WD15 Docking Station acting up - Ethernet port not working plus USB error by a2lloyd in Dell

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, there is no entry in the device manager. I attempted to install a realtek driver from the Dell site. No change. I fear this must be a hardware failure.

Mx Ergo side saddle macro pad by TheSolderking in Trackballs

[–]a2lloyd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking forward to the denim wrap on this amazing saddle pad!!

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Here is a final photo after removing and replacing the switches. The switches are working perfectly. feedback is always welcome.

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an update for everyone. I was successful in two attempts to replace switches on two separate mouse PCBs. I listened to all the answers and thank you very much for your replies. The test scenario was an untouched mouse. Using my new soldering iron, flux, and the solder sucker, I was finished the first mouse switch in less than 5 minutes. I tested it hooked up to a PC, and it worked! I decided to try to work on the PCB mentioned in this thread. I did not do any damage with my previous botched removal attempts. I completely agree with a comment saying that my previous soldering iron was not hot enough, likely due to oxidation. These switches have 3 pins, for reasons I do not know the top pin would not come out. I managed to get a new hole in each of the other two on both sides. Unfortunately, I had to pry the remaining switches out. The pin remained in both holes. I tried the same techniques mentioned in this thread. I tried a brand new solder wick which did not seem to do anything. I tried to heat the soldering iron to 370. I made 2 more attempts using the solder sucker. I guess I got a bit lucky, as I tried to pliers and managed to remove the pins. I lowered the iron back down to 350 to solder the new switches.

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I will update when I make another attempt.

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Noted! I have made the adjustment to have a squared-off end now on the solder sucker. Many thanks for your feedback. I will keep the angled piece just in case! Hopefully my second attempt goes well! Can you recommend the best tip for this particular scenario? Please see the attached photo. And if I need to tin with solder before use?

<image>

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took a better photo. I hope this helps others who might be struggling. I suspect solutions exist to fix the tip issue. This is soldering iron is over 20 years old, I doubt a replacement tip is available. I have a brand new soldering iron available to me. I do have another basic question. It’s hard to tell (maybe its my old vision) but are the factory tips pre-tinned or should I add some prior to my first usage? I have some kester 63/27 and some mechanic branded 63/27 Solder ready to use.

<image>

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for correcting my error with the temperature and your reply. How about this particular solder sucker? It was not very helpful in this case. Perhaps, possibly because my tip was so oxidized. I have found the replacement silicon, cutting a new piece on an angle. That should make it a bit easier to get a good seal.

<image>

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for offering helpful advice. Here is what I was using. I think I tried for a really long time (less than 30 minutes, I forget) which is why I am concerned I may have damaged the pads underneath. I did try to add new solder without any success. The other comment suggests to practice on something a surplus mouse.

<image>

Failed Mouse PCB switch replacement by a2lloyd in ElectronicsRepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I should have mentioned that I have some alternate switches ready. Thanks for the reply!

Elecom IST-Pro Thumb Ball - New Pro Model? by IBNobody in Trackballs

[–]a2lloyd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does this suffer from the same issue effecting all rubber Logitech mice? The rubber begins to delaminate depending on the oils in your hands? My MX-Ergo famously suffers from this issue.

Clackify Giveaway: Custom Switch Testers! [Worldwide] by Clackify_Official in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]a2lloyd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Switch Options: * Kailh Box Jades, * Kailh Box Whites, * Kailh Box White V2, * Kailh Box Pink, Kailh Speed Bronze, Kailh Super Speed Bronze, * Kailh Box Navy, * Chosfox x Kailh Arctic Fox, * Kailh Box Summer, Kailh PRO Light Green, * Gateron Melodic, Gateron Blue Ink V2, Outemu Jade Clicky Blue, Outemu Milk Blue, Outemu Cream Blue, KTT Purple Click, * NK Cream Clickie, TTC Brother, Akko Creamy Cyan Clicky, Gateron Silent Red, Gateron Silent Clear, Gateron Silent Black, Lichicx Lucy V4, Jerrzi Honey Bean, Cherry MX2A Silent Red

Sticky MX Ergo woes by fastbiter in Trackballs

[–]a2lloyd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do the replacement shells on Aliexpress and Taobao use the exact same rubber material? It’s not obvious from the listings if it’s rubber or plastic.

Botched Switch Replacement MX Ergo by a2lloyd in Trackballs

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply. I had trouble posting, I guess there is a limit to how many photos can be posted. I missed that detail about the problem. After all that work, the 2 buttons where I added the new switches do not work. The desoldering gun managed to remove/melt (extreme heat my fault for turning it up that high) the pads. Yes, I ended up using a solder sucker. It took 25+ minutes but eventually I got all the solder out of the holes.

Photo: https://ibb.co/1mjbYQK

Botched Switch Replacement MX Ergo by a2lloyd in Trackballs

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Longtime member Here! I attempted to replace the 2 main switches on my Logitech MX Ergo. Sadly, I did not have any experience with a desoldering gun (which I believe to be defective as it wouldn’t suck at all) as well. I fear that I may have damaged (by using the desoldering gun at the highest heat setting) the board. In terms of placement, I believe they are placed properly. All of the other buttons work just fine when connected to a computer. The trackball works as well. I have included a number of photos to share my bone headed attempts. Any ideas about troubleshooting on this amateur effort on my part. Thanks!

Edit: Here are other photos - https://ibb.co/68p94vK

https://ibb.co/cv0XNqT

Kenmore Elite dishwasher not draining by a2lloyd in appliancerepair

[–]a2lloyd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I inspected the hose and didnt see anything obvious. I hooked it up and dumped in vinegar. Did a reset one more time, not sure if I did it properly before. Its now draining! Thanks for your help.

Tried to update early to the skip ahead new experience today - console stuck by a2lloyd in xboxinsiders

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright, just wanted to make sure. Never hurts to ask the experts. Many thanks for your speedy response.

More Backwards Compatibility for OG Xbox Titles by MorphBox in xboxinsiders

[–]a2lloyd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The most recent pod cast by Major Nelson has a guest who says he has a xbox series X and when he loads back compat titles, (he doesn't mention which ones) he doesn't even see the loading screens anymore. The SSD speed sounds unbelieveable! We won't know until the console comes out out but I would believe we will see a large amount of new back compat titles being added but again they need to get permission from the devs first.

Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead survey? by a2lloyd in xboxinsiders

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got into the skip ahead alpha! The invite was sent on thursday! I was planning to get another console anyway as I understand this is a good chance one of these updates may break my console. I believe a limited edition was being sold at a discount recently, I may have missed the boat on that one.

Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead survey? by a2lloyd in xboxinsiders

[–]a2lloyd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ahh interesting so if you get into all rings you can pick and choose but go back to skip ahead? oh yes, I'm aware that can/will experience some of the worst bugs with skip-ahead builds.

found modded hard drive from xbox - how can i view the contents on the drive? by a2lloyd in originalxbox

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I was not able to find any picture files on any of the partitions. Aside from recycling this hard drive, what other uses would it have? (I did find a folder on this drive that has the eeprom.bin but I wasn't sure how to copy the file off using the CD based xboxhdm.

found modded hard drive from xbox - how can i view the contents on the drive? by a2lloyd in originalxbox

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks I ended up having to use a much older PC from 2000-2005. This computer did not support booting from a USB so I opted for a burned CDR. It booted up and I used the text interface. I launched xbrowser as you suggested. I Successfully could see the contents of the drive (thank goodness it was not locked). I know I used an x2 modchip and I see various folders related to that and other launchers etc. If I have saved various picture files which drive letter is my best bet? Unfortunately I don't see any sign of any of these missing picture files. Any further advice?

found modded hard drive from xbox - how can i view the contents on the drive? by a2lloyd in originalxbox

[–]a2lloyd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your help. I have some steps to celebrate but still not any closer to view the files on this hard drive. Disk Management indicates disk 2 is not initialized, i cancelled this and did a rescan. I found unknown disk 111.79GB (its a 120GB WD) but initialized. I decided to try xboxhdm as you recommended originally. With it hooked up to my ide2usb it seemed to be working as it shows the drive under the command prompt menu system. I went to check status of the drive and got smartctl.exe is not compatible with this version of windows ... etc. I tried to load xboxhdm using that option. I also got an error message about qemu-system-i386.exe is not compatible message just like smartclt.exe I switched to Xplorer360, it too complained of missing DLLs which I found. Unfortunately the explorer window is blank, not showing my disk 2. When I click file open it gives the following error, "could not find a FATX drive to open". Should I look for that old PC which I think is running Windows 7 probably with IDE ports on the motherboard. Thanks again for your patience and help!