[NTLK] Need Assistance With Repairing eMate 300

[NewtonTalk]

> I recently purchased an eMate 300 for $20, and stupidly plugged in a 9V
wall charger into the eMate.
> It worked, but as soon as I hit the reset button, I heard a loud 'POP?'
and saw a brief flash.
> Upon disassembly, I discovered that a capacitor (C101) was destroyed and
burnt.

> There is a large IC next to C101, and the top of it is loose, looks like a
small coil inside.
> Is that normal, or will that also require a replacement?  I'm concerned if
I fried my eMate.

If you mean the component labeled "T2", this is not an IC, but a
transformer. It takes part in making the high voltage required for the
backlight. This component's top was loose when it left the factory. The
eMate will work hunky dory nonetheless, but this little flaw can become very
annoying. This rattling top takes a major part in the volume of the whine
you'll hear when the backlight is on. I usually glue it to its bottom part
when I fix an eMate.

> Will replacement of the damaged capacitor be sufficient?

When a 2x00 Newton is connected to a power supply that outputs a voltage of
more than 7.5 Volts, one component that usually dies is a MAX 1771 IC. This
results in the Newton trying to boot again and again and finally giving up.
I haven't seen this behavior in an eMate before, but since eMates have the
same IC close to the C101, if you encounter the described behavior after
replacing the capacitor, chances are good that U29 needs to be replaced,
too. For details have a look at
<https://www.pda-soft.de/en/stories/1771/max1771.html>.

> I bought a cheap Chinese power adapter, but now I'm concerned if it'll
work.
> Should I stick with that, or cancel the order and get an Apple H0165
adapter instead?

Using a non-Newton or eMate AC adapter is challenging fate. It might work,
but much more likely the eMate will be fried. Especially if the adapter is a
cheap and poorly regulated model.

> Lastly, how should I go about repairing the backlight?  The red wire was
loose upon disassembly.

If that's the only problem with the backlight, just solder the wire back on.
My disassembly instructions will show you where it belongs:

<https://www.pda-soft.de/en/hardware/emate/disassembly/disassembly.html>

Be aware that unless you take care of the hinge spring problem also
mentioned in these instructions, everything you do to revive your little
friend would be time and money down the drain. Don't hope that your eMate
will be the exception to the rule. There are no exceptions.

Good luck!

Frank