Broken Q - Thoughts on Repair?

[Mike Temporale]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1191958521.usr3.jpg" border="1" alt="" /></p><p>A friend just dropped off their brand new Moto Q Smartphone to me for repair. It's maybe a month old - if that. The problem is it jumped out of his pocket and landed in a lot of water. Evidently, the Q thought it was a submarine. I've disassembled the device and made sure there's nothing visibly wrong. It's had time to fully dry out and there doesn't appear to be anything visually out of place. However, when I try to turn it on, the device will display the carrier logo and go no further. It just sits like that until the power is pulled. </p><p>Does anyone have any suggestions on getting it from here to working? Is it possible to hard reset the device from non-bootable state? Yes, I know it's CDMA and thus I can't just drop my SIM in and use the device. But it might be nice to have a Q in my collection. Or I could return it to my friend and he could sell it or something. <br /></p>

[Mark Larson]

Its chances will depend on what your friend did after fishing it out, and how long it was submerged.

The best case scenario is that it was only submerged for a couple of seconds and he immediately took out the battery and didn't switch it on again.

Anything else means that you would need to attempt further drying and inspection but if the circuits shorted then it probably won't come back to life.

[dwhitney]

Usually on WM devices you can perform a hard reset of a device when it acts like this (I had the exact same thing happen on my previous Dash...). Not sure about the Q's exact procedures (I'd check the detailed support docs for the Q to be sure) but on the Dash and some other SM devices, the process is to hold down BOTH the soft keys while turning on the device (from a completely powered down state). If that is the process on the Q also, it will come up with a menu asking if you want to reset the device to factor state or something similar...

Hope this works for you.

[azieba]

Haven't tried this, but there is definitely a key combination to do a hard reset. I think it is done on the Motorola Q by pressing and holding the center navigation button and the red power button simulaneously at power up.

[MTM]

A suggestion could be to put it in a freezer. I know it's a common advice regarding hard discs to make the possible moisture inside freeze. Can't promise it won't hurt the phone, though.

[ScooperJay]

Do either you or your 'friend' have a flux capacitor?

If either of you do... well I'm just saying it's an option.

:rolleyes:

[Mike Temporale]

Do either you or your 'friend' have a flux capacitor?

If either of you do... well I'm just saying it's an option.

:rolleyes:

As a matter of fact, I do. However, my Delorean is currently in the shop as I'm getting some repairs done. ;)

[Mike Temporale]

I like the freezer tip - that's kind of a neat idea. But I don't know that I would try that myself. Besides, it doesn't get the water out. It just stops it from doing any more damage.

Anyway, this phone is dry as dry can be now. So I don't think there's anything to do in regards to water any more. It's just what to do to bring it back to life. I'll start by digging up some hard reset steps for the Q. Maybe that's all it needs. That would be nice, eh?

[HuckFinn]

I would advise against freezing any electronics that gets damp or drenched. Keep in mind that water expands and crystallizes when it freezes. If water has made it into any of the IC’s, you may do permanent damage. Then once it thaws the water is still there. The best thing to do in my opinion is to first disassemble the device and pour alcohol on it. Depending on the cleanliness of the water it was submersed in, you could have mineral deposits, dirt, etc. that will then dry on the board. Alcohol will wash these away and leave no residue. The alcohol will also speed the drying process.
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Then let the boards dry in a warm area for several hours. A hot sunny window works well. You need to be absolutely sure that there is no alcohol or other moisture present before you put the battery back in. I have even put devices in a warm oven for several hours to dry them out. I am an electrical engineer, so I have access to temperature chambers where I can precisely control the temperature. I have put devices in there for hours at 50-60C or 120-140 degrees F.
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This has worked for me on several devices, but as one member already mentioned it really depends what they did the instant they retrieved it from the water. If they tried turning it on while still wet, there could be permanent damage. The best thing is to immediately take the battery out and then wait until you can thoroughly wash it out and dry it before attempting to power it up.
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Good luck

[dwhitney]

http://wiki.everythingq.com/page/Hard+Reset?t=anon

[riverdale1974]

Mike,

just wondering if you can point me in the right direction... I need to replace the casing on my Q and I can't find a way to open the unit. Appreciate any help.

Cheers,
Yannick

[Mike Temporale]

Mike,

just wondering if you can point me in the right direction... I need to replace the casing on my Q and I can't find a way to open the unit. Appreciate any help.

Are you just looking for where to buy a housing? Try http://www.cnn.cn - I've purchased replacement parts (including a Q housing for a different Q device) from them in the past.

As for opening the actual device, you need to be very very careful. There's 4 screws on the back of the device under those little rubber plugs. Once you remove them, you still need to snap it open. To do that, carefuly insert a very small flat head screw driver between the front and back and gently use your fingers to pry it open. Slowly work your way around the device. If you twist the screwdriver you will mark the housing.

Hope that helps!

[jadesse]

The best thing that could have been done is this. Immediately pull out the battery. Then put the unit in a bag with rice or the crystal kitty litter.

Water & electronics do not mix. Even if the device is dry now, corrosion is going to be its worst enemy.

[Mike Temporale]

It looks like this phone is done. I took it apart to ensure it was dry and that there was no visible damage caused by the water. However, it seem like the water really did a good job. I can't get enough response out of the keyboard to do a hard reset. It still won't boot past the carrier logo - which comes up as soon as it's turned on.

Oh well. I guess I have a nice new door stop now. :D Thanks for all the tips!