[Solved] My SAIO won't boot

[Dukana]

I made a terrible mistake. I handed my gameboy zero to a three year old. She was running with it, tripped, and it went flying. Of course it was on at the time.

If I flip the power switch, nothing happens. However, if a USB is plugged in to the port, it starts to turn on. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very far. I made a short video to show what's happening.

https://youtu.be/-u29Lfqsizs

I'm on vacation and away from my work bench until the end of the week.

One more thing, I plugged in a micro USB cable to see if it'll power, and it does. Still, no boot. I was messing with the USB on the other side and saw something strange. Looks like short maybe? Here's a video. https://youtu.be/VdxeSwBsiq4

[kite]

That is, really strange! Was something plugged in to USB when it was dropped? Did it fall apart when dropped?

Your next step should be to take it apart and look around the back board first. Using a multimeter, make sure that when the power switch is 'on' that there is continuity between GND and the switch, on the 6pin connector. You should be able to see the labels on the SAIO board itself which will tell you which pin is doing what. I'm suspecting that it is a GND issue, so inspect components and the connectors for anything GND related, you may have cracked the solder and using a hot iron will be able to re-melt it back (with some fresh solder).

Does that make sense? Basically the SAIO is waiting for the PWRSW pin (on 6 pin connector) to be shorted to GND .. if it isn't or is intermittent, it won't power properly..

Same goes for the MODE button, when NOT pressed the pin will be high (3.3-5v or so) and when press it will be shorted to GND. IF you have the power switch OFF AND mode shorted to GND, it will 'hard power off' which seems what you are seeing.. so start with those and hopefully it should be some obvious physical damage... and in the least, taking it apart and re-seating the connectors might help!

[Dukana]

That is, really strange! Was something plugged in to USB when it was dropped? Did it fall apart when dropped?

I have a tiny 64gb usb that I keep plugged in there. Nothing cracked or broke open when it dropped.

I couldn't find the cause of the problem with a visual inspection. And while I have a digital multimeter, I'm pretty much useless with that tool.... mostly use it to test for continuity.

Put a dab of flux on the back board and remelted the 4 pin connector, the usb, and the 6 pin connector. Not sure which needed fixing, but it's working great! Also, my mode button wasn't working for a while now, and it looks like it's all sorted out.

THANK YOU KITE!

[kite]

Hooray! Good work Could you edit the title and put [Solved] at the beginning please?