Loading tweets...
I’ve written several posts about the Archos 101, my latest Android toy. However, I now have some concerns about this new tablet and frequent power issues. I originally purchased the Archos 101 in December and received it just before Christmas. For the first few weeks the device ran great, until January 27th (the day before my birthday) when the tablet would not power up. It did not respond to any of the buttons and the led did not light up when I plugged it in to charge.
This had me concerned and I contacted Archos tech support immediately. When I told them that the led wouldn’t come on and the Archos 101 was not responsive, they asked me to ship it to their repair center and assigned an RMA number. I paid the $33 shipping and insurance on the device and Archos was kind enough to ship a replacement to me two weeks later. Unfortunately, this second Archos 101, which arrived on February 9th, now has the same problem the first tablet did. This time it only took four days for the device to shut down and the power light to turn off permanently, another device bricked. As I am attempting to exchange this second device, I can’t help but wonder if this is a common problem for the Archos 101. If you are having this, or any other, problem with your Archos 101 tablet please tell me about it in the comments below.
UPDATE: This seems to have been a False Alarm, here are a few options I’ve found to solve the Archos 101 power problem.
30 comments
Frank
March 18, 2011 at 7:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I purchased a 101 for my wife for xmas and it did the exact same thing after two months. We just received the replacement and we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Frank C Jones
March 18, 2011 at 8:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I found a solution to this problem which I explain in my false alarm post. Check it out in case your replacement tablet has the same issue. The solution is mostly a work around that gets the tablet to turn on again. Hopefully, Archos will develop a firmware update that will permanently address the problem.
vince moore
May 3, 2011 at 3:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have had problems with the usb port failing. Purchased my device 2/19/11. i will be receiving my third warranty replacement within the first 90 days! Have only used thumb drives and the device has never left the house.
good luck all, Vince
Frank C Jones
May 3, 2011 at 9:53 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve yet to have any problems with the USB port, although I used it very rarely. Also, since there is a pocket in my briefcase which fits it like a glove, my tablet travels with me everywhere. I wonder if anyone else has been having USB issues?
david
August 28, 2011 at 9:32 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My usb port has stoped as well. Some portion of it still works, when i plug in a cell phone the charger works. There is no recognition of a usb in external files. I did a hardware update and reset to original settings with no improvement.
I also have no left speaker in headphone or normal mode.
Gavin Fair
May 5, 2011 at 4:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I bought my archos 101 in Singapore when i was on holiday there in november 2010. It was working brilliantly until last week it failed to power up and i have not been able to get it going since. I have e-mailed archos twice now over the last week but they have not replied… HELP!!!
Frank C Jones
May 5, 2011 at 6:23 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I wrote a follow up article addressing the power issue with the Archos 101. It turns out this seems to have been a False Alarm because there is a fix for this issue. Take a look at the process laid out in that article and let me know if it fixes your Archos.
Ross G
May 6, 2011 at 4:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I had the same power issue with the 101 Tablet. It happened several times in a three week period, the last time it did not restart. I got it thru Amazon and returned it for a refund. Worked great when it worked. Looking at what else is available out there now.
Gavin Fair
May 9, 2011 at 4:15 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nope, Ive tried everything that you have suggested but it wont do anything. Im pretty gutted coz it cost me $499sgd, but i live in NZ and we dont really have any mainstream dealers here. Still havent heard from archos, coming up to 2 weeks and counting since i sent my first message to them. Im not holding my breath. Have now lost all faith in tablets, might just get a netbook instead. *Gives the one fingered salute to archos*
Frank C Jones
May 9, 2011 at 10:44 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have you setup an account on the Archos website? You need to have an account in order to access the support numbers and to get an access code when calling. If you haven’t already done so, go to the Archos Customer Account site and setup an account. Then visit the Contact Support section of the site and click on the device you have registered. This will give you their phone number and an access code which they will require when you call. The number I found on their site is listed below, but you will still need to register your product if you haven’t already.
Technical support by telephone:
Let me know if this helps.
TOM
May 9, 2011 at 10:51 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My Archos freezes up on boot on….and wont shut off…. untill the batter dies. recharge and hold button down like tech support advised but it froze in that process too…. when charging the battery got very hot and so much so I was concerned it might have a fire safety issue. The company I bought it from took it back. …it diid work well for a week however
Gavin Fair
May 14, 2011 at 10:47 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes i registered my 101 as soon as i got home last november. the only way i am able to contact them is through e-mail as there are no phone numbers that come up when i click on that option, probably because of the country option that i am under.
Polina
May 23, 2011 at 5:59 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have the same problem with archos arnova 10. The tablet would not power up. It is not respond to any of the buttons but the led light up when I plugged it in to charge.
I will send my device to the repair center.
Frank C Jones
May 23, 2011 at 2:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have you looked at my other article on repairing the Archos 101 power issues? I’ve found a solution to this problem for my Archos 101 and others hae reported this works for them a well. Let me know if you are till having problems after following these steps.
vince moore
June 21, 2011 at 12:12 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Well I’ve had three archos 101′s with usb failures. Try inseting a usb thumb drive and see if the device recognizes it? I would like my money back… doubt that will happen tho’
Frank C Jones
June 21, 2011 at 12:51 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So far, I’ve had one replaced because the telephone tech support guys didn’t tell me to calibrate the touch screen and another that is being replaced due to a faulty LCD. I’ve not had any USB problems and hopefully this will be the last replacement. Sorry to hear about your constant troubles with the Archos 101′s. Let us know how this third device works out.
Eric
June 25, 2011 at 4:16 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
After i put in the wep key to my wireless internet it turnes off.
I have the Arhcos Arnova 10 4gb tablet.
Then it restart and only the name ARNOVA disappear in the screen.
About a few seconds it blinks and you see again the name.
I tried do the reset but it goes off but if push power button it gives the same problem what to do now ????
Frank C Jones
June 26, 2011 at 11:43 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The Archos Arnova 10 is based on the same case design as the Archos 101, however it may not work exactly the same. Maybe someone else that reads this post also has the Arnova 10 and has solved this problem already. If not, you may want to contact Archos tech support.
nedz
June 26, 2011 at 12:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have archos 101, everytime i made download any application, always showed not enough memory space, and then download stop, I deleted many application but still the same response. Is there somebody that can give me a solution fotr this problem.
Frank C Jones
June 26, 2011 at 7:27 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The Archos 101 comes with either 8GB or 16GB of memory, which should be enough for many many applications. First, I would try deleting the largest applications you have installed. Then, I would consider using a microSD card. If it’s still not working then you may need to contact Archos tech support about sending it off for repairs.
dani
July 3, 2011 at 5:56 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I bought the archos 101 about a month ago and deeply regret it. It had issues with the touch screen from the very beginning. Eventually after a couple of weeks the screen wouldn’t respond to touch at all. I did everything the manual says should be done in such cases – to no avail. I tried to contact support, but they simply ignored me (aside from an auto mail confirming they got my message and will return in 2 work days). The store from which i bought it replaced it, and i hope the new device will changed my mind, but i doubt it. Event when it works “properly” it performs poorly, apps are crashing, and all sorts of weird behavior goes on. On the new device as well. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing it, it’s not worth its low price.
Frank C Jones
July 3, 2011 at 7:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Given the problems you’ve had and the fact that Archos just recently anounced their G9 series tablets, I would look into the possibility for a refund. The G9 tablet is about the same price, maybe just a bit more, with a much faster processor. Check it out on thier web site.
chenro
July 10, 2011 at 4:47 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
my archos 101 8gb looses internet connection after 1 minute of web browsing.
SueG
December 30, 2011 at 5:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have bought 4 of these as Christmas presents. One failed after 2 hours use, switched off and took ages to get going again. Then it switched off and will switch on but just dies. It has gone back to the manufacturer for repair. The second one has worked fine since Christmas day until today when it died with 50% of battery showing and won’t charge up. The other 2 haven’t really been used so who knows what will happen to them. I am gutted to be honest, the Internet brings up many reports of similar problems, why are they still selling them, there are obvious design faults.
Frank C Jones
December 30, 2011 at 7:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m sorry to hear about the troubles your having with your Archos tablets. I presume you’ve already looked at the troubleshooting article I wrote about solving at least one of the Archos 101 power issues. You may also want to take a look at the instructions for calibrating the touchscreen, as this is also a common issue. Also, here’s a link to everything I’ve written about the Archos 101 if you want to read more about the device and how I’ve gotten around some of its limitations. Let me know how the other two work out for you and if you find any other solutions to your Archos problems.
Al
April 25, 2012 at 11:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I replaced the outer front case for my archos 101IT now it will not power on. Where is the silver clip with the black wire connected? on the side where the case is screwed to the screen? tried the reboot with no luck. i do have the green light but nothing on the screen.
Frank C Jones
April 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m not sure where that silver clip goes, but you may find a picture of it in the collection from inside the Archos 101. Having a green light with nothing on the screen suggests to me that the screen may not be securely connected after the front bezel was replaced. Have you tried using the HDMI output to see if you can get a picture on a different monitor?
Al
April 26, 2012 at 8:15 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ll try HDMI. Can’t seem to find any pics online for the wire clip. The wire is Soldered on the tin square with the holes. It seems to be a ground maybe? Not sure where it would attach? Thanks
hosein rabiei
May 3, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have the sae problem on this device. It seems this is a hardware probem and archos shall be responsible on this issue if want to keep its market.Otherwise I will publish the problems to public.
Frank C Jones
May 8, 2012 at 8:21 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You might want to take that up with Archos. Let me know what they say.