Archos Recorder dying

[swave]

Hi

I'm using an Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 with Rockbox (not flashed). This has worked for
many years without problems. That's why I'm still on the old version 1.28. However recently
it sometimes failed to boot. The HD is making some clicking noises, then the error is shown:

Hard drive error
Please check HD
(3rd field)
OS Version: 1.28

This happens with newly recharged accus as well as with Alkaline batteries. OK, I thought,
time for a new HD. But also the replacement HD shows this error. This one won't even spin
up or make any noises. But connected to the PC (with an adaptor 2.5" -> USB) they both
come up without any problems. So it must be something else.

What could be defective for this kind of error?

Thanks for some pointers. I'd like to keep a player with real buttons and no touch screen.

[TAC109]

Try with new rechargeable batteries. Other batteries can develop high internal resistance resulting in voltage drop when the HD is accessed.

[swave]

I've used Alkalines several times when the rechargeables unexpextedly died and never had a problem.

However from looking around some more on the net it seems that possibly some soldering is necessary.
The wire around the battery spring is not broken. Other connections at least seem good but I need to
check some more and maybe resolder some.

DC plugged in or USB connected to PC doesn't change the behavior. So I hope that soldering helps.
Unfortunately all solutions I found point to http://www.rockbox.org/docs/repairbattery.html which
is a dead link and I couldn't find it in the wiki. Is this still available?

Thanks

[AlexP]

Is it this?

http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/ArchosRepairBattery

[swave]

Could be, yes. I have now soldered the battery contacts and the connections between
the side prints and the metal plate. Unfortunately that didn't help.

I also took out the batteries and powered the player with a power supply on 6V.
Still same error. Could it be some internal contact? Are there any Elkos that could
have dried up? Any other ideas?

Thanks