Repairing my PocketGo V1

 I must say I find these retro handhelds quite charming. This one runs a Linux OS with just 32MB DDR1 RAM and can emulate pretty much anything up to the Super Nintendo and Game Boy Advanced.

 

 

But as a Brazil-based software engineer, my budget is limited, so I don't always go with the sturdier, more expensive options in the market. The PocketGo V1 is a clone of the Bittboy, and people often say the former lacks quality when compared to the later. I previously owned a PocketGo V2 (similar to this, but horizontal form factor like a GBA), and the on/off switch broke off in the first week. I was terrible at electronics repair back then (I still am, but less), and I couldn't repair it, so it was unfortunately discarded. :(

This time we had a broken micro USB connector. It came off when I unplugged the charging cable:

 And here's a detailed view of the carnage.

 After cleaning it up, I found out that that a solder pad came off. According to my research, this seems to be the D- (data) pad. It's not necessary for charging, but I wouldn't be able to transfer files to Miyoo CFW (custom OS / firmware) via USB without it (it's still possible to use the SD card for file transfer, though).

 That's when I decided bridging the gap with a bodge wire. I had never attempted something like this, so the first try was a mess. For comparison, the wire in the picture is about as thick as a string of hair.

Then I fixed it, and now it's looking a little better.

I don't have solder mask available here, so... To make the connection sturdier, I decided to use hot glue. It was also the first time I used hot glue, so I poured too much. 🫣
 

The lid wasn't closing because of the blob, so I had to melt and spread it with the soldering iron. Then I put it back together and it finally took charge.

 But when I tried using the USB file transfer, it didn't work. When I plug it in a Linux desktop machine, dmesg shows:

[ 137.390132] usb 1-1: new full-speed USB device number 10 using xhci_hcd

[ 137.503176] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71

[ 137.720168] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71

[ 137.935127] usb 1-1: new full-speed USB device number 11 using xhci_hcd

[ 138.048171] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71

[ 138.264178] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71

[ 138.367266] usb usb1-port1: attempt power cycle

[ 138.746184] usb 1-1: new full-speed USB device number 12 using xhci_hcd

[ 138.746416] usb 1-1: Device not responding to setup address.

[ 138.951470] usb 1-1: Device not responding to setup address.

[ 139.159402] usb 1-1: device not accepting address 12, error -71

[ 139.159497] usb 1-1: WARN: invalid context state for evaluate context command 

 

So I think the bodge has failed. :(

I don't know if the bodge wasn't good from the start or if it was compromised when I melted the hot glue around it to close the lid, but there are two lessons to learn from this:

• Test the device before pouring hot glue on the board
• If it's your first time using a hot glue gun, practice on anything first before attempting a serious repair 

At least the device is taking charge now, so I can play it whenever I'm taking the night bus to my hometown. :)