I aligned my thumbnail with the edge of each prong and pushed down. Hard. It doesn't stay completely down, sure, because there's tensile resistance-- but I did lower the height enough.
What idiots. Just how do they think that occurs? No one is taking the devices apart and prying the connectors off!
Mobicity say it is physical damage, and not covered under their warranty. They do not agree with comments I copied from an electronic engineer that dispute this (and corresponds with comments made here). I have taken the complaint up with the government body in Queensland, Australia, the Office of Fair Trading.
If I purchase a replacement phone, it will not be a N900, as I can't be sure the same thing won't happen again. I think I will avoid all Nokia phones in fact. There is speculation newer phones have the issue fixed; even if that is the case I could get one from an old batch. If I use Mobicity or not again remains to be seen.
As a related issue: Is this problem specific to Nokia and N900? Are there are other companies/phones that have dodgy micro-USB ports?
I tried the compression trick and compared to grinding off the little tabs it is no where near as effective. Grinding the tabs off makes the fit much much easier to insert and remove. It is still snug enough that I have never had a cable come out. I am still paranoid as hell but feel much better about the force needed to charge etc. Like has been pointed out though you have to be super careful to remove any filings as that could cause a short across the pins. In saying that it was as easy as giving the plug a good healthy blast of compressed air and thourough inspection after the modification. I never acually modded my original cables but instead got one of these.
and how did u grind the charger using what tools ?
I used a die grinder first to get rid of most of the tab and then a small file to really get it flush. I used the file last just incase I went too far with the die grinder and ground away the body of the plug. I got someone to hold the grinder and carefully moved the tabs on to the wheel. Steady hand required. You can use both or either on its own really. Removing most of the tab or at least the hook part will help. I then had a can of compressed air I blasted the plug with to remove any metal in the plug. Not that I could see any. It really does make the plug feel much much better. I was freaking out everytime i charged before I did this. Now I am just a little worried
Mobicity say it is physical damage, and not covered under their warranty.
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As a related issue: Is this problem specific to Nokia and N900? Are there are other companies/phones that have dodgy micro-USB ports?
Brian May
I'd like to say I'm amazed how many don't get what mechanical failure is. I'm sure that term is in the CARE vernacular.
At least one engineer on engadget says he experienced this on a product he helped develop. His company switched to through-hole connectors as the solution.
They know what it is. It is them out $$$. That's why they say physical damage.
Well, the CARE reps don't lose a dime. They're just instructed to make sure the problem fits into a slot somewhere that kicks off the reverse logistics process. I think the problem here continues to be one of miscommunication and misunderstandings, not any malicious intent.
