If my Rio Nitrus isnt turning on? How do I fix it?

I had the same problem with mine...started having problems charging, and then it wouldn't turn on at all. And there was a rattle inside when I shook it. I opened the case (take the screw out, and use a thin, flat screwdriver to pry the case open at the sides a little bit, then use a thin knife to cut the double sided tape that sticks the hard drive to the back case. A little black electronic component had broken free...it was easy to see where. I soldered it back on. Then I used the smallest flat precision screwdriver I had to pry the outer contact for the charging port closer to the center pin. Put case back together, and it started right up. Although now my computer doesn't recognize anything hooked up to the usb port when I hook up the Rio. Oh well, at least all my songs were still on the hard drive.

Phil
February 2006