Trying to give new life to a friend's Kindle fire, but it seems to have a weird problem and she has no idea why. I've looked through the forums and I have found several posts that are close, but not the same (and the solutions won't work either) because the KF will just shut down the minute a cable is plugged in.
Here's the array of responses for the various attempts:
The device will charge if it is plugged in (USB cable and AC charger) but no light comes on at all under any circumstance. And it will shut down when plugged in to charge, and will not power up if on the charger. If it is just powering up and you plug it into the charger, the light stays on for a few seconds and the first screen that just says "Kindle Fire" shows up, then it shuts down.
The device will boot if no USB cable is inserted. The device will shut down when you insert a USB cable. The device will not boot with the cable plugged in (AC adapter or computer) and the power button never goes green. With a usb cable plugged into a computer, the computer will not recognize the device (and it shuts down immediately upon the cable being plugged in to the Kindle.) Also, if you just power it up, then plug it into the computer (just like with the power supply above) the light stays on for a few seconds and the first screen that just says "Kindle Fire" shows up, then it shuts down.
When I received it, I noticed that the case had been opened (or at least pried on.) Also, the USB connector was loose. I removed the board, re-soldered the connector (it appears to be intact now, but the connections are TINY so there is a limit to what I'm sure of) and reinstalled the board. Behaves the same way. I performed a 'power button' reset to the device and there was no change. I performed a factory reset and there was no change to the behavior.
Next I purchased the N2A fastboot cable thinking that would allow me to boot the thing and force a real reset (and install a non-kindle version of android), but I went through everything again and there is no change in how it reacts. The moment that USB cable gets plugged into the kindle, it shuts down. I think I followed the instructions properly (they aren't that complicated) but I'm having no success.
I've reset it a couple of different ways and several times with no change.
Any suggestions?
My goal is to get this thing working, install a 'non-kindle' version of android and get it back to her to use as an inexpensive tablet and e-reader, just not tied to Amazon (or BN).
Grant
gfhopper said:
Trying to give new life to a friend's Kindle fire, but it seems to have a weird problem and she has no idea why. I've looked through the forums and I have found several posts that are close, but not the same (and the solutions won't work either) because the KF will just shut down the minute a cable is plugged in.
Here's the array of responses for the various attempts:
The device will charge if it is plugged in (USB cable and AC charger) but no light comes on at all under any circumstance. And it will shut down when plugged in to charge, and will not power up if on the charger. If it is just powering up and you plug it into the charger, the light stays on for a few seconds and the first screen that just says "Kindle Fire" shows up, then it shuts down.
The device will boot if no USB cable is inserted. The device will shut down when you insert a USB cable. The device will not boot with the cable plugged in (AC adapter or computer) and the power button never goes green. With a usb cable plugged into a computer, the computer will not recognize the device (and it shuts down immediately upon the cable being plugged in to the Kindle.) Also, if you just power it up, then plug it into the computer (just like with the power supply above) the light stays on for a few seconds and the first screen that just says "Kindle Fire" shows up, then it shuts down.
When I received it, I noticed that the case had been opened (or at least pried on.) Also, the USB connector was loose. I removed the board, re-soldered the connector (it appears to be intact now, but the connections are TINY so there is a limit to what I'm sure of) and reinstalled the board. Behaves the same way. I performed a 'power button' reset to the device and there was no change. I performed a factory reset and there was no change to the behavior.
Next I purchased the N2A fastboot cable thinking that would allow me to boot the thing and force a real reset (and install a non-kindle version of android), but I went through everything again and there is no change in how it reacts. The moment that USB cable gets plugged into the kindle, it shuts down. I think I followed the instructions properly (they aren't that complicated) but I'm having no success.
I've reset it a couple of different ways and several times with no change.
Any suggestions?
My goal is to get this thing working, install a 'non-kindle' version of android and get it back to her to use as an inexpensive tablet and e-reader, just not tied to Amazon (or BN).
Grant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a hardware related issue some kind of permanent or near permanent damage.
Thepooch said:
That sounds like a hardware related issue some kind of permanent or near permanent damage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply!
I'd agree that it could have a hardware component. I don't think it's fatal though since 1) it charges, 2) it powers up and works, 3) the wifi works.
I'd guess that it has something to do with the USB (to serial?) hardware but I don't know where to look on the board (other than tracing the traces but it's a multi layer board....)
I'm comfortable working (or rather 're-working') surface mount components. I have not see any interior/board layout info so I'd have no idea which chips to be looking at or testing.
Any suggestions about what area might be affected or pointers to schematic designs?
Thanks again,
Grant
gfhopper said:
Thank you for the reply!
I'd agree that it could have a hardware component. I don't think it's fatal though since 1) it charges, 2) it powers up and works, 3) the wifi works.
I'd guess that it has something to do with the USB (to serial?) hardware but I don't know where to look on the board (other than tracing the traces but it's a multi layer board....)
I'm comfortable working (or rather 're-working') surface mount components. I have not see any interior/board layout info so I'd have no idea which chips to be looking at or testing.
Any suggestions about what area might be affected or pointers to schematic designs?
Thanks again,
Grant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grant you could attempt usb boot it acts different than any other form of booting the device and may actually fix what is broken do a Soupkit setup, and run usb fix parts install fff and twrp.
There is at least the potential that it could travel the course less traveled and rebuild partitions that may or may not be broken.
Soupkit is here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1850038 and you will use one of it`s components firekit.
Rather than attempting to do a physical repair to the board because the components are very small and packed so tightly together.
It`s a medium to high risk approach but if you desire it could lead to benefit.
Truthfully IMO some things are better left alone.
Thepooch said:
Grant you could attempt usb boot it acts different than any other form of booting the device and may actually fix what is broken do a Soupkit setup, and run usb fix parts install fff and twrp.
There is at least the potential that it could travel the course less traveled and rebuild partitions that may or may not be broken.
Soupkit is here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1850038 and you will use one of it`s components firekit.
Rather than attempting to do a physical repair to the board because the components are very small and packed so tightly together.
It`s a medium to high risk approach but if you desire it could lead to benefit.
Truthfully IMO some things are better left alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that is a good plan and I very much appreciate the advice.
The fire is nearly useless to her in the present state and she was going to 'toss it' when I suggested the alternative. So, at the very least it's an education for me, and at the very best I'm able to resolve the issue, learn something and get her a working tablet in the end.
If I can get it acting 'normally' that would tell me a lot.
I have a spare 8G thumb drive so I suspect I'm in good shape for tackling this and it will be an interesting change to run linux on something other than a raspberry pi or a server....
Thank you again!
Grant
gfhopper said:
I think that is a good plan and I very much appreciate the advice.
The fire is nearly useless to her in the present state and she was going to 'toss it' when I suggested the alternative. So, at the very least it's an education for me, and at the very best I'm able to resolve the issue, learn something and get her a working tablet in the end.
If I can get it acting 'normally' that would tell me a lot.
I have a spare 8G thumb drive so I suspect I'm in good shape for tackling this and it will be an interesting change to run linux on something other than a raspberry pi or a server....
Thank you again!
Grant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wish for help with the setup if we can get connected I will give you a hand I made hundreds of these live usb during the test phase of Soupkit there's a little to it but when it's setup it works well.
Thepooch said:
If you wish for help with the setup if we can get connected I will give you a hand I made hundreds of these live usb during the test phase of Soupkit there's a little to it but when it's setup it works well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great! How do we connect?
Grant
gfhopper said:
That would be great! How do we connect?
Grant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Teamviewer is the best way.
Related
i am getting an error message saying "USB device not recognized. One of the USB devices connected to this CPU has malfunctioned and windows cannot recognize it"
when i plug the phone in to the usb plug the charge light comes on for a sec, then i get that message and then the light goes off. I feel as thought i may have damaged the mini usb port (the cable is a snugger fit now) on my phone due to a drop, but it still charges thru the wall and has worked since the drop on the cpu, but now i am getting that message.
Help!
Are you having trouble making phone calls? I had this issue one time in my hermes, and its a brick now!
No, phone functionality seems fine...data and calls.
btw, the light also comes back on after the phone goes to standby.
Change the USB cable and see if it fixes it! If not, it might that the pins are getting a bit worn out in the phone.
don't have another cable to test right now, but the same cable works for another phone. not sure if that proves anything, but it's all i know for now
Dillsnik said:
don't have another cable to test right now, but the same cable works for another phone. not sure if that proves anything, but it's all i know for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you reboot your phone and your pC?
mine doing the same thing. thats why I looked at the tread hopeing someone would have an answer. I guess not.
MS6 software, windows vista ultimate.
zocster said:
Have you reboot your phone and your pC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. From past experience with various charging issues with different Hermes before (car chargers not able to charge unless powered off, then rebooting plugged in to keep the charge going), finicky usb cables, etc. ), I know that the hermes can be funny with charging/syncing to begin with. But since i had dropped it and it landed right on the port and bent it a tad, it really feels like something got damaged a bit. Not enough to eliminate the charging from working, but enough to give me problems....like this.
Example, i have never had this problem in the wall before, just mainly in the car, and even then it's usually when the battery is very low: When i plugged the phone into the wall last night, it wouldn't charge right away. once it went to sleep mode it started charging, but i i power it up the charge light goes off.
try
HKCU\ControlPanel\Comm\Cnct = `57600 Default (string)
to
HKCU\ControlPanel\Comm\Cnct = `USB (string)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it work for me
thank you for the tip, but no luck still
in the "USB to PC" under your system settings, the box to "enable advanced network functionality" sould be checked by default, uncheck that box and you should be able to connect and sync through usb with no problem
I've done that...it feels like a hardware problem, but since the port works kind of it's hard to call it a hardware issue. techs i've talked to have said if it works at all then it must be software related
I've had by CDMA GN running 4.0.2 rooted stock for several months. Previously I've had adb running over both windows xp and ubuntu without any problems. Suddenly out of the blue, now neither computer recognizes the phone. I tried switching between mtp, ant ptp, restarting device, turning usb debugging on/off, trying a different microUSB cable -- nothing.
Any suggestions?
Hmm.. I suspect a broken USB connector here. I think this is one of many consequences of this issue: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1427539
Possibly, however to the best of my knowledge the device charges correctly and without issue. Frustrating.
I'm going to try to reset the device and see if that make any difference. Looking at the usb port nothing looks totally out of wack.
As I recall, my problems with the connector started with not being able to connect.
Does it say Charging (AC) under Settings->Battery when you connect it to your computer? This could indicate a connector problem.
Melhouse
I want to thank you first of all. After perusing through some of the links you directing toward, I actually took a small knife (one with a point on it), and actually slightly bent the usb connector on the device, repositioning the plugin toward the center of the port rather than toward the back. After doing this a couple of times, the device was recognized. Based on this, I'm inclined to believe the USB connector is in the process of failing.
(***Rant -- pisses me off, I've only had the device for a little less than two months!!).
Was in difficult to replace the USB socket?
Not that hard after looking at some dissasembly videos of the Nexus on youtube. But if you are unsure, I would recomend returning it as this is clearly a warranty issue.
It would be hard to prove its a warranty issue at the moment being that its working for the time being.
I'm always up for the challenge anyway. Part is only about $10 so nothing to extravagant. Do you have a link to those videos? I think I'm going to go ahead and just order the part as a prophylactic measure to scare away ghosts. If I never need it, no big deal. I gotta make this phone go until the next Nexus is out!!
So, my nephews fire had the USB come loose from the motherboard which required me to reattach it. I got it re-soldered but it won't charge. It does however connect to my PC (had to transfer a rom to it to unbrick it, long story) I feel confident that all the pins are making contact, the only thing that may have happened is the small chip that connects to pin 4 may have gotten overheated. would that cause this issue? if so does anyone know what kind of chip that is? it looks like a resistor but i can't tell what value.
Update: I was able to get it to take some charge through my PC's USB. have not since been able to replicate it though. I am beginning to think one of my connections may not have held.
Ok, it charges on the wall charger now as long as it is not in sleep mode. it will also charge on the PC if it is in sleep mode. My computer also cannot seem to load drivers to access the internal storage. Do i need special drivers for ICS?
This may be a dumb question, but since ics doesnt properly indicate when charging is occurring, could it just be that you didnt leave it long enough? You may want to test it on stock instead...
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA
I might try that. I have been having a hard time getting to consistently charge. sometimes it will start charging for a second or two then stop, or it will not start at all. currently it is in sleep mode attached via USB to my PC and the amber light is on.
Before everyone starts accusing me of not running a simple search, take it easy, been done. And yet, nothing to help me on the matter.
So here's the thing:
Her phone won't charge. Not when plugged into the wall, BUT when I plug her phone into the computer it is recognized and allows file transfer and everything, but just that - it still won't charge.
Here's what I've found out so far:
- Not a problem with the charger: I'm using the original charger, and it works flawlessly on my own Gnex running PA 4.4
- Nothing wrong with the battery: swap batteries between phones, my phone works fine with her battery, her phone still won't charge.
- When her phone is completely OFF and I plug it in to my PC, it plays the sound of connecting and disconnecting a device, and prompts that it doesn't recognize the USB device. If I tap the power button for a second while it's off (not holding it long enough for it to turn on), it does the same thing connecting-then-disconnecting sounds and "doesn't recognize the USB device".
So - has anyone ever run into this problem before? Know how to fix it? I know the chances are it's just a hardware malfunction, but it's weird because of the ability to transfer files- usually the problem is the reverse.
In the meantime we're using my phone as a charger for both batteries untill we get the spares and wall charger we ordered, but it's a real pain.
Just trying to find a better solution than taking apart the phone and try and fix it or just ordering a new Nexus 5 (which is tempting, but don't really have the money to spend on it...)
-Psycho- said:
Before everyone starts accusing me of not running a simple search, take it easy, been done. And yet, nothing to help me on the matter.
So here's the thing:
Her phone won't charge. Not when plugged into the wall, BUT when I plug her phone into the computer it is recognized and allows file transfer and everything, but just that - it still won't charge.
Here's what I've found out so far:
- Not a problem with the charger: I'm using the original charger, and it works flawlessly on my own Gnex running PA 4.4
- Nothing wrong with the battery: swap batteries between phones, my phone works fine with her battery, her phone still won't charge.
- When her phone is completely OFF and I plug it in to my PC, it plays the sound of connecting and disconnecting a device, and prompts that it doesn't recognize the USB device. If I tap the power button for a second while it's off (not holding it long enough for it to turn on), it does the same thing connecting-then-disconnecting sounds and "doesn't recognize the USB device".
So - has anyone ever run into this problem before? Know how to fix it? I know the chances are it's just a hardware malfunction, but it's weird because of the ability to transfer files- usually the problem is the reverse.
In the meantime we're using my phone as a charger for both batteries untill we get the spares and wall charger we ordered, but it's a real pain.
Just trying to find a better solution than taking apart the phone and try and fix it or just ordering a new Nexus 5 (which is tempting, but don't really have the money to spend on it...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the micro USB port the pins are bent homie.
Some pins allow charging some allow data transfer. The ones for charging are damaged in your case.
Sorry to bring bad news.
DR3W5K1 said:
Its the micro USB port the pins are bent homie.
Some pins allow charging some allow data transfer. The ones for charging are damaged in your case.
Sorry to bring bad news.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Just this moment after a really really really close examination of the port and comparing it to my own phone, one tiny half a millimeter peice of metal is bent out of place and broken. Gotta order a new port ASAP and try and change it.
Thanks mate!
But hey, look at the bright side... a fun home project to immerse myself in instead of prepare for my finals! :laugh:
DR3W5K1 said:
Its the micro USB port the pins are bent homie.
Some pins allow charging some allow data transfer. The ones for charging are damaged in your case.
Sorry to bring bad news.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Back with worse news. Just replaced my wife's micro USB port on her i9250 GNex, and.... same thing. Still won't charge, computer recognizes it. Now I'm completely baffled. Thought for a moment that maybe I had been such a fool as to have put back in the old port, but unfortunately, it wasn't my stupidity.
Ideas, anyone?
I have a tank that's unlocked and rooted following the guide. I unlocked it some weeks back and it's been working fine and all of a sudden today I was switching my TV input to the fire and it's a grey screen. Didn't think much of it, sleeping or something, so I unplugged it and plugged it in again but it wasn't receiving any power at all. I've tried multiple USB cords, multiple power adapters, multiple sockets, all of which used to work before and nothing, the stick isn't even heating up or anything. When I attach it to a computer to try to flash something, it 's not detected as connected at all, still not getting hot.
I've checked the HDMI leads for damage, nothing. Checked the USB, nothing. Checked CLK resistor under a microscope, slight surface damage from when I was unlocking but nothing new and it worked for weeks after unlocking just fine, all its soldering is fine too. No visual damage anywhere on the board. No signs of overheating, no discoloration, no liquid, nothing that indicates damage at all period.
What could possibly cause the stick to just not receive power? I've measured the leads of the USB port and the port is fine but I don't have a diagram to know where the line goes next. But assuming that the issue isn't the power supply, what on the board could cause this?