Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

  1. #1
    The User DemonDragonJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    outside the net, inputting games for pleasure
    Posts
    274

    Default Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    I have a Creative Zen portable music player, and I am very fond of it, as it is an impressive device that delivers excellent sound and is made by Creative Labs, a major name in audio devices.

    However, recently (today, actually) the device's interface broke, which is not at all a good thing. To be more specific, the player used a mini-USB interface that had five connector pins held in place by a piece of plastic, and that piece of plastic simply fell out, leaving the pins intact but exposed. Most fortunately, the device's battery can still be charged, but it no longer is capable of connecting to my computer, which means that I cannot add new songs to it or alter existing songs, which is understandably very annoying.

    Therefore, I am wondering what course of action I should take to remedy this situation: should I attempt to repair the interface on my music player, or simply purchase a new device, and if I purchase a new device, what players can anyone here recommend? I await your responses.
    "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." -Thomas Jefferson.

    "Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither." -Benjamin Franklin

  2. #2
    The floppy drive is no longer obsolete. AmEv's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Idaho, USA
    Posts
    3,052
    Two years. They were great. Let's make the next ones even better!

    Tri.fecta

  3. #3
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, UK
    Posts
    2,816

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    Might be worth looking on ebay for a damaged one to swap parts out of - something with a cracked screen etc

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
    Completed Projects: General Lee | Synergy Green | Liquid Yellow
    Planned Projects: K-9-PC | Limey

  4. #4
    The User DemonDragonJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    outside the net, inputting games for pleasure
    Posts
    274

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    Yes, thank you very much; that part is exactly what I could use to repair my player, but I have little experience in replacing such a part, so what does everyone else recommend? Should I attempt to replace it myself, or have a professional technician replace it?
    "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." -Thomas Jefferson.

    "Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither." -Benjamin Franklin

  5. #5
    Custom Title Honors Snowman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    B F E
    Posts
    1,005

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    Panavise, variable temperature soldering iron with a very fine tip, solder sucker, patience, and a steady hand. That is what I would recommend. If you aren't comfortable with it there be someone on the forum willing to solder it up for you. Personally I am not comfortable enough to work on other peoples stuff on that level.
    Regedit'ed, Rooted, and Jailbroke anymore questions?
    Here’s a bumper sticker I’d like to see: “We are the proud parents of a child who’s self-esteem is sufficient that he doesn’t need us promoting his minor scholastic achievements on the back of our car.”

  6. #6
    Custom Title Honors
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    1,078

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    i can solder stuff that small. it's what i do every day. mine, yours, snowman's i don't care who it belongs to, lol.

    anyway, if you need some solder work done, hit me up, i'll be happy to help.

  7. #7
    The User DemonDragonJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    outside the net, inputting games for pleasure
    Posts
    274

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    Quote Originally Posted by Snowman View Post
    Panavise, variable temperature soldering iron with a very fine tip, solder sucker, patience, and a steady hand. That is what I would recommend. If you aren't comfortable with it there be someone on the forum willing to solder it up for you. Personally I am not comfortable enough to work on other peoples stuff on that level.
    I myself do not have sufficient experience or practice with soldering delicate electronic parts to attempt such a feat, so I would either purchase a new device or ask another person to assist me with such a task.

    Quote Originally Posted by xr4man View Post
    i can solder stuff that small. it's what i do every day. mine, yours, snowman's i don't care who it belongs to, lol.

    anyway, if you need some solder work done, hit me up, i'll be happy to help.
    I definitely appreciate your offer, but where do you live? I would prefer to seek assistance from someone who lives close to where I live, so that I can bring them the device in person. I can reveal on this publicly-viewable forum that I live somewhere in New England in the Untied States, but I prefer to not be any more specific than that, until I find someone who lives in relatively close proximity to me.
    "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." -Thomas Jefferson.

    "Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither." -Benjamin Franklin

  8. #8
    Custom Title Honors
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    1,078

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    i probably live about 500 miles south of you then. maybe as little as 200 miles south.

  9. #9
    The User DemonDragonJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    outside the net, inputting games for pleasure
    Posts
    274

    Default Re: Repairing a Broken USB Port?

    Quote Originally Posted by xr4man View Post
    i probably live about 500 miles south of you then. maybe as little as 200 miles south.
    That is slightly too far for me to travel, so I shall likely seek assistance from someone who lives closer to where I live, but I do appreciate your offer; thank you very much.
    "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." -Thomas Jefferson.

    "Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither." -Benjamin Franklin

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •