tuesday and let you know what happens.

We had a couple of Qtek 9000 in Greece with this problem and the company fixed it with no hassle. It is an issue I guess, so since I found out I am extra carefull with the cables...

hmm
I mean a good designer would make it so that the usb could never break because anyone knows that the usb connector must endure a lot of stress!
If you look at the usb slot you see there is enough room for movement, such a design fault in my eyes. Also it is 'hanging' on the mainboard on its soldering wires.. How dumb is that? why not attach the connector to the mainboard (glue or click it on the mainboard) then it will not that easily break.
All this together tells me it is dumb.. and those developers are not dumb.. they are clever so this is made to break after 1-2 years so you have to buy new etc :evil:
But it sounds like a real issue. :evil:
I am gonna be extra careful now..

MDA Pro reporting here:
It a warranty issue.
But I had no time to send it in, so I fixed it myself ^^.
http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/25374369#25374369
http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/25381663#25381663

I warned Imate about this, it happened to me 2!
my mini usb slot fell off the mainboard about 2 months ago, They tried to make me pay 1000 dollars to get it fixed, they swore at me, they hung up on me and insisted that it was physical damage. I brought up all the points that you guys brought up but they were rather arrogant.
What annoyed me even more was they told me I was the only person who had this problem they also let slip that most problems are related to the screen. Which I replied that I was one of the first people in the world to purchase this phone and therefore the most likely person to have the first problems, I warned them that they would get an influx of similar cases.
and now, ppl are starting to have problems. what a suprise.
I one hundred percent agree with you that they should of attached the usb to the motherboard with a metal brace. that way it doesnt get disloged.
oh, btw, they did replace the device for me, eventually (1 month)

Thanks Guys, I feel alot better now, I can't afford to buy another one, as I said before I will contact i-mate and the place I bought it on Tuesday and let you all know of the outcome.
Cheers :lol:

USB terminal broken
My qtek 9000 had the same problem and when I turned it in the technician told me that it was my fault and that it hasn't happened before. He was NOT sure if the warranty was valid and he is going to contact me on Tuesday... Is this some kind of conspiracy??? He also urged me to pay 700euros if I wanted my device on the double... I am so frustrated. The joke of the day was his statement " How do I know that you didn't stick a pen or a nail in the USB and broke it off???" NICE ONE HUH!!!!

Hi achaeusz, please let me know what the technician says and I will let you know what I'm told.
Cheers
Love the pen in the usb port, "we all do that, its great fun" idiot. :lol:

Correction: I THOUGHT they replaced it... apparently as achaeusz said, we all stick pensils in the back of the Qtek to see what happens when lead touches the pins.
I am also thinking about sticking my finger in but I am having a lot of trouble since it won't fit. Darn whole is too small... I'll keep trying... see if I can electricute myself!
:roll:

We need to get some pictures of us all fingering and penning our Universals, after all we all do it, just for the fun of it, I also fist my muffler on my car.

get your hands on their repair list to get ur unit replaced!
I got that line about the pen, even though there were no pen marks.
The problem is that the mini usb plug is directly linked to the motherboard and when it falls off as it did with mine the entire motherboard gets damaged. Imate cant afford to replace every motherboard, thats the second most expensive part of the device.
Its a design flaw, and I’m sure Imate know about it.
If you are backed into a corner with imate, u could get a subpoena on their repair list which lists how many units come in with similar problems. That way you can prove that Imate know about the issue.
To add candy to that court action, you could then get a subpoena on how many "disloged usb" problems have arisen that have been replaced under warrently. That then proves that Imate acknowleges that it is vunerable.
They replaced mine under warrenty so if the sunpoena says otherwise then you know its fake and they face criminal action. I am willing to write a statement that states they replaced mine under warrenty.

Just a short note to say I am fully pissed, I still have my broken Jasjar at home and am waiting for imate to contact Kalk online where I bought the phone from and imate just don't seem to care, Kalk Online have been great with my enquiries but imate are not.
Here is the email I sent to Kalk Online and he forwarded it to imate... Got to love there service........
Dear Ken,
Warranty: I-mate Jasjar has a broken USB port.
As per our phone call, I contacted i-mate support on 1300558218 and at first terminated the call as I thought I had the wrong number when I heard it was Telstra, a different company to whom I was trying to call, after talking again to you Ken at Kalk Online and you advising me the number was correct for i-mate I phoned again and was told by the operator that they could not help me, I asked if this was i-mate support and the operator said “yes we fix phones but we can’t provide you with a proof of purchase, I then told him that I didn’t need a proof of purchase off him as I have the proof of purchase as I bought the phone……….. I asked the operator what should I do as my phone is broken and I was told to ring the above number, he told me to send it to Queensland and gave the address, I asked him should I ring Queensland to explain my problem with the phone and he told me no several times and just said send it, I said to the operator when will I get my phone back and he told me he doesn’t know about that and just to send it to QLD and the technicians will repair it and send it back.
This whole experience sounds so unprofessional and I am discussed that a company as big as i-mate would allow this behavior.
:twisted:

vondutch said:
MDA Pro reporting here:
It a warranty issue.
But I had no time to send it in, so I fixed it myself ^^.
http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/25374369#25374369
http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/25381663#25381663
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Het soldeervet is op"? Dude, you didn't really solder that thing on with flux and solid solder did you? Flux is corrosive to PCBs and parts, which is why you don't use it on electronics, electronics need rosin-core solder. For this sort of SMD components, 0.5-0.7 mm rosincore solder preferably, 1 at most.
Although if you did do that with flux and solid solder, my hat's off to you for making it look reasonably neat. Also, good luck on getting anything else repaired under warranty
P.S.: Have you seen the Service Manual for uni that's around now, complete with a step-by-step guide with photos of how to dismantle the Uni entirely? It also includes specs on the bits that they can repair rather than replace components -- pretty much every connector on the motherboard is allowed to be replaced rather than replacing the entire motherboard, however, I suspect that in a case like yours where a pad's lifted off they'd still be required to replace the entire mobo.

Hi Folks
My usb port fell into the device while trying to connect it
Good old 02 said it wasn't warranty, luckily I had insurance & had to make a claim
not good, any other 02 users beware!!
Funnily they only quoted me £149 to fix it???
but it was a 2 week turn around
:shock:
Gary T

Scouse said:
Hi Folks
My usb port fell into the device while trying to connect it
Good old 02 said it wasn't warranty, luckily I had insurance & had to make a claim
not good, any other 02 users beware!!
Funnily they only quoted me £149 to fix it???
but it was a 2 week turn around
:shock:
Gary T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the USB port is a replaceable part on the motherboard, and also easily reached without complete disassembly, so even that's a bit steep. However, without examing the phone internals, there's no way to determine whether the USB connector took any of the pads off the motherboard with it, if it did, they'd have to replace the whole motherboard according to HTC policy. So if they quoted you that price without a full examination, it probably was something like "we MIGHT have to replace the motherboard, in about n % of these cases, so we charge appropriately between price of new motherboard and just connector".
Then again, motherboard replacement might just be that cheap. The screen is more expensive than the board and it's a fairly low labour replacement, plus they might partly subsidise it on newer machines like the uni, to avoid pissing people off too much.

Update on my broken USB port, I finally recieved my Jasjar back from the repair centre in QLD on Friday, 4 weeks since I reported it was broken, The telstra repair centre that fixes i-mates phones just sent the phone back unrepaired with a computer printout that was unreadable in the sence that it was from there system and was probaly redable by a technician only. From what I ca gather from the printout it says "not covered under warranty and to expensive repair to fix" Hows that!!!!!!
A problem that i-mate are aware of and they say it isn't warranty......
Any suggestion on what I should do now PLEASE.....

I emailed Kalk Online where I bought the phone and he checked with i-mate and this is what i-mate emailed back
"Unfortunately no… as the tracks on the PCB have been damaged this is considered to be a no warranty fault and consequently the repair cost needs to be bourn by the customer.
Regarding clarity of the diagnosis the report that I have sent you is directly from Telstra Mobile Service who are an authorized service centre for i-mate. The information detailed in this document is sufficient with respect to being a confirmed service statement.
Please do not hesitate to give me a call to discuss.
Regards,
GP
Gareth Phillips
Technology Services - Australasia
i-mate™"
PLEASE HAS ANYONE GOT ANY IDEA WHAT TO DO NOW??????

Buy an external battery charger? If it's not warranty and the pads have lifted it sounds like a tricky repair and may not even be possible.
Richard

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.
Click to expand...
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!

UK Repairer

Does anyone know of a repairer in the UK. The USB connector has come adrift. I've have sent 6 e-mails to HTC Europe with nothing but automated responses. I have phoned HTC 4 times, they DONOT return calls. I was given the details of Anova in Norwich - they DONOT answer the phone. The only other name I've come across was Apex laptops who have a bad reputation.
Any help welcome.

Try SBE they do some repairs, is it a T-Mobile version?
The USB coming lose is always non warranty fault so you are looking at about 80-100 pounds through SBE to repair it.

Repairs
Hi, If you can get to York, there is a guy who works Saturdays and Wednesdays at a shop called Bulmers. Ask for 'Dave the phone man'
I have used him 3 times now for:
i)fixing a damaged mainboard component for the backlight on my Wizard.
ii) replacing a damaged charge/data connector on a XDA IIi
iii) fixing a low signal on XDA IIi
He is a great guy and is very reasonably priced. He does tend to be very busy though!
If you fancy having a go yourself, fluffcat1 can probably source any parts you need. He too, is very helpful.
Good Luck.

sbe suck. dont use them if you can help it.. they had my phone for over 6 weeks. were a nightmare to get hold of them and when i ever did, all they told me was they didnt know and they couldnt speak to the engineers!
as it happens i have had my phone back for a week and the backlight is no longer working on my kjam

try xda-repair.com
Their based in Croydon and sorted my Vario out a treat turned round the unit in 3 days talk about amazing service and only charged £58.75 for the usb port to be fixed
Regards
Psi

contact information
Hi
Can you advise me their contact information
my email: [email protected]
Thank you so much
psipoc said:
try xda-repair.com
Their based in Croydon and sorted my Vario out a treat turned round the unit in 3 days talk about amazing service and only charged £58.75 for the usb port to be fixed
Regards
Psi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

hmm
Why not just try yourself?
I imagine it will be lead free solder used, so you will probably need a ceramic tip'ed soldering iron with a fine tip.
Maplin is your best bet, could get the whole lot for< £15.
Then try to find a disassembly guide for the wizard so as not to damage the casing.
Then just evaluate the damage and be really careful with the soldering iron!!

WARRANTY Service on Cingular 8125

I bought my 8125 back on 3/20/2006. The USB connector for the phone came off of its hinges and now fell into the phone. I can still get a connection from it, but it takes like 30 minutes just to get that right angle.
I called Cingular Data Service Team and they gave me three options
1) If Cingular find that there is physical damage to the phone, they will charge me a $425 processing fee. (NO TO THAT OPTION)
2) I am out of contract so I can upgrade my phone and sign a 2 year contract which still will be like $300 for anything decent. (NO TO THAT OPTION)
3) I can send it to HTC have them repair it. ( HOW MUCH MONEY?)
How much do you think it would cost to have HTC repair. I was thinking that since the connector is sort of connected to the motherboard, they would just replace the whole motherboard, which of course would be like $200. What do you think

I'd contact HTC directly via their website at HTC America and see...
I'd also go through these forums and see what you can pull up as i've heard of the USB connectors breaking frequently. If you can find a lot of people saying that (which i think you will) call Cingular back and tell them that you have proof that this problem is a defect. Then tell them where they can find the complaints (you can also use Google to see if there are a large amount of complaints elsewhere).
If you find a lot of complaints about that tell them your sending it in and if they charge you the $425 fee you'll take them to small claims court. Would only cost you about $35 to do and you can force them to pay that if you win. So if you find proof that this isn't your fault sending it to Cingular and suing them if you have to is cheapest .

Had the same thing happen to my mda. I just bought a seperate battery charger (with battery included) for 35 bucks shipped via ebay and is working great. As for syncing with the computer, I have it sync via Bluetooth. So I basically swap battery everytime it goes low.
Now a company called PocketPC tech also repairs USB connectors being broke. I think it costs 60 bucks for it to be repaired. GOOD LUCK!!

mischief4l said:
I bought my 8125 back on 3/20/2006. The USB connector for the phone came off of its hinges and now fell into the phone. I can still get a connection from it, but it takes like 30 minutes just to get that right angle.
I called Cingular Data Service Team and they gave me three options
1) If Cingular find that there is physical damage to the phone, they will charge me a $425 processing fee. (NO TO THAT OPTION)
2) I am out of contract so I can upgrade my phone and sign a 2 year contract which still will be like $300 for anything decent. (NO TO THAT OPTION)
3) I can send it to HTC have them repair it. ( HOW MUCH MONEY?)
How much do you think it would cost to have HTC repair. I was thinking that since the connector is sort of connected to the motherboard, they would just replace the whole motherboard, which of course would be like $200. What do you think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, HTC doesn't repair it for free? Doesn't this fall into the category of defective products? Does HTC even have warranty? Coz if they charge for that broken USB connector, that is just ridiculous. I used (still do) own HP PDAs and PDA phones...they broke a few times either I messed up the ROM, or I dropped it from a couple of floors etc...and I'd call the HP warranty department, and they'd send me a new one on Next day air...and paid return postage and box for my broken device...I thoght this was standard on all PDA devices in the US....

I just had the same thing happen of course the bastards at Cingular told me they never heard of this happening but of course they lied.
I'm sending mine to http://www.pocketpctechs.com/. They repair the USB connector for $60. Called them today and they said the turn around time is 2 days once they receive it.
Good luck, and **** cingular every chance you can!

anthoj said:
So, HTC doesn't repair it for free? Doesn't this fall into the category of defective products? Does HTC even have warranty? Coz if they charge for that broken USB connector, that is just ridiculous. I used (still do) own HP PDAs and PDA phones...they broke a few times either I messed up the ROM, or I dropped it from a couple of floors etc...and I'd call the HP warranty department, and they'd send me a new one on Next day air...and paid return postage and box for my broken device...I thoght this was standard on all PDA devices in the US....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what the bastards at cingular told me that this is considered "physical damage" and they don't cover that. What I could do is send it to HTC and their tech would examine it and HE would decide if it's physical damage or a manuf defect. Any idea what the tech would decide?! bastards!

same prolem with 8500
I have the same problem with the USB on HTC/8500. It's only 4 months old. I suspect that they are going to ask for money to repair it. Did anybody manage to use the warranty for this problem? Thanks

nope. Although there was a third-party website that you could send the phone into and they would fix it for $80. cant remember though

Great guy that repairs broken USB really cheap!

I know a guy who has a console shop nearby and is very handy with the soldering iron. When the USB connector of my beloved wizard broke off, I took it to him. 3 of the 5 pins on the USB connector itself were broken and all 4 bases around it were desoldered also. He was able to repair it in half an hour and I paid 20 euros for it. The only problem is that he is located in Greece (was not a problem for me obviously, since I live in Greece too).
So, if any of you guys have the same problem like I did, you can contact him and maybe arrange a repair, I believe he is MUCH cheaper than official service or other repair services. By the way, this problem is covered under the warranty, so I am talking about problems after the warranty expiration date.
His web site (not very good, but the guy rocks with a soldering iron) is http://www.consoleworld.gr, where you can also find his contact information. He did such a good job repairing my wizard that I believe he should be known I will post photos if I decide to open up my wizard again!