Comments on: Help! My stylus is stuck in my PDA!

Question: Help! My stylus is stuck in my PDA!

Lionel d'Lion — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:17:41 -0800

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.

By: popechunk

popechunk — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:25:17 -0800

toothpick + tiny drop of super glue?

By: procrastination

procrastination — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:25:29 -0800

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.

By: ttrendel

ttrendel — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:29:36 -0800

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?

By: Kirth Gerson

Kirth Gerson — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:30:12 -0800

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.

By: Kirth Gerson

Kirth Gerson — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:34:46 -0800

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.

By: Lionel d'Lion

Lionel d'Lion — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:36:44 -0800

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

Thanks.

By: Orb2069

Orb2069 — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 16:57:25 -0800

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

I'd just take the pda apart, personally.

By: SansPoint

SansPoint — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:44:50 -0800

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.