Start 2 "X0" doesnt start

[targa]

I have a rather new Start2 device, it suddenly went off when I had it in my pocket and wouldn´t switch back on.
If pressing the poweron button, TOMTOM Logo appears exactly until key is released turns immediately black then.
If I keep the button pressed some text showing versions and device data appears including Flash Mem amount.
No USB device is recognized in Windows, nor is it recognized in Tomtom Home. I tried all the steps on Tomtom Webpage and from the FAQ here, but the only thing I could do is pressing the RESET button for 20s, all other things rely on a device/mass storage device appearing in Windows Explorer which is not happening.
I left it for a while, now it doesnt even show the logo/text anymore.
Only when switching on with USB cable attached the backlight goes on for a second and a tiny scratchy sound can be heard... ?! Nothing happens when no cable attached..
When connected to USB charger, it takes approx. 360mA for charging.

Any one has some hints for me ? I could well send it back for repair since I´m in guarantee period, but I´m afraid I won´t get it back before my vacation trip....


Thanks a lot

 

[targa]

I noticed that when the white text appears there's a red box around "sector protection: no".

 

[Arno]

If it is a Start 20 or Start 60 HOME cannot be used and the computer treats is as Network connection.
Instead of HOME, the connection is made via MyDrive Connect.

http://de.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/15330/locale/de_DE

 

[canderson]

He says that it's a Start2, so that should be a Nav2 device that works with Home. Still, a 'new' Start2? That's some old stock! Makes me wonder if the battery is tired. Did this unit EVER work properly?

@targa
If your serial starts with XM or XN, then we are talking about a device that uses Home for its interface. If not, tell us the first two characters.

Assuming XM or XN, try the reset again by holding the power button, but don't hold it so long -- only takes about 15 seconds. As soon as the logo appears and the drums sound, release the power button. Hold it longer than that, and you wind up in the diagnostic screen (white text on black) and you can't do anything from there except shut it off.
After the reset, let us know what happens.

If that does not work, connect up and see if you can use the Operate my Start (or whatever it says) to manipulate it on your PC. Let us know if that works.

 

[Arno]

He says that it's a Start2, so that should be a Nav2 device that works with Home. Still, a 'new' Start2?

That and neither HOME nor the PC recognising it as an external drive made me wonder.

 

[targa]

As i wrote it's a Start^2, serial starting with X0 (see thread title) and yes, its probably old but newly purchased, so it was cheap!
All what you suggest I already did.

But... it seems to be the battery, even if it seemed to work ok earlier ~1h or charging didn't show anything on the screen or would allow me to switch it on. But since I could measure the current it's using to charge, I thought maybe it's worth waiting, so I kept it attached to the charger over night and placed it on tiles, so that it wouldnt heat up so much (noticed it became pretty hot!).

Tadaaa, next morning it was back in service... so probably the battery isnt the best anymore... I say it can be replaced if I detach the sticker... Will that void my guarantee ?

Thanks mates.

 

[Arno]

Tadaaa, next morning it was back in service... so probably the battery isnt the best anymore... I say it can be replaced if I detach the sticker... Will that void my guarantee ?

Yes, I would say it will void the warranty.

I am surprised that it would get that hot. My 2008 GO 930 never got that hot unless t was in the car in the summer. I recently replaced the battery when an overnight charge would not hold for more than 30 seconds.

Is it now being recognised as an external drive by the PC. Have you connected it to the HOME software?

 

[canderson]

As i wrote it's a Start^2, serial starting with X0 (see thread title)

I asked because my magic decoder ring of all TomTom devices has no record of XO or X0 start for serial numbers! You have one that I have not heard of before. I went to the TomTom site and tried both, and XO (letter O) does work, and shows up as Start ² 4GB. So having that added to my list is appreciated! Interesting that it follows immediately after the XM and XN, so the sequence makes sense. I did not previously know that a 4GB version of this unit had been produced.

Tadaaa, next morning it was back in service... so probably the battery isnt the best anymore... I say it can be replaced if I detach the sticker... Will that void my guarantee ?

Lithium batteries that have been stored for a very long time (in this case, probably on the order of 5 years since device production of the device + age of battery before installation) can be an issue. They are charged only to 50% when new (this is intentional to improve shelf life of the chemistry), and can self-discharge at as much as 1.5% ~ 2% per month. If we are talking 60 months minimum, you can see why it may have been very, very low when first purchased. Now that it is charged, it may behave acceptably for you. I would wait to see before thinking about changing it.

 

[targa]

I am surprised that it would get that hot.

it actually later on got so hot (connected to a 2A tablet charger) that the display went black, but returned to normal afterwards.

Is it now being recognised as an external drive by the PC. Have you connected it to the HOME software?

Now, everything works ok, havent yet dared to let it run on battery alone, since I travelled over the weekend.

I asked because my magic decoder ring of all TomTom devices has no record of XO or X0 start for serial numbers! //uote]You should try the real one from tomtom.com Is 4 GB a lot comparably ?

... Now that it is charged, it may behave acceptably for you. I would wait to see before thinking about changing it.

Yeah, I know about LiPo batteries, just earlier I wasn't aware that this model is out of prodcution for a while. Anyway... I also missed the 90day slot to update the maps, so it now refuses to update, which is pretty bad, since some major roads around have changed recently. So I'm actually thinking to return it, though I want to travel to Italy in 2 weeks which makes me think.
Thanks for all your advise

 

[Arno]

it actually later on got so hot (connected to a 2A tablet charger) that the display went black, but returned to normal afterwards.
Now, everything works ok, havent yet dared to let it run on battery alone, since I travelled over the weekend.

Do you still have the regular cigarette lighter adapter or a standard PC USB connection.
If yes, try those and monitor the temperature.

 

[targa]

Do you still have the regular cigarette lighter adapter or a standard PC USB connection.
If yes, try those and monitor the temperature.

I have both, CigLighter is specified at 1A and wasn't able to start up the device even after 30min of charging. 2A charger (I measured ~1.4A) was ok to start up and charge, but there's unfortunately no way of displaying the charge level of the battery, so it's blind-guessing whats going on.

 

[Arno]

If the battery needed to boost charge after a deep draining, maybe you can now maintain regular charge levels with the CLA.

I had almost never used my GO 930 without being connected, either in the car or in the cradle at the desk. After 6 years it wouldn't stay on for more than a minute and, I knew in a flash that, I needed a new one.

Careful but painless operation, following one of the videos that are based on canderson's initial reports.

 

[canderson]

One thing for certain, these devices (not your model in particular) really aren't all that good on battery power alone. We've seen brand new units run anything from an hour to 2-1/2 hours over the years. Much depends upon screen size, brightness, presence and activation of wireless capability, and a host of other stuff. TT really expects them to be plugged in during use most of the time.

 

[targa]

I dont really mind how long it lasts unless I can enter destinations at home and taking it into the car switched on.
Anyway, Arno you're right, charging current has now normalized to 550mA and after that the device stays switched on showing the battery symbol (reasonable) slowly to decrease it's charge. So I'm fine.
Thanks mates.

 

[Arno]

Glad to see you got it sorted.