Tungsten T charging problem

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

I just bought a refurbed Tungsten T from a reputable seller on eBay, but
it's exhibiting some odd behaviour...

When in the hotsync cradle (with AC power plugged in), I get a lightning
bolt symbol and green charging LED. But the charge o nthe device doesn't go
up!
I left it overnight last night in the cradle (computer off, AC power on),
and the green LED was on. I turn it on this morning and the PDA claims that
the power is extremely low and it shuts down. I then have to soft reset it
to get it back on, then it shuts down.

Now it won't even switch on again!

I've measure the voltage across the charging terminals on the cradle and
they are 5V. The green LEd and lightning bolt symbol imply that the PDA is
getting a voltage/power, but the battery doesn't charge.

For what it's worth, I also get a green charging light when using a friend's
USB cable (i.e. no cradle), but I haven't borrowed it for long enough to see
if the unit charges. And the unit is so dead now that I can't switch on to
see a lightning bolt.

I've performed soft resets galore, both in and out of the cradle, to no
avail. The unit has no power left to do a hard reset now.

Has anyone got any bright ideas?

--
Ian Cowley | Bishop's Stortford
email: ian@ | and
iancowley.co.uk | Cambridge

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

Ian Cowley wrote:
> I just bought a refurbed Tungsten T from a reputable seller on eBay, but
> it's exhibiting some odd behaviour...
>
> When in the hotsync cradle (with AC power plugged in), I get a lightning
> bolt symbol and green charging LED. But the charge o nthe device doesn't go
> up!
> I left it overnight last night in the cradle (computer off, AC power on),
> and the green LED was on. I turn it on this morning and the PDA claims that
> the power is extremely low and it shuts down. I then have to soft reset it
> to get it back on, then it shuts down.
>
> Now it won't even switch on again!
>
> I've measure the voltage across the charging terminals on the cradle and
> they are 5V. The green LEd and lightning bolt symbol imply that the PDA is
> getting a voltage/power, but the battery doesn't charge.

This is not the correct way to test the if battery is charged.

a battery that is empty can have 5V in its terminals but when you put
some load in it it will decrease at most. Anyway it looks like it is ok.

Try too put a resistor between the contacts to make some load and
measure again. a 1k resistor may not hurt it.
>
> For what it's worth, I also get a green charging light when using a friend's
> USB cable (i.e. no cradle), but I haven't borrowed it for long enough to see
> if the unit charges. And the unit is so dead now that I can't switch on to
> see a lightning bolt.
>
> I've performed soft resets galore, both in and out of the cradle, to no
> avail. The unit has no power left to do a hard reset now.
>
> Has anyone got any bright ideas?
>
Anyway try to negotiate return the device. I think that is too much
headache for a recent acquired device even a refurbed one.

you can also bet one replace the battery. If the battery is not the
problem, the device probably has some serious problem.

Franco
Lifedrive Review: http://www.micromagiclabs.com/forums/thread1488.html
PalmOS forums: http://forums.micromagiclabs.com