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Damsel in Distress - USB Port is loose!

Hi all,
The mini USB port for charging and connecting to PC has come loose on my Tornado (i-mate SP5)... I don't really know how it happened (possible jolting in my pocket while running?) but now the thing can't charge or connect or anything. It seems the actual USB casing has come loose and the things inside can't make a connection to charge - err, I don't have the best technical jargon, please bear with me
Ever since I upgraded to 6.1 my Tornado has been my best friend. I'm loathe to buy a new phone (after all the blood, sweat and tears that went into upgrading) so I was wondering if anyone knows how to fix this problem... I could easily take it to a repair shop (I guess), only I'm in a foreign country that doesn't make HTC and the coffers are low... I've managed to take the thing apart to an extent (struggling with the last two screws under the battery compartment), but does anyone know whether taking it apart will actually allow access to the USB area so I can try to fix it?
Please help me if you can!
Thanks,
Jessica

Well there is always a knight in shining armor to help D I D
Any ways , i had the same problem too, while connected with cable my phone dropped and USB port became loose, if you have managed to open the casing and pull apart (clipped togather) both plastic front and back than you can see the board and the usb jack. Mine was completely soldered off . I opened the set completely and soldered it back. ( Added benifit i cleaned dust particles of LCD Screen) OR you can take it to any mobile repair shop where they will be happy to charge you and repair the mobile.

mangosavage said:
Hi all,
The mini USB port for charging and connecting to PC has come loose on my Tornado (i-mate SP5)... I don't really know how it happened (possible jolting in my pocket while running?) but now the thing can't charge or connect or anything. It seems the actual USB casing has come loose and the things inside can't make a connection to charge - err, I don't have the best technical jargon, please bear with me
Ever since I upgraded to 6.1 my Tornado has been my best friend. I'm loathe to buy a new phone (after all the blood, sweat and tears that went into upgrading) so I was wondering if anyone knows how to fix this problem... I could easily take it to a repair shop (I guess), only I'm in a foreign country that doesn't make HTC and the coffers are low... I've managed to take the thing apart to an extent (struggling with the last two screws under the battery compartment), but does anyone know whether taking it apart will actually allow access to the USB area so I can try to fix it?
Please help me if you can!
Thanks,
Jessica
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a guide
It'll take a little wiggling around with a Credit Card or similar thin hard plastic to split apart the covers(See #6 on the tutorial, don't use a screwdriver or nothing metal), but be patient. It'll split. First time I opened mine, I was scared to death, now I do it just to kill bordness. Beware of a little connector between the motherboard and the keyboard plate(#7 on the tutorial). Just pry it off gently and when assembling back, make sure you push it back firmly into place. Feel free to message back if u need help.

for my usb problem (the same symptoms) - HR was a solution...

redred said:
for my usb problem (the same symptoms) - HR was a solution...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You had a broken Mini-USB port and you solve the problem by Hard Restting your device? ummm Don't think so mate. A little soldering might help ;->

ok I do not read all post...

thanks very much
now all i need to get hold of is that T5 screwdriver... i hope i can fix the USB port without needing to solder it...
thanks again guys, i'll let you know if it works...

mangosavage said:
thanks very much
now all i need to get hold of is that T5 screwdriver... i hope i can fix the USB port without needing to solder it...
thanks again guys, i'll let you know if it works...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most likely you will need soldering. Take the phone with you to Sears. They have the screwdriver. But I believe it isn't a T5, I think its a T6. You can go to any electronics shop and have them do the soldering. Shouldn't cost you more than a $5.00 tip.

Thanks i never knew this guide existed i worked on unproven grounds scratched my phone a bit , thanks any knowledge is always welcome.

Soldering...
Um, don't solder this yourself without a heat sink. I melted the entire USB assembly when I tried earlier this year, so now that phone can only be charged by removing the battery to charge (which is ok for a backup phone) but I can never update the OS again (which is not).

kkrull said:
Um, don't solder this yourself without a heat sink. I melted the entire USB assembly when I tried earlier this year, so now that phone can only be charged by removing the battery to charge (which is ok for a backup phone) but I can never update the OS again (which is not).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still update the OS by copying the OS file to a miniSD card and change file name to TORNIMG.nbh and boot the phone holding camera button for bootloader and follow instructions.

well, finally got round to soldering, i hope it works...
gents, thanks for your help and i guess i'll be posting here in a few minutes when the damned thing still doesn't work

I used circuit board glue with partial success
I had the same problem with my Tornado. I tried soldering, but the soldering iron I used is old, and the tip was too big to be precise enough to get the job done properly. Or I just suck at soldering. Not sure, but anyways, I ended up using some fast-acting circuit board adhesive from Radio Shack. The phone will charge now, but will not connect to my PC via USB. For now, it's fine, as I already had upgraded to WM6.1, and haven't needed to do any further OS upgrades, and I don't really need to do any email or contact synchs via USB, but it's still kindof annoying. Also, my speaker seems a little static-y and muffled since the attempted soldering. I think I might've damaged a circuit that relates to the earpiece somehow. I guess the moral of my story is be careful when soldering if you don't really know what you're doing. Not that it isn't common sense already...

unlocksmith said:
You can still update the OS by copying the OS file to a miniSD card and change file name to TORNIMG.nbh and boot the phone holding camera button for bootloader and follow instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so. I have tried naming the file TORMING.nbf and TORMING.nbh on multiple Tornado devices, with multiple miniSD cards, with and without SIM cards, in various states of registry unlock, and superCID unlock. I can't make the phone's bootloader do anything unusual. If you want to give me specific steps I am happy to try again.

yes, kkrull is right. I also tried but not working. I think it is not that easy.

Want your opinion on this phone black screen issue (see picture)...

My wife's phone got water damaged a few days ago and I took it apart and removed as much water as possible and put it in a bowl of rice to set.
I finally tried turning it on today and it seems to work fine (I think, syncs etc.) except that the screen does not power on. I can see the backlights when I look at it from an angle so it appears to receive power of some kind.
I took it apart further to see if I could see anything and I found that on the display cable there is a black area which looks like it is damaged/burnt on the cable. There was also a little bit of black on the connector but I believe I got most of that cleaned off, but the area on the cable does not seem to be able to be cleaned.
I don't really know anything about electronics or parts of a phone and was wondering if anyone that did could suggest what my next steps would be to restore the phone/screen to operational condition? Part replacement etc.
Thank you.

It sounds like the chip connected to that cable got fried, hence the burnt spots.
Sent from my X10 using XDA App

kindred7 said:
It sounds like the chip connected to that cable got fried, hence the burnt spots.
Sent from my X10 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the case I'm assuming there isn't much I can do? I don't want to solder anything but could can replace anything that just snaps in.
Thanks.

tripleoptic said:
If that's the case I'm assuming there isn't much I can do? I don't want to solder anything but could can replace anything that just snaps in.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump for last ditch effort to get some opinions before giving up.

[Q] Camera crashes after replacing digitiser, anyone had this?

Ok so I replaced my own digitiser to save £100 at the repair shop.
All went ok and the phone works fine now apart from the camera - which crashes every time I open it. Same result with any app, one app said it couldn't connect to the camera and then closed, so I guess I've done something to it.
All looks ok, no loose connections, but camera still fails. Any ideas?

Had this with my legend mine turned out to be a connection on the actual camera shorting out,Check all the pins around the camera pod for damage

bonesy said:
Had this with my legend mine turned out to be a connection on the actual camera shorting out,Check all the pins around the camera pod for damage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah checked and all seem ok, but the camera is still borked so it's gotta be something like that.
I'll open her up again for another check, just hope I can fix it. Mightily annoying having no camera.
Oh well

Also check to see that no wires get crimped or smashed down when you put everything back together. I replaced a friend's iPhone digitizer and had something pretty similar happen. The connection was there but stuff wasn't working right. Took it apart and saw wires were sort of smashed so was more careful the next time. No wires were damaged or anything and after doing it again everything worked perfectly and still does.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

e4e5nf3nc6 said:
Also check to see that no wires get crimped or smashed down when you put everything back together. I replaced a friend's iPhone digitizer and had something pretty similar happen. The connection was there but stuff wasn't working right. Took it apart and saw wires were sort of smashed so was more careful the next time. No wires were damaged or anything and after doing it again everything worked perfectly and still does.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good tip thanks, will try that tonight.

Hi all, can confirm the same problem, on the same phone, and the same sort of solution, thanks to your suggestions.
It came down to the black lock block on the ribbon connector being askew. Very fiddly to put back but now the camera works....Hmmm better check the front camera now.....

Screen Problem

Hi,
My phone has a problem, i hope someone can help me, it started about a month ago,
When i slide the keyboard the screen would freeze, the image would freeze or sometimes it would become like this:
http://www.esato.com/board/img.php?id=140762 ( this is not my phone its just a pic i found)
This problem would be solved it i gently slide the keyboard back in, the screen would be back to normal, sometimes i had to slide it out and it
alot of time to make it work.
Well, today i woke up, with the screen of my phone all messed up ( like in the picture), i slide it out and in alot of times but no luck.
I turned my phone off, when i turned it on, the screen doesnt lighted up or showed something, the phone just vibrates, i took off the battery and tried again but no luck.
I read somewhere that i could be the flex cable, so i ordered one, but its gonna take some time to arrive.
Anyone had this problem before that can help me?

I didn't encounter such problems on MT4GS yet. But being a slider phone enthusiast I could 100% say it's a flex cable thing since I encountered that problem more than a dozen times already on other phones(nokia).

Riyal said:
I didn't encounter such problems on MT4GS yet. But being a slider phone enthusiast I could 100% say it's a flex cable thing since I encountered that problem more than a dozen times already on other phones(nokia).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info , when my new flex cable arrive i'll let everybody know what was the problem.

ShadyGame said:
Thanks for the info , when my new flex cable arrive i'll let everybody know what was the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would strongly recommend that you get a cable with the speaker already soldered in place....

+1 to that, get as much pre assembled as possible, this is about the most pain in the butt phone I've ever had the pleasure to disassemble. Read the last few posts here!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35109055
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

GoPadge said:
I would strongly recommend that you get a cable with the speaker already soldered in place....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this one okay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121037327256?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

ShadyGame said:
is this one okay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121037327256?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. That one has the speaker, it's the black bar at the top with the silver sticker.

GoPadge said:
Yup. That one has the speaker, it's the black bar at the top with the silver sticker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, that the one i ordered, thanks for your help, ill report later how everything went when i receive the flex cable

I know this thread is from quite a while ago, but how did everything go? I'm having a similar issue.

GoPadge said:
I would strongly recommend that you get a cable with the speaker already soldered in place....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this bit of advice.

Disassembling the front of the phone is a pain. I'm a fan of spending $40 on ebay on a broken phone (where the screen still works just fine) and swapping out the fronts. That will get you a new flex cable as well. Otherwise, you risk having to get a new flex cable *and* a new LCD.

Agreed. First time disassembling front I was scared not to OVERheat phone internals. I ripped in half trackpad ribbon, damaged lcd back cover and got a lot of problems from it.
Then I bought broken phone with good front, but dead LCD. Second time I just lost it, I heated phone so hard that I got burns on my fingers, but it was worth it, LCD glue came off soo nice.
So better to overheat, then underheat when disassembling front LCD.

[Q] Help my power button is sticking or broken

My power button is sticking or broken. When ever I use it to close the screen It stays stuck and asks me to reboot or just flashed. Is there any way to fix this? Can I order an new button and put it in?
Thanks for any help!

makos101 said:
My power button is sticking or broken. When ever I use it to close the screen It stays stuck and asks me to reboot or just flashed. Is there any way to fix this? Can I order an new button and put it in?
Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a permanent fix would be buying a button from Ebay for a few bucks and replace it.

buhohitr said:
Yes a permanent fix would be buying a button from Ebay for a few bucks and replace it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know how much I need to tear my phone apart to replace the button?

makos101 said:
Do you know how much I need to tear my phone apart to replace the button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You to decide. Watch the video "how to" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSkitHM1g4U

buhohitr said:
You to decide. Watch the video "how to" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSkitHM1g4U
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I hope its just my button and not anything internal with the phone.

makos101 said:
Thank you. I hope its just my button and not anything internal with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bad power button is a well known issue with GS3.
Here is a temporary fix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSLZFmhmBlc

buhohitr said:
Bad power button is a well known issue with GS3.
Here is a temporary fix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSLZFmhmBlc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the new button in and put it in and nothing changes. I took the button out completely and it disengaged the power button completely. So it must be the internal mechanism. Any advice on how I can fix that?
Thanks

makos101 said:
I got the new button in and put it in and nothing changes. I took the button out completely and it disengaged the power button completely. So it must be the internal mechanism. Any advice on how I can fix that?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check the continuity with the new button? You bought the button that required to solder to the main board right? not just the power button cover!
Here is link to check continuity and replacing the power button: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWbahqYdtaI
Here is link for the power button http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Power-Vol...e_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item1c3791297d

buhohitr said:
Did you check the continuity with the new button? You bought the button that required to solder to the main board right? not just the power button cover!
Here is link to check continuity and replacing the power button: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWbahqYdtaI
Here is link for the power button http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Power-Vol...e_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item1c3791297d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the plastic button .
Ill order this i hope i dont mess up my phone bad doing this.
Thanks so much for the help.

makos101 said:
I got the plastic button .
Ill order this i hope i dont mess up my phone bad doing this.
Thanks so much for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
deleted..

I just ripped my power button from the motherboard and use apps to turn my screen off and reboot.

ThePagel said:
I just ripped my power button from the motherboard and use apps to turn my screen off and reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could do that also. I have to wait for the summer my two year agreement and hopefully the gs5. Is it worth waiting?

buhohitr said:
Yes a permanent fix would be buying a button from Ebay for a few bucks and replace it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i pulled the old button off and soldered the new one on and now it doesnt work at all.
Any other suggestions? I tried to put the little pins in the motherboard. I held it there and soldered it on.
Thanks

makos101 said:
So i pulled the old button off and soldered the new one on and now it doesnt work at all.
Any other suggestions? I tried to put the little pins in the motherboard. I held it there and soldered it on.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assumed that you soldered the button correctly, I would use an ohm meter to test the continuity when the button is pressed and released, just to verify that the button is good and make sure all solder joints are good. If all the above checked out, then the last thing is replace the main board, shop on Ebay for a clean ESN board (price range from 80-90$. I don't know if you want to go all the way or just use xposed app to by pass the button and wait to buy a new one?

makos101 said:
My power button is sticking or broken. When ever I use it to close the screen It stays stuck and asks me to reboot or just flashed. Is there any way to fix this? Can I order an new button and put it in?
Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You better buy a new one....

buhohitr said:
I assumed that you soldered the button correctly, I would use an ohm meter to test the continuity when the button is pressed and released, just to verify that the button is good and make sure all solder joints are good. If all the above checked out, then the last thing is replace the main board, shop on Ebay for a clean ESN board (price range from 80-90$. I don't know if you want to go all the way or just use xposed app to by pass the button and wait to buy a new one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain to me what soldering it correctly means? held it to the motherboard with a clip so that the prongs were close to or in the holes and i soldered the back side.
Thanks

makos101 said:
Could you explain to me what soldering it correctly means? held it to the motherboard with a clip so that the prongs were close to or in the holes and i soldered the back side.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually, after soldering, you need to verify continuity, sometime you may experiencing cold solder joints, where the lead is there but no contact. The board is coated, so you need to sand down the contact so that when you applied the lead, it will make contact.

buhohitr said:
Usually, after soldering, you need to verify continuity, sometime you may experiencing cold solder joints, where the lead is there but no contact. The board is coated, so you need to sand down the contact so that when you applied the lead, it will make contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try again tomorrow. I just don't know how I can get the two little prongs under that button soldered into the little holes on the motherboard. Any suggestions? Would liquid solder work?

buhohitr said:
Usually, after soldering, you need to verify continuity, sometime you may experiencing cold solder joints, where the lead is there but no contact. The board is coated, so you need to sand down the contact so that when you applied the lead, it will make contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I think i messed something up resoldering it. Now it wont turn on at all. I talked to verizon and they are sending me a new one (for free). What is the best way for me to reformat my phone if it wont turn on.
And
Should i leave the button unsoldered inside the phone. or attempt to resolder it back on so its just there?
I dont want to be charged for tampering with the inside of the phone.
Thanks

Resolder the button back on and send back the dead phone. I'm not worry about the software but messing around with hardware is more concerns.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk