jthg

I finally figured out why my X3 randomly initiates hard resets!

The problem I was having was that my X3 is frequently at the confirm-hard-reset-screen when I take it out of the dell provided pouch. This never happens if I leave it on the cradle or laying around somewhere.

Since it was pretty much impossible for the power+reset combo to be pressed accidently, I assumed that it might be some other button combo.

So I tried a lot of random stuff and I finially figured out that pressing a certain place on the back of my X3 is equivalent to pressing the power+reset combo...

Can someone please try this with their X3 and see if it does the same thing?

Just lay the X3 face down on a flat surface and press down with one finger (fairly hard) on the spot marked in the attached pic (image borrowed from birghthand.com). I don't think pressing down on that spot causes any damage.

Please let me know whether this works with your X3 or not. Thanks.

mara6

That is really interesting! I don't have an X3, so I can't try this.

sheepy

oooh, might be worth having a look at some photos of the inside of the axim and working out what is underneath there - it could be the backup battery perhaps?

(too scared to try it myself ... sorry! :D )

jthg

I doubt doing this simply cuts off power because cutting off the main battery would put the X3 into sleep mode and cutting off power completely would lead directly to a hard reset. I don't think any power situation would take the X3 to the confirm-hard-reset-screen...

sheepy

good point :D i've really not been with it these last few days

i blame discrete cosine tranforms.

l0cke

I tried pressing all around the battery lock on my x3i and nothing happened...

jthg

ok, thanks l0cke.

The marked spot (about 2 cm by 2 cm in size) is the only place that works for me. Pressing anywhere on the battery doesn't work.

I can very reliably initiate a hard reset this way with my X3, it's worked everytime I do it.

My X3 also starts a hard reset if I put it on a bed and lay down on it...

sheepy

worth contacting dell i'd say...

beachcomber

jthg, I have the same problem with my already once replaced unit.

Never thought of hitting a spot on the back to trigger it - but it works as you describe!! I noticed it while using the standard Dell case, too. Never had that problem with my first unit (it froze one day and there was no way to restart it).

Have you contacted Dell?

I´m pretty damn p?$§!(/&d if I will have to change the unit once again ...

Cheers.

jthg

Cool. So I'm not the only one!

Sorry, I haven't contacted dell yet. I've been procrastinating. I'll see if I can get myself to call dell tommorrow...

mara6

You think Dell would of noticed this <LITTLE> problem >BEFORE< they started shipping the units.

jthg

Maybe this only happens in a small number of Axims and Dell is hoping that ppl don't notice it... (And if they do, replacing the defective ones might be cheaper than changing the design for all Axims...)

mara6

Yea, that could be too.

John - Calif

My unit wants to reset frequently and today it performed a hard reset all by itself, without asking. Just tried your suggestion. Can't get it to work where you indicated, but did get it to reset by pressing on the opposite side of the battery latch, about the same distance as in your drawing. Did it about 5 times, 4 times it asked if I wanted to reset (press xxx) or to cancel, press xxx. Other time, it just performed a hard reset. I sent an email to dell tech support prior to searching this site. I wonder what they'll say now?

John - Calif

Quick reply back from Dell tech (email). Said base unit is failing. They will send replacement. Oh, well! This will be number 3 since I purchased in February, 2004. First one returned due to unable to connect to wifi. This one hasn't seen as much action as I plan to give it in the next few months, so I hope #3 is a good one.