Palm Tungsten E Power Switch Hard to Use

Hello drcatmaster

You are going to need to open up the PDA to inspect the power micro switch inside. This is a common problem w/ this model PDA. The micro switch breaks off one or both its contacts. (A design problem. There's no strain relief or stress protection for the switch so it gets broken off over time.)

Some folks have success at soldering the switch's broken connection back on; others just use another one of the control panel buttons for power (instead of the actual "power" button). To repair it otherwise would mean having to replace the main board inside. But, that's an option, too. You can buy an E w/ a bad display but good main board and canibalize it to fix your PDA. You can find an E "for parts only" or "needs repair" on eBay, I'm sure.



You can find a thread on this topic HERE where folks describe how they have managed to repair or work around this problem w/ their Tungsten E or E2.

The E and E2 are very similar. HERE is a video for disassembling the E2. HERE is a battery repair guide for the E. Both of these describe in detail how to open the PDA.

**** You WILL void any warranty by opening your PDA so, PLEASE, don't open it if you aren't positive it isn't in warranty.

**** If at all possible, sync all your data that's on your PDA w/ your desktop PDA software (e.g. Palm Desktop) or PIM (personal information manager - e.g. Outlook).

**** You WILL run the risk of losing EVERYTHING that is stored on the PDA when you open it up.


If you have ANY other questions, etc on this topic at all, just post back here w/ them. We'll be happy to continue to assist you.

If I answered your questions and you have no other questions or need of assistance on this topic...

...would you kindly take just a moment to close the problem by assigning a FIXYA rating for my solution? I would be very grateful for your generosity and show of appreciation.

Thank you for using FixYa! Have a beautiful day.
BJ @:)

Dust might have accumulate on the button itself or its either the spring for it maybe depressed to hard, power cycle the unit first and don't press on the switch that hard when turning it off. you will need a special device to unscrew some parts so you can actually take out the recessed button and change a smaller one, but best way is to bring it iun for service

If you want another option to turning it on and off here is one.
If you press the Center button. The world clock comes on. Then immediately pressing the OK button should turn it on. Use the option of turn off after 90- seconds to handle Off.

To fix the button, you most likely would need to open the device and possibly replace parts or resolder a piece back together.

If you are not skilled with electronics or don't want to risk wrecking it, then I would advise not to fix it yourself. If you want it fixed, I suggest having someone who knows how to work on electronics help you out. Without actually seeing the inside, I can't tell you exactly what it is but the above should help. If you could take a picture of the inside by the button that may help enough for me to figure it out but usually anyone would have to see how the button moves.

If you want information on where you can get it repaired, let me know and I just need your city, and state.

If you need any further help, please let me know but this should be easily fixable.

Thank you for using Fixya and Good Luck

You need to replace the switch wait for some time ill give you more details about the switch

Hi,

I can only suspect that somehow the solder of the switch pins/terminals and/or the body itself of the switched would require re-soldering. This of course can only be accomplished by dismantling the unit till the underneath of the PCB is exposed. A low heat soldering iron would do the job and does not require that much technical expertise. I imagine that it would be longer and more challenging opening the unit up rather than performing the repairs. it would also be to your advantage to backup your data as it is very possible that the unit can and may reset itself to default settings. Basic tools that would be required would be appropriate precision screwdrivers similar to those shown here.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.

Thank you for using FixYa.

The switch itself, and or the bezzle of the switch is probably broken. I don't think Palm will sell the switch or the bezzle to an end user. This is a service part.

To change the switch, the unit will have to opened. The switch is on a multi-layered circuit board. Surface-mount soldering tools are required to desolder and resolder in the new switch.

For someone who is not used to doing service work on high density type circuit boards with surface mount parts, this will be a difficult task. There is a strong chance of damaging the circuit board. In that case the complete board would have to be replaced.

I suggest to call the Palm tech support and let them arrange to have the switch changed.


Jerry G.