My Smart Q7 unit broken after a few hours of use

profnachos · 06-17-2009, 03:43 AM

Loved it for 3 hours, but the plug for the power adapter is busted. There is nothing for my adapter to latch onto inside the hole.

I just plugged it to recharge it after I got it, which was the only time the plug worked. Didn't have to force it in, but something must have happened for the plug to break inside the unit. Shined a flash light into the opening, and there is nothing there. The plug must be very fragile.

Hooking up the device to my computer with the USB cable does not recharge either. I guess only cell phones have that feature.

Will email the seller and we will see what will happen. I guess I will be the first warranty test case

Will keep you updated.

Update: Should say the "socket" is broken, not the plug. Thanks to pdurrant for the correction.

bjkel · 06-17-2009, 06:57 AM

Sounds to me you lucked out on a dud one. First your card reader now your power supply.

Hopefully Eletroworld comes through for you.

Gideon · 06-17-2009, 07:00 AM

Good luck.

profnachos · 06-17-2009, 01:32 PM

Actually the card reader is fine. I just didn't know that the label side was supposed to be down.

Got an email back from Eletroworld, and the guy completely missed my point. Here is what he wrote:

some type of Nokia adapter is fit for it! you can choose and buy

Wrote him back to say that there is nothing wrong with the adapter. The plug on the device, which I thought was pretty clear in my email.

Am I not making myself clear in my original post? I pretty much repeated what I wrote here. This is not looking good.

skyfish · 06-17-2009, 01:46 PM

if all other efforts fail, this might help:

smartq7-apart-images

ColdSun · 06-17-2009, 02:34 PM

I had this happen on an eBookwise-1150. The adapter connector on the device's mainboard fell off (was soldered poorly) when I tried to plug it in. This happens on small devices sometimes. You can try to send it back, or you can try to open the device and solder the connector back to the main board. It is very tricky and takes a steady hand, but that is exactly what I did with my eBookwise-1150. Since you just purchased the Q7, and this is really a manufacturer's defect, I would get it replaced.

profnachos · 06-17-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColdSun

I had this happen on an eBookwise-1150. The adapter connector on the device's mainboard fell off (was soldered poorly) when I tried to plug it in. This happens on small devices sometimes. You can try to send it back, or you can try to open the device and solder the connector back to the main board. It is very tricky and takes a steady hand, but that is exactly what I did with my eBookwise-1150. Since you just purchased the Q7, and this is really a manufacturer's defect, I would get it replaced.

The trick right now is getting them to understand the issue at hand. The guy who mans the email help desk does not appear to have a good command of English. My brief description of the problem completely went over his head.

Even if I get past that point, given that the company is a major ocean away, I wonder what process they have set up to take in the unit, repair and send it back. The shipping for the unit was $40, which is nearly 1/4 of the unit's cost. A round trip would be twice as much, and who picks up the tab?

That said, it is a great product and I love it. I may try to find somebody to try to solder the connector back.

pdurrant · 06-17-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profnachos

Wrote him back to say that there is nothing wrong with the adapter. The plug on the device, which I thought was pretty clear in my email.

I'd suggest you say that the power socket on the device is faulty. Talking about a plug will only make them think of the external adapter.

profnachos · 06-17-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I'd suggest you say that the power socket on the device is faulty. Talking about a plug will only make them think of the external adapter.

You are right. I misspoke.

wermy · 06-17-2009, 04:40 PM

If it were me, I'd solder it or find a capable friend to do it for me. You're right -- shipping costs and delays would be pretty costly, when it may be a simple soldering job. Good luck.

ColdSun · 06-17-2009, 05:32 PM

In the case you are soldering it, take a look at http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/11.jpg. The power socket/connector may not have fallen completely off (if you can hear it inside jiggling around it is clearly off). It could be that a solder will be even easier if a piece of it is still connected to the board. With some care, it shouldn't be too hard, especially if you have soldered before. Good luck and keep us posted!

Faenad · 06-18-2009, 12:12 AM

It's probably crappy soldering, the motherboard pictures linked above shows very poor soldering for most external components.

You should send to their support guys some close shots of your damaged device, a picture is worth a thousand words.

At worse, If they want you to pay for return postage (I hope not as it's a clear DOA), you can just resolder it or bring it to an electronic repair shop as already say above.

If there isn't any "warranty void if removed" sticker over the screw or inside, a clean repair would certainly not be detectable over the original sub average soldering, thus not invalidating the warranty if you have more serious issue later on.

http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/25.jpg

profnachos · 06-18-2009, 01:16 AM

Thank you for the picture. I plan on taking it 0to my friend with a solderer tomorrow night.

profnachos · 06-18-2009, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faenad

If there isn't any "warranty void if removed" sticker over the screw or inside, a clean repair would certainly not be detectable over the original sub average soldering, thus not invalidating the warranty if you have more serious issue later on.

http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/25.jpg

There is a sticker, but it just has just the company logo on it.

I believe the picture is that of a socket for ear phones, not for a power adapter.

Faenad · 06-18-2009, 11:03 AM

You're right. The power socket would be the one at the opposite end. There is no close shot of it but pict 11 above and http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/13.jpg show it.

As for the sticker, if it block the opening of the device and can't be peeled off and replaced after without damage, you are probably voiding your warranty by removing it.

If so you should keep contacting both Eletroworld and smartdevices and wait to see what they proposes to you.

06-17-2009, 03:43 AM	#1
profnachos Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 43 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Palm Treo	My Smart Q7 unit broken after a few hours of use Loved it for 3 hours, but the plug for the power adapter is busted. There is nothing for my adapter to latch onto inside the hole. I just plugged it to recharge it after I got it, which was the only time the plug worked. Didn't have to force it in, but something must have happened for the plug to break inside the unit. Shined a flash light into the opening, and there is nothing there. The plug must be very fragile. Hooking up the device to my computer with the USB cable does not recharge either. I guess only cell phones have that feature. Will email the seller and we will see what will happen. I guess I will be the first warranty test case Will keep you updated. Update: Should say the "socket" is broken, not the plug. Thanks to pdurrant for the correction. Last edited by profnachos; 06-18-2009 at 01:22 AM.

06-18-2009, 12:12 AM	#12
Faenad Ad astra per aspera Posts: 347 Karma: 724 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mexico Device: PRS-505, PRS-300 & HTC HD2	It's probably crappy soldering, the motherboard pictures linked above shows very poor soldering for most external components. You should send to their support guys some close shots of your damaged device, a picture is worth a thousand words. At worse, If they want you to pay for return postage (I hope not as it's a clear DOA), you can just resolder it or bring it to an electronic repair shop as already say above. If there isn't any "warranty void if removed" sticker over the screw or inside, a clean repair would certainly not be detectable over the original sub average soldering, thus not invalidating the warranty if you have more serious issue later on. http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/25.jpg Last edited by Faenad; 06-18-2009 at 12:18 AM.

06-18-2009, 01:16 AM	#13
profnachos Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 43 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Palm Treo	Thank you for the picture. I plan on taking it 0to my friend with a solderer tomorrow night. Last edited by profnachos; 06-18-2009 at 02:45 AM.

06-18-2009, 11:03 AM	#15
Faenad Ad astra per aspera Posts: 347 Karma: 724 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mexico Device: PRS-505, PRS-300 & HTC HD2	You're right. The power socket would be the one at the opposite end. There is no close shot of it but pict 11 above and http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/13.jpg show it. As for the sticker, if it block the opening of the device and can't be peeled off and replaced after without damage, you are probably voiding your warranty by removing it. If so you should keep contacting both Eletroworld and smartdevices and wait to see what they proposes to you. Last edited by Faenad; 06-18-2009 at 11:12 AM.

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06-17-2009, 06:57 AM	#2
bjkel Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 8826 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T1, Nook Color, Kobo, Kindle Voyage, Kobo Forma	Sounds to me you lucked out on a dud one. First your card reader now your power supply. Hopefully Eletroworld comes through for you.

06-17-2009, 07:00 AM	#3
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Good luck.

06-17-2009, 01:32 PM	#4
profnachos Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 43 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Palm Treo	Actually the card reader is fine. I just didn't know that the label side was supposed to be down. Got an email back from Eletroworld, and the guy completely missed my point. Here is what he wrote: some type of Nokia adapter is fit for it! you can choose and buy Wrote him back to say that there is nothing wrong with the adapter. The plug on the device, which I thought was pretty clear in my email. Am I not making myself clear in my original post? I pretty much repeated what I wrote here. This is not looking good.

06-17-2009, 01:46 PM	#5
skyfish Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 84 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: NOOK, Win8 tablet, iPad	if all other efforts fail, this might help: smartq7-apart-images

06-17-2009, 02:34 PM	#6
ColdSun Developer/Device Reviews Posts: 588 Karma: 22183 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Device: Sony Xperia Tablet Z, Kindle Paperwhite 2, Lenovo Yoga 8, IPad 3	I had this happen on an eBookwise-1150. The adapter connector on the device's mainboard fell off (was soldered poorly) when I tried to plug it in. This happens on small devices sometimes. You can try to send it back, or you can try to open the device and solder the connector back to the main board. It is very tricky and takes a steady hand, but that is exactly what I did with my eBookwise-1150. Since you just purchased the Q7, and this is really a manufacturer's defect, I would get it replaced.

06-17-2009, 04:40 PM	#10
wermy Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: SmartQ 7	If it were me, I'd solder it or find a capable friend to do it for me. You're right -- shipping costs and delays would be pretty costly, when it may be a simple soldering job. Good luck.

06-17-2009, 05:32 PM	#11
ColdSun Developer/Device Reviews Posts: 588 Karma: 22183 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Device: Sony Xperia Tablet Z, Kindle Paperwhite 2, Lenovo Yoga 8, IPad 3	In the case you are soldering it, take a look at http://www.jiongtang.com/blog/wp-con...2009/06/11.jpg. The power socket/connector may not have fallen completely off (if you can hear it inside jiggling around it is clearly off). It could be that a solder will be even easier if a piece of it is still connected to the board. With some care, it shouldn't be too hard, especially if you have soldered before. Good luck and keep us posted!

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