VisorCentral.com - Power button non-responsive

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- How To / Troubleshooting (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=2)
-- Power button non-responsive (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=17477)

Posted by MRP on 08-08-2001 06:41 PM:

Power button non-responsive

Lately, when I press the Power Button to either turn my Visor on or off, nothing happens. Sometimes, the only way to turn it on is to hit one of the Application Buttons. And, to turn it off, I might have to wait a few seconds to try it again.
The only recent change I made was to install the demo version of Action Names.
Battery power is strong.

Posted by dessa on 08-08-2001 07:18 PM:

I haven't had this specific problem, but:

I'd do a soft reset and see if the problem went away.
If it did, but came back, I'd try to track down what app/activity is causing it.
If it didn't go away, I'd do a hard reset (after making sure I had a FULL backup).
Again, if it were me, I'd then save my full backup and work with only the built-in apps for awhile to see if it was a hardware problem or not.
If you've got the problem after a hard reset with only the built-in apps, I'd say you have a hardware problem (although some people on this board would say you should let you battery run down until the time is no longer saved to completely verify that you don't have a hardware problem
If the problem has gone away, carefully install one third pary app at a time (and use your device for awhile until you find the offending app or app combination.

Good Luck.

Posted by Rolando on 08-08-2001 09:53 PM:

The same thing happened to my wife's palm III. Turns out that the circuit board got corroded under the power button. It was too far gone to just clean off though.

When I get around to it, I'll pick up a used motherboard for it (they're only $10.00!).

If you're out of warranty, you can buy a replacement "button board" here.

http://www.gethightech.com/generic.jhtml?pid=57

Posted by on 08-08-2001 10:35 PM:

Re: Power button non-responsive

quote:
Originally posted by MRP
Lately, when I press the Power Button to either turn my Visor on or off, nothing happens. Sometimes, the only way to turn it on is to hit one of the Application Buttons. And, to turn it off, I might have to wait a few seconds to try it again.
The only recent change I made was to install the demo version of Action Names.
Battery power is strong.

From talking with you before I believe you are using a Visor DLX right? Answer a few questions for me:

1. Do you see any "hairline" cracks around the power button? Most of the time it's between the power button and the mic hole.

2. (This kind of goes along with #1) Around what time did you buy your Visor DLX?

3. Do you have any hacks installed that deal with power-off mode? or that control the power-off time? or hacks that make the power button double as a "shortcut" or "hot key" button?

Answer these questions and let's see if we can figure it out...

Posted by MRP on 08-08-2001 11:34 PM:

Re: Re: Power button non-responsive

quote:
Originally posted by smittyofdhs

From talking with you before I believe you are using a Visor DLX right? Answer a few questions for me:

1. Do you see any "hairline" cracks around the power button? Most of the time it's between the power button and the mic hole.

2. (This kind of goes along with #1) Around what time did you buy your Visor DLX?

3. Do you have any hacks installed that deal with power-off mode? or that control the power-off time? or hacks that make the power button double as a "shortcut" or "hot key" button?

Answer these questions and let's see if we can figure it out...

Yes, I am using a Visor DLX.
1. There are no hairline cracks.
2. The Visor was purchased several years ago.
3. There are no hacks that deal with power-off mode or as a hot key.

Posted by on 08-08-2001 11:55 PM:

Re: Re: Re: Power button non-responsive

quote:
Originally posted by MRP

Yes, I am using a Visor DLX.
1. There are no hairline cracks.
2. The Visor was purchased several years ago.
3. There are no hacks that deal with power-off mode or as a hot key.

This makes it a bit harder. Questions 1 & 2 go back to the Visor DLX crack casing issues. In several early runs of the DLX they had casings that were cracking over time. My DLX cracked near the memo button and I had problems using that button. I would have to push it 3-4 times to get it to work. I also had the cracking around the power button. My unit was out of warranty 4-6 months and I called HS, told them I knew this was a manufacturing defect and that many people had returned their units for this. The Customer Service rep replaced it immediately.

Question 3 rules out a software conflict.

My Suggestion:

Decide if it's a software or hardware issue. Backup the device with a software/hardware backup solution then Hard Reset the device. After the reset check out the operation of the power button. Does it work better or the same? If it's better, then it a software conflict. If it's the same, it's a hardware problem.

Software problem: Install each app and check to see how the power button works after each app is installed and setup. Don't use the backup you made. You need to find out which software is causing the issue. If you can't find any problems, you always have the backup to restore all your settings and data too.

Hardware problem: You have a couple of choices....
1. I would suggest calling Handspring and just see if you can get this thru warranty. I know your warranty is up but try it anyway, you just never know what can happen with them. The worst they can say is "no". I would tell them you weren't sure what the date of purchase was and see if they buy it. Maybe it's a manufacturing defect that they replace for free.

2. You can call Handspring and see if they will fix the unit and what the cost is. It will probably too much and you can do it yourself cheaper.

3. As mentioned previous, buy a new button board and install it yourself. This option you are only out a few bucks and the least amount of time.

Without seeing the device, I would agree with the other that you have a hardware problem, although I really hope it turns out to be a software conflict.

Good Luck, I hope this helps...

Posted by ernieba1 on 08-08-2001 11:57 PM:

Have you (or anybody else) dropped or banged your visor recently?

__________________
-Bernie

"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.
-Dan Quayle

Posted by GSR13 on 08-09-2001 03:46 AM:

I had some problems with the power button on my Prism. Almost like the button on the Board was not aligned with the actual plastic power button I had to push. I had to press it just right to get the unit to power on or off. Then, I dropped it, and it was almost impossible to turn on and off. I believe the impact caused it to shift even more. Fortunately, BestBuy replaced it under their 3Year Warranty.

In your case, I would almost bet it is hardware related. Considering it is out of warranty, you might try opening it up and having a peek at the power button from the inside. I would highly suggest a backup first, perhaps with the BackupModule. If you are uncomfortable doing this, try taking it to someone who will.

You could always try contacting HandSpring and see what they suggest.

Good luck.

__________________
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Posted by Matter Man on 08-09-2001 03:50 AM:

I have this problem too, but I know exactly what the cause is - the screw that holds the two halves of the shell together is striped which means the button is not quite as tight as it should be.

Have you tried tightening the screw behind the power button SLIGHTLY. you dont want to strip the plastic or its a new top shell.

Good luck.

Posted by LarryN on 08-09-2001 03:17 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Matter Man
I have this problem too, but I know exactly what the cause is - the screw that holds the two halves of the shell together is striped which means the button is not quite as tight as it should be.

Matterman... You may want to take the top shell off, and put 1 drop of crazyglue in the hole (no more than that) and let it dry. It will be enough to coat the threads with enough glue so that when you put the screw back in it, it will now be able to bite into something. I've done this with quite a few tools/electronic devices in the past. Works great.

Posted by MRP on 08-09-2001 03:46 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Matter Man
I have this problem too, but I know exactly what the cause is - the screw that holds the two halves of the shell together is striped which means the button is not quite as tight as it should be.

Have you tried tightening the screw behind the power button SLIGHTLY. you dont want to strip the plastic or its a new top shell.

Good luck.

I did try tightening the screw but it was not loose. In reply to a prior post, I did drop the Visor while it was in its Rhodiana case once, but that was a while ago and I only started noticing the problem recently. I will, however, maybe venture inside the Visor to check for either corrosion or some other problem.

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