Just my f***ing luck, Weller WX1 firmware update gone bad - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 08:10:46 am
content: Hi,I recently got myself a brand new WX1 set for a bargain, I decided to give it a firmware update before putting it out in the shop. Followed all the instructions properly and just my fucking luck, it got stuck on the "bootloading please wait" screen. Finally about an hour later of going nowhere, I decided to turn the damn thing off and now it greets me with a blank white screen no matter what I do.I've tried a few other USB drives but at this point I'm convinced the firmware is toast.At this point, I've disassembled it and done nothing more to it. Attached below is the mainboard.Any pointers or help would be appreciated.

author: Mario87
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 08:15:58 am
content: You said you got it cheap, so not sure if it was just on sale or if it was from a random shop / person, but if you can, I would return it and explain what happened, this is a warranty job and should be replaced by the shop you purchased from.If this was purchased used or from an individual as a unit that they had but never used, then it's different and maybe at that point you should begin to dig deeper. First choice is always warranty if possible.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 11:24:27 am
content: Weller isnt particularly well known for ignoring support requests. Try contacting them directly?

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 12:19:38 pm
content: Just contact Weller, this guy had same issuehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/weller-wxd2-firmware-update-gone-bad/

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 03:02:27 pm
content: Hi and thanks for all the input. What I got is most likely a new old stock, so it's probably out of warranty. I've just tried contacting the local Weller repair center and it's completely haunted. I am not even sure if they're open anymore.I'll give the Canada number a go next, but I might just have to return it.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2022, 11:21:18 pm
content: If you bought it new and can prove that then it should still be under warranty regardless of it's age. Many states/countries have specific laws concerning that.Cases like this are why I DON'T trust online updates and refuse to do them. If the company thinks that they absolutely necessary then I will return it to them and let them take the responsibility for anything that happens.

author: Geoff-AU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2022, 04:24:22 am
content: Hmm.I wouldn't even buy a soldering iron that has the capability of being firmware updated. The essential functionality is so basic that if you don't think you can get it right before you're shipping it out, you have no hope of writing a reliable firmware update method either.If you can return it, do.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2022, 12:26:25 pm
content: Quote from: Geoff-AU on July 07, 2022, 04:24:22 amAs if you are Mr Perfect.Bugs happen, fact of life, be glad they have a way of fixing them.However a fw update should never, ever, be the cause of a bricked system, it should always have a backup scenario to the old firmware. That is where it went wrong here and unfortunately with too many devices. They save a couple of $cents to keep the flashsize low, instead of having double the flashsize, keeping the previous firmware available for a backout.

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 09, 2022, 02:46:05 am
content: Hey guys, thanks for all the info. I do have a quick update regarding to the situation, and a surprising one at that.After straight up failing to reach Weller repairs for a few times, my expectations were pretty low. I was either going to end up with an extremely expensive brick or a refund if I'm lucky, since this is completely closed sourced and there is no possible way for a third party to interface with the device, let alone repair it.Before I decided to move forward with any of that, I tried my luck one last time and left a message on their web system. And to my surprise, I received a reply the same day; a reply not from a bot, but an actual well spoken person.I thought to myself, I might end up paying out the ass given this day and age, but it is probably still cheaper than getting another one. Also, one of the reasons why I was so hesitant on doing a return is because I acquired this one through the essentially equivalent of a liquidation sale for a new old stock.Fast forward a few exchanges later, I was even more surprised than previously thought possible when I learned that they are willing to do this repair at no charge and are even willing to cover the return shipping; when every other company would gouge the customer out the ass.God bless these guys.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2022, 02:49:15 am
content: Awesome!

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2022, 02:54:14 am
content: Let us know if they follow thru. Nice if they fix it, bad that its their crappy FW update procedure that failed.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2022, 07:58:01 am
content: anyone think of the simpsons episode about Y2K with the milk carton that had microchips in it?will the soldering iron of the future come with a license server?

author: mindcrime
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2022, 08:15:05 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on July 09, 2022, 07:58:01 amDon't. Give. Them. Any. Ideas!

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2022, 05:47:02 pm
content: Hi, quick update. It's been about a week after it's been delivered to their repair center.I've followed their procedures, and even left a thank you note and some cash tips in the package.Haven't heard a peep back yet.Will give them a call in a few days to check up on it.Thanks,

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2022, 05:50:11 pm
content: Quote from: mindcrime on July 09, 2022, 08:15:05 amLike BMW’s subscription seat heating?

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 04:20:33 am
content: Update, got the station back.And oh boy they sure did a number on it. The unit is now significantly more worn out, has prymarks along the sides and some cracks at the latches that holds the top and bottom halves together. There's also a lot of jiggle and the two halves separate rather easily. On top of that, there's a lot of chipping on the din plug connector (how is that even possible from a firmware reflash?).At least it works now I guess? That being said, I'm probably going to stay away from Weller after this. Too many things to go wrong.Thanks for reading,

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 06:26:28 am
content: Quote from: Solderingtechnician1 on July 29, 2022, 04:20:33 amAre you sure its the same one you sent !Totally rude to think that kind of treatment can be allowed and then send it back to the customer with a 'nothing to see here' attitude

author: Mario87
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 07:57:41 am
content: Quote from: Solderingtechnician1 on July 29, 2022, 04:20:33 amCall them up, complain, demand a new unit. You sent them a brand new unit with faulty firmware, you do not expect to get a used / worn / damaged unit back! Totally unacceptable IMO!!

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 09:13:49 am
content: I will stop updating the firmware from now on, why take chances without significant improvements.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 12:36:36 pm
content: That's exactly how I fell about software updates.There is NO excuse for having to do a software update to make something work the way thatit should have workedright out of the box.Maybe you should go on Facebook or some the other large social media sites and post up some pictures of your soldering station and showing the damage done by Weller's repair service. SM seems to be the only thing that most big companies pay any attention to these days.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 04:20:25 pm
content: well this is fucked up, where did you sent it? to weller directly or did they point you at one of the distributors? do you have serial number of original station? is it the same station as before? sounds like an intern did it, or shitty local distributorIts time to karen the shit out of this, its an expensive professional item, they should do better!1 make comprehensive photo documentation2 upload pictures so we can all see it3 tweet @WellerTools with pictures, mention eevblog, you can even mention 1500 people already saw this post (viewed this thread)4 same as abovehttps://www.weller-tools.com/professional/USA/us/Top-Menu/Contact/Contact+us5 post link to tweet here so people can +it, would be great if Dave also replied/boosted it

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 05:54:43 pm
content: federal investigation to get the thingy to heat up lol

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 06:09:02 pm
content: I had a batch of Weller soldering tips literally dissolve as I used them, half of the tip was gone after a week! Made a complaint and they said it was normal..

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 07:10:39 pm
content: This isn't the first time that I've heard complaints that the modern Weller soldering iron tips that didn't last long.FWIW When I was a kid the only soldering tool that I had was an old Weller soldering gun. The tips on that would burn out and I couldn't afford genuine Weller tips so made my own tips out of 16 gauge solid copper wire from some scraps of Romex house wiring. I was told that the soldering tips had to be plated or that the molten solder would quickly dissolve the copper and they won't last long. But I found that that wasn't true. At least not for well over a year.I wonder what kind of material some of these modern Weller tips are made of?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 09:47:13 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on July 29, 2022, 07:10:39 pmNo, it is true. But what counts isn’t calendar days, but rather how long the tip is held at temperatures hot enough to melt solder. On a soldering gun, the tip is only hot for seconds at a time, being at (or back on its way to) room temperature most of the time. On a regular soldering iron, the tip is hot for much longer, minutes or hours at a time. That’s FAR more time for the solder to dissolve the copper.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 10:48:21 pm
content: If the serial number is the same as the one you sent: wow, they hire some terrible repair techs.If the serial number is NOT the one you sent: then likely they just grabbed whatever was working off the shelf and shipped it, to reduce turnaround time. Probably even the person that received your unit is not the same person that shipped one out. If I got a thank you note I'd send you the best looking station and some free tips or something.

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 06:43:27 pm
content: That's actually the first thing I checked. It turns out, the serial is the same, or at least on the bottom casing that is.I'm kind of conflicted on the situation.On one hand, they were very courteous to lend a hand and technically did do the repairs..But on the other, it was kind of a terrible job on something that shouldn't have needed to be sent in for repairs in the first place..Will post some pictures once I get back from work tonight and gather some more thoughts.Thanks,

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 09:58:34 pm
content: The station was brand new when I sent it in. No marks or scratches, heck it never even had a chance to work before being bricked by the update.In hindsight I should've taken more pictures of the station before I sent it in. That being said, I was never expecting THIS.Alright, starting off with the obvious, the din connector looks beat up. I've put it side by side to the original picture I've posted.The latches that hold the station together are quite worn out and don't have much tension left.And lastly, the two halves comes apart easy as a lunchbox (video link to imgur)https://i.imgur.com/RZtI2cI.mp4

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 07:43:54 am
content: That din connector can never be damaged like that in a couple of hours repair.It looks like they swapped the pcb.That said if that is all I would let it pass or if it really bothers you replace the connector with a new one.

author: drhex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 03:45:50 pm
content: Would be more concerned about the housing - they damaged it and should put it back to the state they received it in. I'd send them a mail with the pics attached and politely ask to make it right.

author: Twoflower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 05:16:10 pm
content: Can you check if you can read the date-codes on the chips in your pictures? If so, compare them with the one you have now.I don't think that you received the station you send in.

author: Audiorepair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 05:57:26 pm
content: That's not the same board, is it.The connector socket pins have the splits in different positions.

author: Solderingtechnician1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 06:20:46 pm
content: Turns out, it's the same station with a different board. They probably cracked it open in the crudest way possible, swapped the board and called it a day.

author: Twoflower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 07:00:07 pm
content: Sure that the housing is the same? On the first post, there's a discoloration in the lower left side (left of the springy thing that holds the PCB). If that's not a shadow you might compare that. Also the lower left corner show some, probably unique, marks in the plastics.But that will probably be hard to argue with Weller that these are indicators of a complete swap. From my point of view even a full swap might be acceptable in such cases as long as the replacement matches the original unit. As there's nothing really that show wear problems (except dummies that rotate the plug while try to force it into the socket...). But I'm on your side that the replacement you received is questionable.If I'm allowed to make a guess: I think Weller has a pile of replacement stations ready to ship. And the send-in units will end up on a "To be repaired" pile. And every now and then someone gets the task to fix them. I don't think that Weller don't know how to open the cases without leaving marks. My assumption is that the former owner tried the same like you (open and try to fix a problem) and was not very carefully (probably the same person that ruined that connector). He failed to fix it and send the unit to Weller.

author: Audiorepair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2022, 08:45:17 pm
content: If the housing is also the same as that sent in, then I am a pigs bottom.

author: Paceguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 02:11:45 pm
content: If the case is opened by removing screws, then there is no excuse. If, like most electronic devices today, there are little to no screws, instead, the manufacturer uses internal plastic clips with pressure points to open the unit, then I'm not surprised that the case was damaged when the tech attempted opening it up to change the board. I hate this way of having to open things, these plastic pins and clips usually break off no matter how careful one is.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 02:33:13 pm
content: Quote from: Paceguy on August 02, 2022, 02:11:45 pmNowadays it is even worse, no servicability so high frequency melting of two plastick parts together or glueing