I Paid £280 For This Faulty STEAM DECK | Did I Get Ripped Off?

I bought this VALVE Steam Deck off of from off eBay. It does power on, but doesn't boot. I suspect the SSD needs replacing... Or does it?
And will that be all that's wrong with it? #spolier no it's not.
Let's try and get it working!
Hope you enjoy!
Steve
IFIXIT Guide: www.ifixit.com/Guide/Steam+De...
Steam OS: store.steampowered.com/steamo...
PS. I'm not an expert in repairs at all. I do this for fun, and it may not be the best or safest way to go about repairing broken stuff. I'm pretty good at melting plastic though. Please don't copy me - I'm an idiot.
SUPPORT ME on Patreon: bit.ly/ssf-patreon
MERCH: stezstixfix.com
AMAZON WISH LIST: bit.ly/ssf-wish
SUBSCRIBE HERE: bit.ly/ssf-sub
FOLLOW ME on Facebook: bit.ly/ssf-fbook
If you want to make a device donation to the channel, please use the following PO Box. PLEASE NOTE that this is not a repair service, and all items are non-returnable.
PO BOX ADDRESS: StezStix Fix?, PO Box 415, BOLTON, BL4 4AZ
Please only use this service if you are a UK resident and using Royal Mail.
Some of the magic things I use to break stuff;
My soldering iron: UK amzn.to/2Isf360 US amzn.to/3dfq8Xe
My hot air station: UK amzn.to/3kPxaBQ US amzn.to/3xo0SoM
My microscope: UK amzn.to/2VP3msU US amzn.to/3DmDgED
My desoldering gun that goes "moo": UK amzn.to/3HHt73P US amzn.to/3QHJOkb
My multimeter: UK amzn.to/2LjBgnN US amzn.to/3qEiSHy
My blue mat: UK amzn.to/3nDVs3A US amzn.to/3LcZUkI
Filming equipment;
My camera: UK amzn.to/38IdR7s US amzn.to/3BiwyNg
My 2nd camera: UK amzn.to/3Rfjn6U US amzn.to/3BGOB1i
My microphone: UK amzn.to/3rCriPc US amzn.to/3QJwWtS
VOS's mic: UK amzn.to/3pz2c1L US amzn.to/3Lc7aO1
Links are affiliated where possible to help support the channel. Nice.

[@StezStixFix]

I probably paid too much for this Stupid Steam Deck thing...

[@mehere8299]

In the first 20 minutes of this video being live to the general public you've taught 2,500 people how to replace an SSD card shield and how to reattach a broken Steam deck speaker connector, plus you've reminded us of eBay's pitfalls *and* shown off your good taste by removing that skin. Worth it?

[@owlhatch3812]

@@simonupton-millard I am curious if it would accept a 1tb at all tbh. I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

[@simonupton-millard]

@@owlhatch3812 I have the 64gb deck fitted a 1tb drive that came out of a microsoft surface, Framework are selling a 2tb steamdeck drive on there US site

[@Leonvolt28]

@@owlhatch3812 it does. I've cut a Samsung PM991a 1tb to the right size

[@iniquitousprime8747]

You got an actual deal. Should get the dock and use your PS4 controllers and it's a great piece of gear!

[@shepherdhaus]

I love how genuine these small repair videos are. You say "it flew across the room" and I know the feeling and the temptation to send the table flying across the room as well. 😂

[@paulturnerint]

haha this reminds me of trying to remove cpu that was super glued with the thermal paste to a broken cpu cooler.. when it did finally come free it flew half way across the room lucky it landed pins up and didnt bend any

[@jobbo_]

And hoping it didn't fly into a computer or similar

[@Hendlton]

Same thing when he caught the capacitor and said how he can't describe how hard it is. I'm generally a patient man, but nothing makes me as frustrated as manipulating something so small with relatively gigantic tools.

[@starvr]

@@Hendlton He couldn't describe it because 90% of the sentence would be filled with cures words, and I know the feeling well. LOL

[@ryanseltzer3355]

It's crazy to me how people can spend $500 on a steam deck and then take it apart as violently as possible. Ripping aluminum tape, scratching the shell with pry marks, destroying connectors...

[@parasitex]

Some people are just idiots. I opened my up to replace the thumb stick modules. And it's very easy not to fuck up as everything is set up in such a simple fashion. Just boggles my mind how anyone is this stupid to fuck it up.

[@Jackspajf]

i'm like 90% sure this steam deck is from a rookie who knew little to nothing about how to replace the ssd

[@danthebikeguy447]

@@Jackspajf It amazes me that something that has only been out for a year would even need stripping down to repair/replace the SSD. Imagine if you bought a new car only for the ECU to fry after a year.

[@FIGHTFAN30]

@@danthebikeguy447 Send the ECU to Ste he'll soon have it sorted!!!🤣😂🤣

[@hornantuutti5157]

There is no reason To open it but people like to tinker. Deck is really nice little pc.. I got one and II have opened it 4 times on the Last 5 months just to mod and test if I can improve it. Same stuff that I do to any device I get on my hands.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

That really was amazing. The speaker connector block is the size of a grain of rice, so that cap would have been like a speck of dust! Congratulations sir

[@hooptiej]

iirc they're .5mm x .25mm

[@SeleDreams]

it makes it more obvious why people use microscopes when doing soldering work lol

[@ANeMzero]

So the reason the Deck can make certain system level sounds with the speaker connector broken is because things like the Sleep mode sound don't actually use the speakers, but instead generate sound via the linear actuators used for the haptics, similar to how the Steam Controller did its own boot sounds. The annoying thing is there is currently no way to disable these sounds without disabling the haptics. Also, newer models have stronger haptics than older models which I believe also means the sounds are louder.

[@Caluma122]

I absolutely adore my Deck, I just paid £349 for the 64GB model and then bought a Sabrent 512GB SSD. I feel slightly annoyed for you really as so scrupulous character as mis-sold that. But it made for an entertaining video so alls wells ends well! Good job on the repair.

[@raven4k998]

I did that but went for the 2tb drive cause what the hell then I don't have to upgrade as soon

[@speedydemon666]

You make EVERTHING look so easy, I'd be messaging the person I bought it off giving him a piece of my mind, love watching what you do.

[@johnh10000]

Me too

[@johnh10000]

I have similar kit, and @StezStixFix and the others make it look easy. It's not!!

[@janemba42]

The emi shield, according to valve, is crucial. Being such a small enclosure there is interference everywhere.

[@EngineHeadCW]

I started watching your channel because I was tired of KZbin's 'recommended suggestions' so I went searching for something new and I gotta tell ya, I watch almost everything you put out. I love the raps. I love your soldering skills and especially your repair reasoning skills! I guess that's just called troubleshooting. Anyways. Love your channel!

[@borgig]

Has to be one of the most satisfying fixes I have ever seen on KZbin. Delighted to see it boot. Peeling off that horrible case sticker 👌

[@shady4422]

Tough job on that tiny connector but what a nice fix as always bud

[@smugkid1588]

how can the previous owner handle something so expensive so badly but great job on restoring the steam deck

[@woovs101]

Some people have no respect for a dollar

[@meh78336]

@@woovs101 If it was the £350 one, i bet they just bought another in the recent sales after selling this one as they would have only been out of pocket about £40 if I recall, that's if you could get one that is as even the most expensive ones were out of stock when I checked for a mate.

[@PyhisPahis]

some people have no patience

[@tman111195]

New sub here. Ur humble demeanor along with the subtle sense of humor is quite refreshing. Enjoyed this n look forward to watching more. 😀

[@CanWeFixThat]

Hi Steve! Good Job with the connector! I was hoping to get my hands on a faulty Steam Deck too, but there are not many out there outside the US! Congrats on your new piece of tech!😁 Cheers, Markus

[@JakubFranczyk]

Congratulations for 100k Subscribers!!! 😃🥳 Thank You for great content. Wish You all the best, keep it going 😎

[@bertybertface1914]

This might be my new favourite channel? Great work on getting it up and running.

[@osrsgoaltender3069]

Congrats on 100k brother! Been subbed since 20k. You deserve it!

[@mike_frances]

Never seen or heard of these before. Great fix, Steve. Impressive graphics too 👍

[@rogernichols8150]

Great job mate so enjoy your videos please keep them coming and here to help get your videos out to everyone to enjoy

[@ApostatesStink]

You always fix it. I've never seen anything blow up or shorted out you are awesome

[@andrewgroves8384]

Really impressed with your work, used to work for Motorola as a young man, then design alarms when a little older. excellent

[@ygstuff4898]

Watching the tiny micro electronic repair--I sense the frustration of things sticking to everything and not going where they should. But excellent work!!

[@imraansarwar4148]

Great video! My guess is someone tried to put a larger M2 drive inside it and ripped off the connector in the process. If your upgrading the hard drive it would be very hard to break that in that process!

[@rskl3284]

They struggled getting the case apart. They had no hope from the get go 😂

[@evilgibson]

I like when repair people first open and look at how to replace things. From years of smartphones, Nintendos, Sony, and any other large manufacture making everything hard to replace/repair, their realization that repairing the Deck is *not* a Gordian knot of components that needs to be carefully dissembled is a very good is great

[@tumbles8350]

I think the ifixit guide says to remove the speaker and power cables to change the ssd, not really necessary if you know what you are doing, but then if you don't know what you are doing they are tricky to remove 😬

[@patrickriarchy6054]

You can just run the battery down until it won't boot up anymore. That only takes leaving it on standby for like a day

[@liammustapha6643]

20:10 I have no idea why, but it is so satisfying when you destroyed that terrible skin and flicked it away like trash! Great video and well done on the fix!

[@DavidFilskov]

Well done! - congrats with your "new" handheld!

[@zKaltern]

Your tenacity with those ridiculous wires is inspiring :D Great job, and don't forget the SD Card slot to expand that storage to 1Tb (if you want to spend that much on a tiny bit of plastic...) - just don't forget to remove it before you open it again otherwise you'll do a Linus and snap it in half :D DO use the inbuilt button tester to make sure they're all working... very common fault is the L1 bumper failing (like my OG deck did) Oh and the sheath is to protect against EMF interference, apparently it's so close to various components it's possible they could cause data errors without it.

[@StezStixFix]

😁 thanks Kaltern! Definitely going to get an SD card for this thing. I've almost filled up the 256GB already! Love the device though, really great and working well so far! 👍

[@badvoiceallnoise]

@@StezStixFix why not going for 1tb ssd instead ? it would be much faster for around same money i think

[@redavatar]

@@badvoiceallnoise Yeah they cost about the same but the speed isn't that much greater. I bought 5x 512GB (best value per GB) and swap them out. I have put all games on each SD card in a Steam group so I know which SD to insert. It happens instantly and I notice no real slow down while loading games. Other channels have tested this and sometimes SD is even faster.

[@Dracossaint]

@@redavatar One good thing about upgrading the internal storage vs SD card is it's persistent. I have one sd card I load for bear with my retro games and some smaller steam games and another with just steam games. Also dual booting for some gamepass games (tinykin and chained echos come to mind) you'd have to dig a round tho and get windows to read the SD card as well, which can be done.

[@evilgibson]

@@redavatar laziness on my part since I already have a million SD cards from security research and not wanting a handful of extra cards lead to buying a 2tb sd card and calling it job done

[@jobearesto9746]

Thanks for the video. I. Have seen a few of these SD with the same issue. Glad you fixed it. Maybe in future they will sell an upgrade board you can just pop in. Very entertaining video

[@stevefury90]

Excellent Work! I was in the edge of my seat when that capacitor fell. I'm curious by the fact that there are two know cases of people ripping that connector off, I mean, How that could happened? it is not that close to the ssd, it is not requiered to disconnect it. I'm also glad that you are enjoying the steam deck, it is a quite good machine.

[@andrewsmith1520]

One of my favorite channels on YT. Every time I see a new StexStix Fix video, I'm pumped! Keep up the great and entertaining work!

[@pt8154]

I’m glad one of your videos came across my recommended list, I like the matter of fact and honest way you approach to repairs and added you to my subs. One question: did the fine needle point leads come with your multimeter or did you purchase them separately? Im having trouble sourcing some locally in Australia. Thanks

[@chrisj2848]

20:09 Discarded like a champion 👍 Cheers Steve!

[@StezStixFix]

🤣 thanks Chris! Had to be done!

[@RemMonster]

GET THIS MAN 100K SUBS! I have no idea how you do it Stez but you just keep getting better =)

[@MagralhoPT]

The moment you mentioned the connector I had exactly the same reaction you did (as I also saw that video) Im glad U saw the video too! Sooo happy that you managed to fix it! surprised u didnt use the superglue trick to secure it.

[@philgallagher1]

Hi. I'm a new subscriber here. One of your vids popped up in my feed. I had a look (Nintendo Switch that was irreparable?) and was immediately drawn in by your delivery style and clear ability. (And by your ability to laugh at yourself!)

[@captcraig777]

Nice save on that connector. Gotta love the SteamDeck!!! Great job!

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

The sheath thing for the ssd is just for emi and it's because the wifi controller is directly underneath it. Also I think the original one is just aluminium tape too stuck to a paper backing or something.

[@joveaaron-real]

2:49 I didn't remember him until I saw that picture! I live in Spain, and I loved that show. The voice acting here was great, and it got an intro rewrite for Spanish.

[@walter9724]

As soon as you pressed OK my TV screen wentblack and then a pause then an ad came on. Perfectly timed and made me think something had happened to my TV 😂😂😂

[@techfan1017]

Congrats on 100k man, you deserve it.

[@MarkGFRex]

Nice fix there Steve. I reckon a blob of hot glue on the back of that connector would help in the event of dropsie.

[@KidultTV]

Dang great job on the soddering i know how hard smaller items can be, glad you got it working. Cheers!

[@loto7197]

Normally I would find these sorta videos intriguing, yet so boring. However, you made this so entertaining to watch by mixing your own character throughout the video. Keep it up man, refreshing to have personality in this content space of electronic device repair

[@LeJimster]

Nice little fix you did there! I think the cover for the ssd is a emf shield to stop it interfering with the wifi.

[@20mat]

Based profile picture, man of culture.

[@karlfell3768]

You need to invest in a FM-2032 soldering iron to complete the Hakko setup. A real game changer for micro soldering..

[@chrispike7249]

Good to see you got yourself a faulty Steamdeck and managed to fix it also they look a ideal handheld for emulation too Steve - nice 1 👍

[@kalierdarkekd]

Can confirm, it even has a very handy installer for emulation called Emudeck. I have all the games I own from PS2/dreamcast/gamecube and earlier installed on mine =)

[@boydsterling3193]

They’re incredible for emulation with Emudeck covering up to Switch games very nicely

[@stevenstewart6828]

Well done.. good patience and determination

[@drawnSHORT]

Best Take That fan channel ever. Fixingamy bits are great too. Nice.

[@csiga79]

Well done mate! Loved the eyewatering outro too. 😬😉👌

[@Div9LeYuno]

I had to freeze frame at 3:46 .. the look on your face.. the absolute disbelief hahaha that's golden

[@onkelhiphop]

I love how you say this is gonna be hard this is not possible and everybody knows that you know exactly what you are doing keep up the good work great videos really enjoy it🤘😎 and your music is spot on

[@gropatapouf5998]

I wish I could learn to repair like you, wonder I could get that knowledge. Great job!

[@FawadBilgrami]

This randomly popped up on my recommendations. The rap was more than awesome! Subbed!

[@mefflecakes]

I love that the 'skin' that was originally on there completely covered the speaker grills :)

[@janseven7712]

I enjoy your video’s alot ..Keep up the good work 💪🏻

[@oldschooldude8370]

Im happy you didnt get burned. These things are incredibly expensive new. You did well, steve.

[@sodadv2963]

you did a rly good work there man! Awesome video, and you my good sir - just got yourself a new sub!!

[@PANCHO15108]

I don't know why it got me so excited but I'm glad you fixed it. Good job man enjoy your new Steam Deck.

[@ronlevin2339]

it is so nice this days that SSD is not serialized for this device like in mac mini, otherwise you will get a nice dour stopper One more thing, for the port it is much better and stronger to use a hot glue

[@309electronics5]

99% of devices dont have a serialised/married ssd only apple has because apple wants your money

[@shaunmk]

totally admire people like you...great job

[@mariusv.8965]

The US iFixit store has the OEM SSD shielding for sale (for USD 3.99). Maybe the UK/EU store will have it soon? Either way. Excellent video and repair!

[@GadgetGuyUK]

I watch 5 different "fix it" channels (tronicsfix, cod3r,northridge etc) and must say I find your videos my favourite to watch - keep up the good work fella 👍 👏

[@spooky2k8]

awesome video, congrats on the repair!

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

Just starting the vid, but just wanted to say that was the hardest hitting track yet!! well done!

[@tosspot1305]

Fantastic fix! Well done!

[@CH11LER.]

I wouldn't have bothered putting the connector back on. I would have just chopped the wires off and soldered them directly to the board but, hats off to you for hard work

[@SuperScumble]

Nice to see someone actually think about the sticks and not just flip it over and commence pushing it about.

[@thegingerbreadman]

I'm glad that after all your hard work you have a nice working steam Deck 🙂

[@Yourmomgoestocolledge]

Almost at 100K! Awesome man!

[@ulysees321]

People either have ro much money or treat their stuff with no respect, so nice to see you could rescue this

[@simonlunt353]

Well done Steve I was thinking you were not going to get it going but I was wrong 😊

[@Nimmbin]

Great repair. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@nbaua3454]

Your skills are not less than a neurosurgeon.. kudos to you.. love from India man

[@JohnnyTurnerMusic]

I buy and repair broken mechanical watches and share that frustration watching you struggle with the tiny capacitor. Trying to re seat screws in watches are a nightmare! (Watch Springs also have a habit of flying across the room!!)

[@imushavem4061]

The tape over the screw was to help direct the cooling air flow based on something I read or hear somewhere. It's needed to have proper air flow from that one fan.

[@basbrederode4413]

Great repair. Thanks for the video.

[@PoppinWheeliez]

This was an awesome repair. Well done chum.

[@KrozMcD]

Amazing work, another great video! Did you remove the wee bits off the wrap from the right speaker afterwards?

[@OinariKanji]

That looked like a dicey job, but it worked out pretty well (: Nicely done.

[@vinyltheif]

For a wire repair like that I'd use 34 gauge ptfe, glued in place such that it ran opposite way to the connector (to the right), solder it to the cap, then loop back to the connector.

[@tsurugixx]

I think you were holding the power button too long when you were trying to access the bios, causing it to power down, from what I remember you just tap the power while holding the volume.

[@I_RacooN_I]

once again very nice work Steven...

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Corona! 😊

[@Freako7777]

The metal shield around the ssd is used for EMC protection, without it could interfere other systems working on the freqency of the ssd

[@davidwardle6712]

I feel your pain with that capacitor. I tried fixing my OG HomePod but had nothing but problems with the teeny little capacitors.

[@Hapshaw]

I have no idea what is going on with any of this kind of stuff , although I can't look away, but the music in all the videos is top notch.

[@isellstolenchainsaws]

Love the video! Hope you give emulators a try on the Deck. Been going through all of my WiiU discs recently backing them up to play through Cemu on it, they look and run fantastic.

[@aaronspencermusic]

I think I've broken speakers by covering them up like that btw, if they're loud and you cover them you create a pocket of high pressure air which can perforate the speaker cone :)

[@yackyyam]

Turned out a treat! Great work!

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

This is a bit more chilled than drumming for the Macc lads 😀

[@GamerSpencer]

superb. And well done, I would like a steamdeck, but I'd probably use it 3 times a year...

[@blazingsaddle166]

Perfect example of someone purchasing a steam deck & attempting to make modifications & proceeding to make a complete hash of it all. Even the protective cover application looked like a complete carve up. Nicely rescued though.

[@MrRustynutts]

What a repair, nice work! Looked fiddly as all hell, but you have the dexterity of a brain surgeon. Solid effort.

[@pedromimoso8804]

Nice work, Steve! You're almost getting a KZbin symbol! 😁

[@Rexamajinx]

When I did repairs like that cap I described it to others this way. "It's like trying to move a grain of rice with a 2x4 while standing on top of a 10 story building"

[@cody7855]

I absolutely love your faith in humanity that when it said the boot drive was possibly missing or corrupt you jumped to the conclusion it must be corrupt. When I read that I immediately assumed the seller yanked the drive out and lied in the listing.

[@ahmeterhanarik]

That was the most dramatic professional diagnosis I have ever seen...In summary, this device needs component transplant to live. 😀

[@Devilboy-6666]

Awesome video really enjoyed this one Steve. Let us know how you get on with steam deck maybe do a review on it ...

[@mrhomer57]

The shielding is more or less to prevent interference of the wifi signal. Valve due to running out of space sandwiched the nvme ssd and the wifi card in the same place. Kinda shocked that the last person to tear it open and damaged the speaker didn't bungle up the wifi too as they are quite fragile.

[@phillypheeling]

Steve I love your videos, I don't mind when you sing, your music is the best part lol