Electronic repair question

[Duer 157099]

I can't seem to find a specific group for electronic DIY stuff, so maybe this is the place.

I have a cd/mp3 player that I really like (RioVolt SP100). Problem is, the remote control (it's inline, attached to the headphone cord) has stopped working.

I took it apart figuring I had nothing to lose. There's a small circuit board and some contact points. This seems like it sould be easily solvable, but I have no idea how to go about it (no background in electronics).

I can provide photos if someone thinks they can help me troubleshoot this.

Anyone? I can't stand having to replace parts that I might be able to easily fix myself. Or at least try, and learn something in the process.

[politicat]

1. When a circuit board goes, it's dead, Jim.

They can technically be repaired if you have access to a microscope and microscopic working tools.

If the contact points are loose, you may be able to resolder them, IF you're good with a soldering point and solder. It requires a fine hand, a good eye, and lots of practice. DON'T use superglue - it's just a wonderful insulator.

If it's under a year old, you can usually get it replaced/repaired by the manufacturer. You may have to complain at them a bit, but they know when it was manufactured - it has a serial number for a reason.

[Duer 157099]

2. I can replace it for about $15, but

this is the 3rd one I have that has failed (I used this alot!). So, I'm thinking, it's time to figure out how to fix it myself, if possible.

I'll see if I can take some photos that will better describe the thing

What causes a circuit board to "go bad" anyway?

One of the functions still works, but the other 6 or so quit all at the same time.

[politicat]

4. Cosmic rays, humidity, shock, static....

A circuit board is made by tracing fine molten metal into a etched piece of silicon green board (or by laying the metal on the board, which is cheaper, but far less reliable.) In some areas, the tracing can be as fine as 3-4 molecules wide. If this gets zapped by a charged particle, a static shock, humidity (like by carrying it in a pants pocket) or by being dropped, the tracing is disrupted and the electrical signals that travel on the metal tracing don't go anywhere. Circuit boards are pretty reliable, but they can be disrupted.

It sounds like this product is built with planned obsolescence in mind, so it may be more economical in the long run to buy a more expensive, more reliable product than to continue buying things that die. FWIW, we've rebuilt both of our iPods twice now - replaced batteries on both, upgraded hard drives on both, and I've replaced the screen on mine after I dropped it and cracked the LCD. I can fix it, which is why I'm keeping it, even though it's technically obsolete. (It was originally a 3rd gen 15 gb, and uses firewire, which is being phased out of almost everything.)

[Duer 157099]

5. Yeah, it's not a random failure

because the other ones I have, all have the same failure -- all functions except one (the same one) suddenly stop working.

I've tried other models but this one fits my specific needs quite well, for various reasons.

It's times like these I wish I were an electronics person. Then I'd have all those little devices that test the components and I could figure out where the problem is.

I hate being ignorant.

[politicat]

7. If they have all failed in the same way, at about the same time...

then there is an engineering problem. There is a weakness in some specific component. I would either take it back to where I bought it and complain loudly, or take it up with Rio directly. Here's a contact

http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/support/rio/downloads/riovolt/Manuals/SP65%20User%20Guide.pdf (it's on page 22 of the user guide).

Have you tried plugging in a plain set of headphones and using the normal controls? That would isolate the problem to the player itself or the headset, and if it's the latter, you can just replace the headset. (Tho it might be more cost effective to replace the whole unit.)

Personally, I give a product one chance. If it breaks once, that can happen. If the same thing breaks twice, they lose my business. That's called bad design. But that's me.

[Duer 157099]

9. It got it so long ago, I can't even remember where or when

More than 5 years. They don't even make it anymore.

It's definitely the remote, because the unit itself is fine (I have 3, actually -- got 'em cheap on ebay, mostly for the remote!) All 3 remotes have worn out, but the players all still work fine.

I just googled a bit, and found the mfg of the main chip and learned all about it -- I have a feeling that's the problem (it's an RF transmitter).

At least now when i plop down $15 for a replacement, it'll be because I knew I had no other choice. I don't think I can fix this.

But thanks for all your input! Very much appreciated!

[politicat]

8. You're not ignorant.

Even if you had all of the equipment to test and isolate the bad component, the chances of you being able to find a replacement are about 1 in 1000. Radio shack doesn't sell those components anymore, and consumer goods are designed to be junked. Almost nothing is designed to be repaired anymore. It's just the nature of the industry.

Sorry your player keeps dying. I know how frustrating that is.

[Warpy]

10. $15 is cheap, trust me

because you'd have to spend more than that for schematics and the meter you'd need to test the board out.

Just count that $15 as monthly dues for all that music.

[Duer 157099]

3. Here's photos of the little bugger:

[Duer 157099]

6. Here's a DIY page that looks promising...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1951262,00.asp