Database Users

FIXED: G2 Hinge Teardown/Repair

So, I decided to fix my G2 hinge which was a little on the loose side but didn't want to use magnets because it would affect the Compass. If you don't think magnets do affect the compass, i invite you to open up HTC or Google Navigation GPS app and wave a magnet around your phone and watch your direction change.
In any case, I looked for a teardown online in hopes that it would show the actual spring mechanism for the Z-Hinge...but all of them seemed to have skip that part. So...here's a photo of the ACTUAL MECHANISM responsible for the "snapping/springy" action of the phone. As you can imagine, assuming you can get to this point in terms of disassembly, tightening up the mechanism is SUPER EASY. All you have to do is take out the spring, stretch it, put it back in. I think the only way they could have made this mechanism smaller and more reliable is to have used a tiny hydraulic piston in place of the spring, but since I'm an EE and not a Mech Eng. well, what do I know!
<EDIT>
Link with instructions for taking apart your phone. You will need a T5 Screwdriver and a puny Phillips Screwdriver.
http://tjworld.net/blog/htc-desire-z-tear-down
</EDIT>
Ok, without further ado:
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Enjoy!
verkion
P.S. I can have the KB open, G2 upside down and shake it fairly vigorously before it will begin to close now! Definite improvement!

Damn...
Assuming you could find a spring small enough to fit you could buy a spring with a higher tension. That's what I did with my Ruger LCP to help the feeding cycle.
You could have taken a couple dissemblely pics to help us get to that point.
Thanks for the info.

Might want to add this voids warranty. Lol. Secondly if you could add some insight as to how you actually managed to disasemble the phone to access the hinge. That would be great. Might actually try this myself. Big might. Lol.
[G2/HTC Vision]

luis86dr said:
Might want to add this voids warranty. Lol. Secondly if you could add some insight as to how you actually managed to disasemble the phone to access the hinge. That would be great. Might actually try this myself. Big might. Lol.
[G2/HTC Vision]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tear down is here...
http://tjworld.net/blog/htc-desire-z-tear-down
You only need to tear it down as far as PCB Removal to access the spring mechanism in the hinge (its the top side near the power button). BE SUPER DUPER careful with PLUGGING IN the micro-SD ribbon cable when you reassemble. One of the spring tension pins (its a flip up type ribbon cable clamp), broke off on me. I was like OMFG for about 2 minutes until I realized it was just the tension pin NOT an actual connection pin.
Oh yeah, and for anyone that hasn't figured this out already...WARRANTY = VOID!!! Oh, and the normal CYA (cover your a$$ clauses) apply...I'm not responsible for any damage etc. etc. etc. that YOU might cause doing this fix/mod.
verkion

verkion said:
Tear down is here...
http://tjworld.net/blog/htc-desire-z-tear-down
You only need to tear it down as far as PCB Removal to access the spring mechanism in the hinge (its the top side near the power button). BE SUPER DUPER careful with PLUGGING IN the micro-SD ribbon cable when you reassemble. One of the spring tension pins (its a flip up type ribbon cable clamp), broke off on me. I was like OMFG for about 2 minutes until I realized it was just the tension pin NOT an actual connection pin.
Oh yeah, and for anyone that hasn't figured this out already...WARRANTY = VOID!!! Oh, and the normal CYA (cover your a$$ clauses) apply...I'm not responsible for any damage etc. etc. etc. that YOU might cause doing this fix/mod.
verkion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro.
[G2/HTC Vision]

Excellent post, thanx
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Thanks for finding a REAL cure! Magnets lol! morons... nice work though! I glad you found a fix for those how have (or imagine they have) a hinge problem. maybe this will shut folks up about this finally...

Nice job man. Quite the set of balls you got there my friend. I may try this when my warranty expires.(and my hinge gets to a point where i can,t stand it.)
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Now I havn't tried magnets on this phone (or any other).. but I do know that the magnetic strength of magnetic tape, such as was used in the other "fix" is not very strong at all, as it barely strong enough to work as the fix it was intended to do, for this reason I could believe that it had no effect on the compass.
However sure, if you use a proper magnet it will mess things up.
However, very nice job on this but I doubt many will want to void their warranty when they could just send it back under warranty and do it that way.

Lennyuk said:
Now I havn't tried magnets on this phone (or any other).. but I do know that the magnetic strength of magnetic tape, such as was used in the other "fix" is not very strong at all, as it barely strong enough to work as the fix it was intended to do, for this reason I could believe that it had no effect on the compass.
However sure, if you use a proper magnet it will mess things up.
However, very nice job on this but I doubt many will want to void their warranty when they could just send it back under warranty and do it that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct about the warranty. Although there are a few stickers on the torx screws that say void... they won't refuse your phone and claim that your warranty is voided. Its bs. They just check for eextremely obvious things like water damage and physical damage. I was a cell tech forever... they hardly care about that crap like is its rooted or whatever. Just don't make it too obvious like a phone stuck in a boot loop with cyanogen logo flashing over and over, lol!
But it does depend on the tech... if he/she is an asshole and dont root their own phones or hack... they could reject it. personally, I think those are the type that have no buisness being a tech nor would understand that rooting a phone is going to cause any serious damage to it. unless you flash the wrong spl/hardboot but at that point... 90% likely it wont even boot into bootloader in which there's no way to tell what happened whether it was a custom flash or a bad board. those are instant replacements as long as there's no physical/liquid damage. well, sorry for hijacking the thread and my poor spelling. good work with the hinge, OP! those ribbons can be a pain to reseat!

I'm doing this tonight @ work. Thanks for being the guinea pig.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

dude great find....but way toooooooooo deep for me....If my hinge continues to drive me insane, I'll just start calling tmo like crazy until they give me a anew phone.

Stretching the spring is a good temporary fix. The best real fix would be to find one the same size but with a higher spring tension. Good find none the less.

So I HEARD something interesting today. TRY THIS....
1st: Turn Off Unlock sounds if you can.........
2nd. Put the G2 close to you face, open the screen (top) very SLOWLY.... when the screen is parallel to the keyboard (halfway) push it a little bit more and you will HEAR a CLICK..... im guessing its the spring... but my understanding is that if spring stays stationary (in one spot) and just twists..... there shouldn't be a click sound..... which means something is mis-aligned (maybe the hinge part that is connected to the spring)... my hinge came in good condition, still stays intact when I hold the phone upside down.
Those of you with loose hinge... I encourage you to try this....

funkadesi said:
So I HEARD something interesting today. TRY THIS....
1st: Turn Off Unlock sounds if you can.........
2nd. Put the G2 close to you face, open the screen (top) very SLOWLY.... when the screen is parallel to the keyboard (halfway) push it a little bit more and you will HEAR a CLICK..... im guessing its the spring... but my understanding is that if spring stays stationary (in one spot) and just twists..... there shouldn't be a click sound..... which means something is mis-aligned (maybe the hinge part that is connected to the spring)... my hinge came in good condition, still stays intact when I hold the phone upside down.
Those of you with loose hinge... I encourage you to try this....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um .... click? misaligned? i think that if it twists, then it should be in good shape as it's doing what it ought to be doing.
Either way, my hinge sucks, and there is no click....

I was just thinking about what the teardown again. Now that I really consider it, I don't think that I had to unplug all the cables, just unscrew the PCB. I think there is enough slack to carefully maneuver the hinge out..maybe. LOL. Where do you get replacement springs? I guess I should really have measured the length...maybe I still can from my photo and a couple reference points.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

Mine just started clicking when I open it..just started on Sunday and can't figure it out.

collins521 said:
Mine just started clicking when I open it..just started on Sunday and can't figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ignore the click...its not a "misalignment" of the spring or stars or whatever else. Look at the photo I posted, it doesn't matter if the spring twists. In fact, I'm pretty sure it does swivel and move in there. The back end of the spring is simply braced against the metal side. The other end against the actual "pivot" (2 pieces of very smartly cut plastic) is "centered" in place with a small pin jut like most other hinge/spring mechanisms.
Now if someone could tell me where to get a super strong spring...I'll be all over that! LOL. It was already really hard to get the spring back in after I stretched it but a mega strong one would be worth the hassle...
verkion

verkion said:
Ignore the click...its not a "misalignment" of the spring or stars or whatever else. Look at the photo I posted, it doesn't matter if the spring twists. In fact, I'm pretty sure it does swivel and move in there. The back end of the spring is simply braced against the metal side. The other end against the actual "pivot" (2 pieces of very smartly cut plastic) is "centered" in place with a small pin jut like most other hinge/spring mechanisms.
Now if someone could tell me where to get a super strong spring...I'll be all over that! LOL. It was already really hard to get the spring back in after I stretched it but a mega strong one would be worth the hassle...
verkion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check McMaster Carr. They have a ton of things.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#springs/=a1qb2j

verkion said:
Ignore the click...its not a "misalignment" of the spring or stars or whatever else. Look at the photo I posted, it doesn't matter if the spring twists. In fact, I'm pretty sure it does swivel and move in there. The back end of the spring is simply braced against the metal side. The other end against the actual "pivot" (2 pieces of very smartly cut plastic) is "centered" in place with a small pin jut like most other hinge/spring mechanisms.
Now if someone could tell me where to get a super strong spring...I'll be all over that! LOL. It was already really hard to get the spring back in after I stretched it but a mega strong one would be worth the hassle...
verkion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just to be sure....the stretching of the spring worked for you....you actually got it to be tight?

Quick disassembly and potential touch unresponsive fix thread.

My Xoom has been rather unfortunate since I got it. I take it with me everywhere and that includes when I go out drinking with friends... It's taken many a fall. This has shown me what I deem a rather major flaw in the Xoom's design, internally. Allow me to demonstrate:
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What you'll need to start... Pardon the crapola pics, I took more than this but the SD card on my Droid is going caput so most of them are just empty jpgs... Luckily the ones I salvaged were able to show the general idea. Anyways. The bit you'll use to take the back shell off is a T-5. The one I have is a T-5H but you don't need one of those, these screws don't have a pin in the middle. That's just for the first 2 screws and the screws that hold the plastic half on, you'll need a T-6 for every other screw in the Xoom. You'll also want some kind of sturdy plastic shims, I used clippings from an old debit card. The tool kit I have pictured can be bought at an auto parts store(I think I picked it up at O'reilly's).
Unscrew the 2 screws that hold the USB/HDMI/charging plate on, this will come off. Keep your screws in a secure location so you don't lose them!
That's what it looks like without the cover.
From here, slide the back cover down, you'll notice it stops at a certain point, just enough to expose the expansion card Moto will replace for the 4G upgrade. They've made this thing super easy to upgrade in the future. Slide the cover back towards closed just a tiny bit so the clips aren't resting on the stop.
Slide those 2 pieces of plastic into the grooves, as illustrated, until you can't push them in any further, you've disengaged the stops, now, with the plastic still there, slide the cover the rest of the way off.
Here's where my SD card crapped out but it's no big deal. Moving...
The touchscreen controller is located in the lower right hand corner of the Xoom if you're looking at it from the back. As you can see, mine is dislodged and there's nothing actually securing it inside the Xoom besides double stick tape. The Xoom has like 57 screws inside it and they couldn't screw the touchscreen controller down with even one? No, it's got an adhesive on the back and then it's just pressed onto the metal frame... Not secure in the slightest, even a slight drop can dislodge it. I've already tried to use a better double stick tape, but that came undone, hence I'm doing this write-up.
This is my new solution, using a thin piece of foam doubled over itself. It's about a 2" by 2" square, maybe 1/8" thick or so, couldn't tell you where I got it, I just had it laying around. From here, with it sitting there, it's kind of tricky to get the Xoom back together, what I did was start lining up the back cover with the foam squished down against the touchscreen controller, then slid the cover back to its fully closed position. My foam happened to stay in place during all of this. It may not be that easy for others, YMMV.
So I boot up my Xoom, test it out, touch works again.
I'm still not certain I'm going to stay with this solution but we'll see. For now it's working perfectly. Even exchanging your Xoom for a new one isn't going to resolve this until Motorola actually resolves it themselves, which I doubt they will. Hope this was helpful, I'm not interested in getting into the gory details of full disassembly, that's beyond my pay grade.
I also just realized this solved the problem I was having with the right half of my screen thinking any kind of touch was a multitouch and pinch-zooming constantly. Win.

Fixed images, messed up the numbering when I posted.

Good, good stuff. Thanks for the write-up - these are the threads that used to differentiate xda from the hoards of other android forums.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

8 days later and not a single issue with touch on my Xoom.

Bump, Xoom still working great.

Elysian893 said:
Bump, Xoom still working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear it..you've gone where no man has gone before...

Awesome! Thanks for the information. I'll be sure to fix this once my touch screen stops working.

I've got a crazy idea....how about not getting ****faced and dropping you xoom multiple times?!

No need to be rude. Sometimes devices take falls. You gonna tell everyone not to let their kid watch cartoons on it?

SlCKB0Y said:
I've got a crazy idea....how about not getting ****faced and dropping you xoom multiple times?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....My Xoom is pretty much brand new and has a touchscreen problem.

SlCKB0Y said:
I've got a crazy idea....how about not getting ****faced and dropping you xoom multiple times?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I he was just being funny. I laughed.

So I got the cover off, got some foam in there
but I can't get the cover all the way on... its hairline just about to close up but Im afraid to use pressure
too much foam?
quick edit:
It was a slot on the bottom i kept hitting, i got it back on!
Will update with results tomorrow
edit2: most definitely still having the same problem after adding some foam to press down on that touch panel controller. Took me like 10 tries just to unlock the damn thing
WTF MOTOROLA !...anyone have any other suggestions? this is really pissing me off now.
edit3; so I took a deep breath and decided to investigate more... I have it open again, and holding down the actual connector seems to be improving the situation GREATLY. Im going to shift the foam from the controller to the connector and close it back up, and try again

Great thread. An idea of paint the back cover (white spray) are growing in my mind.

Hello,
I just wanted to share my solution for the unresponsive screen issue with the Motorola Xoom device:
reddit.com/r/xoom/comments/sytk0
I hope this helps anyone having a similar issue. Thank you.

Man i must say ur a brave heart...i cant even think of letting mine fall...seems kinda fragile....plus all the drop test videos screw around with your head
Sent from my MZ601 using XDA

thanks for this tip, i know how to dissasemble my xoom now! lol

Nice post. I'm having exactly the same problem and it's very easy to see reports for this same issue all around. Crappy Moto! This is the first "how to" post on this issue. Thanks a lot. I'll give it a try. put
EDIT: Following your "how to", I did exactly the same you did. The touch controller was a bit loose so I tight it with a small piece of foam. The hard part was putting the case back in place with the foam inside, but with a bit of patience I could eventually close the whole thing and now it's working again. Will see until when. Probably this device is one within many that fits in the planned obsolescence industry standard. FKU Mr. Bernard London.
EDIT 2: I actually have a big compulsion on acquiring new geeky stuff, but I hate to spend money because this is the industry standard. I hate to buy crap, and if I want to, I'll buy chinese stuff from Deal Extreme. Paying hundreds of dollars in goods from a well established and named company should be a warrant, at least, that it was built to last!
EDIT 3: I'l be moving soon to a Sammy Note 10.1. Hopefully not based on the planned obsolescence of the Xoom, but because I want it to!
EDIT 4: My XOOM "caput" for good. As I said before, I'm on Sammy note 10.1 and the XOOM will eventually go to repair.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Got my Xoom back, and it's great. Even after rooting, re flashing, opening, messing around, it was fixed for free, under warranty. It seems Motorola knows they have a case of premature obsolescence in this case.
Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk HD

Extending built-in antennacable (SGS I9000)

So, i got a problem with my i9000. When I'm in a building, the phone loses the mobile network connection and I cant't receive or make calls. I tried almost every modem, several cfw and official fw. No luck...I already dissasembled my sgs, just to look if there's a disconnected pin or another hw damage, but everything was fine. Then I bought SIM cards of every provider in Germany, just to be sure it's not because of the lame radio capacity of my current provider (I'm using prepaid)...the same story with everyone of them, no signal, no line or whatever it is called. There aren't any hw damages, I think, because in that case I wouldn't have wifi or gps signal either and as you can imagine, I don't have problems with wifi or gps.
Now, I have an idea. Is it possible to extend the built-in antennacable? Ok, of course it is possible, but would it take effect? I mean, there would be more space on the cable to receive signals.
I really need to know it, if this is not going 2 work, I'll have to sell it and thats very sad, because I have it now for just about a week
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Would it be possible to get some sort of cell-network amplifier?
Similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electronics-Signal-Booster-Antenna/dp/B003FGWGPS/ref=pd_cp_cps_4
(That is for use in a car, but there are similar ones for use in the office or at home).

Nice, but there's nothing similar to that in germany or maybe I haven't find it yet. Until there isn't another solution, please give me some feedback to my idea of extending the cable.
Ok, so some of my relatives have got SGS too and I took them to compare the network quality. I could see, that only my SGS has bad signal. The other two hadn't those problems. So I guess there's really a HW damage. I ordered an Antenna module but I'm not sure if this will solve the problem. I'm sure there are other parts on its Mainboard which are related to nework singal receiving. Am I right?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

You said you tried different firmware; but have you tried different modems?

Yes I did, but thanks for your help.
nitrous² said:
I tried almost every modem, several cfw and official fw. No luck...I already dissasembled my sgs, just to look if there's a disconnected pin or another hw damage, but everything was fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Apologies, I had missed that as I was intoxicated :/
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

I know that at least the Vibrant (very similar to the i9000) has a test-bench antenna port still accessible on the mainboard (next to the SIM card, under a rubber cover). I'm not sure if it's for the GPS or for the cell antenna though. And either way it's pretty impractical to use the phone with the back off and an antenna plugged in, though I suppose one could drill a hole in the cover.

Ok, for me, it's impossible to extend the antenna. I counfounded the WiFi Antenna cable with the one for Mobile radio. Here's a Pic;
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As you can see, it'll be very very difficult to extend those plates. I still assume, there's a damage on the Main-/Mother -board and not on that Antenna Module. If the module arrives, I'll build it in and give it a try. Btw, has someone of you an idea where I can buy a board for the i9000? I'm just searching now for a while but can't find any.

i dont think its a good idea to extend the antenna, as the antenna needs to be in exact length to work but you can always try. + the receptacle that you found may be just to improve the GSM signal... best bet is the antenna-mainboard connection. maybe oxide buildup causing it not electrically connected. try to clean it first with some fast-evaporating liquid like zippo lighter gas.

Ok, I don't know what the problem is. I've built in the new antenna module and I still don't have signal! This can't be a damage on the mainboard because in that case I wouldn't receive any signal but actually, I do. It's like all the parts which are related to signal receiving are working but not to 100%.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium

ok thanks for the info

nitrous² said:
Ok, I don't know what the problem is. I've built in the new antenna module and I still don't have signal! This can't be a damage on the mainboard because in that case I wouldn't receive any signal but actually, I do. It's like all the parts which are related to signal receiving are working but not to 100%.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you have boiled down problem to mainboard
so this
http://compare.ebay.com/like/250392108967?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y
wont be useful
urra901109 said:
i dont think its a good idea to extend the antenna, as the antenna needs to be in exact length to work but you can always try. + the receptacle that you found may be just to improve the GSM signal... best bet is the antenna-mainboard connection. maybe oxide buildup causing it not electrically connected. try to clean it first with some fast-evaporating liquid like zippo lighter gas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes there could be issue in the pcb in the tracks connectivity and sometimes due to bad metal there might not be correct connection
if you have a multimeter just do a connectivity check (in resistor tab at the end)
but question is
is it feasible
there are thousands of tracks and companys wont give you pinout to tell which one to look at
also you run into gd chances of adding static and bombing some other chip
better go to service center for such thing as they have controlled enviornment
do not try these things
http://www.wisebread.com/no-signal-5-quick-ways-to-boost-your-cell-phone-reception-updated
they doesnt work
say thanks if its helpful

ashishshevale said:
do not try these things
http://www.wisebread.com/no-signal-5-quick-ways-to-boost-your-cell-phone-reception-updated
they doesnt work
say thanks if its helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude youre my hero...im, im just crying...i cant find the right words, this is so emotional...I'll upload a vid and post it here soon.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium

My colleague has the same issue, and I think the same phone. It's worse when he has his hard plastic cover on. Try taking your cover off? I think it's just terrible design.

@ashishshevale
I know, you said, it's not worth it, to give this tricks you've linked a try. But, no, just watch the vid. Seems like I solved my problem xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GB30uXdE4w
lukyjay said:
My colleague has the same issue, and I think the same phone. It's worse when he has his hard plastic cover on. Try taking your cover off? I think it's just terrible design.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you're right. When I take the back cover off I have almost 100% signal quality, while I have just 51% signal by backcover on.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium

Just felt like adding my two cents to this...
So, while his solution seems to be amazing, you should remember that so long as the copper wire is near the phone, it will be picking up interference from the rest of the phone's electronics. Also, you'll need to find out what the dominant frequency of your cellular provider is, because if you cut the wire to the wrong length, you have the possibility of making it worse, as the new "Antenna" wont be tuned for the frequency you're trying to pick up. Be forewarned, that when the phone has a connection to the external antenna jack, it has the possibility of making the internal antenna inoperable so long as you have something connected to it. Which means if you set the antenna up for 850 MHz, and you're in an area that uses 1900 MHz, you wont get any service, because the antenna isn't set up to work right with the 1900 MHz spectrum.
Also, since you installed a new antenna module, you should configure the phone for the module. At least, according to everything I've read on servicing Nokia phones, when you replace an antenna, you need to configure the attenuation of the new antenna to feel the full effect of replacing the antenna module. This, of course, requires the phone's service software, the correct jig, and your own mini cellular network. ;P

nitrous² said:
@ashishshevale
I know, you said, it's not worth it, to give this tricks you've linked a try. But, no, just watch the vid. Seems like I solved my problem xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GB30uXdE4w
Yep, you're right. When I take the back cover off I have almost 100% signal quality, while I have just 51% signal by backcover on.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that might have worked and worth trying if you have spare phone
but such copper wire hardly work and if they work they will burn something for sure
als copper wire might stop other frequency as atirox mentioned
there isa a reason for it
the antenna is having length equal to wavelength or overtone of frequenct to be received
if you calculate wavelength of 850mhz its very small so you can imagine the error probability
also there is always chance of short circuit due to a slight prb in soldering of wire
so better dont do it

I know, I asked a friend of mine who works in a phone repair shop and he was a little surprised that this solution worked at all. He told me the same things you did. And he told me to use a silver wire with a length of 4,7cm (1,8 inches) for gsm network or 7cm (2.7 inches) for umts. He couldn't figure out why it was still working and told me that this fix should burnout the signal receiping ic's on the liveboard. Anyone an idea why this still works?
I've posted this fix also on Android-hilfe dot de and there was a guy who thought he could do that too, eve though i told him to not do it. The result: no network connection at all, so he have had to buy a new mainboard.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium

no lol worakkk

There are (at least) 3 radios in the phone - GPS, wifi and cellular. Any one can be defective while the others are working perfectly. Also, the "antenna" is actually 3 antennas connected together - a GPS antenna, a wifi antenna and a cellular antenna (probably 2 or 3 of those). But since you put in a new antenna, I'd guess that the cellular radio is bad.

[Q] Advice needed !

Hi fellow xda-ers,
I smashed my N4's back door yesterday, in a very eccentric way.
I was riding my race bike really fast, when I noticed something awkward in the balance of the bike, it felt kind of loose.
Cycling on a cobbled street, I didn't think more of it. Suddenly the rear wheel just hopped off, and stuck itself in the frame.
As I was pedaling standing, i was projected forward and almost fell. The upper part of my thighs struck the handlebar or the stem so hard, that it totally crushed my barely 2 months old N4.
Now, the back door is totally destroyed. It wouldn't be so much of a big deal if there wasn't dead pixel cloud on the screen...
The touchscreen is however fully working, tchecked it under developper options.
I am now wondering what to do. Either repair the back, get over the dead pixel problem and cross finger hoping nothing else has been damaged. Or repair the back, RMA the phone arguing about the drop connection problems (which I truely have been facing) and hope a new one comes. One last solution, which truely repels me, would be to repair the back, sell the phone and get a new one.
My question is, would a tiny grey cloud on the screen and a different backplate be noticed, if I RMA the phone ?
The spot is almost only visible on grey & white.
Please kindly spare me with the moral issues it raises. I am a student, I waited several months to get this phone and broke it out of bad luck, not even mishandling it. Plus the phone had dropouts problems ...
Thanks for your advice.
Stas
[ EDIT : I had started an RMA for connection dropouts before breaking the phone ]
ps : As english is not my native language, is it correct to say "pedaling standing" ? Looks ok, but is it the proper way of saying it ?
Sorry for the sht*y quality of pictures, I don't have any other camera than my computer's webcam. In reality grey dots are more visible.

smaghe said:
Hi fellow xda-ers,
I smashed my N4's back door yesterday, in a very eccentric way.
I was riding my race bike really fast, when I noticed something awkward in the balance of the bike, it felt kind of loose.
Cycling on a cobbled street, I didn't think more of it. Suddenly the rear wheel just hopped off, and stuck itself in the frame.
As I was pedaling standing, i was projected forward and almost fell. The upper part of my thighs struck the handlebar or the stem so hard, that it totally crushed my barely 2 months old N4.
Now, the back door is totally destroyed. It wouldn't be so much of a big deal if there wasn't dead pixel cloud on the screen...
The touchscreen is however fully working, tchecked it under developper options.
I am now wondering what to do. Either repair the back, get over the dead pixel problem and cross finger hoping nothing else has been damaged. Or repair the back, RMA the phone arguing about the drop connection problems (which I truely have been facing) and hope a new one comes. One last solution, which truely repels me, would be to repair the back, sell the phone and get a new one.
My question is, would a tiny grey cloud on the screen and a different backplate be noticed, if I RMA the phone ?
The spot is almost only visible on grey & white.
Please kindly spare me with the moral issues it raises. I am a student, I waited several months to get this phone and broke it out of bad luck, not even mishandling it. Plus the phone had dropouts problems ...
Thanks for your advice.
Stas
ps : As english is not my native language, is it correct to say "pedaling standing" ? Looks ok, but is it the proper way of saying it ?
Sorry for the sht*y quality of pictures, I don't have any other camera than my computer's webcam. In reality grey dots are more visible.
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Looks like pics aren't displaying, so here are the links : hpics.li/19be0a5 & hpics.li/b3341d5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had bad luck, why is it the responsibility of Google to foot the bill of your bad luck? When did Google enter the business of insurance?
I understand that you're a student, but think about the above. And if the phone truly had substantial drop-out problems, you would have replaced it a long time ago. Your choice to keep the phone suggests that the "problem" is not as dire as you're making it out to be. It's funny how the phone breaks, and suddenly your phone had a "problem" all along that you "lived with".
Repair the phone, sell it off if you want, and disclose that information to your buyer.

Couldn't you call up LG customer care and send it to them to fix it for a cost?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

@PoisonWolf
I actually had started an RMA procedure for the network problems ...
@DarkSora
A backplate is an ok cost. Backplate + Display is definitely not worth it...

So you don't think they would notice the damage to the phone once they get it back and not charge you?

The accident is through no fault of Google so they wont repair it for free. Even though you started the RMA procedure, they wont accept a damaged phone like that when you send it them. Most likely the hold they put on your card will actually be what you end up paying.

Under no circumstances should you sell the phone unless you tell the person what happened to it and sell it as-is without trying to fix it yourself. Some people are into fixing phones. Sending it to Google under the assumption that you are trying to fix a different problem so you can get a new phone is just plain dishonest. Karma is real and doesn't let people get away with dishonest actions for very long.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2

If you can live with the screen issue, fixing the back is a simple $10 thing. Go buy a DBrand skin http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2095261 they will stick to broken screens and now you can't tell. No fancy pattern but you lost that anyway now.They are pretty thick and the black leather I have feels nice.
I keep thinking about bringing my N4 with mne when I ride but avoid it for this reason. I have hit my thigh on many things, I would rather pop out the SIM and use my HTC desire, but I generaly just ride without a phone or use the Desire as an MP3 player.

@ Rizy & Kzoodroid
Read ! I don't plan on sending it back without having the back repaired. Just repair the back and keep on with my initial RMA procedure, that I had started BEFORE I broke the phone.
It's quite unsure wether they will notice the dark spot on the screen, and that is the thing I was wondering about.
@eqjunkie829
Yes, that's why I said it repeled me.
@ajanu
Thanks ! It's a great solution, but it implies buying a new back cover, and get over the screen's dark spot, also implies keep on having dropouts problems.

smaghe said:
@ Rizy & Kzoodroid
Read ! I don't plan on sending it back without having the back repaired. Just repair the back and keep on with my initial RMA procedure, that I had started BEFORE I broke the phone.
It's quite unsure wether they will notice the dark spot on the screen, and that is the thing I was wondering about.
@eqjunkie829
Yes, that's why I said it repeled me.
@ajanu
Thanks ! It's a great solution, but it implies buying a new back cover, and get over the screen's dark spot, also implies keep on having dropouts problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one on here knows what Google is going to do even if you repair the phone. Its all just speculation as to what their process is for inspecting RMA'd devices. I believe the back glass runs around $100 and not sure if its an exact copy of the original or not. But if you repairs look original I say RMA it.

[GUIDE] HTC One M7 - Purple Tint Fix

UPDATED as of 10 MAY 2015..
Skanob said:
The final update and nail on the coffin:
I have confirmed that my fix for the camera module has PERMANENTLY FIXED the two M7s that I have applied the fix to since the date of the OP (July 2014).
"But wait!", you say, "why didn't it fix my camera on my phone? You're a load of bull!"
The answer for that is in post #110. READ. THE. DAMN. THING.
Prior of you doing the fix to your phone, your camera module has already been permanently damaged and there is no other way for you to fix this but to replace it WITH A NON-DAMAGED CAMERA MODULE, OR OMNIVISION.
Let us all be clear of that!
I am lucky that I have done (thought of) this fix before getting the camera module stuffed up.
How did I know that it has fixed it permanently?
I have recorded a video in 720p (on the 3rd of May, 2015, think what it is) from one of the phones (GPe converted, official Lollipop ROM using Google Camera, same phone that I've used on the proof video on OP) that I've got the fix applied for a whopping 1 hour and 15 minutes NON-STOP! The phone heated up alright to a staggering 53 degrees Celsius (as the phone indicates). I was surprised at this stage that the phone hasn't turned itself off automatically thermally, which the phone has on. I did see a small amount of purple tint haze when I tried stopping the recording then opened the camera app again. I immediately turned it off to cool it down. Waited approx. 30 mins to turn it on. Tried it and voila, no purple tint haze. Having to encounter this, I now have a peace of mind that I wouldn't have the issue again, and very confident that it has fixed the thermal handling of the camera module.
Having to rant and vent this out, I DO NOT WANT TO SEE (hoping for humanity) anyone posting saying that this didn't work, instead, post or say that YOUR CAMERA MODULE HAS ALREADY BEEN PERMANENTLY DAMAGED prior to applying the fix!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worldwide disclaimer not held responsible if something went wrong blah blah blah goes here..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS GUIDE WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE DISASSEMBLY THAT WILL BE DONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Proof:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does it work?
There are two things that needs to be done:
1. Increasing the amount of heat that can be removed.
The idea is to increase the capability of removing heat from the camera module itself. And, hopefully, by increasing or re-covering the thermal copper tape with another one, the capacity of these tapes that it can handle is doubled.
2. Redirecting the heat.
Having said the above, while still these copper tapes can only hold such amount of heat, once they have reached their limit, there is no other place to put that heat away from themselves. Then the only viable option is redirecting them to somewhere, to the middle panel.
Someone has recommended to put a thermal paste on it to improve it more. For me, this is an option, albeit if you have one lying around.
Refer to this thread for the sources of these ideas.
If there's anyone who is SCIENTIFICALLY inclined on what really is happening, feel free to share your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Requirements:
Common Sense
- it helps A LOT
Experience
- of disassembling a phone. if you don't have one, then you MUST have the
Heart
- to do it
Thermal Copper Tape
- bought from anywhere, you tell me, bought mine from ebay
Prying Tool/s
- bought from anywhere, you tell me
Screw Driver
- bought from anywhere
Guitar Pick
- where?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
STEP 1
Disassembly of the back cover:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
STEP 2
Tearing down the phone:
Refer to: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+One+Teardown/13494#s45595
Follow steps, until you physically are holding your camera module.
Skip removing the battery, display module, and the front camera, all of them are unnecessary.
Summary:
Skanob said:
Remove the back cover.
Remove ALL cables connected, AND I MEAN ALL.. Start from the bottom area of the phone, going up. The idea is to remove your battery flex cable (screwed) first.
Remove ALL screws. (for noob-proofness sake)
Remove the mother board.
Remove the daughter board.
Remove the Back Camera from the daughter board.
Do the fix.
Repeat steps from the bottom to top, opposite way.
You MUST pay close attention on what you are doing.
If you cannot do these, or doesn't have the heart to do them, I'm afraid this fix is not for you.
...
Make sure that when you put the back cover, it is exactly the opposite way of how you disconnected it. by starting on the right hand side (opposite of volume bottom when looking at the back of the phone), settle it properly, then pop it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
STEP 3
The camera fix:
What needs to be done:
1. Have you read the part where "Why this works?"
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Note:
You need only to RE-COVER the copper tape already on the camera module!
DO NOT REMOVE the rubber fillings on the camera module, they are there for a reason, which is to keep it in-place.
2. Hhmm..
Like you see on the video, make a tape roll. You know how to do that, right..?
The tape roll must stick to the front panel AND the back of the camera module. Get it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Credits
To everyone who helped me on having this idea.
If you think if you are one of them, then feel free to feel good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. Just read the sig below..
.

Skanob said:
Just to post that it can be done.
I'm still testing the 2 M7s that I have here with the fix that came up with. I'll post this video as a proof (if enough). I'll edit this soon for the how-to. Just need to go back to work.
DISASSEMBLE IMMINENT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Video is private

SBColasito said:
Video is private
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fixed.:good:

Bump for later

waiting for the how-to guide

waiting for you:highfive:

Just want to go back to stock for warranty because purple tint in camera, now i will wait too

Is the fix permanent?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

king_david43 said:
Is the fix permanent?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on my test, for 2 months. It could be permanent already. I'm giving it until November (summer time, surrounding temperature might affect the phone too) and see if it is the same.
But as of now, the 2 M7s that I have fixed is working fine. No more purple tint issue. Left the phone on its camera while sitting on its back for about an hour, NO purple haze or anything. Phone also handles the heat better as well.

Skanob said:
Based on my test, for 2 months. It could be permanent already. I'm giving it until November (summer time, surrounding temperature might affect the phone too) and see if it is the same.
But as of now, the 2 M7s that I have fixed is working fine. No more purple tint issue. Left the phone on its camera while sitting on its back for about an hour, NO purple haze or anything. Phone also handles the heat better as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So will you post your fix in November when you are done testing? I am willing to try anything at this point because mine is just getting worse and if I don't have to buy a new camera module I'll be happy.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

king_david43 said:
So will you post your fix in November when you are done testing? I am willing to try anything at this point because mine is just getting worse and if I don't have to buy a new camera module I'll be happy.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll post it this weekend. Preferably sunday, still at work. (damn.)

Skanob said:
I'll post it this weekend. Preferably sunday, still at work. (damn.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright thanks. Much appreciated.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

I'm willing to try anything like @king_david43 said. My phone started suffering this issue 4 months ago and it's getting worse. I never see it while turning the phone on it's back, only when the camera is pointing to dark or poor lit areas.
I will keep my hopes up until sunday and see if anything can be done to fix or at least mitigate the issue.

I'm waiting for your fix. Hope it's and easy one and we can do it alone at home.

octhunder said:
I'm waiting for your fix. Hope it's and easy one and we can do it alone at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Let's hope this is not only fake...

Maybe he is busy
Sent from my One using Tapatalk

Updated.

Skanob said:
Updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are saying that the problem is just the interruption of the ground connection?

dpeddi said:
So you are saying that the problem is just the interruption of the ground connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? The problem is heat. By putting a connection (copper tape) between the camera, and to the middle panel at the back of the LCD, you redirect that heat to a bigger conductor.