Database Users

"illegal firmware"

Ok, need a bit of help to know how much repairs will cost...
My phone got sent back 3 weeks ago to HTC via Carphone warehouse to have screen replaced as it had the known issue with the "oil" effect and the screen not responding
Upon it being sent back, HTC have now held my phone, waiting responce off myself saying that "illegal firmware" is present on the phone and it will require a motherboard replacement and has had the warrant fully voided.
I dreaded this senario as I thought this could be the case, as I had one of Duttys firmwares install but couldn't revert back before I sent it due to the broken screen.
Anyone got any idea of cost? or ways of working around this issue and getting the to think it still is warranty covered?
I am so gutted and upset, really can't afford a new screen and motherboard ! Im guessing it will be costly?
Aside from this do you feel HTC have grounds to be able to refuse to fix a hardware issue and say it needs a new motherboard to correct the "illegal firmware" before they will ever consider looking at the damaged screen?
Anyone have any ideas of info? It's a real shame HTC have this attitude, it's just putting further limits on allowing there device to be used to full potential

Moved out of development

My two cents (altho I'm no expert)
Maybe you could get angry with HTC - explaining this is a hardware fault, not a software one, (although I've heard they don't accept that)
Or you could probably reinstall stock ROM, just by working out the key presses (e.g. hard reset, that run USPL, then run firmware upgrade)
But now they know you've used Dutty, they might still quibble.
But it's not right they refuse a hardware problem because of a a software change, as they're not related, and I remember someone else on this forum playing hardball and saying they were going to get their lawyer involved, you could threaten that?

smeddy said:
My two cents (altho I'm no expert)
Maybe you could get angry with HTC - explaining this is a hardware fault, not a software one, (although I've heard they don't accept that)
Or you could probably reinstall stock ROM, just by working out the key presses (e.g. hard reset, that run USPL, then run firmware upgrade)
But now they know you've used Dutty, they might still quibble.
But it's not right they refuse a hardware problem because of a a software change, as they're not related, and I remember someone else on this forum playing hardball and saying they were going to get their lawyer involved, you could threaten that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's took them to the 28th day to respond with this message about it being "illegal software" after another 8 day it took carphone warehouse to send it to HTC repairs... So it's already been over a month since I last had my phone... Im just worried that if I hold out and argue, it's going to add another month onto the wait, and then my phone will have been gone for such a long time.
I might just ask them how much do they think the repairs cost for the Motherboard, but then I envisage them saying along with motherboard, they will want cost for a new screen too !!

My edvice is to take your HD back and gave to any phone repair shop , they are able to replace screen, as for software ,once you have screen fixed you'll be able to flash again and use it , new screen don't need any software to run . I know that as fact because I work in phone repair shop .This is cheapest solution for u because HTC will definately charge you for foulty screen plus motherboard , and that will cost you almost the same as buying new HD.Sorry for bad English.

if you can get it back and cant work out the keys download mymobiler, It auto installs to ppc when connected

As mentioned, get it back and have it done locally...you don't have time for HTC's games!

As already stated by a few people, your best advice is to ask for it back and get a screen replacement locally. Also, for them to say its needs a new motherboard seems a bit 'over the top' as well!

Does HTC have a centralised device blacklisting?
If not he can get it back and flash factory ROM and give it in a different service centre.
BTW HD screen is toooo delicate, a guy who broke it with pressure against his chest wall in a crowded train, got it replaced, don't know costs but they flashed factory ROM for him and warned him that illegal ROMs not only voids warranty but they may refuse to service the device.
BTW replacing motherboard for ROM flashing is too harsh a punishment IMHO.

Phone is in your hands now and does phone power on normally ? If it is , just flash back stock SPL and ROM via PC. After that send again to htc repair centre (send it by some friend, not you)

UPDATE
Spoke to Carphone warehouse, who further read me the message HTC sent them, then realised that HTC contact them over 21 days ago about this responce, but nobody updated me.
They then transferred me back to my local store, saying they have no idea where to go next.
Who then passed me onto a contact directly at Carphone Warehouse repairs centre near me.
Spoke to a guy there who was very helpful.
He got HTC on the phone, who were argueing about the Firmware. Refusing to do any further work, untill screen is replaced.
Now HTC are awaiting my phone call, they have given me my IMEI number and said I can contact them to try and disscuss this further.
Fingers crossed.

This makes me a bit hesitant about installing new rom on my brand new Touch HD.

I am so lucky that I live in Germany...
No such problems... in the first six month, THE SHOP where you bought it HAS TO PROOVE that the cooked ROM is really responsible for the hardware failure.
After that you still have another one-and-a-half years where you can easily proove that a simple ROM isn't able to kill the display in this manner.
If this was my case in my country, I would have set them a deadline to repair, bought a new phone and sued them for compensation.
Can't believe your case... but if you are really depending on the manufacturers guarantee, then... good luck!!! Don't you have any warranty claims (in USA?) against Carphone Warehouse as seller itself?

hey make sure you get the screen sorted them downgrade, HTC want to charge me 151 for a new motherboard

Replacment LCD screen

Okay, just purchased my first Snap (s521 - purchased off eBay, quite sure it's an Asian version) a couple of weeks ago and been thoroughly happy with it. Haven't taken the plunge to HardSPL it and put on a cooked ROM (just concerned I suppose - shouldn't be though, I know). Yesterday with all the excitement of boxing day, managed to crack the LCD screen, and now can only see half the screen (the other half is white with a couple of really nice ink marks - would probably look like a butterfly if I looked hard enough.....lol ).
Been searching real hard on the internet, and can't seem to find a replacement for it any where. I'm from Australia, and only 1 carrier has the right's to the Snap here at the moment, therefore general repair shops don't seem to want to know about it.
Can anyone recommend a place to purchase a new screen? Any and all help greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Chris.

Hi
Im still looking for a replacement screen for one of ours as well. The only place in AU i can find is www.fonebiz.com.au
They quoted me $135 to install a replacement screen. They won't sell the screens seperatley though.
Hopefully it helps.
Matt

Thanx for that Matt.
I sent an email off to them this weekend, and I was waiting for a reply. They are supposedly the only authorised HTC repair centre in Australia, but I've read many bad reports about them in other forums. But I suppose $135 is far better then several $100's to get a new one. Fonebiz pretty much has the market to themselves in Australia until HTC allows other businesses to sell the Snap (once the contract with Telstra ends). If I come up with anything, I'll let you know as well.
I'm just surprised that I can't seem to find any for sale any where in the world. Not on eBay, through various stores in other countries - it's almost like we have a very specialised phone, with very little after sales / parts need.

Yep i would have thought it would have been easier to get a screen from the US or HK but no luck.
Ive had nothing but issues with fonebiz in trying to get phones replaced that are dropping reception and freezing. Hopefully you get through ok, they were quick to reply to my emails during business hours so you may need to wait till tomorrow for a response.

go to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=405566
and
http://cnn.cn

Another reff
http://www.mikechannon.net/page4.html
http://www.jetcitydevices.com/htc-snap/screen-repair

Thanx Harunjo,
After many calls and email to the Australian HTC help line, and then later to the SEA help line, I find out that my phone's serial number shows that the phone was destined for sale in Indonesia. No repair shop in Australia can source the screen except for the official repair centre, which refuses to touch the phone as it was purchased from overseas. Therefore I had 2 choices;
1. Send it to Indonesia to get fixed - Couldn't do as the phone number is not connected.
2. Go through one of the Global Repair Centres.
After contacting Honk Kong, UK, and trying to contact US (really bad time difference with Australia), I decided to follow through with the email contacts with SEA help, and just sent the phone off to Singapore today. Hopefully I will get it back within a few weeks.
One thing I'll say is that every person I spoke to at HTC were more then willing to do everything they could to help me, I just suppose it has everything to do with the whole repair / exclusivity / contract deal with Telstra in Australia - plus a fairly arrogant phone repair company that thinks they are so extremely fantastic that they decide how things work - wish I had a business that was so profitable that I could turn fully paying customers away on a whim (just ranting, couldn't believe how hard it was to try and get this phone fixed - seam to get a lot of bad press through forums does this repair business).
Anyways, as much as the whole experience may have turned me off HTC phones (as this is my first), I like them so much already, that I'll stick with them, just make sure the next phone I get is from Australia or has been out in Australia for a while and has full repair support.

VERY Impressed with HTC USA!

2 weeks ago to the day, I accidentally dropped my HD2. Nothing major.. I was actually sitting down when it happened, and the phone bumped my ankle then gently bumped the floor.. no big deal right? (It has a hard shell protector). Well, then as the phone flipped over, it bumped the edge of a table leg and damn! Four hairline cracks on the digitizer. And no more functionality though the LCD was fine and the phone was working but locked with no way to unlock it.
So, I weigh out the cost of repair vs. replacing it all together. Ultimately, it was cheaper to repair the screen.
Here is what blew my mind! Keep in mind that I am in Canada, I purchased the phone (T-Mobile Branded) on the 'net, it's unlocked, tweaked, and therefore there is no warranty.
So, on 04/01/2011, I contact HTC USA. To my surprise I actually get an American on the phone not some call center in a third world country. Wow! The person totally has their act together and in less than 10 minutes, I have a quote for the repair. Wow again! The rep explained everything in detail along with the mandatory disclaimers and while they were finishing up that, I'm receiving an email with all the necessary details and an RMA and Case number and shipping instructions. Wow yet again!
04/02/2011, I send the phone to the repair center in Texas. By 04/05/2011 at 10:50pm the phone has arrived at the repair center. The next morning, I get a call from HTC confirming the damage (which I knew), and they simply want a yes or no to go ahead with the repairs or not. By the afternoon, I have a FedEx tracking number, the phone is fixed and it's on its way back to me in Canada. Wow one more time!
04/11/2011 FedEx is at my door with my phone and HTC picked up the return shipping. Well.. you guessed it! Wow!
I am reconfiguring the phone back to the way I had it prior to sending it as I write this. It had been hard reset to factory spec which if fine and to be expected since they likely run various diag after repair.
So, for $120.00 + $25.00 Shipping, my phone is working again!
There's a case study for keeping our companies and their support centers on North American soil. There are dozens of companies I could list that should be taking notes. 8)

Nice to see a positive post like this. glad you got you HD2 repaired and are now back to modding it.

The whole repair process was nine days including weekends which I think is darn good!
That said, I was without the phone/device for 2 weeks. Talk about withdrawals! LOL!
Amazing how reliant we become on these devices. I use it to manage my daily activities for 3 businesses, 1 job, and my personal life/activities. I was on the verge of anxiety at times! Hehehehe!
At least I had my trusty HTC 8125 as backup and while it cannot connect to my cellular provider's network for phone/text/data, at least I had my calendars, tasks, notes, and contacts but I'll tell ya, talk about feeling tethered to a land line and out of the loop.
Yep, it just got HardSPL 4, my preferred radio flash, BsB, Total Commander, and a few other goodies back on and is now syncing with my Desktop and Exchange. d'-'
T-Macgnolia said:
Nice to see a positive post like this. glad you got you HD2 repaired and are now back to modding it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It was not a bad price if it was a year ago, but I just picked up another near mint condition one for $150 with everything included off criaglist.
Sent from HTC HD2 with Android

Yeah, fair enough however, in Canada, the phone is not even available therefore my options were a bit more limited to purchase a new phone through a system where there is a little more security in knowing that if it turns out to be a bad deal, the purchase it covered. i.e. Buyer Protection from eBay or anything like that.
It's not like you can hop on a local Craigslist up here and find them readily.
So, the replacement cost for a whole phone was much higher, and the repair was the way to go.
coldest~~~ said:
It was not a bad price if it was a year ago, but I just picked up another near mint condition one for $150 with everything included off criaglist.
Sent from HTC HD2 with Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You're a lucky guy.
I've had less good experiences in the Benelux here.
I called in mine for a screen and gps issue that is warranty issue since I run the official image on this HD2.
They didn't pickup the device twice as promised which drove me up the wall since I had my colleague involved and had to change several appointments with my clients for.
After I complained I got called by a customer care guy and was promised my device would be fixed one week after the pickup.
Called them this afternoon since we are one week further and my device was waiting for 2 parts but they didn't know which.
I wonder how many parts can break in the HD2 that direct to the fault. Guessing the main board and an LCD screen?
Well according to the customer service I will have to wait for the parts to come in.
I am so disappointed in the service and hole customer care after having a touch, touch pro, touch hd etc.
The touch pro which costed me over 500 Euro ended up in the trash after 3 failed repairs and numerous errors which where caused by the repair center. Sending it back to another address and name was only the tip of the iceberg.
Looking around for a dedicated Android device the LG optimus 2x looks good since it has a 24hour swap warranty.

Sorry to hear bro!
Heck, they even confirmed parts availability while on the initial call just prior to setting up the RMA. Maybe I just lucked out.
I work in the IT field and deal with all kinds of this stuff all the time and it has been years since I encountered this type of competence and efficiency. Don't know what else to say.
Have you checked out the Motorola Atrix?
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...d-Services/Mobile-Phones/Motorola-ATRIX-US-EN
This thing looks cool! Watched several segments on it during the CES show back in February. My only question or disappointment was in all the promo vids from the CES they were touting Android 3 Honeycomb however at the Motorola site its tech specs list Android 2.2.
Good luck in your search!
lukesan said:
You're a lucky guy.
I've had less good experiences in the Benelux here.
I called in mine for a screen and gps issue that is warranty issue since I run the official image on this HD2.
They didn't pickup the device twice as promised which drove me up the wall since I had my colleague involved and had to change several appointments with my clients for.
After I complained I got called by a customer care guy and was promised my device would be fixed one week after the pickup.
Called them this afternoon since we are one week further and my device was waiting for 2 parts but they didn't know which.
I wonder how many parts can break in the HD2 that direct to the fault. Guessing the main board and an LCD screen?
Well according to the customer service I will have to wait for the parts to come in.
I am so disappointed in the service and hole customer care after having a touch, touch pro, touch hd etc.
The touch pro which costed me over 500 Euro ended up in the trash after 3 failed repairs and numerous errors which where caused by the repair center. Sending it back to another address and name was only the tip of the iceberg.
Looking around for a dedicated Android device the LG optimus 2x looks good since it has a 24hour swap warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

thx for the headsup JayG!
Well lets say that I do the same work as you and do escallations and process realignments. If I could have a go in this whole thing .....
The Motorola looks interesting but try to find one in Europe.

I very agree with your assessment of HTC. My story is one better. I had bought my phone (HTC ELFIN P3452 TOUCH) in India. It had some battery charging issues and when on a whim I finally contacted HTC US, the lady told me that the warranty on the phone had expired 5 days back. I politely requested her if there is something she could do. She came back a few minutes later and told me she will take the phone as under warranty, but she will have to get back to me after figuring out where I should be sending the phone for repair as they figured HTC touch is not serviced anymore. I did not get a call back for 10 days and then I called back and explained my situation again and the previous call to a totally different lady. She gave me an RMA and asked me to ship to their TX facility. I got the phone back with brand new board in a week. But then I noticed a crack in the body. Since now the phone was under a 90 day warranty, I called back and explained the situation. They gave another RMA and so I sent it back. another week later, I get the phone back and it was brand new everything including the LCD and the phone. New IMEI.
HTC is top notch. So my current phone is HD2 and backup phone is Touch.

screen / keyboard problem

I have had my HTC Wildfire for approximately 5 months and never had any problems with it until now.
The keyboard calibration has suddenly changed to the point where I cannot select the item on the screen I am trying to click. It seems to be about one centimeter adrift, but even moving past where I want to click it just will not select what I want eg. in k9 mail I cannot select the email I want only the one below it and when using market place to update an application I click "Update" yet the action it takes is "Uninstall" (directly beneath) It actually isn't possible to update any of my apps now as "Update" cannot be selected.
I've logged a ticket with HTC as it maybe a hardware fault. My phone is rooted and running a custom 2.2 ROM. If it turns out to be a hardware fault and I get the go ahead to take to an HTC repair shop am I going to be told I have no warranty as the device is rooted running a non official ROM ?

It does indeed look like a hardware issue (With your digitizer). Anyhow, just try reinstalling a ROM with a full wipe (Probably a stock ROM) to confirm it.
When giving in your phone, just install a RUU and then give it. They won't be able to make out if it was rooted or not, and, when giving it, specifically say to them to not touch the software else you will be get an official 2.2.1 updated phone.

Thanks for your response. Yes it definitely is a hardware problem, the un-clickable items can be clicked no problem in landscape mode. Basically the first inch down from top to bottom is dead. I already tried previous ROMS and they all exhibit the same behavior.
By RUU you mean return it to original stock ROM ? Presumably I'll have to unroot it also ?
What are HTC like to deal with when it comes to warranty ?? I got my device from T-Mobile free in the UK with 18 month contract tie in -- but currently reside in Thailand. Are HTC likely to ask me to send my device back to T mobile in the UK or just repair it at a local HTC repair centre here? If the former I'm going to be without the device for 3 weeks or so -- worse still they may send me brand new unit which is neutered and non-rootable (yet).

Flashing an RUU will automatically remove root. So, if you flash an Eclair RUU, you will get an Unrooted Phone with HBoot 0.80x but if you flash a Froyo RUU, you will get the unrootable HBoot 1.01x. RUUs can be found here:
http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=windows%20mobile&model=Buzz
The conditions of the repair centres depends on place to place. Whereas in some places, they are pretty helpful and work as per your preferences, some places are extremely particular and over-organized. In your case, I *think* the local HTC Service centre will not repair your device under warranty, since it is from T-Mob. But, if you pay for it, they probably may. Again, what I said above is just my presumption. If you are lucky, they may repair your device for free under warranty.
Good Luck

droidafx said:
I have had my HTC Wildfire for approximately 5 months and never had any problems with it until now.
The keyboard calibration has suddenly changed to the point where I cannot select the item on the screen I am trying to click. It seems to be about one centimeter adrift, but even moving past where I want to click it just will not select what I want eg. in k9 mail I cannot select the email I want only the one below it and when using market place to update an application I click "Update" yet the action it takes is "Uninstall" (directly beneath) It actually isn't possible to update any of my apps now as "Update" cannot be selected.
I've logged a ticket with HTC as it maybe a hardware fault. My phone is rooted and running a custom 2.2 ROM. If it turns out to be a hardware fault and I get the go ahead to take to an HTC repair shop am I going to be told I have no warranty as the device is rooted running a non official ROM ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first flash an eclair RUU of ur region. in 99% cases it will be successfully unrooted. even it shows errors, u can use the PC49IMG.ZIP process to unroot.
remember while unrooting with both the above processes, the HBOOT should not be downgraded.
if u make some version changing processes and try to downgrade HBOOT, then ur phone will have issues like touch screen problem, and etc. here the hboot may get downgraded with phone errors.
and if u dont make any version changing processes and try to downgrade the HBOOT, it just shows an error like it cannot be downgraded, without showing any phone issues.
so, do it correctly and u will finally get an unrooted device. now it will have warranty. if the problem persists, give it to a service center.
i expect the problem solves after unrooting.

Thank you for all the helpful responses. It is a hardware problem for sure, the phone is now useless, the keyboard has a mind of its own and the top inch of the screen is dead. I'm now back using my Nokia.
Just to give an update on the service provided by "HTC Global Warranty".... ermm... it appears not to exist.
The support guy on the web ticket did his damnedest to get rid of the call anyway he could or make it someone else's responsibility after I'd went through the various resetting methods he suggested. He acknowledged it sounds like a hardware problem. He then suggested I send back to the UK (I'm in Bangkok) where the fix times is 10 days -- so with shipping time I'd be looking at a one month minimum. Or try another support number to help fix it or send it back to T mobile to see what they can do.
I asked about using a local repair centre -- no you can't because you bought from T mobile. I told him 99% of phones sold in the UK are provided by networks and that T mobile didn't manufacturer the device and purporting to have a "Global Warranty Service" given what he was offering is disingenuous or possibly illegal under trades and descriptions act . I requested to make a formal complaint and speak to a supervisor. I heard back as below -- hopefully they can make good on below promise.
-------------------------------------------
I would first like to say how I am sorry for the service which you have received from HTC, and thank you for bringing this to our attention. We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and the service we provide and it is a disappointment to hear that in this instance we have failed you. I would like the opportunity to resolve your issue and hope that this does not deter your from using us in the future.
I understand that you are currently experiencing difficulties with global warranty process to repair your mobile device and you requested a call back from a manager.
I believe that the reason for this is because you have an exclusive product from T-mobile UK network and you live outside of Europe.
In order to rectify this I would like you to request the following:
Can I please ask for a telephone number and a time of which would be possible to call you during the day, that best suites you. Bare in mind of the time zone difference as we only work from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (London time).
I will then pass this information onto the Care Team Manager for them to contact you back.
I hope that this information meets with your requirements. I will wait for your next communication.

3xeno said:
Flashing an RUU will automatically remove root. So, if you flash an Eclair RUU, you will get an Unrooted Phone with HBoot 0.80x but if you flash a Froyo RUU, you will get the unrootable HBoot 1.01x. RUUs can be found here:
http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=windows%20mobile&model=Buzz
The conditions of the repair centres depends on place to place. Whereas in some places, they are pretty helpful and work as per your preferences, some places are extremely particular and over-organized. In your case, I *think* the local HTC Service centre will not repair your device under warranty, since it is from T-Mob. But, if you pay for it, they probably may. Again, what I said above is just my presumption. If you are lucky, they may repair your device for free under warranty.
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It never came with Froyo -- it had 2.1 initially. I don't suppose it will matter if I put 2.2 on it now as long as it is an official ROM (I could well have done an over the air update).
After I rooted the device initially I backed up the 2.1 ROM first -- reverting back to this had no effect on the problem so I don't suppose un-rooting it is going to achieve anything as either ROM in little over four months never exhibited this behavior until now. But obviously an official ROM is necessary prior to it going in for repair (whatever form that takes).

I cannot load a stock ROM -- I chose the TMO UK one from suggested link and get below errors:
Prior to error it says I have version:
2.34.75.1
and proposes to replace with below but fails.
1.14.110.1
-----------
Error [140]: BOOTLOADER VERSION ERROR
The ROM Update Utility cannot update your Android phone.
Please get the correct ROM Update Utility and try again.
Any ideas ?

Read about a bit, and, it seems downgrading is not allowed. (2.37 -> 1.14).
Try this procedure out:
http://lukasz.szmit.eu/2010/04/extracting-rom-files-from-htc-android.html

3xeno said:
Read about a bit, and, it seems downgrading is not allowed. (2.37 -> 1.14).
Try this procedure out:
http://lukasz.szmit.eu/2010/04/extracting-rom-files-from-htc-android.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks 3xeno -- I'll give it a go.
Also if I managed to downgrade back to stock -- will the phone be locked back to T mobile network ? I use a local SIM where I am. I don't suppose it would be too much trouble unlocking it again.
This is so much aggravation -- I'm tempted to just go in and pay an HTC repair store to repair / replace the busted component seeing as HTC global warranty appears to be non existent.
If the "care manager" calls me back and repeats the canned responses already provided by their support desk about my device being a "special T mobile product" and I must send to the UK for repair I intend to cause an enormous stink and warn others that HTC provide "ZERO GLOBAL WARRANTY" (and looking in Google I won't be the first). There is nothing special about the phone form T mobile (or any other network provided phone other than branding) I paid for the phone in full by way of commitment to a 2 year contract and T mobile paid HTC in full for the unit -- that has failed in a little over four months.

It shouldn't. Was the phone locked initially when you got it? If so, how did you get it unlocked?
Also, I tend to agree with you on getting it repaired locally. It seems to be too much of a hassle to get the phone halfway across the globe to replace one component.

It was locked yeah, but I paid for an unlock code online -- maybe it will still work if needed.
I followed your instructions thanks from previous URL, I've got rom.zip and copied to sd card and assumed I'd be able to install the normal way like other ROMS through clockwork but it doesn't work -- toggling unsigned doesn't help either.
Any ideas ?

More reading up. This is one topic which I dont have indepth knowledge about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=766927
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=575448
This should be applicable for the Wildfire as well. The only difference should be that the file should be renamed to pc49diag.zip instead of the code for the Hero as stated in that thread.
Be very careful in this process though. I would rather wait for advice from some senior member here confirm this before you attempt it.

Thanks again. I may as well go ahead and try; I've got nothing to lose -- it is unusable with the top part of the screen not working. If I don't get it back to stock I have no warranty. The choices are a brick or a brick ;-)
I'll probably wait until tomorrow -- there are some phone repair shops around here and I'm told the shop I need to go to carries spare HTC parts. The Thai's are pretty much hands on and if they can diagnose and have the parts they will fix -- that includes the HTC repair centre (as long as I'm paying).
Quite possible I'll be buying a new device tomorrow from HTC directly. But before I do so I'm going to call HTC head office in Taiwan and get it on the record what exactly a "Global Warranty" means in HTC speak. I want to hear it from somebody other than a script reading support monkey in the UK or some retail chap where I am who will speak very limited English. The garbage excuse about "special network phone" should hold no water then if it fails within the warranty period. But I want a name and phone number and confirmation email before I shell out 4 or 500 quid on another potential paper weight.
Over the years I've had global warranty claims no problem from HP & IBM (now Lenovo) the last time being when an SSD drive failed in a laptop bought through a reseller in the UK -- no problem they sent and engineer to my house in Phuket who fitted a new drive within 72 hours of logging the call. It's getting to the point where these devices are more than just phones. They are as capable (almost) as a laptop and in the same price bracket as low to mid range laptops; therefore they should IMO carry the same level of after sales customer support.
I'd be very interested to know of other peoples warranty experiences with HTC. Maybe I'm an imbecile for even considering buying another one. Very frustrating; its been working like a dream right up until a few days ago and has been the best smartphone I've owned by a long way -- but if after sales service has all kinds of conditions attached to it; then buying another one is out of the question.

They probably are not honouring your warranty because you got a subsidized phone from a network operator, which doesn't "really" belong to them. Maybe that is how they handle such cases. Not really sure about it because the concept of contracts by phone service providers is non existent here in India, but, I am pretty confident that if you had got a proper HTC Branded Wildfire, they would definitely have honoured your warranty.

The thing is though just about all phones in the UK are provided by the networks and the subsidy for the most part is essentially bogus. Eg. you couldn't go and get an Iphone 4 for free because you took out a 15 quid month contract -- that would be a subsidized phone. They are 2 years minimum contract and start at £40 per month to get one for free. You have more than paid for the phone -- hardware vendor is paid in full and no doubt the network make a margin on the handset too.
A one month old article: (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-iphone lists the single cheapest monthly contract to get an Iphone 4 from tesco is £25 for a 12 month contract........ as long as you stump up £342. So the math is £40 for two years and the phone is free (give or take a few quid) That is not a subsidy by any definition of the word. Also think of the economies of scale the networks use to leverage better pricing -- 02, Vodafone, T-mobile etc aren't paying no 600 quid a unit like joe shmo has to for an Iphone 4. Corporate buying might when talking 10's / 100's of thousands of units can demand and most of the time get 40 to 50% off the RRP price. Networks & hardware vendors are doing very well whilst spinning this bulls**t line about subsidized phones -- off the back of which enables the likes of HTC to provide no global warranty. If HP, Lenovo, Nokia and many others can use local repair resources so can HTC -- but you know good customer service costs money and if the small print allows them to get away with they're happy to do so.

I did the rename (PC49IMG.ZIP) and placed ROM on root of empty SD card. HBOOT saw it and attempted to instal but it failed with below:
Main Version is older!
Update Fail!
Press <POWER> to reboot.

3xeno said:
They probably are not honouring your warranty because you got a subsidized phone from a network operator, which doesn't "really" belong to them. Maybe that is how they handle such cases. Not really sure about it because the concept of contracts by phone service providers is non existent here in India, but, I am pretty confident that if you had got a proper HTC Branded Wildfire, they would definitely have honoured your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC "Global" Warranty:
DOES NOT EXIST !!!
I'll start a new thread about this also. I heard it from three authorised HTC resellers, and an official HTC store & HTC service centre in Bangkok MBK; all of which I visited today. The country you buy the phone in is the place which honors the warranty.
So in the UK they use the lie -- you bought from a network and not a stock handset direct from HTC; therefore it can only be repaired in the UK.
Then lie number two -- if you buy from us directly you get global warranty and can use local repair in the country you're in; absolute nonsense. If it was true I'd be playing with a brand new desire right now -- instead I have my 4 month old Wildfire to use as a beer mat whilst using my Nokia -- f***ing cheers HTC.

Still not able to get fresh stock T-mob ROM applied. So far I've tried:
1. Applying the stock T-mob ROM via cable and exe. program
2. Applying stock T-mob ROM renamed to PC49IMG.zip
3. Also tried applying an Asia stock HTC ROM via .exe program and cable (above method cannot be used -- this ROM extracts everything to numerous cabinet files and there is no ROM.zip)
All of the above result in errors relating to what's there being newer and failure to apply ROM.
I had a back up of the T-mob eclair ROM it came with which I took before applying custom Froyo ROM; so I reverted back to that and then tried the stock one again to make it vanilla and unrooted (in the hope it may correct faulty top part of screen) it but that didn't work and again complaines about what was there being newer.
It seems once you've gone forward there's no going back -- but that isn't consistent (I can recover using my back-ups back and forth between leaf Froyo ROM and Eclair ROM via nandroid restore.
I also put on a gingerbread Cyanogen mod to see if it would fix screen problem -- it didn't, so now back to T-Mob Eclair. I suppose I can go about unrooting now on the eclair ROM for the purposes of returning handset for warranty -- but I really wanted a flat vanilla stock ROM to see if cures screen problem, (I'm pretty sure it wont and it is a hardware problem).
Anybody got an idea of what else to try ?
thanks

[Q] Dead DZ and HTC Repair in the UK

This afternoon my DZ decided to die. I checked the phone and then 10 minutes later went to ring my wife and... nothing, phone wouldn't respond to the power button. I whipped out the battery and left it out for 2 minutes but still nothing.
I have since tried plugging in the charger and again nothing, not even the orange charging light. Tried leaving the battery out for 1/2 hour and removing the memory and sim cards and even plugging in the charger with the cards and battery removed, but still nothing.
looks like it's serious.
I have had the phone 11 months, I got it from a little shop (well booth really) that was branded as HTC in the local Westfield shopping centre. The little shop has now disappeared. The phone is sim unlocked and not tied to a carrier. When I dug out the receipt it is in the name of a company called Westcoast Mobile. They have a website (www.westcoast.co.uk) but they seem to be a rather diverse company but not one that sells phones to the public.
Consequently I was planning on calling HTC on Monday to see if I can get the phone sent off for repair. Does anyone know if I'm likely to have problems with HTC or will they be happy to help me?
In the mean time I have dug out my trusty HTC Typhoon which is currently synching my email and charging up. Old phone but it does the job and I love the size and shape of it.

HTC warranty is one yr. Should be ok. I bought mine used so I always fixed mine myself. But you bought yours new.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

My suggestion is this:
Try buying a new battery , maybe it will fix the problem
Also if the phone will be recovered , take care of this with buying a new silicon case or something like this. Today my DZ cashed by up to 2M and nothing problem , sceen perfect i got luck.
Also i add if you realy love the phone , and the repair cost is to much , buy one used on ebay like me. I have bought one for 220€ @ 170£ , with 23months of guaranty and it's perfect.
Good luck mate

The Westcoast in your link is a big computer reseller, almost certainly nothing to do with a guy with a mall booth selling mobiles
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.

steviewevie said:
The Westcoast in your link is a big computer reseller, almost certainly nothing to do with a guy with a mall booth selling mobiles
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering whether they had some sort of tie in with HTC as the booth was completely branded as HTC anad they were selling sim free phones on any network.
I got a phone from them because:
1. They had the DZ and I could have for free by renewing my contract with O2.
2. The sales bloke could string a sentence together unlike the fool in the O2 shop.

trundlenut said:
This afternoon my DZ decided to die. I checked the phone and then 10 minutes later went to ring my wife and... nothing, phone wouldn't respond to the power button. I whipped out the battery and left it out for 2 minutes but still nothing.
I have since tried plugging in the charger and again nothing, not even the orange charging light. Tried leaving the battery out for 1/2 hour and removing the memory and sim cards and even plugging in the charger with the cards and battery removed, but still nothing.
looks like it's serious.
Consequently I was planning on calling HTC on Monday to see if I can get the phone sent off for repair. Does anyone know if I'm likely to have problems with HTC or will they be happy to help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a Brit too and I had a pretty similar issue just a few months back. The bizarre part is I wasn't even doing anything "risky".
Get in touch with HTC ASAP. They were really good to me.
I contacted them via their website (you'll need the serial number/IMEI). Very polite and helpful responses and offered courier pickup for mainland UK addresses.
Didn't take long at all for a repair, and I believe it was back with me in 2-3 days.
I can't speak for their phone support, other than that they called me to check if the phone was still working okay and asked if they could close the ticket. An unexpected touch, but appreciated.
Motorola barely lifted a finger for me when dealing with my MS2 issues... but that is another story.
Since you have the receipt, you should be fine. Again, just get in touch!
I warn you, it will most likely come back with gingerbread like mine did, but you can still downgrade and root (if you so choose) using the guides on here.

PhoenixTank said:
I'm a Brit too and I had a pretty similar issue just a few months back. The bizarre part is I wasn't even doing anything "risky".
Get in touch with HTC ASAP. They were really good to me.
I contacted them via their website (you'll need the serial number/IMEI). Very polite and helpful responses and offered courier pickup for mainland UK addresses.
Didn't take long at all for a repair, and I believe it was back with me in 2-3 days.
I can't speak for their phone support, other than that they called me to check if the phone was still working okay and asked if they could close the ticket. An unexpected touch, but appreciated.
Motorola barely lifted a finger for me when dealing with my MS2 issues... but that is another story.
Since you have the receipt, you should be fine. Again, just get in touch!
I warn you, it will most likely come back with gingerbread like mine did, but you can still downgrade and root (if you so choose) using the guides on here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, it gives me a bit more confidence. It's just annoying the phone was in my pocket in a sleeve for 15 minutes and it just died.

Well I rang them on Monday morning, at first they wanted to send me a new battery but I pointed out it didn't do anything without the battery when you plugged the charger in. The bloke had to check with his supervisor then came back and said "let's arrange to pick the phone up". I had to email them a copy of the receipt from when I bought the phone and that was that.
They emailed me a form and a label, I boxed up the phone and a courier picked it up Tuesday afternoon. Pretty straightforward really.
Just waiting to hear that they have the phone now.

Got the phone back this morning, so exactly 7 days from calling HTC to having a working phone again. I think that is pretty good service.
Seems like the problem was pretty terminal as the phone has returned with a new IMEI and according to the paperwork with the phone it has had the "PCBA" and "flash board" replaced.
The phone even came in a little box with "I'm back" printed on it.

Sounds great ! Was that all free, under warranty ?
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.

steviewevie said:
Sounds great ! Was that all free, under warranty ?
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All free, didn't cost me a penny.
The bloke I spoke to at HTC told me I had a two year warranty after he had spoken with his supervisor.

Is that two years from the purchese date or the repair date (as in did they extend the warrenty for you)

It will be 2 years from the purchase date. The paperwork with the phone when it comes back says something along the lines of you don't get any extra warranty after the repair date.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App