For a design flaw of the device, the customer is left with a $600 paper weight!? That's unacceptable.
If we say the life of device is 2 yrs (optimistic, non-depreciating) - for every month they do not fix the problem users with problems should be refunded at least $25/month. I do not think Nokia will stand a chance if they are dragged into court, it will tarnish their image further. Given the widespread problem I am surprised no one has taken a legal action.
That has already happened and been reported numerous times in this thread (and on my blog).
Pad damage?
I have seen reports of people getting Warranty repair. But that has been the case from the start. I had assumed that was solder joint damage as was mentioned as repairable by the centre I took my phone into.
I have not yet seen anyone claim their phone had pad damage. Or have in the past had it rejected due to this (BER) that has now had it fixed.
As I say it might take a little more time. While these people return the phone for a second round.
Or I may not have noticed someone who has posted before claiming it was refused as (BER) then post stating it is now fixed.
But I am not willing to have faith in this until I hear from people with "Landing pad damage" that they have had nokia repair or replace the phone.
I know I sound overly pesemistic. But I do think I have reason.
As for the timeline. As i mentioned after MarkS quoted the policy on engadget the centre I went to recieved an update the very next morning.
The update was not what we wanted to hear. But if the new announcement a few days ago is what we expect. Then no one with pad damage should be getting a phone returned from Nokia care centers if it was looked at after thursday just gone.
Lets watch this for a few more days and see what happens .
But we should be seeing people with pad damaged phones getting them returned early next week. Then I will bew willing to give Nokia credit for doing the right thing.
This seems like a ticking time bomb that is just waiting to nail all N900s. Maybe the best tact would be a list of all sites like Engadget that have comment portions so that we can start commenting!
Nokia did their PR blitz to try and stem the flow of complaints. Seems that "we" should do the same.
The only way these failures should be called abuse is if there are pry marks or physical signs of abuse. They are basically calling their customers Liars! Nice, real nice!
LP, make a list of sites if you have them, and maybe we can get some attention/light on this problem.
My feeling is that this is a potential issue with 100% of the phones.
I have seen reports of people getting Warranty repair. But that has been the case from the start. I had assumed that was solder joint damage as was mentioned as repairable by the centre I took my phone into.
I have not yet seen anyone claim their phone had pad damage. Or have in the past had it rejected due to this (BER) that has now had it fixed.
As I say it might take a little more time. While these people return the phone for a second round.
Or I may not have noticed someone who has posted before claiming it was refused as (BER) then post stating it is now fixed.
Please let me know I am wrong about that ?
Every case of detached USB connector that I have seen described included some degree of pad damage.
That is THE mode of failure here: pads coming free of the PCB surface as I have described numerous times.
It isn't a soldering failure at all. That's unlikely enough to almost be impossible.
I'm not understanding where the confusion is originating...
My feeling is that this is a potential issue with 100% of the phones.
I agree with you here. I received a replacement N900 on the spot for my USB issue, so I'm very happy with Nokia.
I, however, have lost faith in the port of this new device. I'm really scared it will break again. This is a feeling I would rather live without, while owning a $600usd flagship device.
It reminds me of the N95 slider issues, although those could be fixed at home.
Yes, that has been my cry since I saw this thread. Even if the phones were to get replaced, the new ones will break lose in another month or two and after that? Unless Nokia takes a giant step and fixes this can of worms, this will be a big shot in groin for them.
I am still under the return window with amazon.com. Although logic tells me I should return the device, my heart tells me I want it. damn!
Yes, that has been my cry since I saw this thread. Even if the phones were to get replaced, the new ones will break lose in another month or two and after that? Unless Nokia takes a giant step and fixes this can of worms, this will be a big shot in groin for them.
I am still under the return window with amazon.com. Although logic tells me I should return the device, my heart tells me I want it. damn!
I'm like you.
I look at it every saying, "this is the best phone out there"
Then I get a little sick at my stomach and say, "this is a piss poor implementation of the best phone out there"
Every case of detached USB connector that I have seen described included some degree of pad damage.
That is THE mode of failure here: pads coming free of the PCB surface as I have described numerous times.
It isn't a soldering failure at all. That's unlikely enough to almost be impossible.
I'm not understanding where the confusion is originating...
Well the confusion is coming from the update that I was shown in the Repair center. With a picture of a badly soldered USB port. And a pic of a port loose from the board with the pad torn off.
And the note indicating that one could be fixed and one could not.
This was the update they recieved on friday last.
And is why I did not trust Nokias comment unless it mentions pad damage as being covered.
But if you are happy that pad damage is definatly being repaired. Then I am very encouraged.,
