my oqo is done for

[Guest]

[fmillion]

I think my model 02 is shot...

One day I was using it, and suddenly it gave me a blue screen stop error.

So no biggy right? Just reboot? Not according to the little OQO. No bootable devices.

It'd been exhibiting some strange behavior - disappearing drive, but it always came back after it cooled down. Ok so maybe it's thermal. I let the unit sit unused for two days. Still, no drive when booting it up.

So I boot Linux off a CD. Just to make sure the Windows install didn't get corrupted... No hard disk even appears to the system. But I can tell it's spinning so it is either cabling or something on the motherboard. It's not software because Linux can't even tell that the drive exists.

My BIGGEST MISTAKE... I opened it up (breaking that seal, like many of us dare to do) to check the IDE cable. If I hadn't done that, I might have been able to send it in. But being that I rely on the unit (well, not anymore...) I needed it in a hurry. I'm pretty good at working with small electronics but even I can only do so much.

Disconnected and reconnected the cable - no good, still no disk appears to the system. Also tried a 16gb CF card on an adapter, no good. Either the cable is bad, or the motherboard chipset is bad. I don't really have a way to determine which one is the culprit here.

In either case, even replacing that IDE cable would be close to impossible - I'm guessing OQO won't sell us a replacement cable, they'll expect us to send it in and pay through the nose.

I don't really have any option now but to send it in and pay who knows how much, right?.....

 

-F

[Ronc]

I don't really have any option now but to send it in and pay who knows how much, right?.....

If you bought a new one you would be back in business within a month and you would know exactly what it would cost.  I'd do that while waiting for the old one to get repaired and I would not be the first to mention the broken seal.  I they fix it (even if you have to pay for it) you will have a spare.  Later, if and when the Model 03 comes out, you can sell one or both Model 02s.

[sandydlc]

I don't really have any option now but to send it in and pay who knows how much, right?.....

If you bought a new one you would be back in business within a month and you would know exactly what it would cost.  I'd do that while waiting for the old one to get repaired and I would not be the first to mention the broken seal.  I they fix it (even if you have to pay for it) you will have a spare.  Later, if and when the Model 03 comes out, you can sell one or both Model 02s.

Uh..the guys at OQO support do read this forum - just an FYI.

Sandy

[fmillion]

The most annoying thing, and if OQO support reads, PLEASE hear this!... is that they have no understanding for the people who actually do know how to take apart even a small device and perform a simple repair, like replacing an IDE ZIF cable. I'd pay $30 or even more for that cable and just be done with it. I've heard of people trying to get such parts from companies like OQO and others and being told that no, you must send it in and pay the labor and everything else. But sending it in, paying shipping and who knows how much labor, not to mention having to admit I tried to mod the unit with my CF card adapter... Why? In a way, what have they got to lose? If I buy the IDE cable and that turns out not to be the problem, I've already spent $30 plus I have to send it in anyway. And in the end, you have a happier, more trusted customer.

I guess I'll give them a call and see what they can quote me for a repair of this nature.

F

[Bungee]

Well OQO isn't the first, nor will it be the last, that doesn't sell spare parts. It's a shame 'cos like you said, I'm sure there are many of us here who are capable of doing an component switch or upgrade.

Either way, you shouldn't have broken the seal if the unit was still under warranty 

[paulnptld]

I am one final RMA away from forming a class action pool.