This week, my Wacom Intuos Pro tablet stopped working. For the past month or so, I noticed when I connected it to my computer, its lights flickered a bit and it had trouble with connectivity (it wouldn't recognize my pen on screen). If I jiggled the USB port on the tablet side (pictured above), it usually was able to connect. But the problem grew more and more until Tuesday when I was working on art at Carmine Street Comics, it died completely.
I knew the problem was with the wobbly port on the tablet side (not my computer's USB port), and figured I may be able to do a work-around fix-it of connecting wirelessly. The Intuos Pro Wacom has this feature. However, upon watching a video on how to set up the wireless option, I learned you have to charge the battery with the cord VIA THE USB PORT. It wasn't completely wireless! I had to get the port fixed even if I wanted to go wireless. Luckily it was still under warranty! I'd gotten it last year around Christmas time.
Immediately, I looked up the Wacom warranty info online, called Best Buy, and after awhile on the phone they located my receipt in their database. They said to come in to the store and they could replace the tablet. I had to go to 2 Best Buys and stand in multiple Customer Service lines multiple times, but luckily they were able to trade in my old Wacom with cord for a new one.
But I asked them how to avoid this same problem happening in the future? I had that tablet for only 10 months before it konked out on me, and it cost about $300. I also have seen that this port failure is a common problem from reviews online. The Best Buy rep said something about contacting the Wacom company directly. I think a better option would be for me to set up the wireless option so I use the cord less, thus prolonging the port life. I use the tablet a lot, but not excessively, and for this problem to happen so soon concerns me. Maybe the cord moved around more because I'm left-handed?
I was able to set up the wireless option and the tablet has worked like a charm today. Above shows the wireless connection - you still have to have this tiny square plugged in to the USB port on your computer in order for the tablet to connect without a cord. This thing is so tiny that I'm worried it'll get lost somewhere. I'm always plugging and unplugging various devices into my USB ports - printer, scanner, external hard drive, thumb drive, etc. It's only a matter of time before this tiny thing gets lost.... I wish it had some loop on it like a key ring or something. I'm sure others have lost it too. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Maybe I can get another one online if I need to? But the main thing now is thank God my Wacom works again and THANK GOD this problem did NOT happen in the middle of an intense coloring project, one of which I'm expecting soon.
