chronomitch
Still Fresh
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2005
- Messages
- 27
I thought I would create a thread to dispel some of the false information concerning the problem where sound emanates from both the speakers and headphones when headphones are plugged in. I was able to fix my gp2x, so I wanted to share this info with you.
Would an admin/mod please sticky this thread? Thank you.
What problem are you talking about?
This problem occurs when headphones are plugged into the headphone socket. On many gp2x units, the speakers do not shut off, resulting in sound coming from both the speakers and headphones.
How can I tell if my gp2x has this problem?
Go into the mp3 player and start playing a song. Gently insert your headphone jack into the headphone socket. There is NO need to push hard, as you will read further on down. The speakers should switch off. If the speakers remain on, then you have the problem.
What causes this problem?
The problem lies in a screwup during the manufacturing process. The lead for the headphone detection signal on the headphone socket is slightly off-center from where it should be connected on the circuit board inside the gp2x. As a result, the solder between the two points needed for headphone detection usually breaks after a headphone jack is inserted into the headphone socket a couple of times.
Will pushing the headphone jack harder into the headphone socket fix the problem?
NO! In fact pushing the jack harder into the socket can make the headphone socket completely disconnect from the circuit board and fall into the body of your gp2x. Also, the mechanism that detects whether a headphone jack is present is located near the top of the socket (you should be able to see it easily). Therefore, even a slight insertion should turn the speakers off.
Should I return my gp2x back to the seller?
Because more and more people keep having this problem, the chance that you will receive another gp2x that has the same problem is high. Until GPH fixes the problem in the manufacturing process, it is likely that any "new" gp2x's will have the same problem. Also, the fix for this problem is relatively easy, even if you are new to soldering.
How do I fix this problem?
Here is a step by step guide to fixing this problem. It is a relatively easy fix. You will need a soldering iron and a small bit of solder.
1. Unscrew the four screws on the back of your gp2x. You may need to find a good screwdriver to do this because the screws are small and very tight.
2. Gently remove the back plate of the gp2x. You may be afraid that the plate may break, but it is actually quite durable. It may seem that it won't want to come off. This is because it gets easily hung up on the battery connections (part is on the back plate, part is on the circuit board).
3. Once the back plate is off, there is no need to disassemble the gp2x any further. Locate the headphone socket. The connection for headphone detection is located on the left side of the socket near the bottom (this side should only have one connection, the other side should have three connections). It should be easy to see that the connection has been severed.
4. Now for the moment of truth :lol: Just joking. This part is actually pretty easy. Now that you have located the severed connection, it needs to be reconnected using solder. Only a little solder is needed, so just melt a little solder on the soldering iron itself. Then gently press the soldering iron on the connection. Let it solidify for about 30 seconds and verify with your sight that there is no longer a gap between the point of contact on the headphone socket and the point on the circuit board.
5. THIS STEP IS OPTIONAL. I didn't do this because my headphone jack seemed pretty solid. If your headphone jack is loose, or if you're just a bit paranoid, you may want to also resolder the other three connections on the headphone jack and/or superglue the base of the socket to the circuit board. Like I said, I didn't need to do this, so it is really optional.
6. Before putting the back plate back on, make sure that the power button/slide and L/R buttons are in place, since they have a tendency to go out of whack. Then just place the back plate back on, lining it up with the battery terminals on the circuit board. The back plate does not seat itself firmly on the rest of the gp2x (the screws hold it together), so just put the screws back in. Make sure they are tight.
7. Test your gp2x to make sure that the speakers switch off when your headphones are on. If it works, congrats! If not, then try resoldering the connection.
Will performing this fix void my warranty?
I ordered my gp2x from gp32z, and I have yet to find a statement that says opening my gp2x will void the warranty. Even if this constitutes voiding the warranty, there is no way that anyone can tell that the gp2x was opened in the first place, so I wouldn't worry about voiding the warranty.
Is the switch from speakers to headphones hardware or software?
From my testing, it seems that this switch is done at the hardware or firmware level, although people can write software for the gp2x that can control whether the speakers are on/off. The reason I say this is that in all programs I have tried so far (mp3 player, video player, DrMDX, GNUBoy, NeoCD2x, Gp2xEngine, etc), the speakers automatically cut out when headphones are used. I somehow doubt that all of the various emulator authors specifically coded their programs so that the switch is made from speakers to headphones and vice-versa.
If you have anymore additions or information that you feel should be placed in this FAQ, please PM me or post in this thread.
Would an admin/mod please sticky this thread? Thank you.
What problem are you talking about?
This problem occurs when headphones are plugged into the headphone socket. On many gp2x units, the speakers do not shut off, resulting in sound coming from both the speakers and headphones.
How can I tell if my gp2x has this problem?
Go into the mp3 player and start playing a song. Gently insert your headphone jack into the headphone socket. There is NO need to push hard, as you will read further on down. The speakers should switch off. If the speakers remain on, then you have the problem.
What causes this problem?
The problem lies in a screwup during the manufacturing process. The lead for the headphone detection signal on the headphone socket is slightly off-center from where it should be connected on the circuit board inside the gp2x. As a result, the solder between the two points needed for headphone detection usually breaks after a headphone jack is inserted into the headphone socket a couple of times.
Will pushing the headphone jack harder into the headphone socket fix the problem?
NO! In fact pushing the jack harder into the socket can make the headphone socket completely disconnect from the circuit board and fall into the body of your gp2x. Also, the mechanism that detects whether a headphone jack is present is located near the top of the socket (you should be able to see it easily). Therefore, even a slight insertion should turn the speakers off.
Should I return my gp2x back to the seller?
Because more and more people keep having this problem, the chance that you will receive another gp2x that has the same problem is high. Until GPH fixes the problem in the manufacturing process, it is likely that any "new" gp2x's will have the same problem. Also, the fix for this problem is relatively easy, even if you are new to soldering.
How do I fix this problem?
Here is a step by step guide to fixing this problem. It is a relatively easy fix. You will need a soldering iron and a small bit of solder.
1. Unscrew the four screws on the back of your gp2x. You may need to find a good screwdriver to do this because the screws are small and very tight.
2. Gently remove the back plate of the gp2x. You may be afraid that the plate may break, but it is actually quite durable. It may seem that it won't want to come off. This is because it gets easily hung up on the battery connections (part is on the back plate, part is on the circuit board).
3. Once the back plate is off, there is no need to disassemble the gp2x any further. Locate the headphone socket. The connection for headphone detection is located on the left side of the socket near the bottom (this side should only have one connection, the other side should have three connections). It should be easy to see that the connection has been severed.
4. Now for the moment of truth :lol: Just joking. This part is actually pretty easy. Now that you have located the severed connection, it needs to be reconnected using solder. Only a little solder is needed, so just melt a little solder on the soldering iron itself. Then gently press the soldering iron on the connection. Let it solidify for about 30 seconds and verify with your sight that there is no longer a gap between the point of contact on the headphone socket and the point on the circuit board.
5. THIS STEP IS OPTIONAL. I didn't do this because my headphone jack seemed pretty solid. If your headphone jack is loose, or if you're just a bit paranoid, you may want to also resolder the other three connections on the headphone jack and/or superglue the base of the socket to the circuit board. Like I said, I didn't need to do this, so it is really optional.
6. Before putting the back plate back on, make sure that the power button/slide and L/R buttons are in place, since they have a tendency to go out of whack. Then just place the back plate back on, lining it up with the battery terminals on the circuit board. The back plate does not seat itself firmly on the rest of the gp2x (the screws hold it together), so just put the screws back in. Make sure they are tight.
7. Test your gp2x to make sure that the speakers switch off when your headphones are on. If it works, congrats! If not, then try resoldering the connection.
Will performing this fix void my warranty?
I ordered my gp2x from gp32z, and I have yet to find a statement that says opening my gp2x will void the warranty. Even if this constitutes voiding the warranty, there is no way that anyone can tell that the gp2x was opened in the first place, so I wouldn't worry about voiding the warranty.
Is the switch from speakers to headphones hardware or software?
From my testing, it seems that this switch is done at the hardware or firmware level, although people can write software for the gp2x that can control whether the speakers are on/off. The reason I say this is that in all programs I have tried so far (mp3 player, video player, DrMDX, GNUBoy, NeoCD2x, Gp2xEngine, etc), the speakers automatically cut out when headphones are used. I somehow doubt that all of the various emulator authors specifically coded their programs so that the switch is made from speakers to headphones and vice-versa.
If you have anymore additions or information that you feel should be placed in this FAQ, please PM me or post in this thread.