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CompactFlash, SD, MMC, USB flash storage. Anything that does not have moving parts inside.
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Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 13th, 2017, 11:08

I have a Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy, 8 GB drive (DTVP30/8GB) that stopped working. I does not power up anymore. The blue LED never lights up.

I tried plugging it into multiple computers, no sign of life.

There does not seem to be any visual damage on the PCB.

Any suggestion to try and get it working again? Do these drives have a protection diode/fuse that I could remove or jump ?

Thanks.

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 13th, 2017, 15:47

I took some pictures of the PCB in question.

IMG_1380.JPG

I was wondering if C01 and/or C02 could be acting as fuses...

Flip side of the USB key:
IMG_1381.JPG


Any ideas?

Thanks

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 13th, 2017, 16:28

C01 and C02 are in the signal lines. These would not be fused. In any case you could eliminate any concerns with USB 3.0 by using a USB 2.0 cable.

Instead I would test zero-ohm resistor R03. I would also confirm that the two switchmode DC-DC converters are working, and that the controller and flash ICs are not overheating. The output voltages of the two converters would appear across C41 and C42.

http://pinoutguide.com/Slots/usb_3_0_co ... nout.shtml

Code:
Pin
Number   Name   Description

1   VBus       +5V Power
2   USB D-       USB 2.0 data
3   USB D+
4   GND       Ground for power return
5   StdA_SSRX-    SuperSpeed receiver
6   StdA_SSRX+    SuperSpeed receiver
7   GND_DRAIN    Ground for signal return
8   StdA_SSTX-    SuperSpeed transmitter
9   StdA_SSTX+    SuperSpeed transmitter

Could you tell us the markings on U02 and U03?
Attachments
regs.jpg

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 14th, 2017, 14:51

About using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0, I did and it did not help.

I tested the 3 zero-ohm resistors on the PCB (R01, R02, R03) and all test at 0 Ohm.

It's not very scientific, but the controller and flash ICs are not hot when I touch them.

About the output voltages at C41 and C42, I get 1.8V at C41 and 3.5V at C42 (with COM probe at USB ground pin).

Markings on U02 and U03: ET0 or ETC (I don't have a microscope right now, but it looks a lot like ET0).

Thanks.

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 14th, 2017, 16:55

I would have thought that typical NAND VDD/VDDQ voltages would be 1.8V and 3.3V, so yours would appear to be of the right order. Perhaps Kingston has tweaked the 3.3V supply?

I would also measure the voltages across the remaining capacitors. This would help to identify any other voltages such as the internal (?) Vcore and Vio supplies for the flash controller. I would avoid probing C13/R14/R15 and C14 or either of its associated resistors (whose circuit references I cannot identify). I believe that these capacitors and resistors form the feedback networks of each of the buck regulators. Typically these resistors have high values, so your multimeter may disturb the output voltage.

You might try to locate a datasheet or reference circuit for the flash controller (is it a Phison?). There would normally be a reset pin, and this pin is often connected to an RC combination. I suspect that the junction of R12 and C04 could be the reset test point. It should go high in order for the controller to start up.

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 14th, 2017, 17:01

The controller is indeed a PHISON. I am not able to read the part number though.

I'll see tomorrow if I can get my hands on a decent microscope.

If it is a reset pin, how would I usually trigger the reset and what should be the conséquences?

Thanks a lot for helping by the way!

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 14th, 2017, 17:11

The reset is automatically triggered when the drive powers up. The idea is that the capacitor's voltage is at 0V immediately after power-on, then it rises to the IC's supply rail as it charges up via the resistor. I have seen cases where a shorted or leaky capacitor holds the reset pin low, preventing the controller from starting. When you troubleshoot a microcontroller based circuit, you check the supply voltages, reset pin, and oscillator. If they are OK, then you look elsewhere.

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 15th, 2017, 16:27

So, turns out the flsh controller is a PHISON PS2251-13-Q. I'm having trouble finding datasheets for this chip.

As suggested, I have measured the voltage for all the other capacitors on the PCB. I have done the same thing with an identical working USB key. (see attached file)

Aside from C01 and C02, the voltages for all capacitors are pretty close from one device to the other.

For C01 and C02, I don't get any voltage on the defect key, but I get 0.63V on the working one.

Is there something else that I could test/try?

Thanks.
Attachments
KingstonDT_voltages.xlsx
Voltages for all capacitors. Defect key vs working key
(9.79 KiB) Downloaded 480 times

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 15th, 2017, 19:04

The BCnn components would be bypass capacitors. These provide local supply filtering at the various ICs. It would appear that the flash controller has an internal 1.1V Vcore linear LDO regulator and possibly an internal 3.3V linear Vio LDO regulator. The external 1.9V and 3.5V supplies would be for the NANDs.

Code:
BC02    1.12    1.11
BC03    1.12    1.09
BC05    1.12    1.11
BC07    1.12    1.09   Flash Controller internal Vcore LDO reg = 1.1V ?
BC08    1.12    1.11
BC10    1.12    1.09
BC11    1.12    1.09

BC01    1.86    1.88
BC04    1.88    1.86
BC06    1.88    1.86  Vio/NAND = 1.9V ?
BC13    1.88    1.86
BC15    1.88    1.86

BC09    3.3     3.24  Flash Controller internal Vio LDO reg = 3.3V ?

BC12    3.47    3.45
BC14    3.47    3.45  Vio/NAND = 3.5V ?

The capacitor which I suspected was the reset cap (C04) is sitting at +3.5V, so this means that the controller should have woken up. However, the 0V readings at C01 and C02 (USB 3.0 pins) would suggest that the controller may be brain dead. My next step would be to confirm whether Y01 is oscillating. Other than that, I wouldn't be able to do anything.

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 15th, 2017, 20:10

One other thing you could do would be to replace R03 with a 2.2 ohm resistor. Then compare the IR drop across this resistor between your two sticks. This should tell you how much current each stick is drawing from the USB supply.

Re: Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy - no power

February 16th, 2017, 9:10

Well, this is starting to go beyond my technical skills and the equipment I have available. I will close this one.

@fzabkar, huge thanks for helping me with this. I learned a lot.
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