Recently purchased a Blu Dash Jr running Android 2.3.5, Hardware version 1.1.0, Kernel 2.6.35.7, software version BLU-D140-V14-GENERIC 18-02-2014 10:02:10

I had no trouble originally connecting this to my desktop running a couple different versions of Linux and transferring files to and from mthe SD card via the usb cable. I could be charging the Android's battery at the same time.

In the last couple weeks, however, i can still charge the battery using the desktop's usb port, but the Android no longer recognizes the usb connection for purposes of data transfer. This happened spontaneously while i had set the Android to 'USB storage' and had the SD card mounted as drive sdc on my desktop system. I successfully transferred several file, but at one point, the desktop could no longer find the sdc mount, and the Android no longer recognized the usb connection.

Is this a hardware problem or an anomaly in the Android's system? It doesn't appear to be a problem with the cable itself, since i can still charge the phone using the cable. Nor does it appear to be a problem in the desktop, since i have the same problem using a public computer running Windows. How can i test and remedy this?

By the way, i am definitely an Android newbie.

if it's definitely the same hard- and software on both ends before and after the change...

have you rebooted your phone? if not, do it with the cable DISconnected.

also try pressing the menu button whilst inside the appropriate setting dialog.

fwiw, i had similar issues but they happened only when change between different android/cyanogenmod versions.

also, you cannot use the tethering of the internet connection and at the same time transfer data.

On debian wheezy Gnome3 I could use my phone as Mass Storage Device but in Jessie Xfce I have to set as MTP to access.

Yes, i repeatedly rebooted my phone, to no avail. Also tried entering and exiting airplane mode; no luck. Hitting the menu button does nothing.

I only use the USB storage option. To be honest, i don't even know what USB tethering is for. I mention tethering because they seem to be related functions and neither one is available when the Android fails to recognize that the usb cable is connected.

Since i posted my question, i have twice been able to set usb storage and transfer files, without doing anything differently. But then later it reverts to not recognizing the usb connection. Which makes it sound like a hardware (sd card?) issue. (???)

Tetherin is an option to use your phone as a router for your pc. Alo try changing usb cord.

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did you do that?

tethering makes your phones internet connection available through the usb cable.
it has nothing to do with data transfer.
you should review your problem with this in mind.

if it still doesn't work:
you have to know your android version, because there are significant differences in how they show themselves as storage devices (mtp being one)
you have to know what operating system you are using, and if it has support installed for whatever you need for your particular android version.

edit: oops, i just noticed in post #1 you already said that you are running
Android 2.3.5, Hardware version 1.1.0, Kernel 2.6.35.7.
these older versions have no problems showing up as simple usb storage devices, afaik.

Unfortunately, the micro-usb sockets are surface mount, and only as strong at the glue holding the tiny tracks they are soldered to. I would suspect a mechanical fault - broken track o9r loose joints at the usb. I have that myself on my tablet. Learn to live without it.

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Upon using the usb cable to charge a different cell phone, i noted that the phone intermittently reported the cable as unplugged, and then almost immediately as reconnected, on & off until the phone's battery was finally recharged. This intermittent disconnect explained how the Android was able to be charged via the usb cable but that the data connection would periodically unmount on both ends, rendering further data transfer impossible.

Solution: Bought a new usb cable, and no longer have the problem.

Congrats glad you got it working.

Funny you say that, dogpatch.

After diagnosing my own tablet so definitely, it seems my cable is awol also. I found that out trying to do a file transfer the other day. It's difficult to do much with molded plugs on the leads.

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That is the exact reason that I'm glad that they make the usb cable seperable from the charger. It's cheaper to get the usb cable alone rather than the whole unit with charger.

It's really a helpful post. I need to know about it. Thanks Mr. Dogpatch.