[NTLK] How to fix hardware-related sound volume problems on OMPs and MP100s

[Frank Gruendel]

Hi there,

if you have a Newton OMP or MP100 whose sound output is almost inaudible
although the volume slider is set to maximum, there is hope...

The reason is a 100µF capacitor that has leaked. If you remove the back part
of the case, you will (assuming you look at the Newton with the battery
compartment pointing towards you) find it at the bottom left-hand corner to
the left of the white fuse. That's close to where the speaker wires are
soldered to the board. The capacitor is silver, cylinder-shaped and has a
black rectangular "housing" around it. Replace it, and the sound will be
like new. Make sure to clean the area around the capacitor with some
cleaning fluid after removing the old capacitor and before putting the new
one in.

The easiest way to get the capacitor off is using two soldering irons with
small tips. If you don't have two, cut the capacitor's legs carefully with a
cutter knife and unsolder what's left separately. You can easily rip the
soldering pads off the board if you try to remove the culprit any other way,
and you'd regret that ever after.

If you don't feel up to doing this fix yourself, I can do it for you for the
cost of stamps plus 15 bucks.

Good luck!

Frank

-- Newton software and hardware at http://www.pda-soft.de