- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
- Messages
- 76
- Reaction score
- 0
266 DDR. 4X128 (less $$) works fine. 400MHz P4s only, SL7EY AT 107 MHz clock seems to give a stable 3.0 GHz
PrimaryMaster said:
i-Buddie 4 Desknote Review
- Thread starter Ian
- Start date
Hi to all,
I have a i-buddie 4 (p4 with 20mb hard drive) and yes I have had the fault of the legs breaking off and also the power pin falling out (twice). I also agree that no support is offered fom the original manufacturer (excuse my spelling). However my latest problem is with replacing the keyboard. I am based in the UK and I am having difficulties in what to do. The digit 'k' has come away and the whole keyboard is now not working correctly. Has anyone else had the same problem and if so know how to cure or where to buy a replacement keyboard ?
Sorry if this subject has already been covered.
Cheers
Bogredkev
I have a i-buddie 4 (p4 with 20mb hard drive) and yes I have had the fault of the legs breaking off and also the power pin falling out (twice). I also agree that no support is offered fom the original manufacturer (excuse my spelling). However my latest problem is with replacing the keyboard. I am based in the UK and I am having difficulties in what to do. The digit 'k' has come away and the whole keyboard is now not working correctly. Has anyone else had the same problem and if so know how to cure or where to buy a replacement keyboard ?
Sorry if this subject has already been covered.
Cheers
Bogredkev
When the iBuddie fails...
I have created a username on this site for the sole purposes of thanking David from DC Systems ([email protected]) and for publicising his skill at fixing the A928/iBuddie Desknote. I contacted him, sent my computer - loud, overheating, whirring, hot and slowly burning away - to David and it was returned within 10 days and it has been working perfectly since. He is polite, attentive and very, very well priced. If your iBuddie is not working, smelling of burning, melting or generally misbehaving, I would suggest contacting him.
I have created a username on this site for the sole purposes of thanking David from DC Systems ([email protected]) and for publicising his skill at fixing the A928/iBuddie Desknote. I contacted him, sent my computer - loud, overheating, whirring, hot and slowly burning away - to David and it was returned within 10 days and it has been working perfectly since. He is polite, attentive and very, very well priced. If your iBuddie is not working, smelling of burning, melting or generally misbehaving, I would suggest contacting him.
David Cai, iBuddie A928 Repair Genius!
I too have created a username on this site for the sole purposes of promoting David Cai ([email protected]) for his skill at fixing our A928/iBuddie Desknote. Our A928 was dead as a doornail! He was able to bring it back to life and do so for a very reasonable price. Ours presented a problem he had not faced before with this model, but he figured it out. I would highly recommend getting in touch with David if you are having problems with your A928!! Again, his email is (e-mail address removed)
I too have created a username on this site for the sole purposes of promoting David Cai ([email protected]) for his skill at fixing our A928/iBuddie Desknote. Our A928 was dead as a doornail! He was able to bring it back to life and do so for a very reasonable price. Ours presented a problem he had not faced before with this model, but he figured it out. I would highly recommend getting in touch with David if you are having problems with your A928!! Again, his email is (e-mail address removed)
A928 Information
My A928 system is with me for the past four(4) years now. and only this 4th year of ownership I found a great messageboard discussing detailed information and solutions to Ibuddie A928 by ECS
Pcreview.co.uk Thanks for providing a very informative messageboard
My A928 system is with me for the past four(4) years now. and only this 4th year of ownership I found a great messageboard discussing detailed information and solutions to Ibuddie A928 by ECS
Pcreview.co.uk Thanks for providing a very informative messageboard
Last edited:
theowl007 said:
Hi, Im not so sure if you have your Ibuddie got repaired but to answer your question and for those who will fall under the same worry of data privacy prior sending your Ibuddie for repair
***(Note this is to US residence and at the same time owns a desktop computer)
Theres this cheap ADAPTOR which can be bought at your nearest Frys Store. The manufacturer is GQ(Great Quality) the specific name of the adaptor is
Hard Drive Adaptor 44 Pin to 40 Pin IDE
The price is basically $6.99
This Adaptor will help you connect your Ibuddie Hard Drive to your Desktop to remove any private data you have stored prior sending it for repair
I hope this helps
Last edited:
A928 Problem - David Cai is the Solution. Highly Recommended
My A928 system is with me for the past four(4) years now. Unfortunately last January I was faced with several major problems from an internal speakers problem, to a halted DVD/CD-R Drive, Noisy Internal Fan and the WORST of them all the dreaded "Adapter Burned Melted Plug" . In short my I-Buddie turned out as I-FEAR.
Being a resident in California, USA. I spent two weeks searching all major computer/electronics store and to all computer repair shops only to find out they CANNOT Help me. Worst, to the extent I contacted ECS system which is not really a help at all. For once I thought it is "THE END" to my laptop (because, my warranty has far over and no help nearbyto be found).
Until, early February I happened to stumbled in this messageboard (searching tru the vast world of internet for Ibuddie or A928 Solution)and found a person who is familiar in resolving such issue.
At first Im hesitant as some members who made testimonials only made their account and posted mostly once to praise him. But thank God,I started with a meticulous validation by sending him an e-mail and to my satisfaction and built trust he is was able to show an excellent comunication. Very accomodative and sure do knows how to communicate properly, knowledgeble to the problem and provide his deepest sincerity to his service.
Ladies & Gentle and Ibuddie A928 Owners may I present to you
David Cai from DC Systems ([email protected])
He is an Angel sent from above to directly resolve your problem.I for once would be grateful to tell you how he helped me and resolve my numerous headache with an affordable service and fast reliable transaction.
He brought back my I-FEAR to Ibuddie
I look forward also on this messageboard sharing my experience with my Ibuddie and ofcourse would stand supportive to the IBUDDIE A928 Guru David Cai
Again, to you David (from DC System) THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
My A928 system is with me for the past four(4) years now. Unfortunately last January I was faced with several major problems from an internal speakers problem, to a halted DVD/CD-R Drive, Noisy Internal Fan and the WORST of them all the dreaded "Adapter Burned Melted Plug" . In short my I-Buddie turned out as I-FEAR.
Being a resident in California, USA. I spent two weeks searching all major computer/electronics store and to all computer repair shops only to find out they CANNOT Help me. Worst, to the extent I contacted ECS system which is not really a help at all. For once I thought it is "THE END" to my laptop (because, my warranty has far over and no help nearbyto be found).
Until, early February I happened to stumbled in this messageboard (searching tru the vast world of internet for Ibuddie or A928 Solution)and found a person who is familiar in resolving such issue.
At first Im hesitant as some members who made testimonials only made their account and posted mostly once to praise him. But thank God,I started with a meticulous validation by sending him an e-mail and to my satisfaction and built trust he is was able to show an excellent comunication. Very accomodative and sure do knows how to communicate properly, knowledgeble to the problem and provide his deepest sincerity to his service.
Ladies & Gentle and Ibuddie A928 Owners may I present to you
David Cai from DC Systems ([email protected])
He is an Angel sent from above to directly resolve your problem.I for once would be grateful to tell you how he helped me and resolve my numerous headache with an affordable service and fast reliable transaction.
He brought back my I-FEAR to Ibuddie
I look forward also on this messageboard sharing my experience with my Ibuddie and ofcourse would stand supportive to the IBUDDIE A928 Guru David Cai
Again, to you David (from DC System) THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2005
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
Ibuddie 4 A928 Desknote
I was experiencing the same power related problems discussed throughout this feed and sent my computer to David Cai for diagnosis and possibly treatment. For a minimal price compared to replacing it, he was able to fix the power problem with my iBuddie4. So, anyone out there whom has a problem with their power supply heating up to the point of melting, I completely recommend sending it to David. He can fix it ... no problem.
I was experiencing the same power related problems discussed throughout this feed and sent my computer to David Cai for diagnosis and possibly treatment. For a minimal price compared to replacing it, he was able to fix the power problem with my iBuddie4. So, anyone out there whom has a problem with their power supply heating up to the point of melting, I completely recommend sending it to David. He can fix it ... no problem.
Toasted A928
A client brought me his A928 sufferring from melted power connector. At first he just brought me the adapter thinking the problem was all there, so I measured the connector and went searching for a replacement connector but never found anything. We decided to just forego having a connector at all and getting another year or so out of the system by wiring a pigtail into the motherboard and having a disconnect a foot or so outside the case.
It took me a couple of hours to get down to the motherboard. I cut the connector out with a dremel tools and carefully soldered an 18 guage wire to the parts that were still connected to the motherboard. I then doused the area with "liquid electrical tape" and let that dry thoroughly, then potted the area with epoxy so strain on the cord wouldn't rip everything out of the board.
While I was doing that I also found this board and sent a message to David Cai before I jumped in so I could give the client a choice of how to proceed. However, I've still heard nothing from Mr Cai so the client wanted me to proceed.
Last night I got the thing all back together, give or take four screws, and though the power issue appears to be cured, the system doesn't respond. If I hit the power button the light on the left edge of the case comes on, the fan starts, and the disk spins and seeks briefly. If I then hold the power switch down for five seconds, the system shuts off.
Has anyone found any useful things to try at this point?
Van
A client brought me his A928 sufferring from melted power connector. At first he just brought me the adapter thinking the problem was all there, so I measured the connector and went searching for a replacement connector but never found anything. We decided to just forego having a connector at all and getting another year or so out of the system by wiring a pigtail into the motherboard and having a disconnect a foot or so outside the case.
It took me a couple of hours to get down to the motherboard. I cut the connector out with a dremel tools and carefully soldered an 18 guage wire to the parts that were still connected to the motherboard. I then doused the area with "liquid electrical tape" and let that dry thoroughly, then potted the area with epoxy so strain on the cord wouldn't rip everything out of the board.
While I was doing that I also found this board and sent a message to David Cai before I jumped in so I could give the client a choice of how to proceed. However, I've still heard nothing from Mr Cai so the client wanted me to proceed.
Last night I got the thing all back together, give or take four screws, and though the power issue appears to be cured, the system doesn't respond. If I hit the power button the light on the left edge of the case comes on, the fan starts, and the disk spins and seeks briefly. If I then hold the power switch down for five seconds, the system shuts off.
Has anyone found any useful things to try at this point?
Van
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
- Messages
- 76
- Reaction score
- 0
I'd wait for David to fix it even if he dosen't respond right away, which has never been the case yet. Less then a 3 week turnaround to the US for a quality, not mickeymouse, as you discribe, fix. The 3 prongs are swiching for the battery as well as power, and the battery pigtail is different wiring then the AC adapter. Maybe those 4 plus or minus screws could be important, you think?
Best of luck--
AL
Best of luck--
AL
Well, you aren't my client, and my client gets to determine the course of action.
However, although I have not seen the DC power adapter I can assure you that there is no difference between the termination between the two. In the AC adapter there is one wire and one shield, and the one wire goes to the two top pins and the shield goes to the third. On the motherboard, the two pins are soldered to the same conductive pad on the board, and the third pin is connected to the metallic shell of the connector which is soldered to the ground plane of the motherboard at three points. I would say that a significant part of the problem in this design is that the same current is carried on both the positive and negative, but there is twice the capacity in the connector for the positive so it's the negative that is always dying when the load gets marginal.
And no, I don't think any of the screws are important or I would have gone back in and found where they belonged. All connectors were doublechecked, or I think I doublechecked all of them. Those are important. None of the screws in this assembly carry any current or signal.
Van
However, although I have not seen the DC power adapter I can assure you that there is no difference between the termination between the two. In the AC adapter there is one wire and one shield, and the one wire goes to the two top pins and the shield goes to the third. On the motherboard, the two pins are soldered to the same conductive pad on the board, and the third pin is connected to the metallic shell of the connector which is soldered to the ground plane of the motherboard at three points. I would say that a significant part of the problem in this design is that the same current is carried on both the positive and negative, but there is twice the capacity in the connector for the positive so it's the negative that is always dying when the load gets marginal.
And no, I don't think any of the screws are important or I would have gone back in and found where they belonged. All connectors were doublechecked, or I think I doublechecked all of them. Those are important. None of the screws in this assembly carry any current or signal.
Van
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
- Messages
- 76
- Reaction score
- 0
Did it work?
I concurr with Albroswift, you are playing with fire the way you are setting this thing up. I have already sent mine into ECS and David has just sent mine back.. I was the orginal post at
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/showthread.php?t=133550&highlight=ibuddie
My motherboard went out once again and when david got it it wasn't the same motherboard that he had been fixing all this time. So I waited patiently for 2 months and he discovered what was wrong and it is on its way back. David has proven himself time and time again. Error on the side of caution.
Tom Mackey
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/showthread.php?t=133550&highlight=ibuddie
My motherboard went out once again and when david got it it wasn't the same motherboard that he had been fixing all this time. So I waited patiently for 2 months and he discovered what was wrong and it is on its way back. David has proven himself time and time again. Error on the side of caution.
Tom Mackey
I just received my laptop back from David Cai, it is running great at the moment. I currently using it to post this. It took awhile for him to fix it, it was fixed once before and ECS put a different board in it and it was not the same as the one that is normally in A928. But I'm glad to have it working once again thanks to David. Also Ibought a Antec laptop cooler. Runs 2 usb fans.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
- Messages
- 76
- Reaction score
- 0
Cooler pad
Its better to run your cooler pads off a power adapter then the USB ports, a little less draw on the "melted prong" power plug, anything helps. Also a powered USB hub is a good idea, I use a kensington powered hub, USB 2.0, works good. Should be easy to find an adapter. Good luck.
AL
Its better to run your cooler pads off a power adapter then the USB ports, a little less draw on the "melted prong" power plug, anything helps. Also a powered USB hub is a good idea, I use a kensington powered hub, USB 2.0, works good. Should be easy to find an adapter. Good luck.
AL
twmackey said:
Last edited:
Hard Drive Recovery
Hi,
My DeskNote also "melted" a month ago. I am trying to find a way to recover my old files from the hard drive. From the recommendations of previous posts, I bought a "Hard Drive Enclosure Adapter" from eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41911&item=5183523102&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
The DeskNote Hard Drive does not match up with the connection of the USB Adapter system. The adapter looks like its supposed to plug into a 2-row set of pins. As the Hard Drive is right now, it does not have these two rows of pins. Instead, it has a series of 'slots' that fit into a series of ridges on the laptop motherboard.
It seems like the DeskNote harddrive has a small black adapter that converts the two rows of pins to the 'slots', so it can fit into the laptop.
Is this correct?
In order to use my eBay purchase, do I need to remove this black adapter? How should I remove it?
There are a series of screws around the perimeter of the harddrive, do I need to remove those?
Thank you.
Hi,
My DeskNote also "melted" a month ago. I am trying to find a way to recover my old files from the hard drive. From the recommendations of previous posts, I bought a "Hard Drive Enclosure Adapter" from eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41911&item=5183523102&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
The DeskNote Hard Drive does not match up with the connection of the USB Adapter system. The adapter looks like its supposed to plug into a 2-row set of pins. As the Hard Drive is right now, it does not have these two rows of pins. Instead, it has a series of 'slots' that fit into a series of ridges on the laptop motherboard.
It seems like the DeskNote harddrive has a small black adapter that converts the two rows of pins to the 'slots', so it can fit into the laptop.
Is this correct?
In order to use my eBay purchase, do I need to remove this black adapter? How should I remove it?
There are a series of screws around the perimeter of the harddrive, do I need to remove those?
Thank you.