Help! My stylus is stuck in my PDA!

April 28, 2007 2:17 PM

Help! My PDA stylus is stuck in its socket - how do I get it out?

I've got a Mio Digiwalker P550 (in case that matters). Its stylus is a two-part thing, the top of which (about 15mm long) unscrews to give you access to a pin with which you can reset the PDA.

My problem is that this top managed to unscrew itself from the rest of the stylus while the PDA was in my pocket - I don't know how, because there's a slot into which the top fits which should have prevented this from happening.

I am left with a 15mm stylus with a metal pin unsuitable for use as a stylus and a stylus socket which is mostly full of stylus.

Any suggestions about how I prise said stylus out would be very greatfully received.

posted by Lionel d'Lion to technology (8 comments total)

toothpick + tiny drop of super glue?
posted by popechunk at 2:25 PM on April 28, 2007

This happened with my Treo 650 because the top part was plastic and the bottom part was metal. Over time, the plastic threads got worn down, and eventually they stipped out, leaving the metal part in the socket. I was able to get the bottom out by putting the top back in and pushing until the worn threads slipped back into place. I then put as much sideways pressure on the threads as I could while I pulled it out, and it came right out. A little expoy fixed the problem, and now I have a one-piece stylus. I don't know if this will work for you.
posted by procrastination at 2:25 PM on April 28, 2007

I'm not familiar with that model, but is there any chance that removing the battery covery will reveal enough of the sytlus to let you get it out?
posted by ttrendel at 2:29 PM on April 28, 2007

I bet the threads are some standard pitch. Go to a hardware store with the top end of the stylus and buy a screw with the same thread on it. The screw should be long enough to reach the stuck part, plus enough to thread it in at least three turns. Longer than that is OK. Turn the screw into the stuck part and pull it out.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 2:30 PM on April 28, 2007

Oh, and while the tang on the top part would keep it from turning to unscrew from the bottom, the bottom part could still turn, due to vibration, or precession of the equinoxes, or animal magnetism, or something. Make sure the two parts are screwed together snugly before you stick it in.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 2:34 PM on April 28, 2007

Excellent suggestions - I especially like popechunk's low tech approach.

Thanks.
posted by Lionel d'Lion at 2:36 PM on April 28, 2007

I'd skip the super glue - I mean, what if you miss?

I'd just take the pda apart, personally.
posted by Orb2069 at 4:57 PM on April 28, 2007

Turn it upside down and give it a few firm shakes while holding it with a death-grip. That's how I got a stuck stylus out of my old Palm IIIe.
posted by SansPoint at 1:44 AM on April 29, 2007