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General discussion

Zen Micro Surgery? Looking for your help!

Feb 4, 2009 12:38AM PST

I've had my Creative Zen Micro (4GB) going on four years now. That's a pretty good length of time to hold on to any MP3 player, to be sure, but it still works and I have no desire to plunk down $150+ on a new device if this one is still working.

The key here is that I believe I am experiencing problems with the headphone jack (not the headphones as I've tried 3 different sets and all have the same problem). I can no longer keep the player in my jacket pocket or even nudge the earphones in the slightest without the sound getting all crappy on me. I've discovered that this model, very early on, had a headphone jack issue and I'm thinking it's only creeping up on lucky 'ol me just now. I see online tutorials on how to fix the problem on your own by taking the unit apart and using everything from tiny screwdrivers to scissors to a soldering iron! Anyone have any experience doing this? Should I be concerned?

-Jason

Discussion is locked

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Repairs
Feb 4, 2009 2:46AM PST

I haven't tried this on a Zen but I have repaired headphone sockets on small, cheap no-name Chinese players. This involved disassembling the case and re-soldering a cracked joint between the socket and the circuit board. In fact, I re-soldered all the joints on the socket because I could not identify which was broken.

Possibly it was easier with a cheap player because it was pretty crudely built -- and of course the cost of messing up was less of an issue.

I suspect it comes down to your experience of soldering.

To help yourself, take photos as you disassemble any complex components and make sure your soldering iron is low-wattage with a fine tip. If possible, test the player before re-assembly.

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Re: Repairs
Feb 4, 2009 3:03AM PST

Well, to answer your question, I have never used a soldering tool in my entire life. Some of these walkthroughs are fairly detailed and show step-by-step images, so I believe these might help. Any tips or advice before I take the plunge? I'm worried about messing things up royally.

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There is a problem of cost too.
Feb 4, 2009 3:13AM PST

You say you never soldered before so this means you likely do not have a solder iron or the other little bits and pieces.

My last solder iron for home was close to 100 bucks and the one at the office nearly 1,000.

There's that and you must get the right TIP on the iron and practice. The first few times you solder is for learning, not doing actual repairs.

You start with wires, then try some old dead board (just like medical students and cadavers) then assist or are supervised then when you're good enough you are on your own.

It's a skill and a good one to have.
Bob

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Cost of soldering iron ?
Feb 4, 2009 9:40PM PST

In my experience there's no need to spend more than $30 on a soldering iron. Soldering is a bit of knack but keeping the tip clean (I use a damp pan scourer) and lots practice is all it takes.

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Here I work on expensive stuff.
Feb 4, 2009 11:47PM PST

So a temperature controlled iron and a few tips are needed. At the office we use the cold iron (cold until you touch the parts to heat up) like the Metcal.

http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/5635-0001/

Yes it's only 300 or so for the basic station but those tips and stuff add up.

Try a Metcal. You'll be glad you did.
Bob

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Sodering
Feb 4, 2009 8:39AM PST

Good luck! I have watched a girlfriend use one but I am sure I would mess it up for sure.