USB Host Port not working on Archos 101

[speedygonz]

For those who installed the SDE, is your USB Host working in Angstrom/Ubuntu/Debian?

[baxjohnson]

Like I said, there are more tablets on the market than you can shake a stick at. The prices are starting to come down too. I just saw a 32gb Xoom in Best Buy for $499.

This topic will eventually get a wider audience. Engaget (the Apple centric site they are) would love to report on this as another reason to buy an I-Pad. Unfortunately it will hurt Archos.

It is in Archos's best interest to fess up and make their customers happy.

Any lawyers on this board? Class Action?

Bax

[jumpingjapflash]

I returned my 101 a month or so ago and at this moment the replacement unit is working ok..
but until when, I'm not confident at all.
IMO by not acknowledging this highly visible problem Archos is making themselves look cheap and 2nd rate.
Like, can you imagine Acer, Toshiba, or HP behaving this way? They'd admit the problem right away
and possibly recall the product.

[Edward222]

The reason I must tell people not to purchase an Archos is that I believe in being honest. I am kmown by everyone as the tecno person and they trust my advice. While I love my Archos tablet for what I use it for, I have had my share of problems; like new firmware twice wiping my unit clean and I had to reload everything again after I had it set just the way I liked it. The USB going out after I got an external harddrive for movies, a huge waste of money. The usb was a big selling point for me. The fact that the andriod market is not available without some work, that my non-tecno friends would not be able to do. So when asked I must tell them to look elseware for a quality product.

[Tunker]

So today I received an RMA for the defective A101 sent to me last week. I was very happy to discover another email notifying me that they will pay for shipping - now that's what I call good customer service! I'll let you know how it turns out in a future post.

Signed,
Tunker
A101 ver6

Yesterday I received my second RMA replacement A101. Before updating it to the latest fw I tested the usb host, deep sleep and speakers to ensure everthing's functional...and it all worked. So far so good. Not sure if it will last???

[bg1001]

My USB port stopped working about a month after I recieved the unit. I held off returning it as I was travelling and wanted to have the table. The SD card port still works so I have los of extra storage. I have my RMA in place and will send back this week. What bugs me the most about this is it is a known issue and the only way to deal with it is to return it to Archos at my cost. There are lots of other tablets out there
now and I will probably be looking to upgrade in a year and Archos will not be on my list bcause of this. I can get a brand name tablet from a local reailer now and not worry about the shipping if something goes wrong. This is all very disappointing but I guess this is what you get when you rush to buy. Should have waited a year and looked at the Toshiba/Acer/Asus tablets. Too bad because even with the older OS I like this unit.

[frankws]

My USB port stopped working about a month after I recieved the unit. I held off returning it as I was travelling and wanted to have the table. The SD card port still works so I have los of extra storage. I have my RMA in place and will send back this week. What bugs me the most about this is it is a known issue and the only way to deal with it is to return it to Archos at my cost. There are lots of other tablets out there
now and I will probably be looking to upgrade in a year and Archos will not be on my list bcause of this. I can get a brand name tablet from a local reailer now and not worry about the shipping if something goes wrong. This is all very disappointing but I guess this is what you get when you rush to buy. Should have waited a year and looked at the Toshiba/Acer/Asus tablets. Too bad because even with the older OS I like this unit.

I just sent my 101 in today for a failed USB that failed several months ago.
It cost me $15.00 to send in, which was priority mail with insurance.
I hope they have finally resolved the USB issue.
But I bought the Acer Iconia A500 a few weeks ago when Staples had a coupon for $100.00 off some tablets. So it was $299.00.
I hardly picked up my 101 since I got the Iconia and doubt I'll use it when I get it back.
With the 101 I had to recalibrate often, had the touch screen problem because of a ribbon inside touching it and had the failed USB port.
The Acer has a micro sd slot that closes over the card, the power button can't bump something and turn on and some other things I like over the 101.
I was mostly turned off by Archos because they would not admit having a USB problem and would not answer emails about the failed USB.

[freddy99]

I have a 101 and the USB host port has been no issue, however, I have been reading the threads here and on XDA and it occurred to me that no one seems to have tried to find out if the data lines still function on a "dead" USB host port although several report the data lines are unaffected. A USB port is a pretty simple thing.

My question is has anyone tried simply supplying 5 volts to the device by another source?

It could lead to an easy hardware fix if the data lines work, simply a jump wire from a stable +5 volt source to the + 5 volt pin of the port.

Alternately one could try to use a powered hub and possibly learn something useful.

I could be nuts but sometimes the simple things are overlooked.

[frankws]

I have a 101 and the USB host port has been no issue, however, I have been reading the threads here and on XDA and it occurred to me that no one seems to have tried to find out if the data lines still function on a "dead" USB host port although several report the data lines are unaffected. A USB port is a pretty simple thing.

My question is has anyone tried simply supplying 5 volts to the device by another source?

It could lead to an easy hardware fix if the data lines work, simply a jump wire from a stable +5 volt source to the + 5 volt pin of the port.

Alternately one could try to use a powered hub and possibly learn something useful.

I could be nuts but sometimes the simple things are overlooked.

If you plug in a usb hard drive it lights up which means it has power to drive it.
It just does not work beyond that point.
So if it lights up and has power then it won't work if you give it it's own power.
Also, what power does a usb pen drive need? none.
So the USB port is dead dead dead.

[adzman808]

i bought my 101

usb worked

i upgraded the fw (it prompted me)

usb died (my sole reason for selecting this tablet, well & price )

i did a full factory reset - usb worked again

when it was broken there was no power to the port (pen drive didn't light up)

not sure how this compares to other peoples' experiences

[freddy99]

I have a 101 and the USB host port has been no issue, however, I have been reading the threads here and on XDA and it occurred to me that no one seems to have tried to find out if the data lines still function on a "dead" USB host port although several report the data lines are unaffected. A USB port is a pretty simple thing.

My question is has anyone tried simply supplying 5 volts to the device by another source?

It could lead to an easy hardware fix if the data lines work, simply a jump wire from a stable +5 volt source to the + 5 volt pin of the port.

Alternately one could try to use a powered hub and possibly learn something useful.

I could be nuts but sometimes the simple things are overlooked.

If you plug in a usb hard drive it lights up which means it has power to drive it.
It just does not work beyond that point.
So if it lights up and has power then it won't work if you give it it's own power.
Also, what power does a usb pen drive need? none.
So the USB port is dead dead dead.

Frankws,
You are right, (I assume you mean a flash drive not a true HD) if it has a light that lights it is not a power issue and my comments are totally out of line. But in reading the posts here and throughout XDA it seems to me, especially after what you have said (I assume you have a failed port which indeed lights the LED), there are two different issues with the USB host port. I base that on the hardware guys saying the data lines are still good, running directly into the TI Chip, which may be the case in some and not others. And it seems some fix it with a wipe and a firmware fix (adzman808 for example), while others fail when they try that.................... Some report no +vcc at the port..........................

Ok, I'll butt out at that being said but the more eyes looking at a problem the better and soon many of our tablets will be out of warranty.

Freddy99

[frankws]

freddy99
I have only seen one post where someone claimed the port, which died, worked after a firmware reinstall.
My USB failed a few months after I bought the 101, or it failed sometime around Feb.
After purchasing an Acer Iconia A500 I have now sent in my 101 via RMA
I'm not sure if I will keep it when it returns or not.
I like the Iconia much better.

[adzman808]

The iconia was my fav tablet on display the archos was my fav tablet at the checkout

[frankws]

Sent my 101 in last Monday and the replacement came today. 8 days was a fast turn around.
But after buying and using the Acer Iconia A500 for the past 3 weeks the Archos felt junky.
The USB is working and worked after a firmware update.
But I put a micro SD in that i had backed up my apps on and had a real hard time removing it.
I guess I won't have to worry about the card flying out by itself.

[tman23456]

Has anyone considered getting an adapter for the micro usb port?

If so I would like to know if that works.

[Ach]

Grrrrrrr... My usb JUST died today, I've had the device since May!


I reeeeeeeally don't feel like wiping and resetting as its a pain to have to set everything up again, my device has the latest firmware and is rooted with expanded app storage.
Dunno if Archos would RMA my rooted device, but thats the same pain as wiping and resetting the whole thing!

So frustrating!


Update: Well this is weird... so anytime I connect any sort of USB device like a flash drive, it doesn't work at all, I mean nothing... its light isn't even turning on or anything. But when I connected a 2 TB external hard drive (which is getting power via an AC adapter), I can hear the drive start spinning as if its being detected, but nothing is prompted on the Archos!


Strange things!

[frankws]

Grrrrrrr... My usb JUST died today, I've had the device since May!


I reeeeeeeally don't feel like wiping and resetting as its a pain to have to set everything up again, my device has the latest firmware and is rooted with expanded app storage.
Dunno if Archos would RMA my rooted device, but thats the same pain as wiping and resetting the whole thing!

So frustrating!


Update: Well this is weird... so anytime I connect any sort of USB device like a flash drive, it doesn't work at all, I mean nothing... its light isn't even turning on or anything. But when I connected a 2 TB external hard drive (which is getting power via an AC adapter), I can hear the drive start spinning as if its being detected, but nothing is prompted on the Archos!


Strange things!

You have a failed usb port.
Return it and you will have a new one in a week or so.
At first it was taking weeks for them to replace units with failed usb ports.
But mine only took a week or so.
They know there is a problem with the port so they readily RMA it.
I don't think the rooting will affect them replacing it since they know rooting is not why it failed.
I don't use my 101 much since getting the Acer Iconia A500, which is IMO is much better, so don't even check to see if he usb still works.

[Ach]

Grrrrrrr... My usb JUST died today, I've had the device since May!


I reeeeeeeally don't feel like wiping and resetting as its a pain to have to set everything up again, my device has the latest firmware and is rooted with expanded app storage.
Dunno if Archos would RMA my rooted device, but thats the same pain as wiping and resetting the whole thing!

So frustrating!


Update: Well this is weird... so anytime I connect any sort of USB device like a flash drive, it doesn't work at all, I mean nothing... its light isn't even turning on or anything. But when I connected a 2 TB external hard drive (which is getting power via an AC adapter), I can hear the drive start spinning as if its being detected, but nothing is prompted on the Archos!


Strange things!

You have a failed usb port.
Return it and you will have a new one in a week or so.
At first it was taking weeks for them to replace units with failed usb ports.
But mine only took a week or so.
They know there is a problem with the port so they readily RMA it.
I don't think the rooting will affect them replacing it since they know rooting is not why it failed.
I don't use my 101 much since getting the Acer Iconia A500, which is IMO is much better, so don't even check to see if he usb still works.

Thanks for your message. It seems like a lot of people have stated that even their replacement's USB port died, so is it really worth it?

[Ach]

PS this is my third Archos device (also had the 5it and the 70) and I really was a fan of the company, I always supported them publicly on their facebook page but after reading everything on this thread and experiencing it for myself, its starting to look like I will be moving on to a different manufacturer by the end of the year. I shouldn't have to keep wiping my device and I shouldn't have to keep RMAing to other defective devices. I was one big supporter of the Gen 9 and was thinking of getting one, but now its very hard to justify it to myself.

Sorry Archos I really really really wanted to love you but there is just too much inconsistency here.

[baxjohnson]

I agree with Ach. I have two Archos and I bought my wife one (A5A 16G) so she can watch movies on the plane. The reason I go the 101 is at the time, they were really the only game in town wrt 10" android devices. The Xoom came out a little later. I refused to get an I-Thing.

Now there are at least two or three 10" Android tablets as good if not better that the I-Pad. Archos really had their shot but they blew it. It is not that the the USB problem exists, this kind of thing is to be expected with cutting edge tech, its that they wont admit there is a problem and just recall all the machines to be fixed.

Remember the Ring of Death when the Xbox 360 first came out? Microsoft nipped that in the bud. If you got it, you sent it in free of cost and they fixed it. If Microsoft had handled the ROD the same way Archos is handling the "USB host port not working" (UHPNW) the Xbox 360 would have died on the vine.

Funny, the acronym says U PWN...I guess that is what Archos did to us.

Bax