YIKES! Tablet harsdhips have come to a head.

TLDR at the bottom.

Okay everyone, my tablet (Wacom Cintiq Companion Generation 1) has been dying for a while now but its officially hit a point where I can’t use it productively anymore. It doesn’t seem to be charging very well (takes like 12 hours to fully charge) and dies within 2, though I can’t pinpoint where exactly the problem is. It could be the charging cable, it could be the charging port which is a common problem with this model, it could be the battery or something else or multiple of those problems. Without an extra charging cable I can’t test if that’s the issue, though I’m trying to source one (or find an off brand that is trusted). I can’t check out the port without taking it apart AND having the tools to potentially solder a part to make it work better which I don’t have.

Since we’re in the middle of a pandemic I don’t feel right trying to find a local who can meet with me and potentially help me with the tools/soldering part of it.

While I do have something of a backup (a non-screen intuos 3) it’s only been used for sketches and small stuff in the last many years. Last time I tried to do a full piece with it, the precision compared to my screen tablet was noticeably different so I’m not sure if it will work for finishing things but I'm going to try. I’ve been able to find long enough cables to get it setup on my standing desk with my extra monitor there for the time being so that’s something at least.

I’m not sure what to say in terms of work flow and how this will affect me. As of this moment, digital work is at a stand still until I can test my backup, fix my primary, or buy something new. A new tablet PC is out of the question at the moment financially but perhaps a cheaper pen display will be a good alternative for now, I’m not entirely sure. Researching and testing takes time I don’t have but I’ve not got much of a choice. Computers dying is part of life and I just wasn’t prepared. I’m still going to use the tablet PC when it has enough charge to do so, but it’s piddly so I’ve gotta find alternatives. (I’ve backed up everything, which wasn’t much because I didn’t really keep anything on the tablet so that’s fine.)

My anxiety is through the roof over this so please bear with me while I try to figure this out. XD I may be a little quieter while I do so (or i might do that anxious never stop talking thing, i don't know.) I’ll update you all on if Patreon will be paused closer to the end of the month, and if I open up for traditional stuff in the mean time to pay bills and save for another tablet. Thanks for your understanding. Some other details in the TLDR below.

TLDR:
►Tablet PC is dying hard.
►Going to try a backup old USB tablet on my desktop but it may only be good for sketching/simple things. Testing.
►Work is at a stand still while I research and try to figure this out. I’m not sure how long.
I may be a little quieter while I try to figure this out.
►I may open up for traditional coms in the mean time to pay bills and save for another tablet. Stay tuned.
►August 14th's patreon request stream is STILL A GO. I'm going to use it as further testing of my backup tablet setup and will only be doing sketches likely? (I have to reinstall my brushes and update OBS settings on my desktop computer but it should still be fine.)
►If you want to help in some way, I’ve got shops open with merch, prints, and digital goodies!
Physical merch direct from me: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildElementStudios
Physical merch/apparel: https://www.teepublic.com/user/temrin https://temrin.redbubble.com/
Digital goodies: SFW - https://payhip.com/temrin SFW&NSFW - https://gumroad.com/temrin