Support FAQ/Hardware Repairs, Returns: Difference between revisions
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=== My XO laptop won't play sound === |
=== My XO laptop won't play sound === |
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Go to our wiki page about troubleshooting any [http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO_Troubleshooting_AV Sound] issues you are experiencing with your XO unit. |
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Walk through the following step to figure out the reason for the XO not playing sound: |
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===Why does my screen not turn on?=== |
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* Has your XO always been this way? (Did the sound suddenly stop working, or has it never worked at all?) |
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Certain laptops from 2007 may become [[Fix Clock|"bricked"]] in isolated circumstances. Please contact a mail-order [[Repair center locations|community repair center]] and/or try to [[Fix Clock|fix it yourself]] if you have "garage electronics" skills, using the correct [[serial adapter]]. Clean-installing [[Releases|all new software]] is a very good idea once debricking is complete. |
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* Does your laptop play music on startup? Is this the startup sound you're hearing? (Does it sound different, distorted... strange in any way?) http://preview.tinyurl.com/2codr5 |
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Another possible reason your screen does not turn on: the video cable to your screen might have become loose or out-of-alignment: [[disassembly|disassembly instructions]] may be useful if so. |
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* Turn off your XO, then boot it while holding down the left rocker key (the round pad on the left side of the screen - hold the left side of that pad). It should run through a number of diagnostic tests, including a speaker test. You should hear a note sweeping low-to-high, linearly and continuously, from both speakers. Does this happen? Is there any interruption or volume change in the sound? |
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IN GENERAL, those acquiring old XO laptops should work through this most comprehensive [[Reuse checklist|refurbishing & reuse checklist]]. |
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* Try several different applications - good ones for testing sound output are TamTam and the Audio record/playback section in the Record activity. |
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* Make sure alsamixer is working. In the Terminal activity, type "alsamixer" (no quotes) then hit enter. You should get a screen with "volume bars" labeled things like "Master," "PCM," "Headphones," and so on. Use the right and left arrow keys to move between the bars, and the up and down arrow keys to raise and lower the bars (in this case, raise them to 100 - as high as you can). You can also press Tab to cycle between screens. Turn everything up as high as it will go. Hit escape to exit. Then try TamTam/Record again |
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* If that didn't do the trick, try upgrading or reflashing your software with olpc-update (http://wiki.laptop.org/go/olpc-update) to the latest version and see if that changes any of the above test results. |
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That should start helping us figure out where the problem lies. |
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If there is no sound when you boot the XO laptop; or you are unable to record voice from the [http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/start/activities.shtml#record Record] activity, you may have a broken component—like the speaker. If you confirm sound is completely broken, contact: HELP @ LAPTOP.ORG |
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===My screen has a couple discolored pixels=== |
===My screen has a couple discolored pixels=== |
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will get you into these diagnostics. The keyboard diagnostic will |
will get you into these diagnostics. The keyboard diagnostic will |
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come up pretty soon, if you exit various earlier diagnostics by hitting the |
come up pretty soon, if you exit various earlier diagnostics by hitting the |
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Escape key. This lets you see very easily what the computer is seeing as |
Escape key (this requires you download a [[Developer Key]] if your XO is running recent software). This lets you see very easily what the computer is seeing as |
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you press or release each key. Any "sticky" key would be visible in |
you press or release each key. Any "sticky" key would be visible in |
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light blue on the screen as if a finger was still pressing it. |
light blue on the screen as if a finger was still pressing it. |
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The touchpad and stylus area can also be tested in the same diagnostic. |
The touchpad and stylus area can also be tested in the same diagnostic. |
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Finally, if you've genuinely confirmed your keyboard is damaged, after multiple reboots -- check your [[# |
Finally, if you've genuinely confirmed your keyboard is damaged, after multiple reboots -- check your [[#What_is_the_warranty.3F|warranty]] if you need to apply for a possible return. |
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You may also want to check out this interim workaround: [[Stuck keys]]. |
You may also want to check out this interim workaround: [[Stuck keys]]. |
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Problems with sticky keys may also be a software problem. If you have recently upgraded your firmware, which may have happened automatically as part of an upgrade to a newer release, you may also have run into a [http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/6105 known bug in firmware q2d09] that can be fixed by downgrading or upgrading the firmware. |
Problems with sticky keys may also be a software problem. If you have recently upgraded your firmware, which may have happened automatically as part of an upgrade to a newer release, you may also have run into a [http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/6105 known bug in firmware q2d09] that can be fixed by downgrading or upgrading the firmware. |
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=== What is the warranty |
=== What is the warranty? === |
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The |
The 2008 Give1Get1 program that ran from November 17 to December 31 required you to [[Support_FAQ#How_do_I_contact_Amazon.com_customer_service.3F|contact Amazon.com]] for all returns. Visit Amazon.com's [http://www.amazon.com/gp/css/returns/homepage.html Returns Center], where a restocking fee applied in certain situations -- see Amazon.com's [http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=901888 Returns Policy] for detail. |
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The earlier Give1Get1 program's [http://laptopgiving.org/en/warranty.php 30-day Warranty] from 2007 was described in its [http://laptopgiving.org/en/terms-and-conditions.php Terms & Conditions]. To exchange your hardware, it required that you apply for a Return Merchandise Authorization, by following 2007's [http://laptopgiving.org/en/return-merchandise.php RMA process]. |
The earlier Give1Get1 program's [http://laptopgiving.org/en/warranty.php 30-day Warranty] from 2007 was described in its [http://laptopgiving.org/en/terms-and-conditions.php Terms & Conditions]. To exchange your hardware, it required that you apply for a Return Merchandise Authorization, by following 2007's [http://laptopgiving.org/en/return-merchandise.php RMA process]. |
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Yes, but your warranty expires after 30 days anyway. In fact you may want to [[Disassembly|disassemble]] your own [[Manual/Insides|XO laptop]] to explore its components, <b>AT YOUR OWN RISK—for example, the screen connector and keyboard internals are very easy to break!</b> |
Yes, but your warranty expires after 30 days anyway. In fact you may want to [[Disassembly|disassemble]] your own [[Manual/Insides|XO laptop]] to explore its components, <b>AT YOUR OWN RISK—for example, the screen connector and keyboard internals are very easy to break!</b> |
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Do NOT remove the watch battery on the motherboard if you disassemble your machine—prior to the Q2D07 version of firmware, this can result in the computer becoming "bricked" or unusable! |
Do NOT remove the watch battery on the motherboard if you disassemble your machine—prior to the Q2D07 version of firmware, this can result in the computer becoming [[Fix Clock|"bricked"]] or unusable! |
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===How do I obtain replacement parts, e.g. batteries and chargers? [[Repair]]?=== |
===How do I obtain replacement parts, e.g. batteries and chargers? [[Repair]]?=== |
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Spare parts like replacement batteries, power cords (chargers), screens, touchpads and keyboards are available from |
Spare parts like replacement batteries, power cords (chargers), screens, touchpads and keyboards are available from this list of [[Spare parts|spare parts vendors]]. |
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Check our [[Support#Maintenance.2FRepair_and_Community-Building|Maintenance/Repair]] pages for [[Repair|other post-Warranty options]], most of which are [[Repair center locations|run by volunteers]]. |
Check our [[Support#Maintenance.2FRepair_and_Community-Building|Maintenance/Repair]] pages for [[Repair|other post-Warranty options]], most of which are [[Repair center locations|run by volunteers]]. |
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Latest revision as of 03:08, 20 July 2013
Hardware Repairs, Returns
My XO laptop won't play sound
Go to our wiki page about troubleshooting any Sound issues you are experiencing with your XO unit.
Why does my screen not turn on?
Certain laptops from 2007 may become "bricked" in isolated circumstances. Please contact a mail-order community repair center and/or try to fix it yourself if you have "garage electronics" skills, using the correct serial adapter. Clean-installing all new software is a very good idea once debricking is complete.
Another possible reason your screen does not turn on: the video cable to your screen might have become loose or out-of-alignment: disassembly instructions may be useful if so.
IN GENERAL, those acquiring old XO laptops should work through this most comprehensive refurbishing & reuse checklist.
My screen has a couple discolored pixels
We regret that our warranty does not provide for replacement laptops in this case, where just a few pixels are imperfect, in keeping with One Laptop per Child's mission to build the best all-around low-cost laptop for the Developing World.
How do I test my keyboard for sticky/broken keys?
Test your keyboard by running the firmware diagnostics. See Cheat codes. Holding the rocker (button below the speaker) to the left, while powering on, will get you into these diagnostics. The keyboard diagnostic will come up pretty soon, if you exit various earlier diagnostics by hitting the Escape key (this requires you download a Developer Key if your XO is running recent software). This lets you see very easily what the computer is seeing as you press or release each key. Any "sticky" key would be visible in light blue on the screen as if a finger was still pressing it.
The touchpad and stylus area can also be tested in the same diagnostic.
Finally, if you've genuinely confirmed your keyboard is damaged, after multiple reboots -- check your warranty if you need to apply for a possible return.
You may also want to check out this interim workaround: Stuck keys.
Problems with sticky keys may also be a software problem. If you have recently upgraded your firmware, which may have happened automatically as part of an upgrade to a newer release, you may also have run into a known bug in firmware q2d09 that can be fixed by downgrading or upgrading the firmware.
What is the warranty?
The 2008 Give1Get1 program that ran from November 17 to December 31 required you to contact Amazon.com for all returns. Visit Amazon.com's Returns Center, where a restocking fee applied in certain situations -- see Amazon.com's Returns Policy for detail.
The earlier Give1Get1 program's 30-day Warranty from 2007 was described in its Terms & Conditions. To exchange your hardware, it required that you apply for a Return Merchandise Authorization, by following 2007's RMA process.
In either case: separate post-warranty parts & repair are available from several entrepreneurial community startups who are good friends of OLPC.
Does opening my laptop void the warranty?
Yes, but your warranty expires after 30 days anyway. In fact you may want to disassemble your own XO laptop to explore its components, AT YOUR OWN RISK—for example, the screen connector and keyboard internals are very easy to break!
Do NOT remove the watch battery on the motherboard if you disassemble your machine—prior to the Q2D07 version of firmware, this can result in the computer becoming "bricked" or unusable!
How do I obtain replacement parts, e.g. batteries and chargers? Repair?
Spare parts like replacement batteries, power cords (chargers), screens, touchpads and keyboards are available from this list of spare parts vendors.
Check our Maintenance/Repair pages for other post-Warranty options, most of which are run by volunteers.
If you have a torn or ripped keyboard and do not wish to replace it with a new one, you may want to try these simple instructions for an inexpensive do-it-yourself repair.
Note Give1Get1 systems do not have the anti-theft system fully enabled.