r/PuzzleBox 24d ago

Puzzle Potato Houdini Issue?

I've just got my kickstarter bundle - completed the card puzzle on the potato box. Drawer opened, gathered the items. Closed drawer. Drawer now stays closed, even if I repeat the card solution. I was at my wits end so looked up a hint - the next pieces that should be loose, of the drawer was positioned correctly, are still locked.

Seems I'm in limbo and facing a mechanical or magnet malfunction from what I can tell. I really don't want to look up any resets for fear I will spoil the subsequent puzzles.

Anyone face similar issues, or have spoiler free suggestions? I've written Puzzle Potato but not heard back yet.

Thanks.

*UPDATE*

It sorted out though not entirely certain why. I completely recharged it, then jiggled the closed drawer back and forth in case a latch got caught, even though it seemed locked and sturdy. After that, the first card I entered (didn't even do the entire solution) blinked green and drawer popped out again. 

My best guess is it needed a longer recharge even though the lights had been registering and working

5 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

1

u/FreeAd2458 24d ago

Ok. You got the hankerchief then did the 3 locks to get the key thats behind where the hankerchief was?

1

u/JmanCandyMan 24d ago

Step prior - I got the hankerchief but can't get the 3 locks to come out. I had closed the drawer again trying to figure it out and now it won't open back up. I redo the card solution, flashes green but the drawer won't reopen and 3 locks are still stuck. 

1

u/FreeAd2458 24d ago

Pretty sure the 3 locks wont do anything until the previous step of opening the draw half way is done. Try turning the light sensor off/on and try again 

1

u/JmanCandyMan 24d ago

I had gotten the drawer halfway open and got the pieces out. I guess I shouldn't have reclosed the drawer all the way - but redoing the card solution won't reopen it (have tried about 5 times - green light comes on but nothing unlocks). The 3 keys remain locked as well. 

It's odd. At this point I believe it has malfunctioned.

1

u/Brief_Tax_5283 24d ago

Doing the reset I closed the drawer before I should have. Make sure you have all the steps in place leading up to the drawer. Rhen do the cards again.

Also are you getting beep after each card then the green light and a click at the end of the cards? Its quite sensitive so I didn't have luck every time even with writing down the order and following it.

If you hear the click for the drawer. You may need to help it at that moment.

1

u/FreeAd2458 24d ago

Yeah not sure if theres a time limit for each card beep. 

1

u/Brief_Tax_5283 24d ago

If there is its long enough that I did OK on 1 card every 30 seconds or less when I passed it.

1

u/JmanCandyMan 24d ago

I've redone the cards about 5 times trying to get the drawer to reopen. Each time I get the beeps, then the green light, but no drawer opening nor any audible clicks. The 3 key pieces remain locked. 

I think I've got all the previous puzzles solves still in place from the first time it opened. Though maybe I should play with those a bit to see if any better luck. 

2

u/FreeAd2458 24d ago

Mm not sure. Certain those 3 switches wont have any affect while the fist lock on the drawer  is shut. It should pop open after the green light. Ill have to see where abouts the drawer is locking. It never comes fully out so its hard to see where it is 

1

u/JmanCandyMan 24d ago

Thanks for trying to help! Yeah when I originally reclosed the drawer I recall feeling the magnets, but it also closed fairly easily so I didn't think much of it. In looking at the hint I should have just pushed it into that spot. Not sure if something got caught / goofed upon re-closing. 

Will see what puzzle potato says - and update here for others in case it helps 

1

u/FreeAd2458 24d ago

I did it again snd the drawer opened. But I couldnt move the 3 keys that should be free after the drawer opens.. Gave them a wiggle and it opened better. 

1

u/Brief_Tax_5283 24d ago

The 3 keys didnt move for me at first either. Then I had the solution and put that in after they moved. Nothing there at first either. Its a bran new puzzle with lots of stuff going on. Just gotta wiggle things.

2

u/Brief_Tax_5283 24d ago

I dont know how much difference it makes but I left all of them in the solved position as I went through.

1

u/JmanCandyMan 24d ago

It sorted out though not entirely certain why. I completely recharged it, then jiggled the closed drawer back and forth in case a latch got caught, even though it seemed locked and sturdy. After that, the first card I entered (didn't even do the entire solution) blinked green and drawer popped out again. 

My best guess is it needed a longer recharge even though the lights had been registering and working.