Repair Dell Streak7

The tab I use for my DD for an in-car video player will not start up. The charging light will flash red a few times when you press the power button or upon plugging it in (I think). Reset button and button hold tricks do not work. According to the manual, the red flashing light is an extremely low battery, so I left it charging when I left home this AM.

As I said, it's an in-car player and is dropped constantly. I checked the charging port and one end of one of the pcb's is rounded off/damaged, likely due to the unit falling and the actual charging connector (the usb cable) being pulled out at an angle. I am not sure if this is the issue, though.

On ebay, the port sells for $100+ (might as well just buy another unit), and on top of this I am not sure how it connects to the mobo (no way I am soldering 30 pins or whatever).

Has anyone replaced one of these before or knows of a good repair service?

Quote from Dr. J : The tab I use for my DD for an in-car video player will not start up. The charging light will flash red a few times when you press the power button or upon plugging it in (I think). Reset button and button hold tricks do not work. According to the manual, the red flashing light is an extremely low battery, so I left it charging when I left home this AM. As I said, it's an in-car player and is dropped constantly. I checked the charging port and one end of one of the pcb's is rounded off/damaged, likely due to the unit falling and the actual charging connector (the usb cable) being pulled out at an angle. I am not sure if this is the issue, though. On ebay, the port sells for $100+ (might as well just buy another unit), and on top of this I am not sure how it connects to the mobo (no way I am soldering 30 pins or whatever). Has anyone replaced one of these before or knows of a good repair service?

A cheap test might be a cheap battery / charger, charge it up and see if boots etc. I got one for my Streak 5 for cheap from amazon or ebay.

Also with my streak 5 the screen should light up and show an icon when you plug it in to charge. I would assume it would for your streak 7 also.

Quote from mrbobhcrhs : A cheap test might be a cheap battery / charger, charge it up and see if boots etc. I got one for my Streak 5 for cheap from amazon or ebay. Also with my streak 5 the screen should light up and show an icon when you plug it in to charge. I would assume it would for your streak 7 also.

Even when it was new the screen never came on when charging unless the battery was charged (e.g. we keep it plugged in in the car and when you start the car/energize the 12V port, the tab's display would come on).

I can't seem to find any info on battery replacement on this, and very little info on disassembly.

Quote from Dr. J : Even when it was new the screen never came on when charging unless the battery was charged (e.g. we keep it plugged in in the car and when you start the car/energize the 12V port, the tab's display would come on). I can't seem to find any info on battery replacement on this, and very little info on disassembly.

Hmm I think my streak 5 when powered off and was plugged in it would show the battery icon with a lighting bolt for a min before the screen turned off. Try this, unplug it all and take out the battery and try plugging it in/ turning it on (with no battery). Its that or with out the back on I forget. but I think mine gives you an error and fails.

Another option is trying to get in to "download mode" with out the battery in (some android devices that is the only way to get in to download mode).

Quote from mrbobhcrhs : Hmm I think my streak 5 when powered off and was plugged in it would show the battery icon with a lighting bolt for a min before the screen turned off. Try this, unplug it all and take out the battery and try plugging it in/ turning it on (with no battery). Its that or with out the back on I forget. but I think mine gives you an error and fails. Another option is trying to get in to "download mode" with out the battery in (some android devices that is the only way to get in to download mode).

there is no means to remove the battery.

I just got an estimate back from a repair place - $60 for labor and $80 for a new mobo. I can buy a new tab for that much!

Quote from Dr. J : there is no means to remove the battery. I just got an estimate back from a repair place - $60 for labor and $80 for a new mobo. I can buy a new tab for that much!

Ok, did not realize the & was that much different then the 5. and yea for that price I would just get a referb nook color.

Doing some more looking, it appears that the connector itself is too difficult to replace so most people just replace the whole mobo. Disassembly isn't difficult, especially if you've taken a laptop apart before. I will probably just buy a new ds7 and see if I can source a new mobo for the other one, or at least take it apart and see if I can fix the port somehow.