Database Users

Changing Nexus One Hosing

Ok so my Nexus One got a few Dings and scratches nothing critical or crazy. but I'm really picky about my phones looking New so I invested on buying a N1 housing on ebay and I wanted to know any pointers from people that done this before. I do have some experience on changing housings but where I'm hesitant about taking apart the digitizer since its glued I believe to the middle part and people are just putting double sided tape to hold the thing together which in my opinion it doesn't last. So maybe you guys got better pointer than people I see on youtube and other blogs. Thanks

How would you source a new housing without spending at least $200, if you don't mind me asking?

I got my housing on ebay for 45.00 for battery door bottom part and the middle housing. Now if i brake anything inside it will cost me alot more than 200.00.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

If you are just replacing the housing you do not have to do anything about the digitizer/lcd. You just pull it out of the old and put it in the new. I did this recently with my N1 and am very happy with my shiney new looking phone. There are plenty of videos on youtube to step you through the process just be patient and careful. The hardest part for me was the connectors for the docks in the bottom back plate.
Sent from my Nexus One

paperecho said:
If you are just replacing the housing you do not have to do anything about the digitizer/lcd. You just pull it out of the old and put it in the new. I did this recently with my N1 and am very happy with my shiney new looking phone. There are plenty of videos on youtube to step you through the process just be patient and careful. The hardest part for me was the connectors for the docks in the bottom back plate.
Sent from my Nexus One
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You made my day! I was having a hard time finding a video to confirm that. most people replace the broken digitizer or they just disassemble the phone without taking the digitizer off. Now I'm just waiting for my housing to arrive from China.

the bottom cover part(not the battery door) was a little easier to take off than i expected but it was tough though. I used a pry tool like this http://www.accessorygeeks.com/pry-tool-plastic-case-bu.html
Highly suggest picking one up.
For the bottom piece across the top part there are three little tabs that you pop up then in think two little ones you have to work downward on the sides then it will slide off.
replacing the aluminum unibody part does require a full disassembly.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=1054682
Check out the site linked in my post there. Any use to anybody?

DirkGently1 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=1054682
Check out the site linked in my post there. Any use to anybody?
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http://cnn.cn/shop/google-c-976.html this is where I bought few things before but not for my Nexus One
Thanks for all your help guys !! I got my housing today and replaced it is hard but not as hard as I thought your tips helped alot

I did it 2 days ago, pretty easy, do take care of the power button though

Broke the front glass of my G2 :( -- FIXED! :)

Everything works fine (except for the camera focus, which I can live with since everything is in focus always as it is because it shoots at like f/8). What's weird is that it has survived so many other falls onto concrete, and this just happens now.
I really need to replace the glass as soon as possible. It looks pretty unprofessional cracked like this.. I am out of warranty (bought the phone in September 2010 from T-Mobile), and T-Mobile no longer has any G2s .
I've looked through a few people who have mentioned replacing their front glass, and would like to do so myself. Anyone have advice regarding how I could do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-dR8CHEGjY

less than $20 for new digitizer, takes 30min -- leave yourself an hour if your new to this

Sweet thanks! Looking forward to getting this done. Will keep this thread updated.

Ordered it from the website. Hopefully will get it soon.

captainreynolds said:
Ordered it from the website. Hopefully will get it soon.
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I highly advise AGAINST super glue for securing the digitizer.

silverton said:
I highly advise AGAINST super glue for securing the digitizer.
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Click to collapse
Okay - what would you recommend instead?

the glue that is on your phone now will sufice. when heat it up with hair dryer (be carefull if you use a heat gun) most of it will stay along the frame of your phone. just keep it warm and quickly put new digitizer back. have done it twice now with g2s and countless times with g1s and no dust has ever seeped in.
but with g1s i often replaced the casing as well. here i would use 3m double sided tape that worked very well. if you are also replacing the case or for some reason dont feel the glue is enough use this
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

I recommend 2mm 3M adhesive tape. I have used it for the 3 g2s I own and it holds darn well. Its less then 5 bucks on amazon and you will have quite a bit of it. Dont use glue. I always take off that old black tape.
http://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Sticker-Digitizer-Supersonic-Incredible/dp/B004WIQW3U

demkantor said:
the glue that is on your phone now will sufice. when heat it up with hair dryer (be carefull if you use a heat gun) most of it will stay along the frame of your phone. just keep it warm and quickly put new digitizer back. have done it twice now with g2s and countless times with g1s and no dust has ever seeped in.
but with g1s i often replaced the casing as well. here i would use 3m double sided tape that worked very well. if you are also replacing the case or for some reason dont feel the glue is enough use this
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
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Okay - thanks for this!
Darkseid83 said:
I recommend 2mm 3M adhesive tape. I have used it for the 3 g2s I own and it holds darn well. Its less then 5 bucks on amazon and you will have quite a bit of it. Dont use glue. I always take off that old black tape.
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The tape doesn't make the digitizer bulge away from the surface at all? I feel like it would. I'll give that link a buy though, just in case.

the tape he and i is refuring to is thinner than paper, i have not needed it for a g2 before but only have done 2 digitizers on these so i cant say its never necessary unless you are replacing the case as well, but its cheap to have around and may be needed
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

The tape doesn't make the digitizer bulge away from the surface at all? I feel like it would. I'll give that link a buy though, just in case
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No if you stack it right I had to stack three pieces of that tape to flush it. It does not move around if you tape in the right spots. Its very thin and almost invisible.

That is weird... I did the SAME thing last week lol! I busted it on the concrete too and everything. It scratched up the bezel pretty bad too. I had insurance so I ended up getting the MT4GS (aka HTC Doubleshot). I love how speedy it is but I REALLY miss the development here and the GREAT community here in the Desire Z/G2 sub forum As far as repairing/replacing the screen (the digitizer specifically), everyone here gave great advice. I used to repair phones for a number of years and we always used a sealant very similar to double sided tape that y'all were mentioning. It basically was foaming glue that acted similar to silicon or something. I agree that about not using super glue. Bad idea. Also be careful with the ribbon wires and watch a few videos prior to disassembly. There were a few tear down threads here I'd keep handy while repairing. Good luck to ya!

Make sure you are VERY careful when removing the lcd its very fragile. I reaced my digitizer easy and was careful and lcd got mrssed up ie no pic. Ordered a new lcd and it had not brightness control always dim waiting for new replacement now. Side note once new screen comes in I will be selling this phone if anyone is interested i have 3 of them only need 2
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA

Son of gun. The last three screws I need to remove do NOT fit with the philips head screwdriver that was recommended. Now I get to scramble around with my phone in pieces trying to find a smaller philips head screwdriver. Awesome.
They are philips head, not torque screws. I checked and triple checked.

Anyone have any idea what to do here? I can't find smaller screwdrivers anywhere. Home depot has got nada.

Go out and buy a precision screwdriver set or maybe a eye glasses repair kit. Only the first 3 screws are torx T5. Also there is 7 of them tiny ones not 3. There is 3 on either side and one more under keyboard backstop
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA

anoymonos said:
Go out and buy a precision screwdriver set or maybe a eye glasses repair kit. Only the first 3 screws are torx T5. Also there is 7 of them tiny ones not 3. There is 3 on either side and one more under keyboard backstop
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
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No it's the three screws across the back at this time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=u-dR8CHEGjY#t=251s).
They are smaller than all the others and I still cannot get them out. I cannot find an eye glasses repair kit or precision screwdriver set small enough.

http://www.repairsuniverse.com sent me the screwdrivers for the Inspire 4G. Pretty sure the digitizer is for the G2 but I'll have to check the screen sizes to make sure.
Update. Fry's elecronics had a repair kit for smartphones that fit the screws. Still working on it.

captainreynolds said:
No it's the three screws across the back at this time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=u-dR8CHEGjY#t=251s).
They are smaller than all the others and I still cannot get them out. I cannot find an eye glasses repair kit or precision screwdriver set small enough.
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if you keep watching the video you will see that when he removes the sticky keyboard backstop there are three more identical size screws mirrored from the ones you are talking about right on edge of phone, and then when you remove that piece after you remove the screws there wiil be one more (this makes number 7 ) screw of the same size tiny. Also i dont think it is metioned in the video but when you go to remove the keyboard backstop (the shiny piece under the sticky strip ) use your safe pry tool to unlock the tabs from the edge and then you must slide the piece towards the center of the phone it does not just pry off there are tiny tabs holding one side down opposite of the screws ( edge of phone ) And as far as the screwdriver for eye glasses repair, is it you cant find one or it just does not work? You should be able to find one at any walgreens or equivalent drug store or pharmacy. You could also try a hobby shop they might have something that will work. I personally use quite a big screwdriver to disassemble you just need to make sure it has a sharp point at the tip of the star ( mine is a phillips number 00 ) Believe me once you get it apart once you will be that was so easy.

Thanks and Farewell

Well my digitizer gave up on me today and i am not bothering around trying to repair it as the phone is pretty screwed already with its broken camera ribbon.
Thanks to jokersax, Epinter for the ICS/JB and the other dev's who did the awesome roms i used on the Atrix 4G!

That sucks man, as you can see here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1880574
I am having some issues as well, hmm *puts on aluminum foil hat*
Maybe Motorola, is just stalling with the update, because they know 90% of atrix 4g are going to crap out within the next 2-3 months. *takes hat off*
Well best of luck man, I got a One S but I'm not super happy with it. Still using my atrix till I decide.

Same here. 2nd time digitizer has failed. Nexus arrived today. Was a nice run while it lasted. AT&T contract is done in two months, and thinking hard bout taking my nexus over to t-mobile and trying out unlimited data. Plan to buy one of the next gen phones with at least 5" screen. Old eyes tired of squinting :cyclops:
And thanks to all the kind folks in the forum, and mostly to the Devs that put in way more time than they probably should have.
I'll be lurking here still, -> in the nexus forum, c-ya

raithsphere said:
Well my digitizer gave up on me today and i am not bothering around trying to repair it as the phone is pretty screwed already with its broken camera ribbon.
Thanks to jokersax, Epinter for the ICS/JB and the other dev's who did the awesome roms i used on the Atrix 4G!
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Click to collapse
That's about $50 US in parts to fix. lol I'll gladly take off your hands .
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Cab121 said:
That's about $50 US in parts to fix. lol I'll gladly take off your hands .
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Still just easier for me to get a new phone, the actual connector on the board got snapped for the ribbon and a friend of mine already took it off my hands for spares.
and to quote someone from another post
P05TMAN said:
Honestly, my atrix has a dead, horizontal line down the left side
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Click to collapse
thats actually what happened with mine before the whole thing died lol

raithsphere said:
Still just easier for me to get a new phone, the actual connector on the board got snapped for the ribbon and a friend of mine already took it off my hands for spares.
and to quote someone from another post
thats actually what happened with mine before the whole thing died lol
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That's a fairly common problem with these phones. There is this very small ribbon that connects to the digitizer and its the weakest link in the entire phone. That thing rips then you got to get a new digitizer. (For the sake of anyone looking at the same issue read on) Most people take the thing apart and get lazy at the last pace by not removing the speaker and finger scanner, try to negotiate the little hole then rip it in the process. Take it all apart its only one extra step. Heating the glass up evenly with a blow dryer to loosen up the tape is a handy dandy trick to.
On a side note. I noticed after I dropped one recently with a brand new digitizer the following happened . Almost immediately it seemed that as I typed the digitizer was not selecting the same spots I was pressing on. About a day or two later sections of the digitizer stopped responding to any touch. So after fiddling with it I downloaded a simple drawing app and ran my finger around which highlighted or left blank the dead zone. I had all ready suspected the drop borked my didgitizer but that showed be a strip from top to bottom 1/4 inch wide that was dead. I removes the didgitizer and closely inspected it. I see absolutely no physical damage to ribbon, connectors, nor glass. The nerd in me won't let it go so if I figure out the whole story I'll let everyone know. Its an common issue so figured I'd offer the food for thought just in case anyone was wondering the same thing. No highjacking this is extra data for the topic if I learn anything rock solid I'll make a thread for it.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Cab121 said:
That's a fairly common problem with these phones. There is this very small ribbon that connects to the digitizer and its the weakest link in the entire phone. That thing rips then you got to get a new digitizer. (For the sake of anyone looking at the same issue read on) Most people take the thing apart and get lazy at the last pace by not removing the speaker and finger scanner, try to negotiate the little hole then rip it in the process. Take it all apart its only one extra step. Heating the glass up evenly with a blow dryer to loosen up the tape is a handy dandy trick to.
On a side note. I noticed after I dropped one recently with a brand new digitizer the following happened . Almost immediately it seemed that as I typed the digitizer was not selecting the same spots I was pressing on. About a day or two later sections of the digitizer stopped responding to any touch. So after fiddling with it I downloaded a simple drawing app and ran my finger around which highlighted or left blank the dead zone. I had all ready suspected the drop borked my didgitizer but that showed be a strip from top to bottom 1/4 inch wide that was dead. I removes the didgitizer and closely inspected it. I see absolutely no physical damage to ribbon, connectors, nor glass. The nerd in me won't let it go so if I figure out the whole story I'll let everyone know. Its an common issue so figured I'd offer the food for thought just in case anyone was wondering the same thing. No highjacking this is extra data for the topic if I learn anything rock solid I'll make a thread for it.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
If you didn't purchase an OEM digitizer the quality could be lacking from the start. Also check the ribbon clip for damage. I've swapped a few screens now and anything other than OEM may not work out of the package.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Sass86 said:
If you didn't purchase an OEM digitizer the quality could be lacking from the start. Also check the ribbon clip for damage. I've swapped a few screens now and anything other than OEM may not work out of the package.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
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All good advice and info.
Must have mislead you in the post. I wasn't asking for anything but offering information. Probably got a few hundred digitizers under my belt by now. Just got a wild hair and decided to investigate a hard to reproduce problem instead if just throwing out another one lol. I agree 100% on OEM its a must and all that's ever used in my rebuilds. Cheers
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Nexus 4 Back glass shattered, won't power on.

Hey All,
The other night my phone back glass panel shattered while inside my pocket. I'm not sure when/how it happened. Now, I have a solid red light when charging and the phone will not turn on. I've tried various combinations of holding power + volume down, but to no avail.
I've got a ton of pictures and some saved games data I'm trying to get off the phone. Is there any way to do this?
Also, I called google and they are sending me a new one, but I didn't mention the broken glass. Do you think this will be an issue? I've also had it rooted for about 1 month now.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

BNCole said:
Hey All,
The other night my phone back glass panel shattered while inside my pocket. I'm not sure when/how it happened. Now, I have a solid red light when charging and the phone will not turn on. I've tried various combinations of holding power + volume down, but to no avail.
I've got a ton of pictures and some saved games data I'm trying to get off the phone. Is there any way to do this?
Also, I called google and they are sending me a new one, but I didn't mention the broken glass. Do you think this will be an issue? I've also had it rooted for about 1 month now.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to open the back cover and unscrew the two screw pins that are holding the battery. Flip the plate over and put it back in and screw them back together. You will need a T5 torque screwdriver and small philip screwdriver. The phone should power on now.

scream4cheese said:
You will need to open the back cover and unscrew the two screw pins that are holding the battery. Flip the plate over and put it back in and screw them back together. You will need a T5 torque screwdriver and small philip screwdriver. The phone should power on now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arg, T5 of course! I've got a T6. I just ordered a set on Amazon and it should come Tuesday. I'll let you know how it works out!
Thanks for your help.

BNCole said:
Arg, T5 of course! I've got a T6. I just ordered a set on Amazon and it should come Tuesday. I'll let you know how it works out!
Thanks for your help.
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Click to collapse
So do you still have to return the phone for the replacement? LOL

scream4cheese said:
So do you still have to return the phone for the replacement? LOL
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Yeah, I'm not really sure. If I fix it myself... they might not take it. But I really want those pics off so I'm going to give it a shot anyhow.

BNCole said:
Yeah, I'm not really sure. If I fix it myself... they might not take it. But I really want those pics off so I'm going to give it a shot anyhow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZDAIgwbXk4

I don't see any reason why they shouldn't charge you for the second phone: the screen on the first shattered - mechanical damage, it has been opened - this is not allowed. All these will leave you without warranty.

fatum2002 said:
I don't see any reason why they shouldn't charge you for the second phone: the screen on the first shattered - mechanical damage, it has been opened - this is not allowed. All these will leave you without warranty.
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Click to collapse
The black glass shattered while it was in my pocket. The screen is fine. It sounds like a manufacturers defect to me.

BNCole said:
The black glass shattered while it was in my pocket. The screen is fine. It sounds like a manufacturers defect to me.
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Click to collapse
Im sure once they see the shattered glass they'll charge you for the replacement..should of told them from the begining what happened and atleast tried to explain. :/
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

drmclove69 said:
Im sure once they see the shattered glass they'll charge you for the replacement..should of told them from the begining what happened and atleast tried to explain. :/
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Oh I did. The lady said broken glass voided the warranty. So I hung up and called back and just didn't mention it.

I don't get it, whats the warranty good for if shattered glass voids the warranty?...
the whole phone is practically a glass statue.

Nirkon said:
I don't get it, whats the warranty good for if shattered glass voids the warranty?...
the whole phone is practically a glass statue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The glass breaking randomly should be covered by the warranty, since it's the damn problem. They even updated the design to include nubs on the bottom of newer models to prevent the glass from touching any surfaces 100% flat.
I had to order some plastic tools to open the case. They should come tomorrow. The new phone hasn't came either, ordered Friday night.

BNCole said:
The black glass shattered while it was in my pocket. The screen is fine. It sounds like a manufacturers defect to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it may be a manufacturers defect, but the fact the device is going to be tampered with, and opened up; at least from a business standpoint, they shouldnt have to replace it. i hope it all works out for you, but on their end, giving you the refund/replacement would be questionable business practice. they lose money from it but gain customer satisfaction... tough call lol.

Update:
My pry tools came into today and I was able to remove the back. I then removed 1 battery screw and I cannot remove the second one. It is so ridiculously tight that it started to strip the screw. I switched to a flat head that fit exactly and the screw bent the flat head. (cheap metal i guess)
So my plan now is to go to the hardware store and get a brand name 1.0 precision flat head which will hopefully work. If that doesn't work I think I have a small enough drill head to drill the screw out.
One problem after another... this phone is really pissing me off.

[Q] Cracked screen. Best option.

Ok folks, there's probably a thread on this somewhere, but I haven't found it yet, and frankly I've got plenty to do as it is, so forgive me for not making a thorough search.
Anyhow, I've managed to crack the screen just above the home and app buttons, which is a pain, but **** happens. I've noticed that on eBay the screen + LCD combo is around A$140 while the front glass alone is only A$27. Now, since the Lcd isn't damaged, that kinda looks awesome, right? Except, I haven't found any instructions on how to replace the front glass alone with out ****ing with the LCD too. Anyone know?
Plenty of vids on YouTube on how to change the combo, which is a bit of a pain in the arse compared to other phones. All I want to change is the glass. Any help would be much appreciated.

WestAussie said:
Ok folks, there's probably a thread on this somewhere, but I haven't found it yet, and frankly I've got plenty to do as it is, so forgive me for not making a thorough search.
Anyhow, I've managed to crack the screen just above the home and app buttons, which is a pain, but **** happens. I've noticed that on eBay the screen + LCD combo is around A$140 while the front glass alone is only A$27. Now, since the Lcd isn't damaged, that kinda looks awesome, right? Except, I haven't found any instructions on how to replace the front glass alone with out ****ing with the LCD too. Anyone know?
Plenty of vids on YouTube on how to change the combo, which is a bit of a pain in the arse compared to other phones. All I want to change is the glass. Any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use a hairdryer for loosening the adhesive to separate glass and digitizer , being patient is the key but there is a good chance of messing it up

It was my understanding that the screen assembly was next to impossible to disassemble without damaging the other layers of the screen. It seems hard enough to separate from its housing I can't imagine the difficulty in de-laminating the glass from the digitizer/LCD.
I just replaced my front with the combo part from etradesupply it was pretty expensive but 0 hassle. A couple of screws later and I moved to the old main board to the new front part... No heating no heavy prying.
Good luck with your fix.
P

pietro_spina said:
It was my understanding that the screen assembly was next to impossible to disassemble without damaging the other layers of the screen. It seems hard enough to separate from its housing I can't imagine the difficulty in de-laminating the glass from the digitizer/LCD.
I just replaced my front with the combo part from etradesupply it was pretty expensive but 0 hassle. A couple of screws later and I moved to the old main board to the new front part... No heating no heavy prying.
Good luck with your fix.
P
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Click to collapse
Didn't you have to heat the battery to move it when you did the swap? My fear is ill damage one of those wafer thin ribbon cables in the process too. Just looks like a mission of a job from the vid I watched on YouTube. Would hate know how much a tech guy would charge though.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

WestAussie said:
Didn't you have to heat the battery to move it when you did the swap? My fear is ill damage one of those wafer thin ribbon cables in the process too. Just looks like a mission of a job from the vid I watched on YouTube. Would hate know how much a tech guy would charge though.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Mine had a battery.
This is the part I bought.
OEM LG Nexus 4 E960 LCD Screen and Digitizer Assembly with Front Housing and Battery
from this page (they ship out of Hong Kong)
http://www.etradesupply.com/lg/android-models/lg-nexus-4-e960-parts.html but it appears to be out of stock now. (Maybe I got the last one)
Like I said, it was pricey, but i couldn't risk me screwing it up further since I run my architecture firm with this phone. I was looking for a minimal down time solution because the alternative for me was just buy a new phone in a retail store the next day. Not having access to the lower parts of my screen was seriously limiting. I slogged away for a week using all sorts of work-arounds to activate the dial pad, use parts of the keyboard etc while I waited for the replacement part.
This guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZDAIgwbXk4 does not show the heating stage but he is so freaking calm, it can't be that bad... Do remove the main board before prying on the battery if you go that route...
-p

I just want to add, for anyone finding this thread, that the part I got from etradesupply.com has some pretty obvious yellowing of the screen. This screen was either removed from someone else's n4 because of this defect or taken from the reject bin at the factory.
In the future if I have any breaks, I will sent it to an LG facility.

Does anyone know of another place to buy the front screen with housing? It is OOS at etradesupply....

Just saw this one posted. I have not used them.
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/LG-Nexus-4-s/20969.htm

pietro_spina said:
Just saw this one posted. I have not used them.
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/LG-Nexus-4-s/20969.htm
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Click to collapse
Thanks... looks like mixed reviews about this company, though.