DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

I have a good opportunity of getting an n900 for a very good price, the only problem is that it has the usb port broken.
I was wondering if there is any DIY fix to this problem? i can't send the n900 back to Nokia.

Thank you

Ed

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Let me google it for you:
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=54762&page=2

Looks like it's already discussed. See http://sites.google.com/site/svcr0c0/n900 for images of N900 and its USB port.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

The easiest solution is probably just to get one of those external chargers on ebay. It will save you a lot of trouble.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Yes, there is... at least a couple of solutions.

First is to perform a repair using the same type of connector soldered directly to the PCB. I don't recommend this; surface mount soldering by hand is not easy.

The better solution is to use a cabinet-mounted connector (with a flange) that is connected to the old pads by leads. Someone reporting a usb failure on my blog has done this-- we are awaiting details:

http://tabulacrypticum.wordpress.com.../#comment-3999

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

That's just for securing one not broken yet.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Thank you that was fast, so like Texrat said soldering a usb replacement is not easy but is possible.
I going to buy the n900 and try to fix it my self.

Thank you

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

This is my pet issue so I keep an eye on it. ;)

If I was still working for Nokia when this started happening, o, the hell I would have raised inside...

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

First link is about fixing/replacing broken USB port not securing one.

off-topic: Why did you quit Nokia? It would be great if someone from maemo.org works for Nokia, since they don't listen to us, maybe someone from inside could increase the odds :rolleyes:

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

I spent half of the day trying to repair my broken usb, I broke off last night, but i was able to charge the phone by holding it in a particular way, today i tried to solder it but it was almost impossible in the tight space available behind the usb, the only way I would recommend doing it is the cable way. After many hours trying to make it stick, i just called nokia, so im just gonna ship it tomorrow and hope for the best.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Thank you Dr. Marcial, Can you explain me what is "the cable way".

Ed

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

It was posted before by Aranel (here)

Its still not easy, but its far easier than straight on the board, try buying a new 5 pin microusb port from ebay or something, cause most likely your old port has already lost a leg or 2.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

I didn't quit. I loved it there. Wish I still was.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

I have read that it can be done but would advice you proceed with caution. My usb port was faulty and I took it to two diferent phone repair shops and neither could fix it. I guess some get more badly damaged than others. So there is the very real risk that you will not be able to get it fixed if you buy it. Even Nokia do not fix it, they just give a replacement N900.

You could also do what I did which was get a spare battery and charge with an external charger. And for file transfers with pc use WinSCP. But then you must make sure you do not risk any mods, etc that could brick your device. I was constantly modding and eventually I ended up with a bricked device with no way to flash since I had no working usb port.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

A lot of the failures are very catastrophic-- the copper material (lands or pads) is removed from the PCB (printed circuit board) and there's little or nothing to repair.

New copper CAN be deposited but it's not a job for amateurs.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Texrat, do you think any OC'ing N900 users will get denied warranty work for their broken USB connectors? That would be haX.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

If the OC is easily detectable, yes, very likely to be declined.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

well that one linked thread seemed to indicate alternate points for the USB +/-, gnd, data or whatever, so even if the pads are toast you can connect some small wires and epoxy a new microusb adapter onto it. I wouldn't say this is difficult compared to some of the stuff I've done...
Wii
PS2

PS2 was my friend's work, it didn't boot, but the Wii I did and was fine. Anyways, my point is that I have no experience with soldering and I can do that so I'm laughing at you guys afraid of the microusb! I would not attempt this without practicing on something else though, it's too easy to drop a glob of solder onto the wrong spot. You need to have some flux, solder sucker, and desoldering braid for sure. Also a sharp tip on the soldering iron helps. You should just get a new one for $6 for dealextreme or somewhere if you don't have one of those. Just make sure you get the right voltage for your country if you buy it from there! You can also get a cleaning pad or cleaning ball for pretty damn cheap...

Oh, you might want to try buying one of these and see if it comes apart easy (looks like it would) so you can get a microUSB connector for $2.50 while you're at it.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

I have training in PCB design and assembly, along with decades of experience, and I'm not laughing at them for it. It's easy to screw up and not to be taken lightly.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

well in my opinion, the only 2 soldering related things you can screw up are:

1) overheating a component by soldering for too much continuous time
2) getting solder somewhere it shouldn't be, therefore causing a short or bridge

It's very easy to make those mistakes, 2-3 seconds is enough heat to damage some components, but usually you will be lucky and it won't happen. If you use some flux the solder will flow and stick where it's supposed to with no effort!
This doesn't avoid the problem of dripping solder somewhere, or using too much and having it flow somewhere it shouldn't. Just use a very small amount of solder, and clean the tip off on a wet sponge or paper towel and you should be fine. If you make a mess, the solder sucker and desoldering braid will save you usually.

Of course, opening the thing in the first place is another problem, you can loose parts or damage it with static or damage the case or other parts while assembling / disassembling it. Or you can just knock the whole thing onto the floor if you're clumsy. Just be really careful, and try to keep a steady hand. Don't burn yourself, your house, and don't poke your eye out with the iron... lol.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

My usbport is still working after 9 months, but if I ever have to go for the cable soulution, I would use a standard usb jack in stead of the nokia micro jack...

Or are there reasons not to do that?

paai

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

3) screwing up pads
4) screwing up VIAs
5) screwing up the PCB

Usually by overheating or misplaced tip.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Hello,
Two weeks ago I bought a good price N900 that had the broken micro-usb problem, I disassembled the N900 and found that pin #1 (+5 V) was damage on the board so it was impossible to solder that pin, but all the other pins were ok so I decided to solder the connector back to see if having the Data1 and Data2 was enough if I needed to flash it, but unfortunately when I connect the usb cable to the computer nothing happens, my only hope is doing the “cable way fix” posted by mipo and suggested to me by Dr. Marcial.
I want to ask if any body has done the “cable way fix” other that mipo? If yes, I appreciate any comments, what are the results? Did it work? What do you all think, the N900 work 100% the way it is, but if something happen is not possible to flash it and I have to charge the battery in a wall charger.

Thank you

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Just happened to me!

Luckily I have an external charger already. I've just uninstalled midnight commander to reduce the chances I’ll be tempted to tinker and require a reflash.

I've done a fair amount of soldering in the past but looking at how utterly tiny the connections are I doubt that even if I obtained a suitably fine soldering iron I'd never have a steady enough hand. Sadly I may not be a member of the n900 club for much longer :'(

http://twitpic.com/696607

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

Noted that the N9 has a kind of plastic fitting around the USB connector.
My N900's USB connectors are still strong but now I have one that I need to open I will fit a plastic around the USB

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

well .. mine broke recently aswell. I managed to get a new port soldered onto it (took me 6 hours). It worked !!, i then decided that my solder work was a little to shabby and that there was not enough solder on the supporting structure that is soldered onto the pcb and proceeded to try and get more solder under the body of the connector. It turned out to be a BIG fail!. The port broke of from the pcb taking all copper islands with it.

I have now proceeded with another solution. I have used a prototype pcb and soldered pins onto it which touch the test islands for the usb port on the n900. It all works well, however i can can obviously no longer put the original casing around it. Iḿ looking for a solution for this too. anybody got any ideas.

Iĺl post some photos if anyone wants.

Re: DiY N900 Broken usb port fix
 

My USB hasn't failed yet but hearing all these stories a while ago, I used a toothpick to apply a small amount of epoxy adhesive (araldite) to the recessed area between the metal sleeve of the USB port and the plastic of the case. If you look at how the plug enters, you can see that there's always an air gap so it doesn't interfere with the operation of the plug.

I'm hoping that this has taken some of the strain out of day-to-day usage. It was a simple modification that didn't involve any soldering, although obviously sticking glue in your USB port carries a bit of risk.