Lando said he stressed out about this for hours and finally just decided to tell me about it. After stressing out for hours (according to Lando), he finally notified me about it around 4pm today. I stated to him that I would look at it after I made up several hours of work in my home-office today. In the mean time, I suggested to Lando that he conduct research in YouTube and Google to look for videos on how to fix it. Later in the day when I was finally done with work around 7pm, I asked him to show me what he found online. In his several hours of research, Lando discovered that it was fixable. That was good news to hear.
Lando, said he watched several videos on how to fix the NIntendo Switch joycon. So I told him, let's see how much a replacement costs and then try to fix it. ("attempt to fix vs. buy replacement decision") The replacement joycon costs $49.99 on Amazon. In Lando earnings, that is about 2-weeks of yard work. So I said let's try to fix it since we have nothing to lose and much to potentially gain.
We then started taking the joycon apart and trying to fit it. The videos instructions were a tremendous time saver. Fortunately, the issue was just figuring out how to take the joycon apart and then reconnecting the two ribbon cables that somehow became disconnected.
I have to say that the internal design of the Nintendo Switch joycon is pretty impressive. I've fixed many electronic gadgets in my lifetime and have to admit that Nintendo really has some good designers. What I was most impressed with are the micro connectors and ribbon cable locks.. The molded plastic and circuit board designs fit and finish were very clean fitting and precise.
I showed Lando some tricks with magnetizing precision screwdriver heads (temporarily) to assist with micro screw management. A really good tip because I've lost several of those tiny micro-screws used in so many electronic gadgets over the years. After spending 1.5 hours on this, we successfully figured it all out, fixed the joycon, and verified that is is working as expected!!!!
During this time, I was able to share a lot of troubleshooting wisdom and my experience with fixing things. I told Lando that trying to fix something takes a lot of time and patience, but is worth it if you succeed. Even if you do not succeed, you can learn something about the design of the gadget which may help you in the future the next time you are trying to fix something. This experiential endeavor helps you with designing new things later.
I thought I would share this story with you this since this is the first time I have worked 'collaboratively' with my son, Lando, to fix a very expensive new electronic gadget which was Nintendo Switch was less than 2-weeks old as of today. think he was more motivated to fix it and make it right since he bought it with his own hard-earned money.
What surprised me is how Lando has really matured when it comes to electronics and troubleshooting. His experience with being on the Hickory High School Robotics Team and hanging out with the 'geeks' has really paid off in the last year. I am very proud of his abilities and very optimistic about him in the future as he starts getting into computer engineering or robotics or computer science or whatever he decides to do in college. As parents, I feel that Linda and I have raised a very smart young man with a very bright future ahead of him.
Lando told me after we fixed the Nintendo Switch joycon that he was glad he decided to tell me about it and ask for help.
.... Just wanted to write this down since it was one of those life experiences as a Dad that I will always remember and I'm quite sure will be imprinted on my son's psyche.
Posts
