Unconfirmed reports that the Dell Axim X50 and X51 (including the v models) cradles can fry computer motherboards have been floating around for a long time. Apparently, all cradle versions (A00, A01 and the current A02) can exhibit this issue. Werner Ruotsalainen (also known as Menneisyys), a Microsoft MVP, has posted an excellent summary of the issue and the results of his own investigation.
Although he was not able to reproduce the problem, he provides 3 steps that you can follow to ensure that you don’t experience the problem:
- plug in the AC charger in the cradle
- put the Axim onto the cradle
- connect & disconnect USB cradle to/from PC as desired
Thanks, Menneisyys!