Opening the PE to retrieve the internal memory card

Emeralds · 06-30-2011, 11:59 PM

After spending a few weeks on the forums trying to get my PE to cooperate and complete the boot cycle, I have officially given up getting it to start again and gotten SquareTrade to authorize a refund. However, I also got permission to remove the internal memory before I send it in if I can do so with minimal damage to the PE. Since I can't get it to boot and I would prefer not to send in a device that still has personal information contained in it, I am quite determined to salvage my data by taking the internal memory out while still getting my claim paid out. Has anyone figured out how to open a PE 'properly'?

ivanjt · 07-01-2011, 06:53 AM

How good are you with a soldering iron? The internal SD card is in fact a memory chip soldered to the MB.

Emeralds · 07-01-2011, 10:29 AM

Okay, but how do I get the case open to get to the memory chip/MB? Also, which side of the dualbook should I be opening?

obsessed2 · 07-01-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeralds

After spending a few weeks on the forums trying to get my PE to cooperate and complete the boot cycle, I have officially given up getting it to start again and gotten SquareTrade to authorize a refund. However, I also got permission to remove the internal memory before I send it in if I can do so with minimal damage to the PE. Since I can't get it to boot and I would prefer not to send in a device that still has personal information contained in it, I am quite determined to salvage my data by taking the internal memory out while still getting my claim paid out. Has anyone figured out how to open a PE 'properly'?

Are you sure SquareTrade actually wants you to physically remove the internal memory? Sounds kind of strange. The PE is quite easy to open with only four screw securing each side under the rubber bumpers. Here is a link that may be helpful:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=137889

kennyminot · 07-01-2011, 05:37 PM

I'll be honest - I think you'd be insane to do that.

Thanks,
K

ivanjt · 07-01-2011, 06:44 PM

Kenny, how true, and when he has destroyed the chip and motherboard he still won't have access to his data.

Filark · 07-02-2011, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanjt

Kenny, how true, and when he has destroyed the chip and motherboard he still won't have access to his data.

. . . but neither will anyone else . . .

emusan · 07-02-2011, 03:53 PM

I don't want to sound rude, but if you can't figure out how to open the case(its a pretty standard way with the screws hidden under the rubber things), I don't think you will find it too easy to remove the internal memory. IIRC its a surface mount job and it would likely require some serious tools to get it off without breaking everything, sorry.

Emeralds · 07-03-2011, 10:18 PM

Perhaps the better question then is does anyone know of a way to access the data when I can't get the PE to complete the boot process?

Sorry if some of my questions seem silly--I'm still learning how to work with hardware. In the past, I've been able to solve my technical issues either at a software level or with very basic hardware fixes like upgrading memory.

Thank you, Filark. That is part of my concern.

emusan · 07-03-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeralds

Perhaps the better question then is does anyone know of a way to access the data when I can't get the PE to complete the boot process?

Sorry if some of my questions seem silly--I'm still learning how to work with hardware. In the past, I've been able to solve my technical issues either at a software level or with very basic hardware fixes like upgrading memory.

Thank you, Filark. That is part of my concern.

was it rooted and/or upgraded to ermine? and was usb debugging enabled before it broke down?

Emeralds · 07-04-2011, 12:11 AM

It was upgraded to Ermine, but I don't think I enabled debugging.

emusan · 07-04-2011, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeralds

It was upgraded to Ermine, but I don't think I enabled debugging.

Sorry, nothing comes to mind right away then, I'll think about it some more and get back if I think of a way... Hopefully someone else here will know a way!

ivanjt · 07-04-2011, 05:56 AM

Having effectively bricked your PE I don't think there is really any need to fear that it will miraculously start working in the hands of someone else.

At the stage you are at the only way to revive your PE, assuming there isn't a component causing the problem, is to re-flash using JTAG, again assuming there is the JTAG interface available.

I assume there is either a JTAG interface, or something like it, to permit the factory install of the software. If that is so then that flashing would first clear everything out before restoring the new information - think, flashing bios on a computer where everything in the bios is reverted to factory defaults.

If you return your PE, the first thing that is likely to happen is that someone will switch it on just to confirm that it doesn't work. It will then be sent for recycling where, maybe, it will have the screens and battery salvaged for repairs, the remainder is usually fed to the chopper but this depends on local laws. If, on the other hand it ends up with a recycler that has the knowledge, tools and circuit information it may be re-flashed, which clears everything, and then sold as a refurbished item. Since we haven't heard of anyone repairing edges, except for entourage themselves, this latter possibility is very remote.

emusan · 07-04-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanjt

If you return your PE, the first thing that is likely to happen is that someone will switch it on just to confirm that it doesn't work. It will then be sent for recycling where, maybe, it will have the screens and battery salvaged for repairs, the remainder is usually fed to the chopper but this depends on local laws. If, on the other hand it ends up with a recycler that has the knowledge, tools and circuit information it may be re-flashed, which clears everything, and then sold as a refurbished item. Since we haven't heard of anyone repairing edges, except for entourage themselves, this latter possibility is very remote.

I think flashing in this case wouldn't delete any user data though, they should be in different places right?

kennyminot · 07-04-2011, 09:37 AM

Here's the other thing . . .

Most likely, the person you talked with on the phone was just a standard phone representative. As someone who did a similar job for several years, these people are like the serfs of the technology business; they have very little power, and what they say only "holds up" if it conforms with your formal warranty agreement. As such, their word is only as good as their ability to interpret these documents. In some cases, they will have read them carefully and be able to offer you good advice. In other situations, they are just going on what they have heard from their colleagues or what seems reasonable in the immediate situation. You should never assume a representative's comment somehow gives you "permission" to do something; you need to read the warranty itself and make your own decision.

The representative's advice just seems dumb. In many cases, warranties are broken simply by opening the case or rooting your device. If the company has any evidence you tampered with it, they most likely will deny you coverage. When you call to complain, they will insist that the representative is mistaken. From there, what happens is anybody's guess. If you're persistent enough, you might get a manager willing to uphold the warranty. Most likely, the company will just insist that you should have more carefully read your warranty documents. This is part of the reason I don't buy a warranty. Most of the time, you don't need it, and then when it becomes necessary, you have to jump through a million hurdles.

Your best bet is just to send in your eDGe. If you had some credit card information on it, monitor your accounts and look for any funny business. Nothing will probably happen, and you'll get a working unit in a few weeks.

06-30-2011, 11:59 PM	#1
Emeralds Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA Device: Entourage Pocket eDGe	Opening the PE to retrieve the internal memory card After spending a few weeks on the forums trying to get my PE to cooperate and complete the boot cycle, I have officially given up getting it to start again and gotten SquareTrade to authorize a refund. However, I also got permission to remove the internal memory before I send it in if I can do so with minimal damage to the PE. Since I can't get it to boot and I would prefer not to send in a device that still has personal information contained in it, I am quite determined to salvage my data by taking the internal memory out while still getting my claim paid out. Has anyone figured out how to open a PE 'properly'?

07-04-2011, 09:37 AM	#15
kennyminot Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 90022 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Device: HTC EVO View 4G, HTC Wildfire S, Asus T91MT	Here's the other thing . . . Most likely, the person you talked with on the phone was just a standard phone representative. As someone who did a similar job for several years, these people are like the serfs of the technology business; they have very little power, and what they say only "holds up" if it conforms with your formal warranty agreement. As such, their word is only as good as their ability to interpret these documents. In some cases, they will have read them carefully and be able to offer you good advice. In other situations, they are just going on what they have heard from their colleagues or what seems reasonable in the immediate situation. You should never assume a representative's comment somehow gives you "permission" to do something; you need to read the warranty itself and make your own decision. The representative's advice just seems dumb. In many cases, warranties are broken simply by opening the case or rooting your device. If the company has any evidence you tampered with it, they most likely will deny you coverage. When you call to complain, they will insist that the representative is mistaken. From there, what happens is anybody's guess. If you're persistent enough, you might get a manager willing to uphold the warranty. Most likely, the company will just insist that you should have more carefully read your warranty documents. This is part of the reason I don't buy a warranty. Most of the time, you don't need it, and then when it becomes necessary, you have to jump through a million hurdles. Your best bet is just to send in your eDGe. If you had some credit card information on it, monitor your accounts and look for any funny business. Nothing will probably happen, and you'll get a working unit in a few weeks. Last edited by kennyminot; 07-04-2011 at 09:43 AM.

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07-01-2011, 06:53 AM	#2
ivanjt Guru Posts: 858 Karma: 1027478 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South of France Device: kindle dx; eDGe	How good are you with a soldering iron? The internal SD card is in fact a memory chip soldered to the MB.

07-01-2011, 10:29 AM	#3
Emeralds Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA Device: Entourage Pocket eDGe	Okay, but how do I get the case open to get to the memory chip/MB? Also, which side of the dualbook should I be opening?

07-01-2011, 05:37 PM	#5
kennyminot Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 90022 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Device: HTC EVO View 4G, HTC Wildfire S, Asus T91MT	I'll be honest - I think you'd be insane to do that. Thanks, K

07-01-2011, 06:44 PM	#6
ivanjt Guru Posts: 858 Karma: 1027478 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South of France Device: kindle dx; eDGe	Kenny, how true, and when he has destroyed the chip and motherboard he still won't have access to his data.

07-02-2011, 03:53 PM	#8
emusan lol Posts: 472 Karma: 1031 Join Date: May 2011 Device: eDGe	I don't want to sound rude, but if you can't figure out how to open the case(its a pretty standard way with the screws hidden under the rubber things), I don't think you will find it too easy to remove the internal memory. IIRC its a surface mount job and it would likely require some serious tools to get it off without breaking everything, sorry.

07-03-2011, 10:18 PM	#9
Emeralds Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA Device: Entourage Pocket eDGe	Perhaps the better question then is does anyone know of a way to access the data when I can't get the PE to complete the boot process? Sorry if some of my questions seem silly--I'm still learning how to work with hardware. In the past, I've been able to solve my technical issues either at a software level or with very basic hardware fixes like upgrading memory. Thank you, Filark. That is part of my concern.

07-04-2011, 12:11 AM	#11
Emeralds Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA Device: Entourage Pocket eDGe	It was upgraded to Ermine, but I don't think I enabled debugging.

07-04-2011, 05:56 AM	#13
ivanjt Guru Posts: 858 Karma: 1027478 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South of France Device: kindle dx; eDGe	Having effectively bricked your PE I don't think there is really any need to fear that it will miraculously start working in the hands of someone else. At the stage you are at the only way to revive your PE, assuming there isn't a component causing the problem, is to re-flash using JTAG, again assuming there is the JTAG interface available. I assume there is either a JTAG interface, or something like it, to permit the factory install of the software. If that is so then that flashing would first clear everything out before restoring the new information - think, flashing bios on a computer where everything in the bios is reverted to factory defaults. If you return your PE, the first thing that is likely to happen is that someone will switch it on just to confirm that it doesn't work. It will then be sent for recycling where, maybe, it will have the screens and battery salvaged for repairs, the remainder is usually fed to the chopper but this depends on local laws. If, on the other hand it ends up with a recycler that has the knowledge, tools and circuit information it may be re-flashed, which clears everything, and then sold as a refurbished item. Since we haven't heard of anyone repairing edges, except for entourage themselves, this latter possibility is very remote.

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