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2012 Nexus 7 Discussion Forums (1st Generation) => Nexus 7 Help => Topic started by: Rabbit on June 19, 2014, 02:45:44 PM

Title: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 19, 2014, 02:45:44 PM
Totally dead tablet.  I've tried all of the recommendations I could track down in past threads and even called ASUS and learned a new one.  Still dead, quiet , black screen.
ASUS quoted $100 estimate for a simple fix to $200 for something more complex like replacing a mother board.
Anyone had luck with non factory repair centers that might be more reasonable?
Would you just trash it, or try screen or battery replacements?
Any and all comments greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: chipgallo on June 19, 2014, 02:52:48 PM
What did it do before totally failing? Any symptoms or unusual things happen?

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: birdastrompgman on June 19, 2014, 05:00:58 PM
I wouldn't trash it, nor would I start replacing parts without first identifying the problem.  See if you can eliminate the battery and display, then APX mode.

Asus' repair prices are hyperinflated.  It's cheaper to buy a used replacement. 
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 19, 2014, 06:28:18 PM
Thanks for the replies!  To answer your questions:
1.  Nothing unusual prior to death.   Worked fine in the evening, turned off, charged all night, and in the a.m. nothing!
At all.  Nada.  Zilch.  Butkus.
2.  Under the circumstances, how do I go about checking the battery and/or display?
Thanks again,
Rob
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: birdastrompgman on June 19, 2014, 11:47:55 PM
Hook the battery up to a 2 cell flashlight bulb, and see if it lights up, or hook it to a multimeter and see if it's putting out >3.75V DC.

Find another N7 and swap displays.

Connect your N7 to your PC's rear USB 2.0 port via a USB cable and see if it's recognized as an APX device in Device Manager.  Hold the power button for 60 seconds while connected to your PC, and see if it's recognized.
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 20, 2014, 08:52:26 PM
Like the idea of putting the volt meter to the battery but I haven't identified it yet.  Most of what I see when I take the cover off is a wide black electrical tape type covering.  Would the battery be under that?
Will also try the OTG cable connect to the laptop and see if anything reacts.
Thanks,   I'll let you know.   I sure appreciate everyones time on this.
Rob
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on June 20, 2014, 09:29:49 PM
Two pairs red and black wires, possibly two battery packs in parallel. Other wires are prob temp sensor.
If you disconnect the battery then try a charger, could eliminate a shorted cell?

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on June 20, 2014, 09:34:41 PM
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus+7+Teardown/9623

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on June 20, 2014, 10:09:57 PM
Internal connection check video. Easy Way how to Fix Asus NEXUS 7 no Video & Touch…: http://youtu.be/Idfhni53INM

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on June 20, 2014, 10:53:38 PM
If the charging cable went bad, the nexus could have discharged to the point of inoperability. Try another cable. Haven't found a schematic, just logic block diagrams, looks like the charging circuit is on one of the boards instead of the battery like other tabs.

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 21, 2014, 05:16:12 PM
Appreciate all the advice, but so far, still no go.  Have confirmed non-function with other known to be good charger cords.
Watched both videos.  Informative, even cause for optimism, but still nothing.
Question:
If battery is dead, wouldn't unit still turn on from a/c charger?  If not, then I might try a new battery if they aren't too expensive.  (Assume their not returnable.)
If it should start with direct power despite dead battery though, since I've checked the other connector mentioned in the video, then I think it's time to wave goodbye.
 :(
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on June 21, 2014, 06:10:26 PM
Well, here's a long thread on XDA.. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2090826



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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 22, 2014, 02:28:09 PM
Matt,
Did you say "long"?
"The road goes on forever and the party never ends!"   Thank you, R.E.K.
Going to pull the battery tonight and see if I can check it for charge and put it back in.
If no apparent charge and still not working I found a place on Amazon that has batteries for $30.00 that can be returned for full refund, no re-stocking fees if doesn't do the trick.  I'd only be out the postage. 
I'll let you know how it turns out, and thanks for the link.
Rob
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 22, 2014, 04:35:21 PM
Well, I checked the battery: 3.99 v. both sides.  Disconnect, wait, attempt to re-boot.  Nada.
Feeling like I've exhausted all the easy and/or inexpensive options.
When people finally get disgusted with their Nexus experience and decide to jump ship, where do they go?
Open to suggestions.
My MacBook is so old it has wrinkles and my Sansa MP3 could have belonged to the Flintstones.  Both still chugging along.  With Asus best answer to a 1 1/2 year death in the family being "$100 to $200.00 depending..." I see no reason keep traveling down this road.  Things happen.  No problem there.  It's how you deal with them when they do that counts in my book.  On that count I rank Asus and the Nexus 7 lower than whale s--t.
End of RAnt.
Thanks for listening.  Thanks to all who tried to help.
Happy Trails,
Rob
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: S.Prime on June 22, 2014, 08:01:44 PM
@Rob, I can identify with your frustration, but ranking our tablet lower than whale "s___" is harsh and dependent on your personal experience with a single device. I will be the first to admit, that if I were you, I could feel the same, if I had not experienced the abandonment  by  vendors like HTC and Lenovo on other Tablets. Regardless of your device failure, you do have a repair option, as unpalatable as you or I may find it, unlike I saw with other vendors. Thank you, for reaching out to our forum and for your appreciation of the help you received from some of our most dedicated members. Keep us posted on your choice of a new tablet and your satisfaction.

Jim

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on June 22, 2014, 09:24:03 PM
Sorry to be of so little help. I don't expect these tablets to last much longer than the warranty period, when they do, I've come out ahead. An extended warranty may be worth exploring in your next purchase.

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 23, 2014, 04:48:42 AM
Jim,
Yeah, I may have been a bit harsh and too unkind to the whales.   ;-)
The "7" was great while it was working.  Guess I've just been spoiled by great service from any number of vendors and manufacturers.  I may mellow with time, but at the moment the options of a $200 repair bill or buying a new machine every 18 months don't seem acceptable.
I do sure appreciate all of the time, expertise and kindness that Forum members have shown me though.  Who knows, I may be back?   :D :
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 24, 2014, 05:56:50 PM
I still don't have a tablet, but I do have a plan.  Techies at BestBuy checked battery and declared it DEAD, though they suspect maybe something more.  Have ordered a new ASUS battery for $50. from an outfit that will give full refund, no restocking fee, if it doesn't solve the problem.  Plan B. is to pick-up a new Gen. 1 Nexus 7 for $170.00.   Makes more sense than ASUS offer of $100 to $200 (plus?) to repair.  Either way I guess I'll be giving the "7" another chance and ask forgiveness of both the whales and the loyal followers of the Nexus 7.
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: birdastrompgman on June 24, 2014, 06:12:56 PM
Did you ever check if it's seen as an APX device?  Connect it to one of your PC's rear USB 2.0 ports, and look at it in the Devices and Printers portion of Control Panel.  Power it on and off. If it's APX, a $50 motherboard will fix it.
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 25, 2014, 11:18:57 AM
Didn't realize motherboards were only $50.   If battery doesn't do it, I'll try that.  Hadn't, only because I lacked the usb/usb cable to (wait a minute, light just came on.  )  For some reason I let the OTG cable connector get in the way.
Will check that out NOW, and get back to you. 
Thanks for sticking with me.
Rob :D
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on June 25, 2014, 11:33:29 AM
"No cigar."
Not recognized.
Have to wait and see if the new battery does anything.
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: birdastrompgman on June 25, 2014, 01:27:23 PM
32 GB motherboards are frequently found for $50 used on eBay.  Beats the *&^% out of Asus' $215 estimated repair cost. 
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Rabbit on July 01, 2014, 07:24:39 AM
End of story.  Tried new battery.  Still nothing.  Screen Surgeons giving full refund on the $50. I shelled out for the battery.  Another $50. for a used mother board that might or might not fix the problem would have brought me up to $100 plus.  Best Buy had a new 2013 version for $160.
Brought that one home.  Thanks all for the advice and attempts to help me solve the problem.  Let me know if you're interested in making me an offer on a "parts Nexus 7".  Battery was definitely toast.  Beyond that, I have no idea why it doesn't work.
Rob
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: nerisdale on July 22, 2014, 04:43:49 PM
I found a 2.1 amp charger and the original cable solved the problem one day, and plugging it into my PC USB port to waken it up before charging with a charger solved it another day.
The Nexus 7 battery runs down even after "shutdown" much faster than my iPad which is annoying, and the "Totally dead Nexus" problem makes relying on it problematic.
If used regularly and charged regularly it is a great machine, but Apple's much better connector and battery make it more reliable as far as I am concerned.
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: ramordep on August 18, 2014, 11:21:47 AM
Same thing happened to me few days ago. I tried almost all of the suggestion but still no dice. Mine lasted a year amd half only.
Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: matt on September 03, 2014, 03:19:25 PM
Dead battery revival per Asus. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2865196
[Q] Nexus 7 (2012) refuses to power on after battery drain and subsequent charging

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Title: Re: Really Dead Nexus 7
Post by: Sahir_Siddiqui on September 07, 2014, 01:30:19 AM
I also have a dead Nexus7 that won't charge and now won't start up. Luckily in warranty.

Singapore authorized service dealer micro2000 took 9 days to repair as they didn't have parts in stock and needed to order from asus.  I found all they replaced was the battery and wonder why an authorized service dealer wouldn't have such a common part in stock.

Anyway, the story doesn't end there. They returned it to me after 9 days with a new battery and 100% charge.


Unfortunately, the problem I took it in for wasn't resolved and within a day, I was back with a Nexus that doesn't charge and now won't start up.

It's back at the same authorized service dealer who assured me they will return it in 5 days if they have the part in stock. It's now 6 days. 

The device is great  - I swear by the nexus 7. Unfortunate, the support is terrible.