[SOLUTION] Fixing a loose hinge - G2 and Desire Z General

My hinge is not too bad at the moment but I know some of yours will be.
Here is the best solution found at the moment over on the G2 forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9509961&postcount=26
I had the idea to use magnetic tape a while ago, and obviously so did this guy.
He has not commented on how well it worked, but I don't think he would have posted like he did if it didn't work.
You can get tape like this all over the net, or any hardware store - however be careful some are not very "magnetic" at all.
Personally I would not put a strip on the keyboard like he did, but he might have a reason for it.

Isn't that going to wreak havoc with the in-built compass ?

Related

Screen hinge broken yet?

Has anyone suffered a broken screen hinge yet? I'm evaluating these for purchase for use in a work environment where people aren't always as careful with things as they should be! Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but the screen hinge looks like a weak feature of this device??
I've had mine for a couple of weeks now, and the hinge seems fine. It seems pretty robust to me, but then (being a private purchaser) I'll be taking good care of it.
The biggest potential problems you might find with the Exec as an employee tool are the consequences of dropping it. They're heavy machines and I've read a couple of reports in this forum from people who've dropped theirs two feet onto a hard floor and broken it. If your employees are anything like mine were you need to wait for the version they release that's made of MagicPutty before you can be sure it'll survive.
If the hinge is going to break it'll be IMHO because someone's tried to turn it the wrong way between landscape and portrait modes. :roll: When handled correctly it feels like it'll last years. Dunno about the wiring internals though.
You should try a post at www.1src.com (palm web site) as the hinge is very much like that of the SonyClie UX and a number of Sharp Linux PDAs. My view is that even though the hinge feels strong the camshell will be opened and closed more often then a laptop top and therefore may suffer also users may try to twist the screen in the wrong direction, which will also damage the hinge. On the whole my experince is that corporate users should be given simple reliable devices; the JJ is not simple and until WM5 has had another release I don't think it is reliable.

Usable stylus for Hero

Hi All
My wife's recently got a Hero but she's found a problem with her long nails making typing difficult (capacitive screens don't work with fingernails!)
I've bought a couple of different types of iPhone stylus' but, though they do work, you have to really press quite [scarily] hard to make them register.
Can anyone recommend a stylus that works smoothly and without too much pressure?
Thanks!
The Pogo ones seem to be the most common iPhone ones, have you tried one of them?
Not yet - will seek one out. Thanks!
Did a quick search on Ebay - Item number: 390096569342 free postage too
Anybody have any joy resolving this?
Not yet. I was going to try a Pogo stylus but then found a review that suggests that it may be no different than the other stylus' I've bought. I can actually believe this because I've now managed to test the stylus' I've bought on an actual iPhone and they work far, far better than on the Hero
...not sure where to go from here.
It seems that HTC has lodged a stylus patent specifically for capacitive screens
http://htcpedia.com/news/htc-patents-stylus-for-capacitive-touch-screene.html
Thanks for the update. there has to be a lo-tech fix for this though. I'm going to have a think & a Google search & I'll let you know what I turn up
I found this but I'm not sure I like the idea of metal on glass
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/06/diy_iphone_stylus.html
Update: Metal actually works on the screen!
Update: got this now http://www.flickr.com/photos/antisynoptique/3225070344/in/photostream/ my mind is thinking hard. JTHM what do the ends of your stylus' look like?
There's no helping some people.
Have you tried this?
+1 lol
topjolly
You'll be sorry when I make my own lo-tech stylus! I'll show you.
I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!
Sorry,
Sometimes I get a bit carried away, I just think that there is a better way & telling my better half to trim her nails (although it is a good idea) wont really fly
I always wait till my Japanese friends did something wrong and then ask them for Yubitsume. Works like a real finger
i was going to post a picture of a chopped off finger to be a smartass so i did a google image search...
now im mentally scarred for life :/
The best stylus I have ever used is the papermate flexgrip elite M. They come in different colors and double as a pen which is what they really are. I recommend highly. I change color with the outfit I'm wearing. I'm in IT Networking so I always keep one in my shirt pocket. My job gives them out. Once you start using them you wont be able to go back to a regular stylus. I can't. You want to see it with the cap on the pen side, not the clip side. I use the small stylus side.

How to not get a loose hinge G2

Hey, im going to switch to Tmobile on Dec 26th and really want to buy this G2 but i heard that it has loose hinge. Im a person that uses my phone on my bed and this is a problem for me. However, I also heard that some g2s are perfectly fine. Any help please???
hyunnnnny said:
Hey, im going to switch to Tmobile on Dec 26th and really want to buy this G2 but i heard that it has loose hinge. Im a person that uses my phone on my bed and this is a problem for me. However, I also heard that some g2s are perfectly fine. Any help please???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The loose hinge thing is really bunk. Yes, if you tilt your phone a very specific way and hold it, it will unhinge. The question is, after months of use, is it a *PROBLEM*? The answer is no. It has never (not once) caused my any angst in common use.
Very true. But it will be better to have a g2 with no loose hinge at all. I know some people asked the employee to open all the g2s until he/she found a g2 without a loose hinge. I really want to buy this phone but the loose hinge part is making me consider more about buying it.
Hi, honestly theres no way in not getting one I have had 4 g2s 3 have had them, I finally just settled on it. The 1st thing I checked was the hinge when I got each phone and was unhappy when I found out that it had it but after using it for 2 weeks it doesnt effect usage at all. Theres no way the hinge will open by itself under normal use....even texting in bed normal way you hold the phone will keep the screen up you have to go out of your way hold it in a awkward position that isnt ideal for texting inorder to get it to fall. I used to be worried about the loose hinge but I think its a non issue that people just made an issue. I used the g2 with the non loose hinge exactly the same as the one with the loose hinge and couldnt tell the difference unless I specifically tried to prop it up.
I would recommend buying it from tmo using it for 2 weeks (unless ur in Cali then 30) and if you dont like it return it. I have also put it in gym bags, basketball shorts (baggy roomy things) and have no had it open once.
To be honest, I feel that the phone will probably fall out of your hands before it closes on you if you hold it in such a way where the screen can close on its own.
But there are still some chances of getting a g2 without a loose hinge right?
And its been two months since the phone was released so dont you think htc will fix this problem in the future?
Anyways, someone asked for a freshest batch and his g2 was perfect without any problems.
there not gonna fix it because its not an issue, i got mine last week and it has the "loose hinge". but I realize its not an issue and some people are blowing it way out of proportion. Like i said out fo 4 g2's 1 had a stronger hinge the rest were normal the one with a stronger hinge had a defective screen so i returned it, but havent noticed the difference at all in normal everyday use.
I just bought a G2 like 2-1/2 weeks ago and got a loose hinge. It's not really a big issue, I thought it would be, and was disappointed at "how loose" it is, but really as people have said (and I admit I didn't believe them when I didn't have the one) you pretty much have to try to make it open, or try to hold it in a way that would make it a issue, for it to be so.
I find that when I slide out the keyboard I naturally the placement of fingers above the keyboard in any natural way causes the hinge to hold even when holding it above your head in bed (the only position the hinge would be a issue).
Thats how it is for me anyways.
This loose hinge business gets me angry.
The hinge is supposed to be free flowing, it's designed to slide open, spring assisted which makes it even more desirable.
It's not loose, in no normal usage would it ever open accidentally etc.
This "loose hinge" business has been dreamt up by chavvy iGays.
If my G2/DZ's hinge was stiffer, it would ruin the effect of the velvety smooth opening mechanism.
I certainly prefer it to my stiff touch pro 2.
dazkeirle said:
This loose hinge business gets me angry.
The hinge is supposed to be free flowing, it's designed to slide open, spring assisted which makes it even more desirable.
It's not loose, in no normal usage would it ever open accidentally etc.
This "loose hinge" business has been dreamt up by chavvy iGays.
If my G2/DZ's hinge was stiffer, it would ruin the effect of the velvety smooth opening mechanism.
I certainly prefer it to my stiff touch pro 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but no one can guarantee if some g2 will open by itself. There are actually numerous people saying that the phone opens by itself. And i think it depends on our personal taste to like the g2's very loose hinge. One can like a loose hinge thats annoying when laying down on bed and another one can like a stiff/not loose hinge because it will never open by itself and have no problem in anyway.
had my dz for a month now. it is actually true that it is designed to be "loose." sent an email to htc and they said that they tried various mechanisms but the z hinge is "optimal." i believe that because there are no stress on any part and mechanism. unlike other brands with slide, you see a spring that pushes and pulls the mechanism creating stress in the parts. i think that the z hinge will last longer than others.
hyunnnnny said:
one can like a stiff/not loose hinge because it will never open by itself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't open by itself when it's "loose"
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 running Cyanogenmod.
Just get the phone and jf you don't like it, return it. The hinge isn't loose, it's just not stiff. It works as it was designed to. If you really want it to be stiffer than it is, pull it apart and stretch out the spring.
I first purchased a G2 on Oct. 31, and I, too, experienced the infamous loose hinge issue. However, I agree with the many users that it does not really interfere with daily usage. I was, however, bothering by my pivoting screen. When I applied pressure to use the screen, I could feel the screen being pressed down and it bothered me. As a result, I exchanged the device for a new one which I got for a few days now. The problem that bothered me is gone, however, the screen on my new device is clearly looser than my first one but it does not bother me as I thought it would.
What is this talk I hear about "opening by itself"? The phone cannot "open by itself". You have to go out of your way to hold it on a specific angle and position for it to, in your words, "open by itself".
Now, unless you tell me that you use your phone in that position where the screen will droop, then the hinge "problem" really isn't a problem.
And many others will agree with me when I say that there is absolutely no hindrance caused by the hinge that will affect your everyday use of the phone. Also, you have the option to simply buy the phone and return it if the hinge bothers you that much. It's actually quite convenient that there's no "action-reaction" caused by a spring in tension (like in the G1). What I mean is, if you open the G1, the spring will project the screen upwards causing a somewhat "large" force directed AWAY from your hand, so it would be wise to open the phone with two hands. Mind you, I had a lot of fun playing with that screen mechanism when I was bored. However, the G1 allows the user to open the screen with 1 hand and it's generally quite convenient (for me anyway).
IMO, if you own the G2 (DZ) you have in your hands a very solid piece of technology along with some good human engineering.
Anyway, thats my two cents on this topic. Base line is, you can go try the phone out. If you like it, keep it, if not, return it. If you can't be bothered by the idea of even possibly returning it, then perhaps go for another phone. But many users will tell you the hinge "problem" really isn't a problem.
loose hinge is a big issue but HTC decided to ignore cuz of the cost and no competitor for this phone now. it's so annoying not only in the situation you use keyboard on bed but also like pick up the phone on the table, the keyboard will open if not careful or the screen wobbles when touch.
if you buy it at t-mo store, they will replace as many as you want cuz they want sales commission. if you return the phone, they can't get commission but exchange doesn't cost them.
even if same batch, the build qualities are so different. you should try as many as possible.
Weaseal said:
The loose hinge thing is really bunk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he ^^ said. My hinge if graded by those that say they have a loose hinge would be really loose. Yet I have never run into an issue with it as I just don't hold or operate my device in any manner that would reveal an issue. Who holds their phone upside down anyway...
Now if it's wonky as in doesn't seat properly and is wiggly when closed or open that is a different story. This video shows a different kinda loose hinge problem...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvHE5lZ1tCs
A better question would be "how to not get a loose hooker?"
I would take a loose hooker too...... I upgraded the battery on my Bell Des Z to 2400mAh with accompanying cover. It adds significant weight to the back of the phone with should make the "loose hinge" an even bigger issue. IT DOES NOT!!!! So, the loose hinge is mostly myth unless some peeps really hold their phones different.
Smartenup said:
So, the loose hinge is mostly myth unless some peeps really hold their phones different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol
"you are holding it wrong"
-steve

Creaking Back on Atrix?

Hey guys,
This is my first post on the forums, so I hope it goes well... I did a search and couldn't find anything like what I was looking for, so I figured I would write a new thread.
I got my atrix a little over a week ago now, and really like it. The only small issue I have found is with the back of the phone/ fingerprint reader. The back of the phone has a general weird creaking about it. The two places i get this the most are at the sides near where it clips in (I checked to make sure the clips are firmly in place) and kind of the top center... about even with the camera and down from the fingerprint reader. In the second spot, there is a kind of weird give to it that pops up and down, and makes a little noise.
The other issue is a weird thing with the fingerprint reader. I noticed this like the third day I had it, but the "sticker" that covers up the fingerprint reader is oddly crooked. Probably not a big deal, but it is a little bothersome on a brand new phone.
Has anyone had these issues at all? Could they perhaps be fixed by just doing a quick swap of the back for a new one, or is it perhaps a more serious problem? I really don't want to be a pain and make them swap out the phone for a new one over a stupid creaking back, but it really bothers me... I am a bit of a stickler for build quality.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts
Well I mean, if you're having hardware defects then you can only... pretty much take the phone back.
If you can get over it then that's great, but if you're stuck with the phone for 2 years, I'd get a new one.
HAD same problem with the back creaking. Just get some thin tape (I used 3m masking tape) and cover the tabs wit small piece of the tape.
I did this to the whole cover and now its SOLID all around!
bearsfan172 said:
Hey guys,
This is my first post on the forums, so I hope it goes well... I did a search and couldn't find anything like what I was looking for, so I figured I would write a new thread.
I got my atrix a little over a week ago now, and really like it. The only small issue I have found is with the back of the phone/ fingerprint reader. The back of the phone has a general weird creaking about it. The two places i get this the most are at the sides near where it clips in (I checked to make sure the clips are firmly in place) and kind of the top center... about even with the camera and down from the fingerprint reader. In the second spot, there is a kind of weird give to it that pops up and down, and makes a little noise.
The other issue is a weird thing with the fingerprint reader. I noticed this like the third day I had it, but the "sticker" that covers up the fingerprint reader is oddly crooked. Probably not a big deal, but it is a little bothersome on a brand new phone.
Has anyone had these issues at all? Could they perhaps be fixed by just doing a quick swap of the back for a new one, or is it perhaps a more serious problem? I really don't want to be a pain and make them swap out the phone for a new one over a stupid creaking back, but it really bothers me... I am a bit of a stickler for build quality.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
happens to me too i think its just the design of the cover. no biggie.
bearsfan172 said:
Hey guys,
The other issue is a weird thing with the fingerprint reader. I noticed this like the third day I had it, but the "sticker" that covers up the fingerprint reader is oddly crooked. Probably not a big deal, but it is a little bothersome on a brand new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine dosnt look crooked, but it does appear as though its starting to peel off on one corner
Same
I noticed the exact same two things as the OP. Disappointing for me too (although minor). I was used to rock-solid Nexus One.
My phones fingerprint reader is crooked, which is oddly very very annoying. The screen is also flush on the left side, yet recessed on the right side.
cataclysmicvoid said:
I noticed the exact same two things as the OP. Disappointing for me too (although minor). I was used to rock-solid Nexus One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. If that's the way it is, it isn't the end of the world to me. I came from the iPhone 4 which... say what you will about apple, but their build quality and consistency is generally very very good.
A bit disappointing to me that a beautiful new phone would have annoyances like a back that doesn't sit quite right... but there are worse things in the world really.

PSA: How *not* to clean the Moto X microphone

Well, my beloved Moto X is now on it's way to El Paso, TX to be dissected and man-handled. I got a little tired of the gook in the microphone port and used compressed air to clean it out. Turns out this is a pretty dumb move to make :crying: I'd actually done it once before without incident, but this time it must have perforated something.
While I know this is my own dumb fault, I've *never* broken a phone before. I have a decent collection of completely scratch-free and 100% functional devices, I'm disappointed that this was fragile enough to be broken so easily. OK, yeah, it was probably the equivalent of hitting some Saran Wrap with a hurricane, but still disappointing.
My advice to everyone is to be extra careful with that particular awkwardly placed dirt-trapping hole in the front of your phone. I wasn't about to stick a pin in there, but my chosen alternative proved to be just as tragic. I have to assume that an equal amount of vacuum would also yield similar bad results. Not sure how we're supposed to clean this thing, or perhaps more importantly why it's designed in such a way that it would get so filthy in the first place.
*sigh*
djp952 said:
Well, my beloved Moto X is now on it's way to El Paso, TX to be dissected and man-handled. I got a little tired of the gook in the microphone port and used compressed air to clean it out. Turns out this is a pretty dumb move to make :crying: I'd actually done it once before without incident, but this time it must have perforated something.
While I know this is my own dumb fault, I've *never* broken a phone before. I have a decent collection of completely scratch-free and 100% functional devices, I'm disappointed that this was fragile enough to be broken so easily. OK, yeah, it was probably the equivalent of hitting some Saran Wrap with a hurricane, but still disappointing.
My advice to everyone is to be extra careful with that particular awkwardly placed dirt-trapping hole in the front of your phone. I wasn't about to stick a pin in there, but my chosen alternative proved to be just as tragic. I have to assume that an equal amount of vacuum would also yield similar bad results. Not sure how we're supposed to clean this thing, or perhaps more importantly why it's designed in such a way that it would get so filthy in the first place.
*sigh*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there is a way, that might be something to send to Motorola for feedback. I'm sure they are really interested in getting feedback, being this is the first flagship Motorola/Google phone: Moto X.
That and the vibrator issues, and other mechanical/material/tooling issues should go there.
I like this phone and I think it has some good potential, but as a first release after an acquisition/rebranding, I'm sure that feedback will help make future devices better.
bhundven said:
If there is a way, that might be something to send to Motorola for feedback. I'm sure they are really interested in getting feedback, being this is the first flagship Motorola/Google phone: Moto X.
That and the vibrator issues, and other mechanical/material/tooling issues should go there.
I like this phone and I think it has some good potential, but as a first release after an acquisition/rebranding, I'm sure that feedback will help make future devices better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally, but let's wait 7-10 business days so they fix mine for free before we tell them I actually wrecked it on my own, ok? :highfive:
djp952 said:
Totally, but let's wait 7-10 business days so they fix mine for free before we tell them I actually wrecked it on my own, ok? :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:fingers-crossed:
djp952 said:
Well, my beloved Moto X is now on it's way to El Paso, TX to be dissected and man-handled. I got a little tired of the gook in the microphone port and used compressed air to clean it out. Turns out this is a pretty dumb move to make :crying: I'd actually done it once before without incident, but this time it must have perforated something.
While I know this is my own dumb fault, I've *never* broken a phone before. I have a decent collection of completely scratch-free and 100% functional devices, I'm disappointed that this was fragile enough to be broken so easily. OK, yeah, it was probably the equivalent of hitting some Saran Wrap with a hurricane, but still disappointing.
My advice to everyone is to be extra careful with that particular awkwardly placed dirt-trapping hole in the front of your phone. I wasn't about to stick a pin in there, but my chosen alternative proved to be just as tragic. I have to assume that an equal amount of vacuum would also yield similar bad results. Not sure how we're supposed to clean this thing, or perhaps more importantly why it's designed in such a way that it would get so filthy in the first place.
*sigh*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you know it perforated the mic? Also, did you stick the nozzle for the compressed air right on the mic hole?
there are the moto support forums. https://forums.motorola.com/hives/a440c30711/summary its the best way i know of to make suggestions/complaints etc. the forum manager forwards anything worthy over to the right people.
as far as the gunk. i would get a pin or needle, and a piece of tape. gently pull out the stuff and use tape to pick it up.
i also ruined a brand new iphone 4s with compressed air. trying to get the sand out of it. worse decision i ever made. but i managed to turn it back in and buy a gs2. one of those rare instances where a wrong does make a right.
clankfu said:
How do you know it perforated the mic? Also, did you stick the nozzle for the compressed air right on the mic hole?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't be 100% certain, of course, but I noted that if it was placed near an extremely loud source it would start to barely register some sound pressure. I took that to mean a membrane of some kind got ruptured.
And yeah, that's exactly what I did; stubborn dirt was in there! It's quite honestly one of the absolute stupidest things I've done in a long time. :crying:
@phermey, I dunno about a pin, if there is indeed something that can be perforated/ruptured, that seems like a bad idea. The tape suggestion reminds me of that yellow goo they used to (still do?) sell for cleaning keyboards. Ever seen that? You smush it all around your keys and it sticks all the Dorito crumbs to it. Comes right off. I bet something like that would be ideal here if it's viscous enough to get into the hole at all.
I just hope it comes back fixed without any new damage from being disassembled. It was pristine! I'll contact Moto with what happened, but again, AFTER they fix it for free. I won't lie if they call me out on it, though
djp952 said:
Can't be 100% certain, of course, but I noted that if it was placed near an extremely loud source it would start to barely register some sound pressure. I took that to mean a membrane of some kind got ruptured.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you expound on this? Are you using some sort of app to gauge the sound pressure or is it just simply not responding to voice commands or something?
What is everyone talking about stuff getting into the microphone? I don't see anything in mines. I have a white Moto X. Do I have to put a flashlight into to see if anything is in it or something?
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk
clankfu said:
Can you expound on this? Are you using some sort of app to gauge the sound pressure or is it just simply not responding to voice commands or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Putting some earplugs in, cranking up a speaker and putting the X right next to it would get the Google Voice Search to just *barely* register something as evidenced by the graphics it uses. A sound meter app (forget which one; sorry, but Android SensorBox is an old friend with this feature in it) would get up to about 10dB that way or close to 20dB if I shot more air at it point-blank. It was definitely shot to hell, but the underlying electronics still functioned if given enough "stimulus" Totally borked.
edit: 10dB-20dB is crazy quiet: http://home.earthlink.net/~dnitzer/4HaasEaton/Decibel.html
djp952 said:
Putting some earplugs in, cranking up a speaker and putting the X right next to it would get the Google Voice Search to just *barely* register something as evidenced by the graphics it uses. A sound meter app (forget which one; sorry, but Android SensorBox is an old friend with this feature in it) would get up to about 10dB that way or close to 20dB if I shot more air at it point-blank. It was definitely shot to hell, but the underlying electronics still functioned if given enough "stimulus" Totally borked.
edit: 10dB-20dB is crazy quiet:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate, I know this is kinda old, but how this ended up?
I did EXACTLY the same, and ruined the microphone, but the not-that-bright side is that my warranty expired a month ago (Bloody hell).
Did you get a replacement for your microphone for a decent price?
Thanks in advance pal,
Cheers
Found this thread *after* I did the exact same thing.
Always been annoyed by the pocket lint/fuzz that gets in the microphone hole. Never cleaned it out. Wife brought home some compressed air for another purpose and I gave it a try. Red straw, held it 3-4" from phone, cleaned out the hole nicely. Wasn't until a couple hours later I realized no one could hear me. OK Google Now also didn't work.
Very stupid on my part, phone was flawless. Only upside is it was 2 years old.

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