Glo HD charging problem, suggested hardware fix?

stewacide · 05-20-2017, 10:38 AM

For the past couple months my previously well functioning Glo HD would not connect to a computer. Whether plugged into a computer or a simple power source it would continuously flash the 'connect' prompt. Usually it would eventually hang the reader, and occasionally it would settle on the charging state and would charge. Now however it's not going into the charge mode at all, meaning I can't charge it.

Any idea what's gone bad? It could be as simple as the plug connection bing bad, and so would be worth repairing, but am I right to suspect something deeper has gone bad given the really strange behaviour? Seems like the connection is being continuously reset or something.

This is really annoying since I'm 9 months into a pan-American motorcycle trip and now have no books. I can take to an electronics repair shop (currently in Colombia close to Ecuador), but I'd need to be explicit with what's wrong I think.

It just keeps doing this until it hangs: https://youtu.be/DhP44SliQN0

stewacide · 05-20-2017, 10:41 AM

It would be really helpful if someone knew what to check for on the test pins on the board? I suppose there's some hope I could replace a capacitor or diode or other simple component if I can determine that's the problem.

JSWolf · 05-20-2017, 10:58 AM

Try a different cable.

stewacide · 05-20-2017, 11:19 AM

Cable/charger isn't the issue and makes no difference.

The core issue is that the connection seems to be being reset continuously until it either crashes or settles on charging. That it no longer settles on charging, but just crashes, is possibly an issue with the newest firmware crashing quicker.

PeterT · 05-20-2017, 12:16 PM

I'd suspect the physical USB connector has loosened and the cable is making intermittent contact with the pins.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

stewacide · 05-20-2017, 06:06 PM

It doesn't seem to be affected by jiggling the cable. If there's a loose connection I'd guess it's where the port meets the board (although it looks fine / solid). Might see if I can find a soldering iron to try and reflow it.

koboy · 05-20-2017, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewacide

It doesn't seem to be affected by jiggling the cable. If there's a loose connection I'd guess it's where the port meets the board (although it looks fine / solid). Might see if I can find a soldering iron to try and reflow it.

could it perhaps be software related? rather than hardware.

best wishes koboy

filmo · 05-20-2017, 07:19 PM

Try spraying contact cleaner into Kobo's USB connector letting cleaner wash out any gunk and do same to USB connector on cord end then insert and remove male USB connector a few times while contacts are still wet with cleaner. This might not cure connector problems but can't damage anything.

05-20-2017, 10:38 AM	#1
stewacide Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1086780 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo H2O Ed. 2, Glo HD, Glo, Touch	Glo HD charging problem, suggested hardware fix? For the past couple months my previously well functioning Glo HD would not connect to a computer. Whether plugged into a computer or a simple power source it would continuously flash the 'connect' prompt. Usually it would eventually hang the reader, and occasionally it would settle on the charging state and would charge. Now however it's not going into the charge mode at all, meaning I can't charge it. Any idea what's gone bad? It could be as simple as the plug connection bing bad, and so would be worth repairing, but am I right to suspect something deeper has gone bad given the really strange behaviour? Seems like the connection is being continuously reset or something. This is really annoying since I'm 9 months into a pan-American motorcycle trip and now have no books. I can take to an electronics repair shop (currently in Colombia close to Ecuador), but I'd need to be explicit with what's wrong I think. It just keeps doing this until it hangs: https://youtu.be/DhP44SliQN0 Last edited by stewacide; 05-20-2017 at 11:48 AM.

05-20-2017, 11:19 AM	#4
stewacide Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1086780 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo H2O Ed. 2, Glo HD, Glo, Touch	Cable/charger isn't the issue and makes no difference. The core issue is that the connection seems to be being reset continuously until it either crashes or settles on charging. That it no longer settles on charging, but just crashes, is possibly an issue with the newest firmware crashing quicker. Last edited by stewacide; 05-20-2017 at 11:26 AM.

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05-20-2017, 10:41 AM	#2
stewacide Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1086780 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo H2O Ed. 2, Glo HD, Glo, Touch	It would be really helpful if someone knew what to check for on the test pins on the board? I suppose there's some hope I could replace a capacitor or diode or other simple component if I can determine that's the problem.

05-20-2017, 10:58 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,155 Karma: 144284184 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Try a different cable.

05-20-2017, 12:16 PM	#5
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,309 Karma: 78876004 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I'd suspect the physical USB connector has loosened and the cable is making intermittent contact with the pins. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

05-20-2017, 06:06 PM	#6
stewacide Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1086780 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo H2O Ed. 2, Glo HD, Glo, Touch	It doesn't seem to be affected by jiggling the cable. If there's a loose connection I'd guess it's where the port meets the board (although it looks fine / solid). Might see if I can find a soldering iron to try and reflow it.

05-20-2017, 07:19 PM	#8
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Try spraying contact cleaner into Kobo's USB connector letting cleaner wash out any gunk and do same to USB connector on cord end then insert and remove male USB connector a few times while contacts are still wet with cleaner. This might not cure connector problems but can't damage anything.

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