I'm sure I've read a thread somewhere about someone opening a Columbus (with a view to adding a larger hard drive), but I must be searching for the wrong things (or on the wrong forum).

My problem is not the hard drive, but the antenna 1 connection which seems to be dead!

I'm playing with various dual aerial configurations and have antenna 2 sorted (FM/TMC). For reference that's the one nearest the GPS plug.

I'm currently getting the best reception I've every had from that - but I've also discovered a problem when I went to hook up a second aerial to antenna 1.

Nothing! Doesn't register on the Columbus at all.

A bit of fault finding by swapping components around ruled out the amplifier first, the cable second and narrowed it down to the Columbus itself!

My guess is that the dual FAKRA is not soldered on to the board properly or has a part of it broken.

After the long tale (sorry) and before I go opening it up, can anyone think what might be wrong? Or anything I have missed? Or should check prior to opening it up?

Failing that, does anyone know where the 'How to...' for opening a Columbus is? I know it had pictures...

Thanks for listening. I feel much better already!

EDIT: Title changed to reflect development of post topic.

i think there was a guide for changing the front panel, then to remove the lid it would pull off

if it is not the solder joints, you may need a new board if you want to fix it. i

is your columbus an led version? and does it bother you that much?

Hi Eddie.

I'd seen that one thanks. I just seem to remember seeing a photo walk thorough from someone who had changed the hard drive and thought that I'd see more of the motherboard that way.

Yes its an LED version (3T0...A from 2010).

Yes it does bother me as radio reception has getting much worse this year and I've had lots of drop outs where the radio reception just stops. Now I have a new aerial on antenna 2 it's better in most locations, but I'd like to improve the chances of getting a decent signal with the second FM aerial and get the AM signal as well.

I've got all the bits to do it, but discovered that the socket seems to be at fault.

After much searching, I've found the post I was thinking of...

Thanks for the link. So if my Columbus unit dies out of warranty, for the sake of a £60 64GB SSD drive I'll try this first.

Cheers

Steve

I was thinking about a SSD while I've got it open. Especially as there is also a link in the thread I linked to that goes through how to partition the larger hard drive to allow more space for music (the existing system allocates a fixed percentage to each partition irrespective of the HD capacity.

Anyone had to fix the aerial connectors though?

That's what I could do with advice on.

I think that it's a worthwhile upgrade while you have it out and open. It appears that SSD keeps it cooler too which is a good thing or longevity.

Sorry cant help on aerial fittings.

Anyone had to fix the aerial connectors though?

That's what I could do with advice on.

the only thing you can do is to check the solder joints or replace the fakra connectors on the PCB

Otherwise it is a new board, I can get spares for LED units.

Otherwise it is a new board, I can get spares for LED units.

Thanks Eddie.

I'll be having a look fairly soon (I hope) and it's good to know that spares are available if needed.

Having had a few moments to take the Columbus out and have a good look, it turns out to be the pin in the FAKRA connector that has snapped off inside the plug.

I have the pin and will try soldering it back on as my Columbus FAKRA connectors do not have the sleeve surrounding the pin (see picture of similar connector) which probably explains why how it came to get snapped in the first place.

If I can't solder it back on, it looks like it will have to be opened up and a new double FAKRA connector soldered on (if I can find the right one).

Could I use the ones with the internal sleeves?

Hi

Have a look here to see if you can use some, if you don't have any joy. I will find out for the original spares

http://www.co-star.co.uk/products-search.asp?criteria=fakra&records=2