Question replaced dead battery in Android tablet and now App doesn't see USB.

[emailists]

Any thoughts on repairing an app's USB driver without having an installer?

I have a very old tablet that controls an infrared sauna. The device is on android 5.1.1 since they wouldn't allow any OS updates.

The tablet’s battery died (puffed up) and I was able to source the same voltage/ amperage battery, and soldered it in.

The tablet starts up fine, but the very first time it started it went through a screen that seemed to be repairing apps and showed a percentage.
I had to reset the time/date from 1970.

Now the dedicated sauna control app launches but says “ please connect Sauna usb cable.” Then it quits.

I have changed the USB computer connection to MTP and then PTP and then unchecked , and still no luck. my Mac sees the tablet'sUSB when hooked up so I don't believe it's hardware.

Any thoughts on how to enable the USB device again? The company offers no support on the controller and wants me to buy a new $500 interface and dedicated controller that doesn't run on a tablet.

Did the USB drivers get reset upon rebooting? I might have rebooted after the battery install due to battery being shipped totally uncharged.

 

[VidJunky]

Welcome to Android Central forums. Just a few questions before we try to tackle this one.

What exact device do you have?

Did it die, power off by itself due to low battery, or did you shut it down normally intentionally, when you noticed the battery issue?

Is the board you soldered to also the board with the USB port?

What app are you using for the sauna?

Have you cycled power on the tab more than once since the reset/restart after the battery change?

The first and simplest thing to do would be to uninstall and reinstall the sauna app. We could spend time trying to "fix" it but really there's nothing we can do to the app itself. You're not going to be able to install drivers or anything in the app to get it to work. Fully removing that app and reinstalling it should bring you back to zero like a fresh install.

I asked about how it turned off because dying batteries can be like pulling the plug on a running PC, where the disc gets corrupted and needs to defrag and all of that. This could be why the first start up was weird. It usually takes a few restarts, letting the device power off and on normally, for it to work out the bugs of losing power unexpectedly.

Let us know what you find and answer the questions, then we'll offer more advice.

 

[emailists]

Hey thank you so much for your answers. I'm not sure about the Board I soldered to. The tablet's USB on my Mac did show up, so i think hardware is good.

The custom app came pre loaded on a generic tablet about 8 years ago when I bought the Sauna. They never gave out an installer and won't seem to send it now or offer any support other than "buy the new controller".

The sauna manufacturer hired someone to create the app for them and manufacturer knew almost nothing about it. I'm trying to see if I can get their info.

The app controls the heaters, wavelengths, scheduling, lighting etc. They have since went back to a traditional electronic pad but it will cost me $500+ for all the new control system, boards, power supply.

I replaced the battery when the unit wouldn't start up.

 

[VidJunky]

That's wild. Well if you can contact that app developer they might be able to help you more than any of us could. Well at least any of us out here in the general Ask A Question section. If you think there's any way you might be able to edit it yourself, I would try an app developer's forum.

Here are a couple of forums here at AC for developers. Not sure which would be better for this type of thing.

Developers Lounge

Developers gather to discuss Android in a lounge-like setting... online.

forums.androidcentral.com

Software Development

Discuss general Android development.

forums.androidcentral.com

Here's one for apps but I don't know anything about this site.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjr6u790oWTAxUPtokEHS9KMx4QFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.earlybird.club%2Fforums%2Fandroid-development.28%2F&usg=AOvVaw0jHYybcVfqpuWPL7AHdyq8&opi=89978449

Same.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjr6u790oWTAxUPtokEHS9KMx4QFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.devtalk.com%2Fc%2Fandroid-developer-forum%2F40&usg=AOvVaw2FIcrTkthm_-HKnPv5CgJw&opi=89978449

Wish I could be more help.