Palm 3C recharging problem or is it DOA? *Palm experts please look - hehe*

[TEEZLE]

Hey guys I got a Palm 3C as a gift (Bare unit with the charger and base). When I place it in the charger/cradle, the recharge light in the unit doesn't turn on. I took apart the base and confirmed the voltage was going through it with the power plug in. So I don't think it's the base. I also took the battery out of the Palm unit itself and reseated the connector. Still the unit doesn't charge. It seems that the Palm itself is bad? Even though the battery is drained, I can slightly see that the unit is on when I press the power on it. I was just wondering if it is the Palm unit or somehing else? Anyone have any experiences with this problem? Please reply with any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!!


P.S. The unit doesn't carry the warranty!!

 

[GL]

Have you tried resetting your Palm? When my dad got his IIIc, I had to do a hard reset (hold down power button, insert reset tool or paper clip into reset hold, wait for Palm logo to show up, release power button). Otherwise, his unit didn't seem to charge or turn on. His was an OEM with no manual...not sure if this is standard fare for the IIIc.

Caution A hard reset will erase everything that isn't on the ROM. You might want to try with the various other reset procedures that don't erase your data. You can find this on palm.com

 

[TEEZLE]

I tried the regular soft reset I guess but that didn't work. I am going to go try the hard reset as I speak.
Before you did the hard reset, did the battery charge light come on? Mine doesn't come on at all. I'm not worrying about loss of data since the unit never really turned fully on!!

Thanks for the quick reply GL.

BRB I hope!!!!

 

[GL]

<< I tried the regular soft reset I guess but that didn't work. I am going to go try the hard reset as I speak.
Before you did the hard reset, did the battery charge light come on? Mine doesn't come on at all. I'm not worrying about loss of data since the unit never really turned fully on!!

Thanks for the quick reply GL.

BRB I hope!!!! >>



The light would not come on either until I did the hard reset. It's working just fine now (I was told it would take 10 hours to charge but it took just about 4-5 hours). It's actually my dad's and he got it yesterday. I've got a IIIxe and the IIIc is quite nice.

 

[MWink]

<< Even though the battery is drained, I can slightly see that the unit is on when I press the power on it. >>



How can it be "slightly" on??? I have a Palm IIIc and when the battery dies it turns off and does not come on at all. Could you clarify what you mean by "slightly"?

 

[TEEZLE]

How can it be "slightly" on??? I have a Palm IIIc and when the battery dies it turns off and does not come on at all. Could you clarify what you mean by "slightly

When I press the sync button on the base, i hear a beep and the unit tries to sync. Of course the battery is so drained, that the only way to see what's on the screen is under the sunlight. I am going to try it right now. I forgot I left it at my lady's house yesterday.

BTW Hope you guys have a great NEW YEAR!!

BRB in a couple of minutes.

 

[TEEZLE]

Well, the darn hard reset didn't work. I even held the reset switch in the back for like 30 seconds. No go. I'm pissed!! I wonder if a defective battery would not let the unit charge? It's wierd?!?! Should I get a new battery? Or is it something like the board of the Palm unit? I'm stuck you all

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Please respond with any more ideas.

 

[TEEZLE]

please help bump

 

[GL]

I just want to make sure you're doing the hard reset properly because I know I wasn't...the unit would reset but not a hard reset.

Do you get prompted with a "yes/no" question about erasing the contents of the device? If so, you're doing it properly. Otherwise, make sure you let go of the power button only AFTER you see the Palm logo.

When you say the unit has no warranty, does that mean you have a refurbished or OEM unit? My dad's OEM unit apparently comes with a one year warranty. If your unit is refurbished or used, it's likely there is a hardware problem.

 

[TEEZLE]

Yes I did see the logo come up when I reset it. The unit was a used gift given to me by my uncle. He said he barely used it. It probably got damaged in shipment? Of course no insurance was put on the package I'm going to the Palm site to see if there's a warranty lookup? Thanks for the replies

HAPPY NEW YEAR YOU ALL !!!! :

 

[TEEZLE]

pleez?

 

[ojai00]

The the power connection to the serial cable that plugs to the back of the computer. You have to fiddle around with it (for example, rotate it around until you get the light or unplug and plug it back). I had a problem like that before...and I just messed around with the power cable. Just play with it until you can get the light. Hope this helps.

 

[TEEZLE]

I did try that also When I ran the voltometer to the base it was receiving the 5v power (so I guess the base is ok?). But it seems that the Palm unit is not getting the power? I was going to see how much a battery costs but would a defective battery stop the recharge light from coming on? Thanks for the replies everyone

p.s. I'm glad other's out there feel the pain I'm going through - hehe

 

[MWink]

I think if it comes on without the backlight there may be an even bigger problem. It sounds like it has very serious problems. Out of curiosity, have you tested the battery with the voltmeter? If you do find a place selling the battery for it, please let me know as I have been looking for one for a while.

If you really run out of ideas and can't get it fixed. If you want you could send me your battery and I could try it (and charge it) in my Palm IIIc. Just thought I would make the offer.

 

[TEEZLE]

The backlight doesn't come on because the battery is almost completely dead.

If you really run out of ideas and can't get it fixed. If you want you could send me your battery and I could try it (and charge it) in my Palm IIIc. Just thought I would make the offer

I tell you what, send me yours and I'll test it out with my battery?!

Thanks for all your help.

Bump in case a person actually knows what the problem is.

 

[MWink]

<< The backlight doesn't come on because the battery is almost completely dead. >>



I still disagree. When the battery dies in mine, the unit will not come on at all. It sounds more like the backlight is not working. Also, did you try testing the battery with a voltmeter???

 

[TEEZLE]

I still disagree. When the battery dies in mine, the unit will not come on at all. It sounds more like the backlight is not working. Also, did you try testing the battery with a voltmeter??

I don't think the backlight is bad. It wouldn't have anything to do with the recharge light? Or would it? One thing I noticed also, is that I can see the battery indicator on the screen with the bolt of lightning pic going through it when it's in the cradle. (I guess that means it's charging?) So I guess the backlight could be bad after all?!?!?!

Thanks for all the replies you all. We're definitely breaking down the problem huh

You all are great!!!

Also, I just found out it might be under warranty!!!!! (He claims he has the book and the paperwork for it) I'll be talking to my uncle later on tonight. I'll keep you all posted. Also, if you send it in for repair (under warranty) what do they need?

 

[MWink]

<< It wouldn't have anything to do with the recharge light? Or would it? >>



I don't think so. I think it has its own LED.



<< One thing I noticed also, is that I can see the battery indicator on the screen with the bolt of lightning pic going through it when it's in the cradle. >>



The question is, what does the battery look like when it is NOT charging? How full is it?



<< Also, I just found out it might be under warranty!!!!! >>



Sorry to have to tell you this but I don't think the screen is covered by the warranty (unless you have the extended warranty). Though, I'm not sure if the backlight is considered part of the screen.

 

[TEEZLE]

<<<< The question is, what does the battery look like when it is NOT charging? How full is it? >>>>

Good idea! Now how do I distinguish a full or empty battery? Should it be a solid black oir empty...etc?
So what does the warranty actually cover and for how long? He says he had the unit for only like 7 months!! So hopefully there's some type of warranty. I figured even if they will fix it for $125 (I think) I guess it wouldn't be too bad a price for a Palm 3C? hehe

Thanks again

MWink - good posts dude! thanks

 

[MWink]

<< Now how do I distinguish a full or empty battery? >>



Blue = full, gray = empty. They are not too easy to distinguish so I would look for the black line separating them.



<< So what does the warranty actually cover and for how long? >>



I think it covers everything except the screen. I'm pretty sure it has a 1 year warranty.

 

[TEEZLE]