tritium

So, I bought an x3 on an ebay auction...

My first ever ebay experience, and I think I've been, well, stuck with faulty equipment.

But I'm trying not to jump to conclusions. I understand there may be some driver issues, and there's a chance the previous owner flashed to an earlier version of the ROM (not likely, imo).

Here's the deal. The moment I get this thing, I notice that it won't power on. Ok, so I plug in the AC adaptor and the thing fires up. I figure its been in the mail for 2-3 days, so a dead battery is possible. After a few seconds, I get a low backup battery warning. No big deal, right? I've read that they discharge if the x3 PDA is left by itself for too long.

So I decide to check the power settings to see if that's really the case. The main battery is reading 80% and the backup battery reads "Abnormal".

Can anyone offer some advice on what to do? This is a software glitch or is the battery actually toast?

HELP! (I just *KNEW* this would happen if I tried an ebay auction... too many horror stories, and now I've had one for myself)

-tritium

cwachaches

Tritium,

I don't know from experience, but from what I've read at the forums here. First suggestions charge your x3 in the cradle without the battery in it first. If you still get an abnormal reading, search on the forums for x3/x3i hardware troubles and there are instructions about replacing the backup battery. Somewhere on the forum there is also a company in Texas where you can mail it to them and they will replace it for you if you don't think you can replace your backup battery yourself. (I look to find the name for you.) If you think you can replace the battery for yourself, you can sometimes find the battery on eBay for about $10 ($5 for battery and $5 for shipping). Hope this helps.

__________________
We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. - unknown

Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today, because if you enjoy it today, you can do it again tomorrow.
- James Michener

cwachaches

Forgot to say welcome! The company is www.PDAsmart.com, but hopefully charging your x3 in the cradle without the battery first will help!

__________________
We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. - unknown

Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today, because if you enjoy it today, you can do it again tomorrow.
- James Michener

tritium

I don't have a cradle, but I do have the AC adaptor. Anyway, I tried that last night but had no luck.

Fortunately for me, I live in a reasonably sized city and a battery vendor I spoke to today might have an equivalent cell for me to consider. I'll check it out tomorrow; barring that, I'll order the part from the Texas company.

threnody

I just got my x3 back from PDAsmart.com for a battery replacement (While I could have done the repair myself probably, handhelds make me nervous.) I can't recommend them enough.

mari1982

what did you pay for a replacement?

funman1

I just replaced my back up battery on my X3 with wi-fi. Do yourself a favor and buy the back up battery on ebay. I spent around $9 for the battery plus shipping. It has the wires and the green rubber case around the battery. It is also easier than trying to make a watch battery work. Once you locate and remove the four screws behind the rubber feet. The case can be opened with a credit card. Once inside you also have to find the rest of the screws which are pretty obvious. You also have to remove the wireless antenna and disconnect one ribbon. Then carefully lift up the board. The battery is at the bottom right side. Very easy install. First time I ever attempted to fix or replace something this small. I got the usually abnormal back up battery and now it operates like new.