I Bought a FAULTY VQ Retro Mini for £6.95 | Let's FIX It!

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  • Опубліковано 21 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 134

  • @davidjoel3155
    @davidjoel3155 2 роки тому +12

    You know what I like about your channel? You, you are such a relatable character. There are other channels, but they soo technical (still enjoy their content), but there is some this relatable about this channel.
    Good work man. Am busy binging though all your past videos.
    Hope you continue growing!

    • @gunnerman1880
      @gunnerman1880 23 дні тому

      That's why I like it due to him being dte and he don't make out he's a professional which he isn't but to the normal person he knows more than most. He had a basic knowledge of electronics and figures it out. I tried a electronics course IE circuit boards and was totally lost when they ohms htz ect ??? Started. I realised not for me. I did a computing course instead which I like to think I'm ok at but best at the hardware side than other software side. Rambling sorry! Hope you don't mind but I watch him a lot and for the same reasons. 😊

  • @jasondoesthings919
    @jasondoesthings919 3 роки тому +6

    A lucky fix is still a fix, great job. You tracked those traces down like a champ.

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks Jason, yep I'll definitely take it! You've gotta be in it to win it, as they say! (Not sure who "they" are) 👍

    • @jasondoesthings919
      @jasondoesthings919 3 роки тому +1

      @@StezStixFix 😂😂😂

  • @AtomicShrimp
    @AtomicShrimp 2 роки тому +5

    The battery insertion bit was a lovely little detail. Love it.

  • @jimmyramkisoen191278
    @jimmyramkisoen191278 3 роки тому +45

    Hi Stez! I suspect that by reflowing the connections you resolved the corrosion which was acting like a resistor eating that 1 volt that the display needed. Nice video!

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +15

      Thanks Jimmy! That is an excellent thought, you're probably right! I never thought of it that way, but a poorly soldered connection I suppose can reduce the current flow. 👍

  • @davidmasterton8823
    @davidmasterton8823 3 роки тому +5

    It’s annoying to be searching for the problem and suddenly it’s working, on the plus side it is working 👍 good job 👍

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks David! Yeah, I'm still annoyed that I can't pinpoint the fault exactly. But, its still working perfectly and is a cracking unit! So, I'm happy with that!

  • @SimonEllwood
    @SimonEllwood 2 роки тому +4

    The connector with the dodgy pads should be stabilized. Glue on the component side (maybe hot glue) and adding additional formed lead clippings on the solder side can work wonders. The reason is that the contacts can break again especially on a portable device. I keep all the clippings from my components for jobs like this. Form them with pliers to act like the weak or broken tracks and scrape the track back beyond the loose copper. A lot of 1980s items fail on the connectors.

    • @dbracer
      @dbracer 2 роки тому +1

      Definitely this. Also, the failure is probably caused by the socket not being pressed home properly before soldering. If it wasn't seated properly, the pressure from pushing home the plug could lift the tracks, as they're on the opposite side to the socket. If so, it would have been broken like this direct from the factory and only worked by luck in the first place.

  • @austinbishop2500
    @austinbishop2500 Рік тому +1

    Just fixed mine, it eats batteries so I only use the USB power supply, I've reflowed the 5v socket a few times now and I do agree the standard of soldering leaves a lot to be desired.

  • @anthonywenban7471
    @anthonywenban7471 6 місяців тому +1

    Hi Stez,
    I think the large “vias” that you stuck your probe in to check the voltage was the problem, and when you stuck your probe in to measure the 2.6v you disturbed the copper just enough to make a connection, I would stick a jumper wire over it as the fault may come back!

  • @turks1966
    @turks1966 2 роки тому +1

    Reflowing the joints was the solution, thanks for sharing, very interesting to see you work through the problem to figure out how to fix these broken items.

  • @borisdg
    @borisdg 3 роки тому +5

    I like your editing. Always makes me smile.

  • @I_RacooN_I
    @I_RacooN_I 2 роки тому

    Thank you Steve for taking us on such an amazing adventure..

  • @oldguy8177able
    @oldguy8177able Рік тому

    i understand your frustration,you want to know for future reference i guess you should reference what you remember doing and that all you can do.I think you did a fantastic job,I think most of us would be a bit overwhelmed.

  • @whatislovebutonelonggame5406
    @whatislovebutonelonggame5406 3 роки тому +4

    "Oh, it's working now..." way to go!~

  • @karmatingz5797
    @karmatingz5797 Рік тому

    great job Stez. I am kinda hooked on watching you repair DABs now. My problem is I cannot find why my power cable does not work, the batteries do, but not the power and nothing looks damaged. Cannot even find where to get spare parts....no cheap duplicates to buy (as yet!). But cheers this is good stuff.

  • @guywilton7471
    @guywilton7471 3 роки тому +20

    Loved the video - great to watch someone fault finding as it's no longer my day-to-day job anymore and at times I do miss it lol
    However....what I don't miss is doing all the work and not finding the fault, only for the bloody thing to function properly.....good result, but less satisfying
    Something I did wonder is if you'd be better measuring continuity not using the tone, but reading the resistance - I always got seduced by using the tone and chased faults that I could have seen earlier......& to be fair, the instructors did teach us not to rely on the tone during Technical Training
    Anyway..... I'm being a meddling old f*** and I don't mean to criticise and spoil your fun
    Keep up the great videos!

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +5

      Thanks Guy! No, you're absolutely right. Relying on that beep has got me in to trouble a couple of times before! I'd love to find out the actual fault with this, but I suspect it's probably just a few dodgy solder joints from factory. I don't think the device actually worked after rolling off the production line (which would explain how it was in such good condition and still had the cellophane wrap on the handle) Not really that exciting, but I can't really think what else it could be! 👍

  • @shawnwade302
    @shawnwade302 2 роки тому

    I just subscribed to your channel today. I really enjoy your videos. I used to enjoy tinkering around with broken devices and toys. There are other repair UA-cam channels out there but many of them seem to be too serious and technical. You however seem like a regular guy a person could talk ,joke with and have a beer with while playing retro video games with. greetings from Iowa (Midwestern state of the USA).

  • @sio2y
    @sio2y 2 роки тому +2

    I've had two of those. Had the same issue with both - the speaker quality degraded significantly over time, to the point that everything sounded like it was underwater. The DAB reception wasn't great either, but that could possibly have been the walls in my house.

  • @takashiemota9784
    @takashiemota9784 6 місяців тому

    So glad Steve is still making videos.

  • @chris-pike
    @chris-pike 3 роки тому +1

    Good to see another of your fixes there Steve did this get you thinking what the problem was even though you fixed it !!! nice radio too and its now working - Nice 1 👍

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Chris! Yeah, It's been bugging me since I fixed it, but I really think it was the dodgy factory solder joints. Looking at the excellent condition of the item, and the fact that it still had the plastic wrapping on the handle, I don't think it ever worked from leaving the factory. Reflowing the solder joints is what I'm gonna put the fix down to! 😊

  • @OidHunter
    @OidHunter 2 роки тому +1

    Brilliant purchase and investigation.. We'll done and I watched to the end 🙂
    We have the same radio in blue which made me watch in case it developed the same fault in future. I'm shocked but shouldn't be surprised at the soldering workmanship.. VQ probably tried to find the cheapest electronics sweatshop factory in China 🙄

  • @gunnerman1880
    @gunnerman1880 23 дні тому

    Great job 👏 not an easy fix but you got it working which is the main thing. 😊

  • @juiceboxhero3576
    @juiceboxhero3576 2 роки тому +5

    Love the vids! Great editing, clear explanations, and attention holding content. Idk why your channel hasn't blown up yet! Also makes me wonder how much money I could be saving on stuff that I buy 🤔

  • @Finditfixitphilipit
    @Finditfixitphilipit 3 роки тому +2

    Great video. I think we have another mymatevince in the pipeline will have a go at anything which is what I like. I will mainly be doing consoles but I will try when I start my channel to get some other stuff and rwpair also. It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's great content

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Philip! I love trying to fix things that I haven't had any experience with before, makes it much more exciting for me (and more of a challenge, I guess!) Look forward to seeing your content when you get up and running, wish you all the best with it 👍

    • @Finditfixitphilipit
      @Finditfixitphilipit 3 роки тому +1

      @@StezStixFix As I say I will also fix things that are not of the norm. Maybe do a "retro Friday" "console Saturday" and "controller sunday"

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому

      I like the sound of that! 👍

  • @jwilko7998
    @jwilko7998 3 роки тому +1

    Stayed to the end, well done that man, tip is to give it some good tapping around the board to try and make it go it to fault condition if it don't you have fixed it.

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks J! I've been bouncing it around and it's still working perfectly, and I've used it every day since. Really hope it stays fixed, and I think it will, I love this little thing! 😊

  • @misterlobsterman
    @misterlobsterman 2 роки тому +1

    I work as the IT guy in a school, and they regularly bring me faulty... everything basically. Quarter of the time i fix them, i have no idea what i've done that helped. Yeah, it happens sometimes. Results are what's important :)

  • @Ratchet_effect
    @Ratchet_effect 3 роки тому +2

    Steve, you won! You succeeded after you Dabbled in the Dab & found the trap, I'm very surprised you and others didn't spot it. (Not the re=flow) after that 🤯🤪

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Steve! Ooh, what did I miss!? 😳

    • @Ratchet_effect
      @Ratchet_effect 3 роки тому +1

      Sorry my man I only just noticed you replied 😓 I'm super tired but didn't want to go sleep without answering you. I'll let you sleep on it and see if you can spot what it was, your clever you'll get it 🥱😴 BBL shit I nearly put kisses on the end of that message 😅

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      🤣 feel free to add kisses on the end of your messages! 😂 do you mean the resistor that I took off and put back? 🤔

    • @Ratchet_effect
      @Ratchet_effect 3 роки тому +1

      Tart, still love my bother Steve 😂 I was tired and wasn't thinking straight, no not resistor. I was going to give you the cryptic version but nah! it was the Via that killed your backlight, I'm pretty sure of it. That's what was pulling the power low. Hey you ever fixed a 2.6" TV from the 80s the Casio. You got-a try one they are a handful and packed to the eye balls with components, sandwich boards with wires joining them. I did one today with a decode AV issue, Scope for the win! 😁 xx

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      @@Ratchet_effect ahha, gotcha! Thanks Steve. Never worked on a pocket TV, but it is definitely on my list! Sound alike ot would be fun! 🙃☺

  • @parisiadrian
    @parisiadrian 2 роки тому

    Great video! On the minute 7:10 you have some colt solder joints probably that was your problem from a beginning. To fix those joints I like to add solder with lead.
    I'm subscribing to the channel!

  • @ToxoRetro
    @ToxoRetro 3 роки тому +1

    Looks like a cool little radio. Glad you managed to fix it Stez. Sure it would've been nice to know what the trigger was, but at least it was something you'd done correctly.
    Early in the video, I did think "will he note the polarity?" - you sure did. 👍

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Toxo! Yeah, it's a cracking little radio and is working perfectly (I've used it every day since, and I'm made up with it!) 😊

  • @coondogtheman
    @coondogtheman 2 роки тому

    Those holes going through the board sometimes fail. Maybe bridging those two holes together will give a more reliable connection. I've reflowed solder connections on a variety of electronics and it has fixed many issues. It fixed a low power and cutting out issue on my old ghetto blaster boombox, I reflowed the main filter cap and the radio works better and is louder.

  • @tamishaambriz2653
    @tamishaambriz2653 Рік тому

    Hi! I don't fix anything, but I find your content entertaining and fascinating! Do you sell the items that you repair?

  • @joshholbrooks1181
    @joshholbrooks1181 Рік тому

    Good work something must have been loose

  • @andyhowlett2231
    @andyhowlett2231 2 роки тому

    You could have checked if the pads/tracks were still connected first with your meter. I worked in TV/hifi/video repair for 40 years and my rule was always to find the problem before jumping in with the iron. Anyway, could that via be faulty? I've seen them go high resistance a few times. The cure is just to fit a piece of wire through the hole and resolder.

  • @wherami
    @wherami 2 роки тому

    Amazing how many things are fixed with a reflow.

  • @mikemargo
    @mikemargo 2 роки тому

    You fixed one of the hundreds of dry joints … they all need re doing!

  • @hydrolisk1792
    @hydrolisk1792 2 роки тому

    I would have flooded the vias with solder to make sure that there is a good connection thru to the other side of the board. Sometimes during manufacturing, not enough tinning gets into the vias to make a good connection and it winds up becoming a fail point later on.

  • @flibble666
    @flibble666 3 роки тому +2

    Nice fix my bet is on the ribbon cable.

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks Mr Flibble! Yeah, I think you're right. I'm just annoyed I didn't try it straight after reflowing the solder on the ribbon cable, then I would have known for sure! 👍

    • @flibble666
      @flibble666 3 роки тому +3

      @@StezStixFix It's all part of fixing stuff annoyingly I've had it with PCs and laptops and other stuff so many times over the years and it also makes you wonder if said fix is only going to be temporary but you just have to go with it and cross that bridge when or if you come to it.

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      @@flibble666 Very true! I've used it every day since I fixed it last week and it's working perfectly, so I actually think it will be a long term fix. I hope so, cos I love this little thing now! 😊

  • @pappy601
    @pappy601 7 місяців тому

    This video has an incredible thumbnail

  • @Jimnymudhunter
    @Jimnymudhunter 2 роки тому

    I knew the backlight was ment to be 3.2v.. they seem to make most backlights 3.2v for wider use of lipo/li-lon batterys that and 11v ones.. 2.5v (i think you said it was) is a odd voltage.

  • @jinxnatorx
    @jinxnatorx 3 роки тому +1

    And stezzzzy is on it again brilliant ❤️

  • @TechnicNerdAT
    @TechnicNerdAT 3 роки тому +2

    u widened up the via which had bad connection to the top layer of the trace. by doing this now it should be fixed. u could soulder the via (blob on the hole) to get sure

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Ah! Thanks Technic, that definitely sounds plausible 👍

  • @heypockyway6652
    @heypockyway6652 3 роки тому +3

    Did you try pouring some sugar on it?
    Nice job, knowingly or not.
    What was the track at the end?

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому

      I forgot the sugar! 🤣 The track is one of the UA-cam library freebies, think it's called High Rise or something like that 🤔

  • @johanlaurasia
    @johanlaurasia 2 роки тому

    Recently found (and subbed) to your channel, very enjoyable videos.

  • @Ratten86
    @Ratten86 2 роки тому +1

    How can someone charge so much for a faulty device, i wonder 🤷‍♂️
    Btw, stubled across your channel just the other day and I love it 🤗

  • @DanBird
    @DanBird 3 роки тому +1

    Great fix. Them solder joints where terrible, do you think that was probably the main problem?

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Dan. Yeah I think it probably was. They were definitely factory too, as some of them were underneath the LCD screen and I know that noone had been under there because the screen was still riveted to the board. And the fact that the unit is in such good condition (even with the cellophane wrap on the handle) I don't think this unit ever worked after rolling off the production line!

  • @dr_ned_flanders
    @dr_ned_flanders 3 роки тому +1

    Great fix. Well done.

  • @leeg4116
    @leeg4116 3 роки тому +1

    The manufacturer should have gone to *insert name of possible pcb sponsor here* Also, another great video mate

  • @davidroberts2920
    @davidroberts2920 3 роки тому +1

    Hi Stez, I was working on one of those digital radios’ months ago, it had a short on the board which was due to one of the components at 20:00 minute mark on the video, how did you know It was a voltage regulator? I goggled the part number but not a lot showed up apart from a Chinese semiconductor company. Unfortunately, I couldn't 100% identify the chip, so the Radio went in the bin. Nice Job by the way, I'm glad someone got there's to work. 👍👍

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks David! I've got to be honest, it was just a guess based on the voltages going in and back out. As it happens, it's just failed again and I've just finished recording another video on it. Dont want to give too much away, but it was the power board second time around though... 😊

    • @davidroberts2920
      @davidroberts2920 3 роки тому +1

      @@StezStixFix Thanks for your quick reply👍.That's unfortunate the radio broke again, don't think those radios were built to last. but on the plus side we get another video out of it. 😁👍.

  • @soldesign72
    @soldesign72 2 роки тому

    What does the flux do?

  • @thack3624
    @thack3624 2 роки тому

    watching from USA wondering what the heck is DAB haha looked it up, seems factory to me, with tape still on handle, probably just had a small issue with one of the solder areas you touched up from smd cooker, could have had large dodgy via that you probed and connected it back together or as others mentioned eating that last volt required, seems silly to me to have linear regulators on a battery driven device

  • @can-I-fix-it
    @can-I-fix-it 3 роки тому +1

    Its still a nice fix.

  • @didierdubos
    @didierdubos 2 роки тому

    Maybe an issue with the via (the big one) or as you cleaned the voltage regulator, a bad solder

  • @clivebradley2633
    @clivebradley2633 2 роки тому

    I do like an enthusiast who is affronted by a device with the temerity to go wrong :D

  • @eclectarama
    @eclectarama 3 роки тому +1

    Love it, young Steve.

  • @kennethbarker852
    @kennethbarker852 2 роки тому

    1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth💟💟💟👍

  • @TheDrBlackross
    @TheDrBlackross 3 місяці тому

    0.7V drop across a diode, was there a flipped one (diode junction voltage drop is usually 0.7v)?
    at 15.05 your good power was 3.26V and the faulty one measured 2.5V
    (i havent finished watching this video yet lol)

  • @ragnabob
    @ragnabob 2 роки тому

    Love your videos man!!

  • @hotlavatube
    @hotlavatube 2 роки тому

    It'd be funny if the backlight was just turned off. My bedside clock (different brand) has variable backlight you can tap through different brightnesses including turned off.

  • @dak2
    @dak2 2 роки тому

    Til the end my friend

  • @RBKing80
    @RBKing80 3 роки тому +1

    Great video Steve,

  • @DigitalDiabloUK
    @DigitalDiabloUK 2 роки тому +2

    As BigClive would say, looks like post QC degredation in Chinese build quality. I expect your 'working' one was when VQ were doing detailed inspections, and then the broken one was a much later one where the Chinese outsourcers had 'trimmed the fat' in production costs, as represented by that "ArtisAnal" solder quality.
    Either that or it was just a Friday afternoon one.

  • @simonlunt353
    @simonlunt353 2 роки тому

    Good lad it’s what I call a bug bear when you can’t find out what you did to get it working but you did it so well done 👍 l still think these small companies are bloody too small 🤣 but I enjoyed watching your video stay safe 👍😊

  • @bunnylove273
    @bunnylove273 3 роки тому +1

    hi bud very interesting vid looks like to me you kicked the gremlins out of the radio lol

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому

      Haha, thanks Bunny! I think you're right 😁

  • @Beaps73
    @Beaps73 3 роки тому +1

    Haha enjoyed that, thanks for sharing buddy

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому

      Thanks Beaps! 😊

    • @Beaps73
      @Beaps73 3 роки тому +1

      @@StezStixFix your slowly creeping up the, one of my fav YT channels. I don't know you just remind me of me. I like how you ask yourself questions.

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому

      @@Beaps73 Thanks Beaps, really appreciate that mate. I never get a good answer from myself when I ask, but it does seem to help somehow! 🤣

    • @Beaps73
      @Beaps73 3 роки тому +1

      @@StezStixFix when my dad was alive he used to fix me and my brothers bikes in the night while we was asleep. I could hear him talking to himself about issues he came up against. The next day my bike was like factory, so it pays to talk haha

    • @StezStixFix
      @StezStixFix  3 роки тому +1

      Love that, Beaps! 😍

  • @flobiish
    @flobiish 2 роки тому

    You should ad a voice over Steve, a VOS, if you will to announce your patrons. Maybe doing rap.

  • @davidthomson6837
    @davidthomson6837 2 роки тому

    Do you have an ebay account where you sell the stuff you fix? 👍

  • @psi23k
    @psi23k 2 роки тому

    The problem is now the companies have to use lead free solder, which is junk, to comply with safety issues.

  • @OOOHBILLY
    @OOOHBILLY 2 роки тому

    Heck yea

  • @lukasdvoracek842
    @lukasdvoracek842 2 роки тому

    YOU ARE A WIZZARD STEZSTIX! 😀

  • @andycooper4230
    @andycooper4230 3 роки тому +1

    Enjoyed that one feel your pain lol

  • @dj_noxxie
    @dj_noxxie 2 роки тому

    Did anyone find the crack in the board

  • @clivebradley2633
    @clivebradley2633 2 роки тому

    Burning some plastics with a soldering iron releases a lot of Chloride Ions which will eat your soldering iron tip

  • @systmuk
    @systmuk 2 роки тому

    nice

  • @SkyfighterZX
    @SkyfighterZX 2 роки тому

    Some say he still can't sleep at night because he didnt know what fixed this one xD

  • @KelikakuCoutin
    @KelikakuCoutin 2 роки тому

    Good job.
    Thanks for the content.
    Keep up the good work.
    בס'ד

  • @RetroJack
    @RetroJack 2 роки тому

    It always amuses me that what the UK calls "DAB radio" is just called "radio" elsewhere - digital radio has been around for ages; it's not that special nowadays.

    • @samuraidriver4x4
      @samuraidriver4x4 2 роки тому

      Its called D.A.B. (as individual letters) in the Netherlands.
      Must say its still not really popular and reception isnt great

  • @scratchback2001
    @scratchback2001 2 роки тому

    S**t I hate printed circuit boards. The sooner we get back to point to point wiring, the better. They're a pain in the arse!

  • @KoolBreeze420
    @KoolBreeze420 Рік тому

    It could have been left over flux and cleaning it was the fix.

  • @jg5966
    @jg5966 2 роки тому +2

    Classic chinese doing

  • @quanchyplimp
    @quanchyplimp 2 роки тому

    Anything named/labelled as "Retro" is pretty much guaranteed to be JUNK., pale pasty blurry blue backlit displays and horrible clicky buttons, much like buying a Skoda back in the 80's, you knew it was shit!, but it got you going for next to nothing,..... but within 3 months, it's fucked and you're buying another, can you say "false economy".
    Always nice to fix something though! :)
    Most of these things are using LED free solder, those points get crusty and oxidize, but by relowing the solder points, you bought it back to life....is my guess, I think you realise that anyway.

  • @jak_1894
    @jak_1894 Рік тому

    I bet that was expensive originally, but look at it there's nothing to it 🤦

  • @craigconway4093
    @craigconway4093 2 роки тому

    Good on ya Lasagna :)

  • @danielgriffiths78
    @danielgriffiths78 2 роки тому

    Please can you not show the comments! 9 times out of 10 the first displayed comment tells me if you've fixed it or not and kind of ruins it

  • @m.epictures6344
    @m.epictures6344 2 роки тому

    It clearly wanted some sugar

  • @michaelharding4556
    @michaelharding4556 2 роки тому

    Iiiits woooorrrkiiiiing nooow. Bye

  • @ScubaKid9091
    @ScubaKid9091 2 роки тому

    Just pressed dislike by mistake. Good video keep it up! Sorry!!