iFixit - Answers With Device "Alphasmart Neo"

Alphasmart Neo: What are these error messages on my Alphasmart Neo?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:23:17 -0700

I keep getting error messages such as "bad data pointer"

and

Bus Error Accessing: 0x800000

Next Instruction At: 0x5E578A

⟐ Commented July 16, 2025 at 6:23 MST

Alphasmart Neo: How can I attach an extended wired keyboard to my Alphasmart Neo?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:51:37 -0700

I connected an extended keyboard to the USB port of my Alphasmart Neo and it doesn't work. The manufacturer said there isn't a way to do this, but I suspect there may be some way. If you know a way I can do this without using AC power, please describe the steps for me.

I want to be sure that I'm not creating any type of EMF/RF etc. at my extended keyboard by doing this.

Thank you

⟐ Answered July 26, 2024 at 15:51 MST

Alphasmart Neo: Why is my alphasmart Neo2 telling me that my files are overused?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:01:18 -0700

Hi. I just bought an alphasmart Neo2 from Amazon. It worked wonderfully for the first two weeks but then it was difficult to turn it on, and now it keeps saying that my files are overused even though I’ve only written 2000 words on one file. I haven’t even used the other files. Now I can’t turn it on.

⟐ Answered July 26, 2024 at 14:01 MST

Alphasmart Neo: My alphasmart neo 2 has a data change malfunction!

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:52:42 -0700

My Neo has had a malfunction saying a data change occurred and asking if I replaced the lithium backup battery. My Neo has had this same malfunction three times now, which is why I don't believe it's the battery. There obviously isn't a producer anymore, so is their any way to fix it?

Could it still be the lithium backup battery after this has happened multiple times and if it's software, is there anything I can do?

Alphasmart Neo: unable to convert a pdb file to text file on Alphasmart Dana

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 16:16:46 -0700

Can you tell me how to do it successfully ???

Alphasmart Neo: My screen says I need to send the unit in for repairs right away?

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 16:59:49 -0700

My alphasmart Neo says the unit must be returned for repairs right away. It was still working just fine as recently as two months ago, with all files intact from many years ago. Now when I turn it on it asks if I have replaced the battery, to which I reply no. It then tells me it is very important that I return the unit for repairs. Is this likely to be a battery issue only, or should I consider it dead?

mlwdcs@windstream.net

⟐ Answered October 18, 2021 at 16:59 MST

Alphasmart Neo: Where to get replacement screen

Sun, 16 Dec 2018 08:39:29 -0700

I have an Alphasmart and the screen is no longer powering up when I turn it on. It still functions as a keyboard if I have it plugged in, but nothing displays on the tiny screen. I would like to replace the screen.

Does anyone know where parts can be found for Alphasmarts?

⟐ Answer accepted December 16, 2018 at 8:39 MST

Alphasmart Neo: Strange soldering inside an Alphasmart Neo?

Wed, 07 May 2014 04:16:42 -0700

Here's a strange one…

I recently bought a used Alphasmart Neo that can be powered up via the AC jack or with a rechargeable battery, but not from the AA battery chamber. When I opened up the unit to see if I could figure out what was wrong, I saw that someone had soldered a copper colored mesh wire about 1/8 inch wide and maybe half a millimeter thick around the edges of the motherboard. This doesn't look like factory work and the other Neo I have does not have any wire mesh or soldering like this.

The mesh is soldered to a point on the motherboard that connects to the black wire that runs to the rechargeable battery. On the other end of the motherboard, the mesh is soldered to a point that connects to the black wire running to the battery casing. Other parts of the mesh are soldered to the metal casing around the USB ports and to a bit of metal on the side of the inner plastic housing of the AC jack and to a number of other points of metal along the edges of the motherboard. A small extra bit of mesh wire has been extended to connect to a bit of metal on the interior edge of the display.

There's also a small bit of red wire that's been soldered to connect a piece of metal at the base of the interior casing of the AC jack to a point on the motherboard.

Finally, whoever did this also ran black electrical tape underneath or alongside the mesh (perhaps to protect parts of the motherboard during the soldering?).

Does anyone have any idea what purpose this mesh wire and soldering could serve? It seems like a big safety hazard to me, since it appears to be connected to the electrical system in at least two places. But the system does work -- it just can't be powered by the AA batteries. (Although I'm not going to plug it into the wall again now that I've opened it up and seen what's inside!)

If anyone can shed any light on what might be going on here, I'd appreciate it!

UPDATE: I called the folks at Neo Direct, who told me that there's no reason they can think of for there being this mesh wire soldered around the motherboard. Finally got a soldering iron and removed it. Also removed a bit of red wire that had been added to connect the inside of the AC plug to a point on the motherboard. Now the AC no longer works. And the AA batteries still don't work. But the rechargeable battery and the USB connection still work, and the battery can recharge through the USB connection, so the machine is functional.

My guess is that the AA battery chamber and the AC conked out and someone did all of this soldering to try to get them to work again.

⟐ Answered May 07, 2014 at 4:16 MST