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I'm so frustrated ... why has this happened again?

Alright, so this was my first post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1943667
And the exact same thing has just happened, again. But its worse this time.
Last time... I was watching a video and unplugged the charging cable (from the TF700 end) and it went black ...and that was IT. As described in the other thread, there was no way I could revive the unit at all, and I do believe something had shorted out - the charging light (which usually is orange while charging) wouldn't light at all. Tried all the usual tricks. No go. Returned to point of purchase and received a new unit.
10 minutes ago... same bloody thing, with the exception being, I wasn't watching a video. It was probably at about 50-60% charged if I were to guess, and it was just beside me. Took the charging cable out and walked away and of course, the screen wont turn on... COME ON! Yeah, same thing. Go back and plug it in. No orange light anymore. Reset pin: nothing. Hold down power button: nothing. No access from PC. DEAD AGAIN.
Here's why its worse this time:
1) I'm passed the 30-day return period with retail vendor.
2) I unlocked it (last weekend), and you guys know the story on this one (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1965214). I basically had to click a checkbox acknowledging me flushing my warranty down the toilet. I'm from Canada, so a squaretrade warranty (which I would have done), was not an option.
Why did I unlock it? Because since upgrading to JB, the I/O issues have been ridiculous, making it quite unusable... and I wanted to give CleanRom a try, and I did, and it was just great. It was running so freaking well at this point. I literally had just got everything the way wanted it after making the exchange not too long ago and was so happy with it.
So, yeah, why would this happen to me again? We're talking a different unit, a different charging cable /power adapter, hell... a different wall socket. Same scenario though... remove cable and BAM. I'm so frustrated at this, especially since it seems I may be out a hard earned $500 if Asus says no warranty you unlocked it. My only speculation is this. The charging port in these units has been a bit "loose". By that I mean... there's a bit of a wiggle factor when he cable is connected. I recall thinking that that's not good for long term reliability. I believe when I pulled it out, it was not a completely straight-out pull (ie: a bit of one side first). Could this possibly have anything to do with it? Could there be some design flaw to allow a short in this instance? I've not heard of any similar stories though.
Seriously pissed.
EDIT: for clarity... had the 1st one for 21 days, and the second one for 17 days.

Don't suppose you remember the exact serial numbers of both units? There could be a fault in the production line.
It sounds suspiciously like a power spike issue from the electricity net. Even if you shorted out the adapter plug, it shouldn't kill the whole device. However a power surge could fry the entire unit.
Couple of years ago we had issues with the power company, they were sending unstable voltage through the net. Ever so often it would spike, frying anything connected that wasn't behind or included a power equalizer.
You can still send it back to Asus when it's unlocked, they'll just charge you for it. I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but here in Europe the store has to offer you a mandatory 2 year warranty that means they have to take the device back when the hardware mysteriously dies. (with the exclusion of things such as water damage, drop damage and other user-induced damages.)

Yes, I would have the serial numbers... I believe they are noted on my receipts.
I don't think it's a power spike issue. The reason why is that the issue happened right after unplugging for some reason, and both times were protected by (two different) high quality surge protectors, and also I have a lot of other electronics in my place... Nothing else effected (not have it had any similar problems).
Well I guess it goes back to Asus. We don't have that mandated in store warranty here. To tell you the truth, now I'd rather just not have it now, as this has been frustrating.
ShadowLea said:
Don't suppose you remember the exact serial numbers of both units? There could be a fault in the production line.
It sounds suspiciously like a power spike issue from the electricity net. Even if you shorted out the adapter plug, it shouldn't kill the whole device. However a power surge could fry the entire unit.
Couple of years ago we had issues with the power company, they were sending unstable voltage through the net. Ever so often it would spike, frying anything connected that wasn't behind or included a power equalizer.
You can still send it back to Asus when it's unlocked, they'll just charge you for it. I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but here in Europe the store has to offer you a mandatory 2 year warranty that means they have to take the device back when the hardware mysteriously dies. (with the exclusion of things such as water damage, drop damage and other user-induced damages.)
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Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2

Does it make any noise if you plug in the power/usb cord back into the unit? Every once in a while, too often to my liking, my unit's display won't wake. Sometimes after hitting power button and touching the screen it does. Half the time, I have to just hold the power button till it reboots, which is something like sixty seconds.

nearlydigital said:
EDIT: for clarity... had the 1st one for 21 days, and the second one for 17 days.
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I thought you passed the 30 day window on the second one? But if your unlocked and they know then your screwed. Knowing Asus quality control issue, I would not do anything to break warranty unless I had an aftermarket Accidental warranty such as squaretrade or something similar. But then again, you should have known all of these risks before unlocking and accepted all the consequences good or bad. Now your options are:
1. Play dumb and go back to the store and say that Im on day 17 and my tablet suddenly stopped working and pray they dont tell you to send it to asus for a warranty fix and just give you a new one or even better your money back
2. Send it to Asus, pray they forgive you and fix it for free and make your tablet unlockable or give you the estimate on the damage since they know your tablet is out of warranty.

I worked in electronics\electrical repair for around 34 years...
This sure sounds like an ESD spike problem.
Or ungrounded-improperly grounded house wiring.

lovekeiiy said:
Does it make any noise if you plug in the power/usb cord back into the unit? Every once in a while, too often to my liking, my unit's display won't wake. Sometimes after hitting power button and touching the screen it does. Half the time, I have to just hold the power button till it reboots, which is something like sixty seconds.
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No, it is dead dead.
junrider said:
I thought you passed the 30 day window on the second one? But if your unlocked and they know then your screwed. Knowing Asus quality control issue, I would not do anything to break warranty unless I had an aftermarket Accidental warranty such as squaretrade or something similar. But then again, you should have known all of these risks before unlocking and accepted all the consequences good or bad. Now your options are:
1. Play dumb and go back to the store and say that Im on day 17 and my tablet suddenly stopped working and pray they dont tell you to send it to asus for a warranty fix and just give you a new one or even better your money back
2. Send it to Asus, pray they forgive you and fix it for free and make your tablet unlockable or give you the estimate on the damage since they know your tablet is out of warranty.
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Click to collapse
No, not past the 30 day window on the second one, but the vendor is not very forgiving on warranty related stuff like this. I think they will follow procedure to the letter. It will have to back to asus, or in the garbage. I have no idea how much it will cost to fix. PS - I definately did look at the squaretrade warranty before doing this but they would NOT offer me coverage (in Canada) on a unit I had already purchased (only from select vendors on their list that you purchase through with their warranty).
Thats OK said:
I worked in electronics\electrical repair for around 34 years...
This sure sounds like an ESD spike problem.
Or ungrounded-improperly grounded house wiring.
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Well I'm in pretty modern loft and I think the electrical is probably fine (and I've had no other problems with my electronics, and was using surge protector -- not that that's a failsafe solution), but yeah, I'm very quite certain that it has to do with a shorting in the or ESD in the charge connector socket... and I specifically noticed the connector came out a bit sideways both times it happened (ie: not straight out - one side out a bit first). I'm pretty sure there's a design flaw here and that there's some way that he pins are shorting?? Interestingly, I found this guy's post here that has seemed to have experienced the same thing as me - TODAY, it seems:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=33857988&postcount=2071

Where did you buy it from?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
---------- Post added at 09:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 AM ----------
mike216 said:
Where did you buy it from?
I like my tablet but have read to many of these post. This will be my last experience with Asus for a couple years until the put far more priority on stability respect.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
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Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

nearlydigital said:
Alright, so this was my first post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1943667
...unplugged the charging cable (from the TF700 end) and it went black ...and that was IT.
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I read your post two days ago and thought 'unlucky', and went about my life. Then it happened to me last night! Took it off the charger, boom, that was it. This my fourth tablet in 2012 (two Primes, two Infinities), and if I manage to get a refund on this (past my 30 days) then I'll never be going back to Asus. I've tried and tried, and gave them another chance after I got a refund for my always-half-broken Prime, but that's it. Experiment over. Either Nexus 10 or Chromebook for me next.

Yeah, I agree, unfortunately. Call it bad luck perhaps but with this round of failures and my Asus U36JC notebook that lasted 4-days (the replacement has lasted me a 1.5 yrs)... I just don't think I can do it again, as much as I like the brand. These have been my first and only two Asus purchases. Comparatively speaking, I've simply just not had this rate of failure with other [supposedly lesser quality] manufacturers...
Nothijngrad said:
I read your post two days ago and thought 'unlucky', and went about my life. Then it happened to me last night! Took it off the charger, boom, that was it. This my fourth tablet in 2012 (two Primes, two Infinities), and if I manage to get a refund on this (past my 30 days) then I'll never be going back to Asus. I've tried and tried, and gave them another chance after I got a refund for my always-half-broken Prime, but that's it. Experiment over. Either Nexus 10 or Chromebook for me next.
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nearlydigital said:
Yeah, I agree, unfortunately. Call it bad luck perhaps but with this round of failures and my Asus U36JC notebook that lasted 4-days (the replacement has lasted me a 1.5 yrs)... I just don't think I can do it again, as much as I like the brand. These have been my first and only two Asus purchases. Comparatively speaking, I've simply just not had this rate of failure with other [supposedly lesser quality] manufacturers...
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Ah - I've been told RMA is the only way. They must be cracking down on philanthropy after so many people got refunds on their Primes. As my Infinity is bricked AND the buttons barely work, there's a good chance I'll get a new device one hopes.
Sorry about your situation, but yeah, there are so many device manufacturers out there, would be silly not to 'punish' Asus by sticking with them. Mind you, when it comes to 10 inch Android tablets, there's no a lot to choose from.

I had the exact same thing, within 30 days and simply called my seller Amazon and they said and it back for a refund. I THINK I remember seeing the unlocking only voiding warranty fit software issues, not compete hardware failure... maybe with a check?
Sent from my Xperia S using XDA Premium HD app

[Q] USB charging port

First, I bought this device the day it came out on ATT. I love it, but I do not know if is a malfunction of my phone or all of them are the same. When I try to connect the USB cable it gives me a really hard time cause is like if something is blocking the port. I have tried with different cables, but all of them give me the same result. I have to push really hard to get it connected and I think is something that should not happen, I want to know if you guys have the same problem or if this is something happening just to me. Thanks. :fingers-crossed:

When inserting your cord tilt it down after you first insert it. Takes a bit getting used too, but it's smoother that way. Mine does that as well.
Sent from my G3 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

same issue with my (T-Mobile)
wilberatilioa said:
First, I bought this device the day it came out on ATT. I love it, but I do not know if is a malfunction of my phone or all of them are the same. When I try to connect the USB cable it gives me a really hard time cause is like if something is blocking the port. I have tried with different cables, but all of them give me the same result. I have to push really hard to get it connected and I think is something that should not happen, I want to know if you guys have the same problem or if this is something happening just to me. Thanks. :fingers-crossed:
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I'm glad you posted this as I picked my last Wednesday from T-Mobile store. Everything works great on the phone , the only issue is plugging the charging cable in. I tried my other chargers as well but same with all of.them. trick is to tilt downward and it goes in. I don't know if I should exchange for a new one?

Same here. I don't think it's a big deal. Just gotta angle it a bit
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

It's that way for everyone. Once you've done it a couple times, you'll start doing it without thinking.

Dustin.Dwayne said:
When inserting your cord tilt it down after you first insert it. Takes a bit getting used too, but it's smoother that way. Mine does that as well.
Sent from my G3 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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It works, too bad I waited too long to ask because I have a couple of scratches now

wilberatilioa said:
It works, too bad I waited too long to ask because I have a couple of scratches now
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Yeah, same here. Though I have noticed that the micro USB connector on the stock cable features a couple of extra "hooks" that my other chargers don't have.
My old charger connector goes into the G3 a lot more effortlessly. However, when using that non-LG charger, the phone buzzes randomly for the first few minutes after being plugged in. Sounds like I'm getting a notification, but there's nothing showing. Bugged me to no end, so now I'm back to the new LG charger. I may try to just swap out the cable and see what happens.

joe23521 said:
Yeah, same here. Though I have noticed that the micro USB connector on the stock cable features a couple of extra "hooks" that my other chargers don't have.
My old charger connector goes into the G3 a lot more effortlessly. However, when using that non-LG charger, the phone buzzes randomly for the first few minutes after being plugged in. Sounds like I'm getting a notification, but there's nothing showing. Bugged me to no end, so now I'm back to the new LG charger. I may try to just swap out the cable and see what happens.
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Yeah there's something up with other Micro USB cables.. My car charger causes the phone to do this exact same thing.

Mine does the exact same thing. One thing I did notice is the charger seems to fit better and be more snug, making it less likely for charging issues to occur like the cord coming out. Im still getting used to the way to plug it in, but i like it a lot more. I constantly had the cord being loose or having to be in a certain position on my HTC One X+. Glad to know mine isnt the only one that way. :good:

Any new updates on this? My still needs to be tilted in order to get in. I don't think this will change?
Sent from my LG G3

Sini-Siki said:
Any new updates on this? My still needs to be tilted in order to get in. I don't think this will change?
Sent from my LG G3
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Both of my G3s do this. I had a F400S (Korean model) and it was the same way. Its most likely how it was designed.
Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Even i had the same problem. First i thought i got a phone with malfunctioned usb port, then i found that i have to use a different angle to push the cable in.

it makes it more secure, you're less likely to break it this way... it's not a bad thing

my new tMobile G3 is doing the same freak'n thing.
the phone itself is [email protected]$$ but the port is def. a manufacturer defect.
I don't know where every one is getting this, "more secure" b.s.
It's not more secure and it may very well snap that small extension in half after some time if we're not careful enough.

1miracle2 said:
my new tMobile G3 is doing the same freak'n thing.
the phone itself is [email protected]$$ but the port is def. a manufacturer defect.
I don't know where every one is getting this, "more secure" b.s.
It's not more secure and it may very well snap that small extension in half after some time if we're not careful enough.
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Click to collapse
I think the idea is to give the port a little more flex. there are a lot of returns on phones is the usb port coming loose, and causing improper charging, i think it was an attempt to fix a problem... and your right only time will tell if its worthy fix or just BS... lol

Glad that I found this dedicated thread
I think the fix is way worse than the problem? Now I have to teach my wife.

thank you sharing your experiences
I got a D851 (G3 T-Mobile model) from ebay. I kept thinking it's the cable I used. I don't have this issue on other devices.
I am so glad you sharing all the info here. I was thinking about exchanging it after trying different cables and all does the same.
Thank you guys sharing your experiences here. :good: :highfive: :victory:
Best, J

Dead Nexus: Color Noise Screen

My nexus was working fine, I received a call, answer it, after the call my nexus screen was unresponsive. After that the screen only shows a colored noise.
I thought it was the screen, but I replaced with a broken glass (working) screen a it have the same symptom. The problem seems to be a hardware one, I hard reset it, disconnect everything, replaced the usb board, but it looks is the main board the problem or (2 bad screens?)
Does anyone have seen this?
I attached a pic of the problem.

I would definitely say its a problem are you on stock are you rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Pretty sure it's the display ribbon port or cable. I've seen this a few times in the last couple of months.

spinninbsod said:
I would definitely say its a problem are you on stock are you rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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I'm rooted on android L, but it doesn't seem to be software because as soon as I turn on the phone it shows the noise instead of the Google logo and android animation
Sandman-007 said:
Pretty sure it's the display ribbon port or cable. I've seen this a few times in the last couple of months.
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What you call the display ribbon? The one that connect to the usb board on the bottom of the battery? Can it be replaced?

2fastkuztoms said:
I'm rooted on android L, but it doesn't seem to be software because as soon as I turn on the phone it shows the noise instead of the Google logo and android animation
What you call the display ribbon? The one that connect to the usb board on the bottom of the battery? Can it be replaced?
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No the ribbon cable from the motherboard to the LCD. Yes it can be replaced.

Either the screen or flex cable. In extremely rare cases it could even be the motherboard.

Lethargy said:
Either the screen or flex cable. In extremely rare cases it could even be the motherboard.
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I suspect a bad ground or something related with the cable. When I touch the cable the screen start working. Ordered the flex cable, let see if it fix it, i let you know.

2fastkuztoms said:
I suspect a bad ground or something related with the cable. When I touch the cable the screen start working. Ordered the flex cable, let see if it fix it, i let you know.
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I've actually seen this happen when a device overheats (I'm looking at you Droid Razr >.>)
Custom Kernels sometimes have this issue as well.
However, if it's constant, a hardware issue is more likely, I'm just giving out a possible idea.

Beauenheim said:
I've actually seen this happen when a device overheats (I'm looking at you Droid Razr >.>)
Custom Kernels sometimes have this issue as well.
However, if it's constant, a hardware issue is more likely, I'm just giving out a possible idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About 5 or so people have had such issue. None were because of custom kernels (and I don't think overheating either). Either a replacement screen or flex cable fixed it for them. Hardware issue, happens.

Thanks to all.
Todays update:
The flex cable arrived today, installed it, assembled the rest of the phone and bingo! Phone is working fine!!!
Happy again with my nexus, i was almost convinced to jump to the g3 but I really love my red nexus.

I had the same issue reported here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/hbo-screen-death-t2811070
FlexCable was broken
Cheers
Tom

[Q] nexus 5 colorful dots all over screen... PLEASE HELP!?!?!?

Hello, I am a newbie on this forum.. I have been having issues with my Nexus 5 and was wondering if yall could help me figure out what is going on.
When I turn my Nexus 5 on sometimes the display comes on and sometimes it doesn't. When it does come on, all I get is a screen full of dots. Tiny little dots covering the entire screen. It also doesn't usually go into fastboot mode, but it has twice in what seems like 100 million times trying since this happened. I just replaced the display as it was shattered from a drop, I thought that could be the issue but that didn't help.. So maybe the gpu? I don't know... I'm much more familiar with desktops than phones.. So please help, I'll do anything at this point, even if it takes forever.

Pull it apart again and check all connections.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

In order from most likely to least likely, as well as cheapest repair to most expensive:
- Flex cable
- Screen
- Motherboard
A lot of people have had such issue and it's mostly been the flex cable.

Lethargy said:
In order from most likely to least likely, as well as cheapest repair to most expensive:
- Flex cable
- Screen
- Motherboard
A lot of people have had such issue and it's mostly been the flex cable.
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Click to collapse
Thank you so much, I hadn't even thought about that. I will get back to you after I order a flex cable. hope you're right. thanks again.

Nothing has changed. I got a new flex cable and the exact same thing is happening. What do I do now?

dvandevelde1 said:
Nothing has changed. I got a new flex cable and the exact same thing is happening. What do I do now?
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Then its the screen or motherboard. I would just send it in to LG for repair rather than guessing between the two and possibly wasting money.

water damaged, too late to fix?

My Nexus 5 fell in a lake months a go. I opened it up, cleaned it with 70% alcohol but nothing changed, not even charging. Left it for some more months. Ordered a new battery and getting 90% alcohol soon. Is too late to re-do the process?

Is probably too late. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind residue that corrodes the internal components.

audit13 said:
Is probably too late. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind residue that corrodes the internal components.
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Here are pics of the internals. I've used a soft toothbrush and 91% alcohol to clean them. Let them dry. Used the original to charge, nothing. Replaced the battery with a new one, nothing also.
Any other ideas?
Time to replace motherboard?

Hard to say for sure but it is probably the motherboard.

audit13 said:
Hard to say for sure but it is probably the motherboard.
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Click to collapse
OK, I'll get one off AliExpress, the original was 16gb, would it matter if I opt for a 32gb motherboard?

Go for 32 if it's not much more.
It's still possible that something else is damaged.

audit13 said:
Go for 32 if it's not much more.
It's still possible that something else is damaged.
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but from the pics, nothing look corroded?

I understand that everything looks fine but something must be wrong since it doesn't boot.
At this point, it may be better to get another phone?
It could also be a problem with the screen.

audit13 said:
I understand that everything looks fine but something must be wrong since it doesn't boot.
At this point, it may be better to get another phone?
It could also be a problem with the screen.
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I really like the form factor.

I like the form factor too but it could be the motherboard, screen, and even the usb flex cable.
Maybe try and find a cheap used Nexus 5 to replace your phone?

audit13 said:
I like the form factor too but it could be the motherboard, screen, and even the usb flex cable.
Maybe try and find a cheap used Nexus 5 to replace your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what i'm going to do. Curious, do you still use the nexus 5 till this day?

I have a Nexus 5 but it needs a power button replacement.
My current phone is an iPhone 6s.