IBM Workpad C3 Problem

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops (More info?)

Hi,

Sorry for the repeat posting but this message mistakenly got buried in
another unrelated thread. I should add that I have already tried both
'soft' and 'hard' resets as described in the manual - to no avail.

I have just received an IBM Workpad C3 (Model 8602-50X) (rebadged Palm
Vx), purchased on eBay.
It is a new, unused, pristine item and came shrink-wrapped with the
'Sealed for Quality by IBM' still intact. The box has a Warranty and
Returns Date of 2000-09-18.
However it seems to have come 'dead on arrival'. The manual advises a 4
hour initial charge and I have now left it in the cradle over two nights
and still can't get it to show any sign of life.
The cradle light does come on when the PDA is set in place but I guess
that does not mean any charge is necessarily getting through. Should I
be able to turn on the backlight whilst the PDA is in the charger
regardless of battery state? I can't.
I'm just trying to troubleshoot (never owned a PDA before).
Possibilities:
1. defective charger
2. defective battery (what state should a 4 year old lithium ion
battery be in?)
3. defective on/off switch
Any pointers or should I just put it down to bad luck (bought from
private individual, as is, with no return agreement).

Thanks for any advice,

Ed.