Steam Deck Forensic Technical Intake: Steam Deck (LCD/OLED) Service Protocol: Valve Deck Architecture & Mobile PMIC Validation 1. Primary Fault Classification Fault Group (A-Z) — Select Group — Battery & PMIC (Calibration / BMS Lockout / USB-C) Input Actuators (Trackpads / L1-R1 Fatigue / Stick Drift) Display Subsystem (Mura Effect / Dead Pixels / Touch Grid) Logic Board (APU Hang / BIOS Bricked / WiFi-BT) Storage (NVMe Handshake Failure / SD Card Speed) Thermal (Exhaust Fan / Liquid Metal / Delta Fan Noise) Specific Fault — Select Group First — Forensic Symptom Detail: 2. Power Management & BMS Lockout Forensic Protocol: The Steam Deck uses a sophisticated Battery Management System (BMS). If the battery is drained to 0% and left, it may enter a “Shipping Mode” or “BMS Lockout.” We check if the unit charges at the full 45W via USB-C PD or if it is stuck in 5V “trickle” mode due to a modular charging IC failure. Charging Profile Normal 45W Charging Slow Charging (Warning Message Displayed) LED glows but battery % doesn’t increase No LED / No Power Handshake 3. Precision Input & Haptic Forensics Forensic Insight: The L1 and R1 buttons on the Steam Deck are mounted on secondary daughterboards. A drop on the corner often shears the tactile switch off the PCB. We also analyze Trackpad Haptics; if one feels “mushy,” the modular LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator) has likely suffered a lead-wire fracture. Actuator Status (A-Z) Inputs Responding Normally L1 or R1 non-responsive (Tactile Failure) Analog Stick Drift / Calibration Error Trackpad Haptics dead or uneven 4. Software Handshake & BIOS State Forensic Note: Because the Steam Deck is an open PC, users often attempt **BIOS undervolting** or **Overclocking**. If the unit is stuck in a “Boot Loop,” we must verify if the SPI Flash is corrupted or if the modular SSD has suffered a controller crash. Boot Behavior Boots to SteamOS Stuck on Steam Logo Boots only to EFI Shell / BIOS Menu Fans spin, backlight on, but black screen 5. Modular History & DIY Upgrades Has the SSD or Shell been modified? Stock / Original Factory Configuration Modified (SSD Upgrade / Shell Swap / Repaste) List specific mods (e.g. ‘Upgraded to 2TB 2230 NVMe’): 6. Steam Deck Packaging Mandate SHIPPING REQUIREMENT: The Steam Deck’s screen is susceptible to Internal Pressure Cracks if the sticks are pressed during shipping. You MUST ship the unit inside its original Valve hardshell case. Place the cased unit inside a shipping box with at least 2 inches of padding on all sides. Is the unit in its hardshell case? Yes, secured in original case No (Requires extra stick shielding)