Hardware troubleshooting

Symptom(s) of hardware failure → Steps to analyze or fix

0) My Pandora doesn't turn on anymore at all.

1) Connect the DC-in cable. Does the Pandora turn on? a) Yes → Fixed. Your battery charge was too low. b) Give it an additional 1h. Does it go on then? b1) Yes → Fixed. Your battery level was reduced to a critical level. It was revived. b2) Use it for light applications while it charges. b3) Use overclocking/heavy applications only when it charged another 1-2h, then your battery should have a stable enough charge to withstand peak levels again.

2) Try the USB-power-in. Same steps as in 1.

3) Try USB-power-in and DC-in at the same time. Same steps as in 1.

4) Take out the battery. a) Connect only DC-in. Boots → Your Pandora works. Your battery has become unreliable/dead. Purchase a new battery. As of 2022-12 batteries are still sold. b) Connect only USB-power-in. Boots → Your Pandora works. Your battery has become unreliable/dead. Purchase a new battery. As of 2022-12 batteries are still sold. Additionally your DC-in capability seems damaged. For now charge via USB. Consider servicing the DC-in plug/circuitry.

5) Check your USB and DC power adaptors with a multimeter. Maybe they do not provide the proper voltage and/or current.

6) Your Pandora may fail due to a corrupted bootloader. In that state neither the status-LEDs nor the screen get turned on.

a) Try to run the Pandora Recovery SD-Card. This boot disk can diagnose the device and reflash the internal NAND in needed.

7) Get the printed circuit board (PCB) out of the case. Check that the leads from the DC-in or the USB-power-in have voltage when your power plugs are connected. Maybe a solder connection got loose. Or another issue on the PCB. Consult the Pandora Hackers Manual