From: Chris Holt <amiga2k_at_cox.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 08:59:21 -0400

On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 01:34:26 -0400, Tom Izzo wrote:
> Hello. I have recently dropped my Archos into a 4 foot above ground
> swimming pool. It was underwater for 1 second. I have let it dry out
> for 4 days. It appeared to be operational again. It was playing things
> fine. I then hooked it back up to my computer to add some files. After
> unhooking it, when turned on, it gets stuck into "USB Mode" and I
> cannot do anything. Everytime I turn it on, regardless of being hooked
> up to the PC or not, it reads USB Mode. Is there any fixing this, or am
> I screwed?

Anytime you immerse a complex electronic device like the Archos, you need
to take immediate, positive action. The myriad of pathways that water
takes into the unit almost ensure that some amount of water will be inside
for a long time, corroding and shorting traces and components. Steps that
should be taken immediately depend on the liquid involved and can range
all the way from partial disassembly and forced air drying to complete
disassembly and cleaning with electronics safe solvents like technical
grade alcohol or trichloroethyelene.

That said, in your present situation, repair is going to be a matter of
taking the unit apart and finding a corrosion (or stubborn moisture)
bridged circuit trace or component legs. Luckily for the technician,
these faults are usually visible and fairly easy to repair. This should
be followed up by a full cleanup of the sort described above.
Whatever you do, don't continue to try to use the unit! Electrical
current will only accelerate any corrosion and further damage the unit.

If the idea of wielding a screwdriver or multimeter sends you into a
panic, you might want to contact the folks at www.newmp3technolgy.com for
repair service/trade in or up etc. They would be the place that would
have the most options for you.

Chris
Received on 2003-07-29