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[Q] Using the Transformer as an external power soure for smartphones

Hey guys,
messing arond with my new transformer at the moment. Keyboard delay and power drain on the dock suck, but the overall performance and usability are more than enough to let it stay.
Next week i am going to a small local festial, the wacken open air, and i am currently thinking about using my transformer as an external battery for my iphone. It should at least be able to charge my phone for two more times, so i can use 3g and the cam the whole festival long instead of killing those features for sqeazing out the battery up to 4 days.
I tried charging it at home, but at the moment the display turns off, the Iphone stops charging.
I could start playing music on the tab to keep it from going into standby, but that feels like cheating
Is there any way to just activate one (or all) usb-ports without turning on the display or even better: without turning on the whole OS?
Thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english.

most festivals have cellphone charching stations

If you really must charge your phone with the dock, I'd turn off the auto brightness on the screen and turn it all the way down, then set the screen sleep to "never".

peng00 said:
Hey guys,
messing arond with my new transformer at the moment. Keyboard delay and power drain on the dock suck, but the overall performance and usability are more than enough to let it stay.
Next week i am going to a small local festial, the wacken open air, and i am currently thinking about using my transformer as an external battery for my iphone. It should at least be able to charge my phone for two more times, so i can use 3g and the cam the whole festival long instead of killing those features for sqeazing out the battery up to 4 days.
I tried charging it at home, but at the moment the display turns off, the Iphone stops charging.
I could start playing music on the tab to keep it from going into standby, but that feels like cheating
Is there any way to just activate one (or all) usb-ports without turning on the display or even better: without turning on the whole OS?
Thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a suggestion: dump that I-****e and get an android phone with a user replaceable battery....just saying...

I dont know of any method of doing this, but I would be interested in one.

grab a dreamgear 16,000 mah (not a typo) backup battery

keyboard dock issues, are they still around?

Hi guys,
I read about the keyboard isssues the transformer had. Like battery issues, trackpad issues, etc. For some of these issues it has to be send to Asus.
Recently I got one from a mate in the US, and I'm in China, so assume I cannot be helped in China (seriously, its next to impossible to get after market help in China).
So, are there firmware updates that resolve these issues before they become apparent, or do I really need to send it to asus for modification? Or have Asus addressed some of these issues already in the docks? If so, from what S/N onwards is this the case?

the one real issue is the dock prevents the tablet from going into deep sleep. so if you don't have battery issues with the dock, you don't need to modification. this "fix" however requires that you send the dock to asus.
i don't know what other issues you're talking about (you might want to be more specific)...but the only other consistent complaint with the keyboard is the lag when using in stock browser. this is a software issue, and not one with the dock.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

ok, thx. So deep sleep, is this doen automatically? is that the problem, or is it also present when I short-click the power button to switch off the display?
For teh other issues, yes, i think it was related to lag, an inresponsiveness. but if this is in-browser, an dnot a dock issue, then I'm not concerned.

i'm a bit confused what your question is.
if you're asking about how deep sleep works, then yes, the idea behind it is your TF will automatically go into it after a period of non-interaction, or if you press the power button.
unless of course you have an older dock...which prevents that from happening.
if you're asking if the fix is done automatically, no. you have to send the dock to asus because the fix is a hardware installation.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

ok, that answers my question. I always use the power button to switch teh screen off.

I have a problem with my dock : after putting the tablet into sleep with the power button while docked, I close the netbook. As soon as it is closed the screen lightens on (so it's no more sleeping and will undoubtly suck up on battery).
I think I already read a post about someone having the same problem, but I can't find it.

Anyone know what would cause the screen to turn on while folded closed?

A few times now, I've noticed that when I pick up my "closed" transformer (docked and folded closed), that the screen is illuminated! I'm afraid this will cause my battery to drain unknowingly while in transit....
Anyone know what could cause the screen to come on when the TF is docked and folded closed??
Thanks!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Maybe you left an app running that has perimission to turn on the screen?

THanks for the reply... I'll have to look into that. I had assumed that when the transformer is docked and in the closed-up position, that the screen would not be allowed to be turned on regardless (can't think of a reason you'd actually want that).
Sent from my Tran-sformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Isn't that the "wake on keypress" issue that everyone talks about? Powersave mode?
It's supposed to go to sleep and not wake until the TF is opened or the power button is pushed but due to a hardware issue, you can wake the TF by pushing any key.

Upgraded Keyboard Dock now won't charge!

I have a B50 keyboard dock that was older so didn't support the new battery saving mode in newer firmwares. I sent it in to Asus for upgrade and just got it back today.
Upon putting my Transformer on it, it asked to update the firmware, I did it.
The battery saving mode works now, but my keyboard dock won't charge!
I plug it in and the light turns on like it's charging, I use a couple battery widgets and it would say it's charging and 2 seconds later it stops.
I unplug the cable and the keyboard dock light blinks like it would if it's out of juice/very low.
My keyboard dock is stuck at 35%. I took the Transformer off and kept the keyboard dock plugged in for about 2-3 hours, put the Transformer back on it and it still says 35%!
So, is it broken? Do I need to call Asus again? sigh.

Have you tried blowing very hard at the connection port on the Dock?
The slightest bit of dust can effect the current required for a charge.

Hahahahahaha.
I've been tearing down the hell out of my TF and dock. I know the hardware inside out.
There is a small switch in the dock that controls the charging ability of the dock battery. It sits right on the side of where the chip that they replaced is at. It is very easy for them to accidently flip the switch, turning off the ability to charge the dock battery.
You can either RMA it or you can just open it up and flip the switch. Your choice.
Personally, I have no idea why the switch exists at all.

goodintentions said:
Hahahahahaha.
I've been tearing down the hell out of my TF and dock. I know the hardware inside out.
There is a small switch in the dock that controls the charging ability of the dock battery. It sits right on the side of where the chip that they replaced is at. It is very easy for them to accidently flip the switch, turning off the ability to charge the dock battery.
You can either RMA it or you can just open it up and flip the switch. Your choice.
Personally, I have no idea why the switch exists at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm Ok, I'm pretty good at taking things apart, know of a guide to take this apart? I'll try and do it myself. Thanks!

First and foremost, doing this and telling asus about it will void your warranty.
Warning: Failure to follow my instructions right down to the letter will result in your in-laws camping out at your place for a month.
(1) Take out anything that's in your full size sdcard slot. Flip your keyboard upside down so that the keys are facing down.
(2) Gently but surely remove the 2 rubber pads that are the closest to the connection between your TF and the dock.
(3) Under there, you will find 2 small screws. Unscrew them. Please don't lose the screws.
(4) Flip the dock over so that the keys face up towards the sky.
(5) Write me a check for $3000 USD.
(6) Use your right hand and hold down the part where the TF makes the connection. Curl your left fingers into a hook, put it under the dock, and pull up. After the left side of the dock is severed, reverse and do the right side.
(7) Now that both left and right sides are off, continue to lift up the top of the dock until the side towards you loses the connection as well. Be careful not to remove too fast. There are wires connected between the 2 parts.
(8) With the connection point between the TF and dock facing away from you, the switch is a tiny black thing on the side of the left board. Look at the following picture.
(9) Flipping it away from you = on. Flipping it towards you = off.
(10) Write me another check for $5000 USD.
(11) Before you close up completely, plug in to make sure it now charges.
(12) Close up and screw in.
Here is a picture of where the switch is.

Thank You! It works!
And yeah, agreed, what a stupid function that switch is for!
You checks' in the mail!

That was fast.
Added by edit.
People, please spread the word if other people have this problem and I'm not here. This isn't the first time I've seen people complain about this.
In order to replace the chipset to allow powersaving mode, they have to work around the area of that switch. I did similar work around that area, too, and found myself keep flipping it back and forth by accident.

I had a similar experience... I just got my dock back from RMA which fixed the battery drain.
However the dock was returned, completely drained and won't charge (the light indicator on dock blinks orange) but my tablet charges fine.
I was just wondering if this is due to the switch preventing the dock charging?
I've heard that once the dock hits below 3%, it won't charge and I'll have to RMA once again...
I've also checked with dual battery widget and it shows (when my charger is plugged in) the tablet at 100% and dock being N/A (even though it also says its still charging as well)
So yeah was wondering if it was due to the switch?

Stephen289 said:
I had a similar experience... I just got my dock back from RMA which fixed the battery drain.
However the dock was returned, completely drained and won't charge (the light indicator on dock blinks orange) but my tablet charges fine.
I was just wondering if this is due to the switch preventing the dock charging?
I've heard that once the dock hits below 3%, it won't charge and I'll have to RMA once again...
I've also checked with dual battery widget and it shows (when my charger is plugged in) the tablet at 100% and dock being N/A (even though it also says its still charging as well)
So yeah was wondering if it was due to the switch?
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Click to collapse
It probably is the switch.

Goes to show us asus is hiring some really cheap technicians to do the job. I'm ot even an electronic technician. What I do has nothing to do with electronics at all. And by now I know the dock inside and outside intimately.
The least they could do is spend an etra micro second to check the switch before they close it up and send it back to you.

One question. How hard is it to remove the top cover of the dock... I'm trying to but it doesnt seem to budge

Stephen289 said:
One question. How hard is it to remove the top cover of the dock... I'm trying to but it doesnt seem to budge
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was hard until I read goodintentions' directions in his post
"(6) Use your right hand and hold down the part where the TF makes the connection. Curl your left fingers into a hook, put it under the dock, and pull up. After the left side of the dock is severed, reverse and do the right side."

nxt said:
It was hard until I read goodintentions' directions in his post
"(6) Use your right hand and hold down the part where the TF makes the connection. Curl your left fingers into a hook, put it under the dock, and pull up. After the left side of the dock is severed, reverse and do the right side."
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Click to collapse
Yeah, that part is kind of confusing, do i dig my fingers between the gap? Because pulling it up from "under" the dock doesn't make too much sense

Stephen289 said:
Yeah, that part is kind of confusing, do i dig my fingers between the gap? Because pulling it up from "under" the dock doesn't make too much sense
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Click to collapse
yeah put it just underneath the metal side lip/gap and just pull hard.

I RMA'd it second time... when I got it back, the dock was fully charged, plugged the dock into the Transformer and it showed the correct percentages, however as soon as I plugged the charger in, I suddenly get the N/A dock on my dual battery widget and the LED notification light on my dock is solid orange... guess I'll have to try open up the dock myself and see what is wrong with it...

Here is a video I made showing you how to open up the dock.

thank you so much!

This didn't work for me. My battery is stuck at 89% and will not charge or discharge for that matter.

works like a charm!
My dock was recently RMA-ed (battery was completely dead) and upon return it shows 19% charge but will not be charged. flipping the black switch completely solved it!
Cheques are in the mail.

hey guys just wanted to let you know my dock batery sussenly stopped working this morning and flipping this switch off and on again solved my problem so thanks guys

Questions about keyboard dock

i, I bought the keyboard dock for my transformer pad.I have some questions....
I what to know if there is a application to regulate the gestures of touch pad and I want to know if there is a way to stop charges the tab when we put it on the keyboard dock. This charging is good for tablet or it exhausted my battery?

AFAIK no to bothbut there might be something for the oad, I doubt it though.
The tablet will always charge off the dock, this is fine for the tablet. I don't think being constantly drained to 0 and than recharged is good for the battery life, just wikipedia li-ion or w/e it is. So basically, just remember to charge the dock every now and then and youbshoukd be fine.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Spidey01 said:
AFAIK no to bothbut there might be something for the oad, I doubt it though.
The tablet will always charge off the dock, this is fine for the tablet. I don't think being constantly drained to 0 and than recharged is good for the battery life, just wikipedia li-ion or w/e it is. So basically, just remember to charge the dock every now and then and youbshoukd be fine.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
OK, i understand!!Thanks!
Something else, when i put the tab on dock and the screen is off, how i can open the screen??
Only with the power button??

For me it usually unlocks if I dock while locked; you use the power/sleep key.
Two minutes of fiddling you could have done, also shows if I hit the lock key on the dock after hitting power (to turn on the screen), it is possible to unlock without dragging the circle.
I know from past experiments I can click/hold then drag, or click the circle and than click the unlock zone using the touch pad.
Experimentation,science, fun!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk