Last year I bought Kindle Fires for my wife and myself. A short time ago, My wife Kindle developed a problem. The micro USB port started acting intermittently. Charging was becoming more and more difficult as time went on. So was data connectivity. Finally, a couple days ago, the Kindle wouldn't even charge at all. I had ordered new connectors on the outside chance that hers was worn out - A common problem with Kindle Fires... Especially the early ones. Luckily TR has this tear-down. I followed the instructions and got inside. Upon removing the motherboard, the connector just stayed inside the case. A clear indication of either broken solder connections or lifted traces on the motherboard (ulp). To my relief, it was simply broken solder connections. A little flux and a tiny bit of solder on the tip of my iron and the connector was resoldered securely to the motherboard. Why they didn't solder the mounting tabs, I'll never know... But I did add a dab of solder to them (and subsequently soldered the connector more securely to the motherboard). I probably would have had a much harder time without the assistance of the tear-down article. THANK YOU TECH REPUBLIC!!!!!!! The Kindle is now as good as new!
