I’m seeking assistance with a Clockwork DevTerm, which is currently unresponsive. I received it from a friend, who said it was working until there was a sizzling sound from the bottom left corner (near the power button - though it might have been from the speakers on the other side), and maybe a burnt electronics smell. I figure a board fried and I’d like to diagnose which one it might be. Here’s a summary of the troubleshooting steps I’ve undertaken:
Power-On Behavior:
When I press the power button, the green power LED illuminates, and the screen flickers briefly, but no further activity occurs.
Power Sources:
I’ve attempted to power the DevTerm using both fully charged 18650 batteries and a USB-C power source, but the issue persists.
Operating System (OS) Image:
I have re-flashed the SD card with the appropriate OS image for my DevTerm model, versions A06_v0.2f and v0.1a using Balena.
Display Connection:
I have inspected and reseated the display ribbon cable to ensure it’s properly connected, with no visible damage or loose connections.
Serial Console Access:
I connected the DevTerm’s EXT board to my Windows 11 laptop using a data-capable micro-USB cable.
The laptop recognizes the connection as COM4, but attempts to access the serial console using PuTTY (configured with baud rates of both 115200 and 1500000) resulted in no response.
Compute Module (CM4) Orientation:
I have verified that the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) is correctly installed on the adapter board, ensuring proper alignment and connection.
Internal Connections:
I have disassembled and reassembled the DevTerm, checking all internal connections, including ribbon cables and module interfaces, to confirm they are secure and properly connected.
Despite these efforts, the DevTerm remains unresponsive beyond the initial power LED illumination and screen flicker. I am seeking advice on further diagnostic steps or insights into which component (EXT board, main board, or CM4) might be at fault and should be considered for replacement. Any guidance or similar experiences shared would be greatly appreciated.