Getting a (shuihuo) Treo 680 repaired

[onebir]

It's a minor but very irritating problem - the headphone socket often only gets a good enough connection to output sound through one ear.

Since I bought it as shui huo in Kunming, I'd need to take it back to the original shop to get a repair under the guarantee - not practical now I'm in Changsha.

So I guess the options are finding a local Palm dealership (are there any official ones on the mainland), going to HK again, or getting it fixed by a repairshop without Palm connections (I imagine, given the simplicity of the problem, that this would be ok?)

Any thoughts would be appreciated! I'd like to be able to listen to MP3s with both ears once more...

[ipsi()]

I've got no idea where to get it repaired, but I do have to ask: When you say it's only getting sound out of one ear, have you checked to make sure it's not the headphones? Have you plugged them into something else to make sure they work?

n

Also, if you're using a 3.5mm adaptor, then check that as well. My 680 *does not* play well with any adaptor apart from one specifically designed for it.

If neither of these are the culprit, then yeah, it'll be a problem with the Treo. A not-uncommon problem, or so I've heard (mine's been fine for the 10 months I've had it).

[ajax]

I guess you should email asia.service@palm.com and see what they say. I dealt with them several times to repair/swap my defective Chinese hang huo T/X.

When I bought my 680 in Kunming, the store claimed it would be covered but would require shipping to Hong Kong. But I later noticed that the "warranty void if broken" tape over one of the screws next to the battery had been punctured before I bought it. Kind of wish I had seen that before I bought the thing.....

Another (probably foolhardy) option is to take it to one of those dodgy cellphone repair shops. A couple months ago, I dropped mine from rather high up. Afterwards it rattled when I shook it and people on the other end could no longer hear what I said. I took it to one of those guys who assured me that he could absolutely fix it. Think after bargaining it cost something like 80 yuan (likely got ripped off...). He pulled it apart and did a bunch of soldering and gluing all the while asking me what kind of phone this was. I also remember he lost a piece from inside and seemed to take forever to figure out how to put it all back together. It's worked great since then, though.

[onebir]

ipsi() - I've had the same problem - sound on one side cutting out, sometimes coiming back when I fiddle with the jack plug - using:

- a 3.5mm adaptor and

- 1.5mm(?) headphones plugged straight in.

Do you think I need to check by using another set of 1.5mm headphones?

ajax - thanks for email address & the simultaneously worrying and reassuring story... At the moment I'm not sure I could bear the stress of the guy repairing my phone asking "what make is this" and loosing part of it. But that time may come...

[roddy]

Bluetooth headset?

I'd try a different set of earphones just to be sure. But really this should be a pretty simple fix and I'd probably risk a local repair guy. Actually - lightbulb goes on - CECT sells the 行货 version of the 680. CECT has a 维修站 in Changsha:

长沙市开福区一鸣通讯产品售后服务部

0731-4428318

0731-4428308

长沙市芙蓉中路一段524号金帆大厦六楼604号

The guarantee obviously isn't going to be any good, but surely for a small fee . . .

[onebir]

I went past a stall selling cheap headphones on the street last night & decided to give it a shot. They worked fine! But none of the phones with tiny jackplugs fitted my ears very well. So I bought an adaptor (RMB2) & some earbuds (RMB9). Full listening pleasure seems to have been restored.

The adaptor's just a tiny jackplug (rightangle variety) with a 3.5mm socket after a few cms of cable. Given the absurdly low price I'd suggest anyone who runs into this sort of problem:

My 680 *does not* play well with any adaptor apart from one specifically designed for it.

seek out this RMB2 variety to give it a try before shelling out for a (USD20?) Palm one...

Roddy - thanks for the contact details, it's a good option to have & doubtless far cheaper than trekking to HK for similar repairs.

[ipsi()]

I kinda live in New Zealand, makes it a bit hard .

Anyway, I've picked up the US$7 ones, as I know they work fine. Just easier for me, really...