stache Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 A couple of weeks ago I put in a new set of cheap batteries, and they were used up within 30 mins. Normally I can get 4-6 hours of use (turning off the unit while not using it). Put in Duracells, and while they lasted a whole hour, the unit kept going blank, and I had to restart it. I got it two years ago for Father's Day, and would like to keep using it. Is it a matter of shaking it, opening it up and reprogramming the ROM, or is this one of those early-adopter kind of activities where you're expected to throw everything out every year or two and upgrade to the hottest thing? I'd love to have one of those Treos with maps, and GPS integration, but life at the low end isn't so bad. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
vagabond Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 2 things to check, the connections in the battery compartment, and see if your backlight is on, Embra might pop in and have a few more suggestions Quote Link to comment
+embra Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 I don't have a whole lot to add. Is this a Meridian? If so the battery springs in the GPS unit itself might be off their contacts and shorting out or something. Since you're our of waranty, it's a pretty easy thing to open it up to check and re-seat if necessary. Can you hook up to external power to see if it behaves any better? Allthough this sounds more like a hardware than a firmware problem, I was going to suggest reinstalling the firmware as a precaution. But then the thought occurred that the unit might turn itself off while installing...nevermind. A clear memory/all and reinitialization leaving it out under a clear view of the sky for 15 minutes would be safe enough, though. Quote Link to comment
+EScout Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Embra makes good points. The battery contacts are sprung to the PCB and may move off if the batteries are inserted/removed incorrectly. This happened to me when my Meridian was new and a quick opening up and it was fixed. Also do what embra says in his second and third paragraphs. Quote Link to comment
stache Posted April 29, 2006 Author Share Posted April 29, 2006 Embra makes good points. The battery contacts are sprung to the PCB and may move off if the batteries are inserted/removed incorrectly. This happened to me when my Meridian was new and a quick opening up and it was fixed. Also do what embra says in his second and third paragraphs. Thanks for the advice. Never underestimate the power of a few cents worth of wadded up tin foil. Quote Link to comment
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