Clip V2: Not powering on after Rockbox Install

[Lacrocious]

Yesterday I had a working Clip v2.  Today I have a dead Clip v2 that won't power on.

I reviewed the instructions and did the following:

• Update firmware to the latest Sansa firmware of 2.1.35a.
  This was done using the Sansa firmware update utility.  It was successful.  The device worked correctly post upgrade
• Downloaded a copy of the firmware 2.1.35a from Sansa for use during Rockbox install.
• Used Rockbox Utility to install, selecting the firmware. 
  Rockbox Utility stated that the install occurred without errors.
• Unplugged the USB cable from the Clip v2 which triggered the firmware update to the Rockbox firmware.
• Clip v2 powered off.
• Tried to power on without success.

I have tried to reset it by holding the power button on multiple times (from 20 seconds to multiple minutes during different tries).  I have plugged it into the USB, again without success.   Basically, there is no sign of intelligent life in the clip any longer.   The display and ring around the scroll pad doesn't light up, flash or do anything to indicate it's alive.

I have read the SansaAMSUnbrick document.  I may try the recovery mode - but I am a Windows person with enough unix to understand what it is saying to do, but no current environment to do it from.  I would need to find a Unix Live CD to boot from.  I thought I would post here to verify where my Clip v2 is at.

Is my Clip v2 toast?  Any other thoughts on how to resuscitate?  Suggestions on a preferred Unix Live CD to use for recovery mode?

Thank you
 - L

[funman]

It's probably not bricked but just crashed.

Wait a few days until the battery is completely dry and plug it on USB

[Lacrocious]

Thanks - I will give that a try.  In waiting mode....
 - L

[Lacrocious]

OK  Waiting is over and still no luck.   

I have waited 22 days for the battery to go - just left in a drawer and forgot about it for a while.  Plugged into usb and no go.  Tried the hold power on for 30 sec to reset - still no life.  Trying to charge now to see if that helps. 

I also opened it up now and see that there the battery wires are still connected and solid.  No issue there.

Anything else to try?

[funman]

You can try the procedure documented on SansaAMSUnbrick

Since nobody did this already on Clipv2 we don't know which pins need to be shorted, so I attach a picture with a possible guess circled in red, and a second guess (try it only if repeating the procedure at least 10 times with the first pins didn't work)

Also as a first try I would try to restore the unmodified OF, and then if it does work I would try again to install rockbox bootloader.

[Lacrocious]

Thanks Funman - I had forgotten about that.  I have it apart and see the pin's you circled.  I can short them all I want, but when I plug into USB (using SystemRecovery Linux Live CD) - the clip doesn't show up - but then again, it doesn't power up in any way - so I wouldn't expect it to show up in fdisk.  Should I see it power up in some way - display light up, etc.  anyway - no luck with either pin at this point.

 - L

[funman]

You will see a new mass storage device in dmesg output, you won't see anything else because your OS can't see any partitions and the LCD doesn't light up.

Note that if you have a solder iron available you can remove the battery, the Clipv2 will be powered by USB. When it's repaired you can resolder the battery (red wire on +, blue wire on N, black wire on - )

[Lacrocious]

So far - no go.  I have tried your suggested pins, and a number of others.  It's a bit of a pain with only two hands to plug-in the usb while bridging the pins and holding the board - but I have been working at it.  Will try again as I have more free time and will let you know the results.

 - L

[funman]

Yeah it's a bit hard, try to short the pins while holding the board on the desk with the same hand that holds the screwdriver (or whatever metallic thing you use),
so you have the other hand free for plugging the cable.

I use this script to monitor dmesg output 'realtime':

Code: [Select]

sudo su -c "while : ;do dmesg -c;read -t 1 && clear;done"
(Press enter to erase screen)

[Lacrocious]

Yes  - I found it easier to actually leave the clip plugged into the usb cable and then short and insert the other end of the usb cable into the computer.  Much easier than trying to keep the bridge in place and plug the usb into the clip.  I will try your message view - that will also be easier then trying to issue the fdisk command after plugging in the usb.
 - L

[davhar]

Just wondering if you had any luck with your sansa clip V2.  I had the same experience with my Sansa clip.  Installed the new sansa firmware, installed rockbox, using the desktop utility, restarted the Clip and it just died.  I've had it sitting for several weeks hoping the battery would die.  Before I cracked open the case I wanted to see if it was possible to recover my clip.

davhar

[Lacrocious]

No, not yet.  I plan on trying some more when I get some free time.  I don't have high hopes.  I will post back after my next set of tests.
 - L

[rocksansabox]

I got one
and do not know if I should try rockbox on it or not.

Now I get it rockboxed well.

Did you try uninstall the rockbox with the utility?

[lionfury]

Let it drain for 3 days and then plug it in. It worked with my fuze

[fugu]

Today I tried to put rockbox on my clip v2 using the rockbox utility. I did the same steps Lacrocious did with the same result, a dead clip. To make a long story short: I found the recovery pins, followed the SansaAMSUnbrick guide and my clip is working again.
I marked the pins on a photo that I found on the wiki (see attachment). While the board layout on the photo is identical to the one on my player, my board is missing the rightmost component (the big silver one that has a black 'c' printed on it and some red glue on the top).
After recovering the player I tried the manual rockbox installation routine but had no luck. So if someone has a clue I would be happy to hear it.