New Playbook, Old Charger Problem

My 3G Playbook is just over the 3 month online support limit and I am having trouble charging it. I have never been rough with it but my husband has had to fiddle with it 3 times when it stopped charging for no reason I know of. He doesn't think there is going to be a 4th time. The problem is inside the playbook according to my husband. I've read a few threads that my warranty won't cover this problem (customer fault?) but others say it will.

If (when) my playbook won't recharge what do I do? I have a (same model) Playbook that suffered a nasty accident so I bought this new one. Maybe it could be used for parts?. Any suggestions and links appreciated. Will a rapid charger (magnetic?) work even if the port is bunged?

What do (or your husband) you think is wrong? Why do you think that the warranty won't cover it if you haven't been unduley rough with it?
If the problem is that the USB connector is damaged then the rapid charger should cerainly still charge the playbook ok, and anyone that is reasonably competant with small scale electronic components and a soldering iron would probably be able to swap the USB socket from the faulty PB, but there's always the risk that you will finish up stuffing both of them...

Okay, I've checked out the rapid chargers and most of them look like they have the same mini-usb end that is not working for me. One appears to have a magnetic end: http://ca.crackberry.com/blackberry-.../5A17A8107.htm but is out of stock. Any suggestions about a specific product? I like to buy more than one so cheap would be good.

Well, I do think I munched the port but I knew jamming it in upside down was a very bad idea so I didn't do that. Still, there were times when it didn't seem to fit in smoothly. In fact, the way it's placed makes it almost impossible not to stress it. I soon learned to use the PB upside down to avoid this. Anyway, I'm hardly the only one who has this problem. I'm nearly 70 and never claimed to be good at this stuff so take it easy on me, eh?

The only reason I think the warranty might not cover it was that several people on other threads said their problem wasn't. I just want as much info as possible before talking to RIM.

Good to hear that someone with reasonable competence might be able to swap the USB socket. Of course, stuffing both of them is always a possibility so I want to try to a rapid charger.

Thanks, ChrisMay.

If you are in Canada, Staples had the magnetic chargers on clearance just after Christmas. A charging dock will work too, but you need to take off any case to use the dock.

I just received a "rapid travel charger" I found on E-bay, new. It has a right-angle magnetic end, exactly what I've been looking for so I can set the PlayBook up in the case while charging without stressing out the USB.
BTW: I did have a PlayBook stop charging and it was NOT the port, but something else unknown. It was covered by BlackBerry support, and they sent me a new one.

Look inside the usb port (middle port). There is a connector board. It is located closer to the rear or bottom (non-screen side) but should be LEVEL and not bent or slanted. It that looks right, then YOU have not bunged it up and rim should cover it. But the only way to find out is to call them. (see below - I still can't get text below images!!!!!)

The PB has a one year warranty to the original purchaser. It also has 90 free Tech support. I do not know how Rim deals with "quasi-tech support v. warranty"

Rim Support
Tel:
Canada Toll Free: 1-877-644-8405
United States Toll Free: 1-877-644-8410
Puerto Rico Toll Free: 1-855-651-4936
Email: [email protected] (this route generally does not work and a call is necessary)

(UK Support) 0800 096 2805

Playbook French Support
Smartphones BlackBerry & Tablette Tactile - Mod�les de BlackBerry FR - France
Phone : 0800 914 533 (within 90 days from activation)

BlackBerry� Customer Support Center
Austria:0800-297-476
Belgium:800-77-980
RIM (Brasil Support toll free number): 0800-022-3161
Bulgaria: 00800-118-1115
Denmark: 802-50198
France: 800-914-533
Germany: 800-181-6530
Italy: 800-789-272
Luxembourg: 800-2-2187
Netherlands: 800-022-7316
Norway: 00-1-647-426-7058
Poland: 00-800-112-43-59
Portugal: 800-827-760
Russia: 8-800-100-9643
South Africa: 0800988892
Spain: 900-866-969
Sweden: 02-079-4448
Switzerland: 0-800-802-492
United Kingdom: 08000962805

Phone-Numbers of BlackBerry PLAYBOOK- Helpdesks...

Germany: 0800 1816530 (Geb�hrenfrei)

North-America: 1 877 255 2377 (Toll Free)

UK: 0808 100 7466 (Toll Free UK only)

Outside UK: +44 1753 558400

Worldwide: 1 519 888 6181

[email protected]

(BTW: Helpdesk for BlackBerry devices -except PlayBook- for Germany:
0180 3302626)

Here's some images and comments on the chargers

As F2 mentioned, it can sometimes just be the charger or the connector on the charger. I had one of the stock chargers go bad this way. I was afraid it was the port on my son's PlayBook, but it was just the charger, either the plug end or a break in the wire near the plug. A new charger cured it. It was past warranty, but I think I paid about $15 for a new charger, on sale at Staples.

Thanks to everyone. The Source (Radio Shack) also has BB rapid chargers with a magnetic end so I'll check there, and Staples, today. Anyway, the regular charger is working for now.

If you love your playbook do yourself a favor get the rapid charger while it's still in stock at a very low price.

I got one this afternoon and it works perfectly. Yay!

Good to read that it worked.