Computer won't recognize Cowon J3

Noex · 02-06-2012, 21:43

I bought my Cowon J3 to work and had videos on there I wanted to watch.
When I turned it on the device was low on battery.

I looked around my work place for a connector use to charge it. Found one that belonged to a samsung phone and tried to use it to charge my Cowon J3. Didn't work, what it did was make the J3 freeze. I had to do a hard reset to make it work again.

I take it back home to add more music it to it using my own USB cable that came with the J3 except my computer won't pick it up. Neither my family computer or my PS3. All it does is charge.

I tried switching between MSC/MTP, I also tried hard resets a couple of time but my computers doesn't pick up the J3 when it is connected.

Can I get advice on this? I'd appreciate it.

Enzyme · 02-06-2012, 23:08

some phone companies (including samsung) like to switch the data or power cables around, it's a nice trick that ensures people buy overpriced brand cables for fear of damaging the item, or just having it not work and having wasted money on the cheaper generic cable.

although its a trick that isnt well known enough that the majority of people know it can cause harm.

chances are they switched the power cable and blew a circuit inside the player.

ive lost devices in the past while using a samsung cable for my old u700 phone.

if i were you i'd make very sure all contacts are clean and see if you can bring any life to the connection by manipulating the cable while its plugged in (just in case its a cable or solder breakage).

also (yeah it sounds weird but...) smell the device,
as usually on circuit boards if something blows up or shorts it can leave a nasty chemical smell which is a great indicator.

if no luck then rma the device and make sure to not mention the samsung cable, play dumb, they might just put it down as a random usb issue and repair or replace it for you.

theres a thread here that lists some samsung cables that are known to work ok, unfortunately just because it fits the hole it doesnt mean the internals are the same as a 'standard' cable:\

Noex · 02-06-2012, 23:38

Thanks for the reply. Yeah it was dumb using that samsung cable, I was desperate to watch something during my break that I decided to try it thinking nothing bad would happen.

I smell no odors. I'm not sure what you mean about making sure all contacts are clean and manipulating the cables, can you explain please?

Just checked Amazon and it looks like my window for a full refund was closed 7 days ago.

Oh well.

Kizune · 02-07-2012, 01:57

Maybe you can use the unofficial unlimited warranty?

http://www.iaudiophile.net/forums/sh...13&postcount=9

(Cowon did false advertisement: The J3 has a Li-Ion instead of a Li-Po accumulator)

soldiersixteen · 06-26-2012, 13:42

Can I actually get a full refund on Cowon J3? I bought it fromwww.advancedmp3players.co.uk in Nov 2010.
I'm thinking of getting another player.

02-06-2012, 21:43	#1
Noex Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 2	Computer won't recognize Cowon J3 I bought my Cowon J3 to work and had videos on there I wanted to watch. When I turned it on the device was low on battery. I looked around my work place for a connector use to charge it. Found one that belonged to a samsung phone and tried to use it to charge my Cowon J3. Didn't work, what it did was make the J3 freeze. I had to do a hard reset to make it work again. I take it back home to add more music it to it using my own USB cable that came with the J3 except my computer won't pick it up. Neither my family computer or my PS3. All it does is charge. I tried switching between MSC/MTP, I also tried hard resets a couple of time but my computers doesn't pick up the J3 when it is connected. Can I get advice on this? I'd appreciate it.

02-07-2012, 01:57	#4
Kizune Feel free to call me 'Kizu' ;) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany, Baden-Württemberg Posts: 5,968	Maybe you can use the unofficial unlimited warranty? http://www.iaudiophile.net/forums/sh...13&postcount=9 (Cowon did false advertisement: The J3 has a Li-Ion instead of a Li-Po accumulator) __________________ me @ Google+ \| Twitter \| Flickr \| deviantART audio setup: Cowon J3 32gb \| Cowon Z2 16gb \| Audio Technica ATH-M50 other: Galaxy Nexus \| Nexus 7

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02-06-2012, 23:08	#2
Enzyme (A)rrogance (B)reeds (I)gnorance Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 975	some phone companies (including samsung) like to switch the data or power cables around, it's a nice trick that ensures people buy overpriced brand cables for fear of damaging the item, or just having it not work and having wasted money on the cheaper generic cable. although its a trick that isnt well known enough that the majority of people know it can cause harm. chances are they switched the power cable and blew a circuit inside the player. ive lost devices in the past while using a samsung cable for my old u700 phone. if i were you i'd make very sure all contacts are clean and see if you can bring any life to the connection by manipulating the cable while its plugged in (just in case its a cable or solder breakage). also (yeah it sounds weird but...) smell the device, as usually on circuit boards if something blows up or shorts it can leave a nasty chemical smell which is a great indicator. if no luck then rma the device and make sure to not mention the samsung cable, play dumb, they might just put it down as a random usb issue and repair or replace it for you. theres a thread here that lists some samsung cables that are known to work ok, unfortunately just because it fits the hole it doesnt mean the internals are the same as a 'standard' cable:\

02-06-2012, 23:38	#3
Noex Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 2	Thanks for the reply. Yeah it was dumb using that samsung cable, I was desperate to watch something during my break that I decided to try it thinking nothing bad would happen. I smell no odors. I'm not sure what you mean about making sure all contacts are clean and manipulating the cables, can you explain please? Just checked Amazon and it looks like my window for a full refund was closed 7 days ago. Oh well.

06-26-2012, 13:42	#5
soldiersixteen Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 17	Can I actually get a full refund on Cowon J3? I bought it fromwww.advancedmp3players.co.uk in Nov 2010. I'm thinking of getting another player.