My Connector is Broken...

2002BlueWRX · 06-06-2008, 01:53 PM

I am very new to this board, but have been reading about people having problems with connections. Mainly syncing and charging. I bought a zune from that site I probably shouldn't have (eBay) and my zune had the same problem right out of the box.

Before making a "My zune won't charge" post I decided to look into it. I did a hard reset, but when it says "Connect Zune to PC" and I do, the computer doesn't know it's there.I read some great write-ups on how to disassemble, so I did. The problem can be seen in the picture below, and its the connection that is broken. To be more specific there are four pins that have actually broken/bent out. This explains a lot.

In a way I'm glad I've narrowed it down to this, but now I'm stuck at how to fix it. If I could buy this connector I could easily (somewhat) solder this off (four connection on the front of the board) and replace it.

My question to all the more experienced Zuners is: Is this possible? And where can I get the connector? Is there anything short of the "AS-IS" Zune's on ebay?

Thanks in advance.

(Can't put an image here yet until my post count is up...)

I've made over 5 posts, but it still says 4?!

Got it! Here is the picture I took. I hope somebody can help me.

wyckedcombo17 · 06-06-2008, 02:06 PM

if its less than 1 year old call 1877GOTZUNE and theyll replace/refurb it

2002BlueWRX · 06-06-2008, 02:21 PM

I got it off eBay, and I don't know how old it is

Plus, I don't have the original box or cables.

This wasn't a broken Zune auction either... So last resort is talk to the guy and see if I can get a refund, but I'd like the pride of knowing that I fixed the problem myself.

I'm all for Calling 1877GOTZUNE to get a replacement if you think that will still work given the circumstances... but I doubt it.

Mitch · 06-06-2008, 02:45 PM

There is no way the connector could look like that without being tampered with. I'd contact the guy you bought it from, if he won't refund it I think there is a way to report him.

2002BlueWRX · 06-06-2008, 03:28 PM

It definitely doesn't look good... Those four pins have now been removed so I don't get an accidental short. For this to be fixed I need a new connector... preferably cheap, as in not having to buy a broken zune and operating.

Any ideas?

morbidop · 06-07-2008, 02:11 AM

Hmm that looks odd. I should open up my zune and see if thats the problem with no detection/charging.

2002BlueWRX · 06-07-2008, 08:15 AM

Yeah... what you see in the picture above is the cause of what it seems like so many others have described. I plugged it in to an A/C outlet (or any powere source), it showed the full screen charging battery icon for approximately 5 seconds, Then the zune screen and the loading bar. It loaded up and showed the main menu, immediatley showed the low battery warning and turned off within 5 seconds after that.

My computer would not recognize it either, go figure. I did a hard reset and now I obviously can't get by the "Connect zune to pc"

The only fix i have found requires buying a new motherboard, but before I do this I am working with the seller for a refund or new zune.

soccerfreak24 · 06-07-2008, 08:23 AM

Heres what you should do if your unable to fix it. On the back of the zune there is a serial #, go onto zune.net, create an account, and register the device. Hopefully from there it'll say if it's in warranty or not. If so, call up and ask for a replacement. If not, call up anyways and hope they don't realize it isn't.

morbidop · 06-07-2008, 07:11 PM

I opened up my zune and all the pins were fine.

2002BlueWRX · 06-07-2008, 09:10 PM

Morbidop: Your pins are fine but you're still having the connection problems? I'm not sure what could be the problem then... I've read that some people have had luck with just a reset or hard reset.

MissingNYC · 06-08-2008, 11:48 PM

i dont want to pop my zune open, but my connector was bent... bad... the "male" part... oh the part that stick out of the zune... had bent all the way to the bottom... maybe i should tell that to zune support

morbidop · 06-09-2008, 12:40 AM

I've hard resetted it a few weeks ago. Now everytime I try to connect it i get the dreadful "connect to pc" screen.

MissingNYC · 06-09-2008, 07:04 PM

yeah, thats where is is at now... a $200 paperweight...

2002BlueWRX · 06-18-2008, 01:57 PM

Well I bought a replacement motherboard from a member here. It is shipping from Canada so it might take awhile to get here, but once it does I'll have a go at putting it in and we'll see if I can't get this thing working.. I'll keep posting updates as maybe this is an option for other members.

06-06-2008, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
2002BlueWRX Squirt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 10	I am very new to this board, but have been reading about people having problems with connections. Mainly syncing and charging. I bought a zune from that site I probably shouldn't have (eBay) and my zune had the same problem right out of the box. Before making a "My zune won't charge" post I decided to look into it. I did a hard reset, but when it says "Connect Zune to PC" and I do, the computer doesn't know it's there.I read some great write-ups on how to disassemble, so I did. The problem can be seen in the picture below, and its the connection that is broken. To be more specific there are four pins that have actually broken/bent out. This explains a lot. In a way I'm glad I've narrowed it down to this, but now I'm stuck at how to fix it. If I could buy this connector I could easily (somewhat) solder this off (four connection on the front of the board) and replace it. My question to all the more experienced Zuners is: Is this possible? And where can I get the connector? Is there anything short of the "AS-IS" Zune's on ebay? Thanks in advance. (Can't put an image here yet until my post count is up...) I've made over 5 posts, but it still says 4?! Got it! Here is the picture I took. I hope somebody can help me. Last edited by Carlos : 06-09-2008 at 07:03 AM.

06-06-2008, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
wyckedcombo17 An army of many Experienced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: in a box Posts: 808 Reputation: 51	if its less than 1 year old call 1877GOTZUNE and theyll replace/refurb it __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "When the power of love finally overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." - Hendrix (sig by Tobososlow) trouble tagging music? get Picard Tagger To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , it works great!

06-06-2008, 02:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mitch Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: P-Vegas Posts: 612 Reputation: 24	There is no way the connector could look like that without being tampered with. I'd contact the guy you bought it from, if he won't refund it I think there is a way to report him. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Sig by MajerPayne Use Mp3Tag to get your music to show up as playcount on Zune.net

06-07-2008, 02:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
morbidop Squirt Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 12 Reputation: 10	Hmm that looks odd. I should open up my zune and see if thats the problem with no detection/charging. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-07-2008, 08:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
soccerfreak24 Support Team Expert Zuner Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,921 Reputation: 181	Heres what you should do if your unable to fix it. On the back of the zune there is a serial #, go onto zune.net, create an account, and register the device. Hopefully from there it'll say if it's in warranty or not. If so, call up and ask for a replacement. If not, call up anyways and hope they don't realize it isn't. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-06-2008, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
2002BlueWRX Squirt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 10	I got it off eBay, and I don't know how old it is Plus, I don't have the original box or cables. This wasn't a broken Zune auction either... So last resort is talk to the guy and see if I can get a refund, but I'd like the pride of knowing that I fixed the problem myself. I'm all for Calling 1877GOTZUNE to get a replacement if you think that will still work given the circumstances... but I doubt it.

06-06-2008, 03:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
2002BlueWRX Squirt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 10	It definitely doesn't look good... Those four pins have now been removed so I don't get an accidental short. For this to be fixed I need a new connector... preferably cheap, as in not having to buy a broken zune and operating. Any ideas?

06-07-2008, 08:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
2002BlueWRX Squirt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 10	Yeah... what you see in the picture above is the cause of what it seems like so many others have described. I plugged it in to an A/C outlet (or any powere source), it showed the full screen charging battery icon for approximately 5 seconds, Then the zune screen and the loading bar. It loaded up and showed the main menu, immediatley showed the low battery warning and turned off within 5 seconds after that. My computer would not recognize it either, go figure. I did a hard reset and now I obviously can't get by the "Connect zune to pc" The only fix i have found requires buying a new motherboard, but before I do this I am working with the seller for a refund or new zune.

06-07-2008, 07:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
morbidop Squirt Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 12 Reputation: 10	I opened up my zune and all the pins were fine. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-07-2008, 09:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
2002BlueWRX Squirt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 10	Morbidop: Your pins are fine but you're still having the connection problems? I'm not sure what could be the problem then... I've read that some people have had luck with just a reset or hard reset.

06-08-2008, 11:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
MissingNYC Zewbie Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 8 Reputation: 10	i dont want to pop my zune open, but my connector was bent... bad... the "male" part... oh the part that stick out of the zune... had bent all the way to the bottom... maybe i should tell that to zune support __________________ MissingNYC Administrator: AntoArts Member: Newgrounds.com Member: YouTube.com Member: ZuneBoards.com

06-09-2008, 12:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
morbidop Squirt Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 12 Reputation: 10	I've hard resetted it a few weeks ago. Now everytime I try to connect it i get the dreadful "connect to pc" screen. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-09-2008, 07:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
MissingNYC Zewbie Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 8 Reputation: 10	yeah, thats where is is at now... a $200 paperweight... __________________ MissingNYC Administrator: AntoArts Member: Newgrounds.com Member: YouTube.com Member: ZuneBoards.com

06-18-2008, 01:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
2002BlueWRX Squirt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: 10	Well I bought a replacement motherboard from a member here. It is shipping from Canada so it might take awhile to get here, but once it does I'll have a go at putting it in and we'll see if I can't get this thing working.. I'll keep posting updates as maybe this is an option for other members.

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