Author Topic: Power switch finally broken (Read 7783 times)

wepecko · « **on:** July 18, 2014, 10:00:32 am »

Hi, my on/off switch got finally broken, after several sessions when I needed to take the circuit board out of unit body. This is mainly due to really stupid solution of connecting the slider button to the physical switch.
Does anybody here knows what would be the catalog part number of this switch or where I could find and buy something similar to do a replacement?
Thanks for any ideas...

(Plus, if anybody responsible is reading this, I would vote to introduce a new subsection for GCW0 forum, related to HW issues. all these buttons, cases, display, connectors themes could be fitted in and moved from General section)

hi-ban · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2014, 11:00:28 am »

I heard that some PSP replacement power switches may fit as a replacement for the GCW, but you might want to check yourself, just to be sure.

You know, the GCW was not built to be disassembled multiple times. There are already some disassembling tutorials out there since a year ago, which already said that people should be extremely careful with the power slider when disassembling/assembling the GCW.

I don't think it's a hardware issue. Sure, it could have been made easier to disassemble, but the GCW is not a Lego toy. It wasn't built with people disassembling it in mind.

pcercuei · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2014, 11:24:09 am »

You can push the plastic slider gently from the inside with a screwdriver and it will disconnect from the board without damaging the small switch.

wepecko · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2014, 12:16:00 pm »

Thanks guys for your reaction. Just to be clear - Im not blaming anyone for this. It was clear to me from the first time I opened the unit that this must happen sooner or later - no matter how careful I'll be, bcause it's simply not designed very well eventhough there would be some better solutions. Right now Im using a paperclip to turn on my GCW0

However I will check on the mentioned PSP switch and will post here if I'll be succesful.

wepecko · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2014, 12:26:24 pm »

It's here, if someone would be interested:
http://www.dx.com/p/replacement-power-switch-module-for-psp-1000-2000-3000-145261#.U8kEJtx5Fw0

But I need to check first how does it fit....

Kouen Hasuki · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2014, 05:09:02 pm »

Don't quote me on this but in a pinch would a DSLite power switch work, though you would lose the lock feature that I have only seen used on 1 thing so far

wepecko · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2014, 09:04:07 am »

Quote from: wepecko on July 18, 2014, 12:26:24 pm

It's here, if someone would be interested:
http://www.dx.com/p/replacement-power-switch-module-for-psp-1000-2000-3000-145261#.U8kEJtx5Fw0

But I need to check first how does it fit....

Hi guys,

mission accomplished, i confirm that power switch from the link above is perfect replacement.

Kouen Hasuki · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2014, 09:37:56 am »

Awesome!

hi-ban · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2014, 12:36:44 pm »

Good job!

Also nice to know it is indeed the exact same power switch. Being a PSP replacement part, that means it will be easy to find for everyone.

ruffnutts · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2014, 06:56:46 pm »

Great Job.. Great post

raygan · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2014, 06:43:11 am »

Thanks for this info! Fortunately I haven't had any issues with my Zero, but this seems like a likely pain point for these units going forward.

This info should probably be added to the wiki.

dbvelez · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2014, 07:33:32 pm »

Hello, I'd like to follow up with this topic. I too have broken the switch as well however the clip has broken. This solution fixes part of my problem. I was wondering if anyone has insight on how to get a new clip?

P.S. Unlike the OP I didn't open my case or tinker with it. It fell and the clip poped off during the impact. When I tried to reconnect the clip the force broke both the clip as well as the switch. So this is not an issue limited to people who tinker.

hi-ban · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2014, 07:45:05 pm »

Quote from: dbvelez on October 01, 2014, 07:33:32 pm

Hello, I'd like to follow up with this topic. I too have broken the switch as well however the clip has broken. This solution fixes part of my problem. I was wondering if anyone has insight on how to get a new clip?

P.S. Unlike the OP I didn't open my case or tinker with it. It fell and the clip poped off during the impact. When I tried to reconnect the clip the force broke both the clip as well as the switch. So this is not an issue limited to people who tinker.

Of course, if you drop your console to the floor, it can break. I think cyanocrylate is your best bet for the clip.

I must warn all users that the consoles have a design issue: Dropping or throwing your console to the floor may cause it to break. Stepping or dancing over it, driving over it with a vehicle or hitting it hard with a hammer may also cause it to break.

dbvelez · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2014, 01:42:02 am »

Quote from: hi-ban on October 01, 2014, 07:45:05 pm

Quote from: dbvelez on October 01, 2014, 07:33:32 pm
Hello, I'd like to follow up with this topic. I too have broken the switch as well however the clip has broken. This solution fixes part of my problem. I was wondering if anyone has insight on how to get a new clip?

P.S. Unlike the OP I didn't open my case or tinker with it. It fell and the clip poped off during the impact. When I tried to reconnect the clip the force broke both the clip as well as the switch. So this is not an issue limited to people who tinker.

Of course, if you drop your console to the floor, it can break. I think cyanocrylate is your best bet for the clip.

I must warn all users that the consoles have a design issue: Dropping or throwing your console to the floor may cause it to break. Stepping or dancing over it, driving over it with a vehicle or hitting it hard with a hammer may also cause it to break.

Most devices are manufactured with six foot drop considerations. They have the ability to absorb impact so that important components aren't damaged. Nothing is full proof though. I am just merely pointing out an observation since you have made the assumption that switch damages can only be done by opening the case. I am just contributing to this open source cause. It's called learning. So go on and take your trolling else where if you're that board.

In the mean time. Adhesive will not do since the clip (slider) is suspended and both of the notches are broken off. The clip needs to be replaced. Any other ideas and please?

Pardue · « **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2014, 02:08:57 am »

Quote from: dbvelez on October 02, 2014, 01:42:02 am

Most devices are manufactured with six foot drop considerations. They have the ability to absorb impact so that important components aren't damaged. Nothing is full proof though. I am just merely pointing out an observation since you have made the assumption that switch damages can only be done by opening the case. I am just contributing to this open source cause. It's called learning. So go on and take your trolling else where if you're that board.

In the mean time. Adhesive will not do since the clip (slider) is suspended and both of the notches are broken off. The clip needs to be replaced. Any other ideas and please?

Actually, I don't think it's typical to design handhelds like that. Apparently, Nintendo engineers freaked out when they were ordered to design the DS to survive an even shorter fall.

(go to 5:45)

<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190313062050/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPvCGTF2EyY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPvCGTF2EyY</a>

I don't think hi-ban was trolling. I miss the old days, the GCW threads used to have a sense of humor.

Also it's "fool-proof" not "full proof."

hi-ban · « **Reply #15 on:** October 02, 2014, 02:22:36 am »

Quote from: dbvelez on October 02, 2014, 01:42:02 am

Most devices are manufactured with six foot drop considerations. They have the ability to absorb impact so that important components aren't damaged. Nothing is full proof though. I am just merely pointing out an observation since you have made the assumption that switch damages can only be done by opening the case. I am just contributing to this open source cause. It's called learning. So go on and take your trolling else where if you're that board.

In the mean time. Adhesive will not do since the clip (slider) is suspended and both of the notches are broken off. The clip needs to be replaced. Any other ideas and please?

I didn't make any assumption. You made the wrong assumption that i made the assumption that switch damages can only be done by opening the case, but if you read my posts you will see that what i said is that opening the case comes with the risk of breaking the switch, but i never said that the only way of breaking the switch was by opening the case.

About your issue, you posted that breaking the switch "is not an issue limited to people who tinker". Of course, the "issue" extends to the people who throw the console to the floor. That's so obvious it shouldn't even need to be mentioned.

I found surprising that you think it's a design issue that the console breaks when throwing it to the floor. A game console is generally not intended to be crashed against hard surfaces, unless the device is advertised as "shock-resistant". And in the technical specs of the GCW i've never seen anything about it being shock-resistant.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with cyanocrylate, but it can fix almost everything in a minute. Plastic included. No matter that the slider notches are broken, just glue them with cyanocrylate and they will be fixed in a minute. I suppose you have been smart enough to recover the pieces, so you should have no problem fixing the slider.

Oh, and a warning: don't touch the cyanocrylate with your skin, because it glues things literally in seconds and you wont be able to unstick it without cutting.

And a second warning: after you glue the slider, don't try to put it in their place using brute force, as you will end up breaking it again.

Pardue · « **Reply #16 on:** October 02, 2014, 03:17:41 am »

FYI: for those of us like me who have been reading this thread with the assumption that cyanoacrylate was the stuff the T-1000 was made out of, I looked it up for us and found out it has a more common name - Super Glue.

Also, it's cyanoacrylate.

Damn, my Grammar Nazi chip must be overclocking today.

dbvelez · « **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2014, 02:20:43 pm »

Quote from: hi-ban on October 02, 2014, 02:22:36 am

Quote from: dbvelez on October 02, 2014, 01:42:02 am
Most devices are manufactured with six foot drop considerations. They have the ability to absorb impact so that important components aren't damaged. Nothing is full proof though. I am just merely pointing out an observation since you have made the assumption that switch damages can only be done by opening the case. I am just contributing to this open source cause. It's called learning. So go on and take your trolling else where if you're that board.

In the mean time. Adhesive will not do since the clip (slider) is suspended and both of the notches are broken off. The clip needs to be replaced. Any other ideas and please?

"I didn't make any assumption. You made the wrong assumption"

Maybe I assumed that you assumed but you didn't leave enough information in your post to assume otherwise. You've just clarified it now. I am just merely stating that outside of your comment this switch can be broken many other ways.

"the "issue" extends to the people who throw the console to the floor"

What is it with you and throwing? Do you know how to read? It is dropped. Believe it or not those are two different scenarios which is why there are two different words. To drop is for something to fall with no additional force. To throw is for an object to move in a direction with applied force and intent. You should work for Foxnews since you like to take words and make up your own scenarios.

"I found surprising that you think it's a design issue"

I've dropped other items PSP, DS, etc... and switches and screens didn't pop off. It is a bit of a design oversight so don't downplay it like it is not. But it happened I am noting the issue here for others who've experienced it (known issues) and I am moving on looking for a solution. It seems like you are crying over spilled milk more than I am by debating a pointless topic instead of just helping.

"I'm not sure if you're familiar with cyanocrylate, but it can fix almost everything"

I'm pretty sure "Super Glue" cannot fix a suspended object in the air that has no contact with any other object.

I have addressed the quote above.

Hi-ban is trolling. All he needs to state is try super glue. Which I would then reply and say that doesn't work which I did. Instead he has created the idiot user scenario by insinuating that I "threw" this GCW on the floor and that I expect it to withstand impact from a velocity greater of that in "dropping" an object. He is putting words in my mouth just to create ad hominem attacks and avoiding the topic all together. I have to dissect his post and point out the fallacies just to steer this post back onto the right track. Sounds like trolling to me.

I digress back to my original question. Since we are a few post away from my original problem I will reiterate it: My clip (slider) has broken off as well as my switch. The OP's solution solves half of my problem now I need to know does anyone have a solution for the clip which has lost both of it's notches leaving the clip suspended in the air? Super glue IS NOT A SOLUTION!

Thank you!

hi-ban · « **Reply #18 on:** October 02, 2014, 03:39:54 pm »

I have a GCW since a year ago, and i have accidentally dropped it twice in a year, and guess what: Nothing is broken.
Ok then, i will assume you've had the bad luck of having it impact in the wrong angle, with the wrong side, in the wrong part of the console and with the wrong amount of force.

But wait... now that i re-read your original post, i realise that the impact didn't break anything, it just made the slider pop out of its place. It was you trying to use brute force to put the slider in its place what broke both the switch and the slider:

Quote from: dbvelez on October 01, 2014, 07:33:32 pm

When I tried to reconnect the clip the force broke both the clip as well as the switch.

First of all, even if the force is strong in you, using brute force to fix anything, is always a very bad idea. You have just discovered why it's a bad idea, and you are crying it's the console's fault. You are the one who has created the "idiot user" scenario, not me.

If your slider lost both of its notches, you can glue the broken notches back to the slider with super glue in a minute. It's the third time i tell you, but you dont want to read.
Of course, if you say it can't be done, then i assume it's because you didn't even care to recover the broken pieces. Which is your second big mistake, and the second reason why you are crying. This is just an assumption, because you haven't explained if you have the pieces or not.

Anyway, assuming that you lost the broken pieces, you have 2 options:

A) Create the lost pieces from another plastic object, and glue them with super glue.
B) Email justin and ask him to sell you a replacement part, but i advise you that nothing is guaranteed (not even an email response) and the shipment could take anything from 3 days to a year.

ker · « **Reply #19 on:** October 03, 2014, 11:45:11 pm »

I think a year would be a very optimistic scenario ;-)

Author Topic: Power switch finally broken (Read 7783 times)

wepecko (OP)

wepecko (OP)

wepecko (OP)

wepecko (OP)