How to prevent broken ethernet port on DS

[Chris_Elston]

We are not having a problem with static, but rather the port itself needs to be mounted to the board more firmly. What I saw was there are only two plastic post that are through holes to the bottom side of the board. When you insert the cat5 cable repeatedly, you seem to cause stress on these anchor posts. When these anchor posts give or break loose, your in trouble because then the connections in the back tip up and break off the pads on the surface mount. You can attempt a trace repair. It's quite alot of work but I believe if that is the only thing wrong, it can be done. Since we had the cover off, we went ahead and put hot clue on the second working port along the sides and the posts on the bottom to give it extra strength. As well as the advice already given, don't take the cat5 cable in and out unless you have to. Take the other end out. You can see from my pictures just how bad the trace pads lift. I lit the board from the bottom side so you can see the traces and how tiny and fragile the trace wires are.

1. So my advice if you have the cover off, hot glue the working ethernet port for extra strength.

2. Don't take the cable in and out unless you have too.

3. Order a spare DS anyway, because you don't want a $162.00 part causing an end to your robotics season.

4. Configure your spare ready to go just in case something bad happens at the competition and get it firmware upgraded and ready to drop in and go.