Dead photon (charging issue, no, not the one you're thinking...) - Motorola Photon 4G

Well kinda...
Similar to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1540091
When my phone is plugged into the wall there is no charging light or anything. No white light in any senario. Last night my default battery was at about 9% so I pulled it and used my 2nd battery. No problem. Then I went home, charged the second in the phone went to put the first battery in and nothing. No matter what I do the 1st battery is completely unresponsive. I then go to put the fully charged second battery in the phone AND STILL NOTHING! Left the phone on the charger with battery 1 over night. Neither battery is working again this morning.
Both batteries should be able to boot the phone but I got nothing. Any ideas?
I was about to try the USB cable trick to prime a dead battery, but why? I have a full second battery that still isn't working
GRRRR

Are the battery contacts on the phone clean and in good condition? Could try cleaning the connector with rubbing alcohol. I really don't know what to suggest besides that. Figured I'd reply since this thread as almost 200 views but still no replies.
Hope you can get this figured out but it seems asking a question is kind of pointless now. Unless you are complaining about no ICS you won't get much of a response anymore it appears.

Does it charge if it pluged in to a computer?
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

Well some how I had it working for the last month but its back to this again.
Last time it just started working randomly. this time, no dice. I even tried the USB splice charge thing and its not working.
I only get a white light on my photon when plugged into my computer. Nothing from the wall, and there is no way to turn it on. I'm outside of the warranty and sprint didn't have anything to help me at their store.
its been like this for two days. I'm really frustrated.

The only thing I can suggest is to find an external battery charger, and give that a shot.

This works for me.
Strip open the usb cable on your micro usb cable. Connect the positive (red) usb wire to the data neg. (white) wire.
This will be a charge only cable.
This also allows bootstrap from computer usb port.
(on my Photon)
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

well, took it to a repair shop and they fully recharged my battery with an external charger... and...
STILL NOTHING.
no lights, no response, no boot, nothing. Its totally dead.
Any ideas? I mean, this thing Is beyond bricked apparently. It wont even start!?!

well.. anyone know of a decent source to get off contract phones? I'm looking for something like a Samsung nexus s 4g for like $100 or so?

Craigslist, or maybe Swappa
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for all the help guys, I did find a Sprint Samsung nexus S 4g off amazon for about $120. Everything seems to be working alright, sold my photon back for a measly $63 to sprint...
That said, the past few days with the nexus having android 4.1 have been great. It really makes me wish that motorola wouldn't have screwed us all over. The stability and speed of stock 4.1 on a single core SOC makes me pretty sad we couldn't have this on the photon, it would have been a beast. A few other things I enjoy more are the non-pentile screen (the AMOLED looks fantastically warmer and more saturated than my gfs bionic- the same screen as the photon) and build quality (yeah, its a plastic-y samsung and I like the build quality, that says something about the poor photon IMO) I would also recommend you put NFC on your future phones "wish-list" as well, I think it'll come in handy and I've already used it at my local walgreens.
Goodbye forever moto. I'll enjoy watching your company be liquidated at the hands of google.

rbeavers said:
This works for me.
Strip open the usb cable on your micro usb cable. Connect the positive (red) usb wire to the data neg. (white) wire.
This will be a charge only cable.
This also allows bootstrap from computer usb port.
(on my Photon)
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, I had to do that recently when my MoPho wouldn't survive long enough to boot up. Of course the wife thought I was a little crazy scavenging for a USB cable no longer needed and cutting it up, but a good feeling when she looks at me thinking "wow."

Related

Charging Port Not Working Right, light going on an off, and a burning smell!

Here is my problem. Yesterday, when I plug the HTC charger with HTC USB cord into the EVO 3D, it was hit or miss. Sometimes the phone charged, sometimes the red light blinks on and off, sometime the red light doesn't come on at all. The HTC USB cord is pretty tight in there, yet for some reason it doesn't seem to work all the time. Fast forward to now. First I kept thinking something was burning in my house, and I couldn't figure out where the smell was coming from. I smelt the phone and it had a burnt smell and I had my wife check it and she said she smell the burnt smell. The phone was on, but not plugged into the charger. I plugged the phone into the charger (I tried plugging into different sockets, same results) the red light would come on for a few seconds, shut off for a few seconds then turn on again and it would stay on. I think it may be time to take it back to Sprint. Should I call Sprint Tech support first in the morning and see what they say, then take it to the store.
Is the phone acting normal or do I have a bad processor, port or even a bad charger, or all of the above?
What do you think I should do? I got this EVO 3D on Friday, June 24.
The sad thing about this is that the EVO 3D seems to running great, with no problems, except the charging and the burnt smell.
dfine1966 said:
Here is my problem. Yesterday, when I plug the HTC charger with HTC USB cord into the EVO 3D, it was hit or miss. Sometimes the phone charged, sometimes the red light blinks on and off, sometime the red light doesn't come on at all. The HTC USB cord is pretty tight in there, yet for some reason it doesn't seem to work all the time. Fast forward to now. First I kept thinking something was burning in my house, and I couldn't figure out where the smell was coming from. I smelt the phone and it had a burnt smell and I had my wife check it and she said she smell the burnt smell. The phone was on, but not plugged into the charger. I plugged the phone into the charger (I tried plugging into different sockets, same results) the red light would come on for a few seconds, shut off for a few seconds then turn on again and it would stay on. I think it may be time to take it back to Sprint. Should I call Sprint Tech support first in the morning and see what they say, then take it to the store.
Is the phone acting normal or do I have a bad processor, port or even a bad charger, or all of the above?
What do you think I should do? I got this EVO 3D on Friday, June 24.
The sad thing about this is that the EVO 3D seems to running great, with no problems, except the charging and the burnt smell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHAT?!?!? HURRY UP....THROW IT IN THE TOILET!! J/K
Two words "common sense"
That's one HOT phone you've got there...
dfine1966 said:
Here is my problem. Yesterday, when I plug the HTC charger with HTC USB cord into the EVO 3D, it was hit or miss. Sometimes the phone charged, sometimes the red light blinks on and off, sometime the red light doesn't come on at all. The HTC USB cord is pretty tight in there, yet for some reason it doesn't seem to work all the time. Fast forward to now. First I kept thinking something was burning in my house, and I couldn't figure out where the smell was coming from. I smelt the phone and it had a burnt smell and I had my wife check it and she said she smell the burnt smell. The phone was on, but not plugged into the charger. I plugged the phone into the charger (I tried plugging into different sockets, same results) the red light would come on for a few seconds, shut off for a few seconds then turn on again and it would stay on. I think it may be time to take it back to Sprint. Should I call Sprint Tech support first in the morning and see what they say, then take it to the store.
Is the phone acting normal or do I have a bad processor, port or even a bad charger, or all of the above?
What do you think I should do? I got this EVO 3D on Friday, June 24.
The sad thing about this is that the EVO 3D seems to running great, with no problems, except the charging and the burnt smell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like there is a short somewhere in the phone or its grounding out do not leave it plugged in take battery out or a fire may start man. I would take it to Sprint ASAP whatever u do do not leave it plugged in.
reaper24 said:
sounds like there is a short somewhere in the phone or its grounding out do not leave it plugged in take battery out or a fire may start man. I would take it to Sprint ASAP whatever u do do not leave it plugged in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did unplug the phone. I am going right now to take the batter out of the phone. So, it most likely is a faulty port?
OMG I'm having nearly identical issues. The charging was working intermittently and I too smelled burnt plastic from the adapter. However, I was having charging issues with the my car adapter as well, so I'm guessing a problem with the phone.
My 3D has seemed to be working fine except that the battery icon would turn gray and an exclamation point would appear over the battery. This would happen randomly and would go away after a few minutes.
Evo is really seeming like quality control isn't great
Bigjim1488 said:
Evo is really seeming like quality control isn't great
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Click to collapse
Yeah if two of us on here are having this issue this quickly, who knows how many people that aren't part of XDA that are or will be experiencing this.
reaper24 said:
sounds like there is a short somewhere in the phone or its grounding out do not leave it plugged in take battery out or a fire may start man. I would take it to Sprint ASAP whatever u do do not leave it plugged in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't take the battery out of the phone. Lithium batteries commonly have a chip in them to prevent overcharging. It's possible that chip has failed and the battery is over charged. It could explode. If you leave it inside the phone, at least you'll be less likely to get hit by the shrapnel. So, put it somewhere where no one coulld get hurt by it. Take it back to Sprint first thing in the morning. Don't bother to call them. Let the techs at the store open your and the other poster's phones, if they dare. Good luck.
blix1337 said:
Yeah if two of us on here are having this issue this quickly, who knows how many people that aren't part of XDA that are or will be experiencing this.
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Click to collapse
You two need to take it to sprint and get a new phone before the 30 day period write HTC and tell them.of the issue
damn that's not good to hear. If the battery icon grayed out and showed the exclamation point, then there is certainly an issue. I don't like seeing all of these problems going on.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
k2buckley said:
damn that's not good to hear. If the battery icon grayed out and showed the exclamation point, then there is certainly an issue. I don't like seeing all of these problems going on.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I wonder if they were using a after market charger mine is fine no issues had since Friday charged usb on laptop to full charge twice and wall 3 times no heat no burn . So I have no idea why they had issues. Also mine is fine and sexy .
The burning smell was with the included official HTC wall outlet to USB adapter.
Already contacted HTC and Wirefly of the problem.
blix1337 said:
The burning smell was with the included official HTC wall outlet to USB adapter.
Already contacted HTC and Wirefly of the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet I ordered mine from sprint online no issues yet just wondering about the after market chargers some people due have issue with cheap chargers dickin there phones up.
This was an issue with the charger included with the OG EVO as well, so it's not a surprise if there are some bad chargers/cables (they look very similar). Best problem solving is to see if the problem persists with a different cable.

Just got my S2, but it won't turn on! :(

So I had bought this phone off ebay and when I got it today I tried to turn it on, but nothing happened.
I then plugged the phone in and tried powering it on and still nothing. I tried charging the battery and left it alone for an hour and afterwards the result is the same. Basically when I plug in the phone to the charger, the phone's screen will flash a battery icon as if its going to charge for a split second and then go blank. And then it will flash the battery icon again and then go blank again and it will go on like this for a couple of minutes until the screen finally stays blank.
So as I said even though I leave the phone to charge for a while, it still won't turn on and the only result seems to be that the phone gets warm near the camera. Also I tried to see if download mode works and pressed both volume buttons and I get a brief flash of some words. After doing it for several times I saw it said 'Low battery, cannot download' all in red.
I searched the forum and tried leaving the battery out for a while and also putting it in the fridge to see if anything would happen but nothing. So can anyone help? Is it just the battery?
Could be the battery - if you are on good terms with a local ATT store, try going there and asking if you can borrow a battery from their demo device to see if yours will power up. That's the best cheap way I can think of to rule that out.
Other possibility is a bad USB port. My first device developed a failure at about 2 months - I'm actually on day 5 with my warranty replacement. There is another member here, Moustro I think, who also may have a bad USB port. He and I were wondering if perhaps there was a bad batch out there. I'm not sure what ATT's warranty policy is for items re-sold on eBay, but might be worth checking out...
yeah that does sound like it could be the battery boot loop, take some photos of the battery to see if it is the oem... if it is the oem try a stand alone chager
dandrumheller said:
Could be the battery - if you are on good terms with a local ATT store, try going there and asking if you can borrow a battery from their demo device to see if yours will power up. That's the best cheap way I can think of to rule that out.
Other possibility is a bad USB port. My first device developed a failure at about 2 months - I'm actually on day 5 with my warranty replacement. There is another member here, Moustro I think, who also may have a bad USB port. He and I were wondering if perhaps there was a bad batch out there. I'm not sure what ATT's warranty policy is for items re-sold on eBay, but might be worth checking out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Canada don't think I'd get much help from AT&T probably.
Also the battery is the original one and not a replacement. I left it unplugged for a few hours and just now plugged it back in and its the same battery icon flashing for a couple of minutes and then blank screen. No charging whatsoever. I tried different outlets and different USB ports on my notebook and its all the same.
I also have an Infuse and charging for that every by every method is just fine so its my SII that's messed up.
If it's any condolence to you, I just bought a brand new GS2 from the ATT store today. The battery was semi-charged when I got it, and when it ran out, I plugged it in and got the same thing you did. Battery is flashing, cannot power it on, even plugged in. I also got the red "Low battery, cannot download".
I spent the better part of 4 hours reloading my apps and email addys, and everything else to get my phone up and running, and now this.
I am going back to the ATT store tomorrow and requesting a different brand new one.
This is my 2nd GS2, because I destroyed my first one in an accident.
Just as dandrumheller was saying. I had simimiar issues where the phone battery would blink on and off even if the charger was plugged in or not while the phone was powered off. The only way I could get my phone to boot to prepare it for warranty exchange was to flash a rom through Odin. But if you can't get it into download mode this wouldn't work.
My suggestion would be to use a different battery. That would let you know if its a hardware issue or bad battery.
hmm...
I was able to to get it to power on last night with what little battery was left. I then plugged it into the USB of my Mac, rather than the charging wart. When I awoke this AM, I have a fully charged battery, and a working phone. I will let the battery run out again completely today and see what happens.
That's great news! I hope it continues to work for you
I would not let it completely run out. Our batteries don't like that. Don't go below 25 percent. I'm glad you got it working. I know you're relieved.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
I'm not sure relieved is the right word.
Apprehensive might be better.
We all know AT&T isn't in the best graces with most.
They must be the ***** of Comcast.
Anybody got anymore suggestions?? Can't get it to work no matter what I try.
Call samsung and see if they will honor the warranty? Don't know their rules, but in another thread someone suggested that sale of the phone does not void the warranty.
Max Sterling said:
Anybody got anymore suggestions?? Can't get it to work no matter what I try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Max,
Were you able to find a fix for your problem? i bought a SGII from ebay and is presenting the same issue
For what its worth I am able to enter download with NO battery. In fact I ONLY do it without a battery. I just hold both volume buttons and plug in the USB to my computer while not pressing anything else. Without battery.
Thought the OP said he couldn't enter download.... so if that doesn't throw it in download it's more than just battery.
Sent from my SGH-I777 running MIUI with Siyah
33t said:
For what its worth I am able to enter download with NO battery. In fact I ONLY do it without a battery. I just hold both volume buttons and plug in the USB to my computer while not pressing anything else. Without battery.
Thought the OP said he couldn't enter download.... so if that doesn't throw it in download it's more than just battery.
Sent from my SGH-I777 running MIUI with Siyah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys,
I tried this and it worked...
At a last resort, i put the battery on nexus to see if it will charge and DAMN !! it did,, so the battery was not the issue...so i grab a swab with little alcohol then clean the terminals on the battery and the spring connectors on the phone... and voila !!! started charging and keeps working perfectly.
It worked for me, hopefully it will work for you guys.
Glad you were able to isolate the problem.
Sent from my SGH-I777 running MIUI with Siyah
Same problem
Flashing on for a sec then flashing off, buttons flashed too. Phone got hot around the battery. Couldn't have described the problem better
Took some alcohol, cleaned the contacts for the USB connector, cleaned the battery contacts, and booyah, got the charging symbol again! Problem was, I didn't use the phone for a month, it rode around in the front pocket of my laptop bag, and apparently got the contacts dirty. A little toothpick and q-tip fun later, and my phone started charging again. Thanks -
TOA Duck said:
I would not let it completely run out. Our batteries don't like that. Don't go below 25 percent. I'm glad you got it working. I know you're relieved.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I've had mostly HTC phones and we could run them down pretty low.. I've been running mine down past 10 and it's been fine.. stock battery.
I had the same problem as op. My last resort was to cut the micro usb end of a spare cable and connected it to the (+) and (-) on the phone itself. since the phone booted up, i knew it was the battery. Next, i did the same thing but (+) and (-) on the battery itself while connected to a computer. i held it in place for about 10 seconds. put the battery back in the phone and it started charging again. im sure it wasnt the safeat thing to do, but it worked. Maybe the dead battery needed some kind of jump.
btw. The wires you would be using are the the black and red. and i got this idea from
modmy mobile.com/forums/8-guides-downloads-forum-suggestions/64614-how-flash-phone-battery-low-cannot-program.html
(remove spaces between modmy and mobile)
xamadeix said:
Really? I've had mostly HTC phones and we could run them down pretty low.. I've been running mine down past 10 and it's been fine.. stock battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe these are different types of batteries. Not Lithium, but something else. I bought some spare batteries from eBay and the batteries had the same instructions... That it is not good to let them die completely, and charge then preferably when they still have 1/3 charge left.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium

Am I bricked?

I got a new nightstand lamp that has an A/C outlet built into it and a slot for my cell phone. Instead of having an extra foot of cord on my nightstand I figured I'd get a very short usb to micro usb cord. Instead of buying one I just assumed re-wire it to shorten it. Everything went ok after the first wiring and the charge was working but after moving it around a bit it stopped charging. My phone then did one hard reset then another and after the second one my phone would not turn on. When I first got the phone it did this when I used an auto-root program on the PC but after I played with sd card it finally booted back. This time I fear the worst. I believe I may have dangerously undervolted it but can't be sure. I'm either bricked or need to do an internal battery pull. Does anyone have any expertise where they could definitively say if I'm bricked or not? My led light isn't turning on at all, not even when plugged into power source.
EDIT : now I fear the worst. If I am s-off and I brick the phone is it a perma-brick. Really in need of someones expertise here.
Sounds to me like trying to save $3 killed your $500 phone..
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
if you plug into a pc does it show up at all?
xlxcrossing said:
I got a new nightstand lamp that has an A/C outlet built into it and a slot for my cell phone. Instead of having an extra foot of cord on my nightstand I figured I'd get a very short usb to micro usb cord. Instead of buying one I just assumed re-wire it to shorten it. Everything went ok after the first wiring and the charge was working but after moving it around a bit it stopped charging. My phone then did one hard reset then another and after the second one my phone would not turn on. When I first got the phone it did this when I used an auto-root program on the PC but after I played with sd card it finally booted back. This time I fear the worst. I believe I may have dangerously undervolted it but can't be sure. I'm either bricked or need to do an internal battery pull. Does anyone have any expertise where they could definitively say if I'm bricked or not? My led light isn't turning on at all, not even when plugged into power source.
EDIT : now I fear the worst. If I am s-off and I brick the phone is it a perma-brick. Really in need of someones expertise here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bet its bricked. There are a Bunch of similar threads.this phone is picky about the charger being used. I and many others bricked their phone by not using the original charger that came with the phone. I assume its toasting the battery. Sorry for the bad news
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
mcvoss said:
I bet its bricked. There are a Bunch of similar threads.this phone is picky about the charger being used. I and many others bricked their phone by not using the original charger that came with the phone. I assume its toasting the battery. Sorry for the bad news
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really dont think undervolting it would brick it. I am no expert, I don't think that would do it in. Now on the other hand did you end up giving it 120 volts by plugging it straight into an outlet, I'm not positive but I think the power supplies that come with the phone use a transformer in them
to reduce line voltage. If thats the case you more then likely fried the battery. But like I said, not an expert.
mrjasenr said:
I really dont think undervolting it would brick it. I am no expert, I don't think that would do it in. Now on the other hand did you end up ogiving it 120 volts by plugging it straight into an outlet, I'm not positive but I think the power supplies that come with the phone use a transformer in them
to reduce line voltage. If thats the case you more then likely fried the battery. But like I said, not an expert.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine did it using a, charger that was only 750ma, stock charger is 1amp. It did a reboot and never came back on it was at 40 percent battery when i plugged it in. After that reboot no leds, just dead. Others have said the same thing. All i know is I'm sticking with a 1amps charger.
Sent from my ECO using xda premium
Looks like its time to get the RUU for Jewel, including the current OTA? Ur looking at a blank slate.
Sent From My S-OFFed, R00ted, 100% Tricked-Out HTC Evo 4G LTE via XDA Premium!
Have you tried a different cord and is it recognized by a computer?
mcvoss said:
I bet its bricked. There are a Bunch of similar threads.this phone is picky about the charger being used. I and many others bricked their phone by not using the original charger that came with the phone. I assume its toasting the battery. Sorry for the bad news
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mrjasenr said:
I really dont think undervolting it would brick it. I am no expert, I don't think that would do it in. Now on the other hand did you end up giving it 120 volts by plugging it straight into an outlet, I'm not positive but I think the power supplies that come with the phone use a transformer in them
to reduce line voltage. If thats the case you more then likely fried the battery. But like I said, not an expert.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mcvoss said:
Mine did it using a, charger that was only 750ma, stock charger is 1amp. It did a reboot and never came back on it was at 40 percent battery when i plugged it in. After that reboot no leds, just dead. Others have said the same thing. All i know is I'm sticking with a 1amps charger.
Sent from my ECO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
{ParanoiA} said:
Have you tried a different cord and is it recognized by a computer?
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Click to collapse
michael.stollaire said:
Looks like its time to get the RUU for Jewel, including the current OTA? Ur looking at a blank slate.
Sent From My S-OFFed, R00ted, 100% Tricked-Out HTC Evo 4G LTE via XDA Premium!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the feedback it's good to feel I'm not alone in this. So to answer everyones questions simultaneously I did try everything in the book without the re-wired cord to get it to boot. I used a good cord in the PC and A/C, I tried lazypanda unbrick and the phone wasn't recognized at all by terminal in ubuntu. I tried holding the power button for 10s, 20s, 30s and 60s and not even a dim led was lit. I tried removing the sd card a couple times wouldnt power on with or without it. I opened the phone and did an internal battery disconnect and reconnect, nothing. On the other hand i bought a new one on ebay but a few of you have said here it was the battery that I fried which makes me wonder if I could buy a new one and possibly get this thing running and turn around and sell it on ebay to recoup the losses. I do firmly believe it must've been a surge because of the cord, but I thought the phone has a protection circuit and would shut down before any serious damage occurs but maybe thats only to the other hardware elements like the cpu and memory.

[Q] Interesting charging problems on my 4.0

Hey guys, it's been awhile since I asked a question, but here I am, lol.
In a nutshell, I'm pretty sure something in my device (hardware) is fried, but I thought I'd see if anyone knows better.
The problem is my device seems to be sending power out of the usb port, and doesn't connect to the pc or recognize it is charging correctly.
This also applies to download mode (windows says device has malfunctioned) and when powered off (there is no battery that shows up when plugged in). In order to power back on after turning it off, I have to remove the battery, then reinsert it while holding down the power. I can't think of much that could have caused this, other than I was visiting places with high humidity levels. One unusual thing that happened before this started was my device rebooted into safe mode when playing bad piggies. That was really weird since I have tried booting into safe mode before, but thought samsung must have disabled it for some reason. I have already tried wiping data and flashing a new kernel/rom. Obviously I can't re-partition since I can't connect to my computer in download mode. What do you guys think? I think it is time for a new device.
EDIT: I should mention that it started behaving normally yesterday for about 5 minutes, but then it went back to this.
iJimaniac said:
...
In a nutshell, I'm pretty sure something in my device (hardware) is fried, but I thought I'd see if anyone knows better.
The problem is my device seems to be sending power out of the usb port...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 99.9% sure that under normal conditions that an Android device should never power the USB port. Source of speculation. If it is indeed powering the USB, then you've either got a really wonky firmware installed, or some sort of hardware issue. I'd try to make sure that it's sending power out before going further (especially if you can't charge it, the battery will be dead soon). After this test, I'd keep the battery out for a while, just to be sure it's not going to short anything.
One thing I've noticed in my tinkering is that taking a device apart, then putting it back together again can mysteriously fix problems (although 75% of the time the fix is temporary). If you suspect water damage, opening it up and letting it air out might help. I want to say there are certain cleaners that are great for cleaning up any water spots that might be shorting things out, but I've never had to try myself.
That's all I can think of right off. Good luck.
Dr. Cyanide said:
I'm 99.9% sure that under normal conditions that an Android device should never power the USB port. Source of speculation. If it is indeed powering the USB, then you've either got a really wonky firmware installed, or some sort of hardware issue. I'd try to make sure that it's sending power out before going further (especially if you can't charge it, the battery will be dead soon). After this test, I'd keep the battery out for a while, just to be sure it's not going to short anything.
One thing I've noticed in my tinkering is that taking a device apart, then putting it back together again can mysteriously fix problems (although 75% of the time the fix is temporary). If you suspect water damage, opening it up and letting it air out might help. I want to say there are certain cleaners that are great for cleaning up any water spots that might be shorting things out, but I've never had to try myself.
That's all I can think of right off. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm working on taking it apart right now. With my limited experience on electronics, I would be willing to bet it's a capacitor that's gone bad somewhere. That wouldn't be a problem on a desktop since I could just solder a new one in, but I don't think I have the skill to do something in such a small scale, not to mention I don't think you can even buy them that small.
The same thing happened to me, and I had to send it in for repair. Luckily, I was still in warranty. Also, are you sure it's not the charger cord?
TheKryptonite said:
The same thing happened to me, and I had to send it in for repair. Luckily, I was still in warranty. Also, are you sure it's not the charger cord?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried multiple cables, and I'm unfortunately out of warranty.
Upon disassembling and cleaning with rubbing alcohol, it seemed to be working properly, with the exception of computer connection. However, I plugged it into a DC car charger (leaving the charger itself unplugged from an outlet), and the light came on again (which is what I was talking about when I said it was sending power out), and now it is acting weird again. I guess I'll take it apart and clean it again...
iJimaniac said:
I've tried multiple cables, and I'm unfortunately out of warranty.
Upon disassembling and cleaning with rubbing alcohol, it seemed to be working properly, with the exception of computer connection. However, I plugged it into a DC car charger (leaving the charger itself unplugged from an outlet), and the light came on again (which is what I was talking about when I said it was sending power out), and now it is acting weird again. I guess I'll take it apart and clean it again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly, i cannot begin to fathom what could be causing this. it seems to me samsing paid more attention to the charging port then say amazon did on the first gen kindle.
i do however, wish you the best of luck and hope you somehow manage to fix it
iJimaniac said:
I've tried multiple cables, and I'm unfortunately out of warranty.
Upon disassembling and cleaning with rubbing alcohol, it seemed to be working properly, with the exception of computer connection. However, I plugged it into a DC car charger (leaving the charger itself unplugged from an outlet), and the light came on again (which is what I was talking about when I said it was sending power out), and now it is acting weird again. I guess I'll take it apart and clean it again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See! Told you taking it apart and putting it back together again works... temporarily. :silly:
You're right, that does sound like power going out. Which would be super cool for powering, say, a micro USB laser pointer, but it's not so great when it should be charging. Can you double check with another device that the charger doesn't light up normally? I know my wife's laptop charger has a LED that stays on for a long time after it's been unplugged from the wall, sipping off of power left in the charger. It could be something similar with your charger.
Just a though... if power is only suppose to go into the device, then wouldn't it be reasonable to assume to that there would be a diode forcing power to only go one way? Or does it need to cycle power back to the charger? IDK, but it might be worth looking to see if something looks missing.
I read somewhere that if the battery voltage gets too low i.e. battery is totally flat, a current will flow from the device to the charger so this may be what's going on here. I didn't really understand the post as I was just whizzing through the thread, but i think the solution was to charge the device for many hours until the battery voltage was high enough for normal charging to occur. I'll try and locate the post, but it might take a while
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
@iJimaniac if all of these suggestions dont work, there is the possibility to just buy another battery and a battery charger and keep switching out the batteries when they die
Maybe @henk5066 would know something about this?
From what it sounds like, your power circuit is fried and is not directing power correctly this means that you're probably going to have to replace the mainboard. however don't worry. you can get one from a player with a broken screen on ebay for about 10 $. I can p.m. you some links to products on eBay with main board working and not screen and I can post a video on YouTube that shows you how to replace the board. it's actually rather quite easy. I don't get why most people don't do that and instead buy a new one. let me know if that helps
Sent from my YP-G1 using xda app-developers app
henk5066 said:
From what it sounds like, your power circuit is fried and is not directing power correctly this means that you're probably going to have to replace the mainboard. however don't worry. you can get one from a player with a broken screen on ebay for about 10 $. I can p.m. you some links to products on eBay with main board working and not screen and I can post a video on YouTube that shows you how to replace the board. it's actually rather quite easy. I don't get why most people don't do that and instead buy a new one. let me know if that helps
Sent from my YP-G1 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I didn't realize a broken player is so cheap. I'll look into it, and instructions won't be needed; I've already fully dissasembled my device many times in the past, just for kicks.
Edit: could you send me those links? I'm having a hard time finding very many under $25, which is still a good price I suppose.
the broken player it's self is cheap (0.99$ if your lowest bidder and win) it is shipping that makes up for most of the cost. Just make sure you get one that says powers on, that is the main indicator that the main board is still good.
EDIT: I just looked on ebay, aparantly the person i bought my new board is out of the 4.0 player. and it looks like there is however one with a 9.99$ bid. you could raise it and get the player but that is the cheapest you will get. i will pm you a link to it.
I had the same problem
I had the same problem, what i did was, instead of charging it with the original charger, i charged it with my nexus 10 charger in download mode all through the night, and the next day it would have about 80 percent charge and it was in the system, but it drained quick when i would unplugged it, so i repeat the same procedure over several days until get to 100% and scince then i have had no problems with my SGP, hopefully i helped you
Hell.Knight said:
I had the same problem, what i did was, instead of charging it with the original charger, i charged it with my nexus 10 charger in download mode all through the night, and the next day it would have about 80 percent charge and it was in the system, but it drained quick when i would unplugged it, so i repeat the same procedure over several days until get to 100% and scince then i have had no problems with my SGP, hopefully i helped you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, i thought the devices could not charge in download mode.
On the subject of odd charging behavieor, has anyone noticed that when plugged in running cyanogenmod overclocked to 1200mhz, the micro usb port area on the player gets rather hot?
henk5066 said:
Interesting, i thought the devices could not charge in download mode.
On the subject of odd charging behavieor, has anyone noticed that when plugged in running cyanogenmod overclocked to 1200mhz, the micro usb port area on the player gets rather hot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't noticed excessive heat in that area.
Sent from my YP-G1 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[Q] My charger is killing my phones!

Hello,
I am so f*%#ing tired of HTC right now.
Earlier this week, my EVO 3D died after being plugged in once I went to bed. I woke up, and the phone wouldn't start, and gave no sign of life.
I borrowed my brother's old EVO 4G LTE.
Just a night or two ago, I plugged the phone in after it died from low battery. When I plugged it in, the notification led was flashing red/orange, and I kinda dismissed it, and unplugged the phone.
Later that night, I plugged the phone back in.
When I woke up the next morning, the 4G LTE gave no sign of life. It died too, like my 3VO. This is really fuggin annoying.
Im using a stock HTC charger, nothing done to it. Totally original.
Please, xda, I'm begging you for help. What is going on with my phones/charger? :crying:
-cburk01
Have you tried a different charger?
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
FinZ28 said:
Have you tried a different charger?
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I haven't. But, when I plugged the phones into a USB port on my computer, they did absolutely nothing. No light. Nothing.
I'll try another charger, but I don't think it'll work.
Also, the 3VO. When I plug that into the charger, it gets scorching hot right by the lower left corner of the camera/right side of the SD slot.
cburk01 said:
No, I haven't. But, when I plugged the phones into a USB port on my computer, they did absolutely nothing. No light. Nothing.
I'll try another charger, but I don't think it'll work.
Also, the 3VO. When I plug that into the charger, it gets scorching hot right by the lower left corner of the camera/right side of the SD slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a voltage monitor and watch what's happening. Maybe getting too much current? I'm not well educated on the subject though, so just throwing it out.
Sent from a Carbonated EVO
The charger can go bad if the outlet is unstable, it's pretty common for outlets to fluctuate. It can screw up pretty much anything that requires a certain range
It's alive!
Hello again!
I just used my brother's HTC charger, and the phone's red light came on again! After holding the power button on the EVO 4G LTE for a little while, it came back on. Turns out his phone just does that when it's really low on battery. (aka 0%)
The 4G LTE is on charge, but when I plugged in my 3VO, the red light came on, too! My phones are alive!
Thank you all so much. :angel::victory:
-cburk01
Chargers have a step-down transformer in them. When one half or the other goes, you get fluctuations in current. With regard to outlets, you will either receive 110-120v, or nothing. Nothing below or under, as it's fed directly from the breaker box via a rated breaker.
I guess I would have tried a different charger from the get-go.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

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