So once again my damn overpriced tablet broke down… the ridiculous usb plug issue.
This time the lead just wouldn’t stick to the circuit board anymore with my primitive tools… so i went to the local electronics store expert … they gave it a look and told me that its more reasonable to buy a new one, repairs would take too long time… Challenge accepted!! In last resort, i removed the plug completely, traced the circuit to its source and soldered it there directly… if you have a similar issue then you can use the photos for reference (it was hell of mess figuring out the colors) orange one is not from the wire btw, i used it to connect the 2 sides as the plug used to do… maybe theire still connected on the circuit board through some paths but just in case… everything works perfect now :)
And here is my failed attempt to re-solder the left-handed connection which I broke in clumsy accident (totally my own fault): http://i.imgur.com/kA88u.jpg
Luckily I have the right-handed connection in good conditions, although I have to admit that I feel intimidated to use Intuos and that just ain’t right.
Shit, that looks pretty well butchered! :D but yeah, it sucks that a $500 piece of equipment is built that unreliable :(
LOL at “Challenge accepted”, see the bright side, you still can improve your soldering skills A LOT.
Next time you can leave a couple inches of wire inside in a 90º angle and tie it (or use hot glue) or make a knot with the wire so it won’t happen again.
hehe, yeah, i sure can improve them – though for that a new and proper solder iron would be a good start :D
As for the knot, i didnt have a hotclue gun anymore (knot alone wouldnt do it) so i used zip ties. Though i dont think there will be a problem with the connection anymore- the whole reason for it was that the connection was completely stiff so wiggling the wire put a lot of pressure on the soldering which was the only thing keeping the plug in place. right now its zip tie -> soft wires -> soldering so no matter how much i wiggle it, it wont matter since the soft wires will flex and absorb the force if anything gets past the zip tie.
And thanks for passing passing by! :)
If anyone is interested in a diagram for fixing the intuos4 Small… here are the photos:
http://thealika.com/files/intuos4/wacom_intuos4_small_usb_fix1.jpg
http://thealika.com/files/intuos4/wacom_intuos4_small_usb_fix2.jpg
http://thealika.com/files/intuos4/wacom_intuos4_small_usb_fix3.jpg
http://thealika.com/files/intuos4/wacom_intuos4_small_usb_fix4.jpg
All the Best!!!
Nick
Your pictures of the wiring for the small tablet were immensely helpful. I can’t afford a new tablet, but the one I have now works perfectly. Thank you very much.
Im glad it was useful ;)
I decided to make it into a tutorial of sorts:
http://thealika.tumblr.com/post/17892472039
I hope this will help someone.
…and i didn’t even thank you for your post.. it inspired me…
Thanks a lot!
I accidentally removed the solder at D07, how do I replace it and get it to stick?
This article totally saved my ass, other articles have cheap MS paint pictures and no work around for if the contact is broken on the black wire. You just saved me at least 300$. Thank you so much!
Glad to be of help ;)