This Is Why You Should Not Lock The Orientation Lock

I'm in the process of unlocking a Nexus 7 running LOLLIPOP 5.1 which was stuck in the boot cycle loop, a bug introduced by Google in LOLLIPOP which is not fixed for free by the manufacturer Asus.  Asus says there is NO SIMPLE FIX and that the motherboard must be replaced, costing owners in excess of $200+.

Never being one for admitting failure, I've now I've figured out how to do it pretty consistently offering sufferers a low cost replacement motherboard and money back on the locked motherboard, a real win win situation.

However, one 8GB Nexus 7 running Lollipop has me a little stumped, not because I couldn't replace LOLLIPOP with KITKAT 4.4.4

but because the owner had set up the screen lock on the device to be portrait.  How is this a problem I hear you ask, well the device has a cracked screen and like other devices with cracked screen it means that half of the Touchscreen does not work.  This isn't normally an issue, but to log onto a new network

you need to tap the screen and type into it across its surface.

With half the screen dead, that isn't possible.  If the orientation lock wasn't on, then rotating the device several times would allow the user to find working areas on the touch screen to input all the details, but with the orientation screen lock in place your restricted to what you get. If the keyboard characters of network name are in a bad area, your screwed.

So my advise is:

If you need to set the screen lock on (i.e. for reading on a train etc) then please; for your own sake and to reduce repair costs if the unit is damaged; turn it off again as soon as you can.  

This would have been a 15 minute job but now I need to swap the motherboard and into other machines and back again and its an expensive process in 'man hours for the repair'.

#fixed1tandroidtip

10 Things To Avoid And Do To Keep Your Android Tablet Working

The components within an Android Tablet should work flawlessly for years, but they can stop working over time and completely fail resulting in a dead device, if not used with care.  Keeping the Android device in good condition will ensure it keeps working longer, and this can be done by considering the following 10 points and acting on them.

In this blog entry I will refer to a Google Asus Nexus 7 Android Tablet, but this applies equally with any Android tablet.

1. Wear And Tear

• If the Nexus 7 is getting heavy usage, then its important to ensure you keep it in a protected padded case.  The more protective the case, the less likely it is to suffer from failure due to wear and tear. Remember manufacturers warranties only rarely cover wear and tear.  If its not covered they are unlikley to fix it or repair it for free.  

2. Abuse And Breakage

• If you abuse the Nexus 7 by dropping it, dropping other objects on it or accidentally spilling liquid on it (toddlers love to do this), then even if its in warranty the manufacturer is unlikely to fix it or repair it for free.  As above keep the Nexus 7 in a suitable case or bag and out of the reach of animals and small children.

3. Ambient Conditions

• If you use the Nexus 7 in adverse weather conditions or in a hostile environments then the internal contacts between its sophisticated components will become corroded or damaged causing intermittent problems.  Users should select a case to meet their needs.

4. Dirty contacts

• Dirty contacts because of any of the above issues, is a problem for the Nexus 7.  If the dirty contact hasn't turned into corrosion then it can be cleaned with Isopropyl Alcohol or similar once the Nexus 7 has been safely opened and the battery disconnected.

5. Damage Charger

• Unfortunately power chargers are trip hazards, or magnets for small children and animals that will happily pull them apart.  The modern chargers and 'Switch Mode Power Supplies' and are very effective, but unlike old transformers they do not step down the voltage from hundreds of volts to 5v using a sealed transformer.  The operate at max voltage internally opening them is a real 'Danger of Death'.  Therefore do not tape up a cracked charger or one which has suffered water or chemical damage.  Throw it away and get a new one.

6. Damage Charger Lead

• If the lead from the charger becomes loose or frayed then throw the charger away and get another.

7. Damage Charger Port Connector

• The minute size of the charger port on the Nexus 7 means that if handled roughly it will fail, it too is also a magnet for small children to push their food, fingers and other items into the hole.  These ports can be cleaned but it is a microscopic job involving extreme care and patience.
• This Nexus 7 youtube video shows how to remove a USB Charging Port with Headphone Socket

8. Over Heating/Cooling

• The Nexus 7 is made to operate within certain temperature constraints.  If it gets too hot then the circuitry will become electronically noisy and with begin to fail.  Do not, for example, watch long videos on the Nexus 7 with it resting on blankets of Duvet.  Likewise if it gets cold outside and is brought into a warm room give it chance to warm up and dry out before switching it on.  If it gets wet, leave it to dry in a sealed plastic tube wrapped in a dry towel and surrounded by dry rice.

9. Poor Charging Regime

• With old Nicad Batteries you had to ensure they were fully charged and discharged completely due to an inherent memory effect problem.  This is not necessary for the Lithium Battery within the Nexus 7.  These batteries should be kept charged, charging them every few days even we not in use.  Do no allow them to fully discharge all the time as this will shorten their life considerably.  

10. Dead Battery

• If the battery appears dead, placing it on charge over night, then taking it off charge and leaving it for another 24 hours before placing it on charge again, will often revitalise it.  When all else fails the buy a replacement.  New batteries are expensive so you might want to consider a 2nd user battery.  Not sure which Battery to choose and you do have a Nexus 7 1st generation 2012? Check out the following battery related fixed1t videos:
•  Which Nexus 7 Battery Should You Choose?
• Opening My Nexus 7 Wifi And 7 Wifi 3G And Making It Safe 
• Replacing A Nexus 7 WiFi and 3G Lithium Battery 

Spares parts for Nexus 7's can be purchased at the fixed1t eBay shop using this link:

Thanks for reading, feel free to ask questions.  

fixed1t

Don't Discard You Old Low Spec 8GB or 16GB Nexus 7 Upgrade It

If you have a 8GB or a 16GB Nexus 7 and your thinking of getting rid of it to buy the latest model tablet, before you do you should consider upgrading it, or having it upgraded to 32GB.  The 32GB Nexus still gives the new Android Tablets a run for their money.  Check out the details here on this blog or watch the videos in the

fixed1t Nexus 7 Playlist on YouTube

Regards fixed1t

Low cost Nexus 7 1st Generation 8GB to 16gb - Part 2

Upgrading The 8GB Nexus 7 1st Gen to 16gb - Part 2: In game show tradition here are the results ;-)

I have 32GB Nexus 7 motherboards available on eBay for updating the 8GB or 16GB nexus 1st Generation here

If this is useful please like it and give it the thumbs up.

fixed1t

Low cost Nexus 7 1st Generation 8GB to 16gb - Part 1

Upgrading 8GB Nexus 7 1st Gen to 16gb Part 1 - Turning a low memory Nexus into a more usable device





Refurbished boards are on the fixed1t eBay site along with other Nexus items


Thumbs up if you like it.



fixed1t

How I Cheaply Replace A 1st Generation Nexus 7 WiFi Motherboard Part 1

Removing the connectors and shielding in order to carry out a motherboard replacement or upgrade.

Refurbished boards are on the fixed1t eBay site along with other Nexus items

fixed1t

How I Cheaply Replace A 1st Generation Nexus 7 WiFi Motherboard Part 2

How I Replace A 1st Generation Nexus 7 WiFi Motherboard Part 2 Upgrading a  8GB or 16GB Nexus 7 to 32GB



I have 32GB Nexus 7 motherboards available on eBay for updating the 8GB or 16GB nexus 1st Generation here

Please share and rate.

fixed1t