Database Users

Finally fixed by Touch HD!!

To make a long story short:
I must have somehow put too much pressure on the digitizer to create a "newton ring" which in turn would not allow me to use the touch feature of the digitizer. I sent it to HTC USA to repair it. They noticed the "newton ring" as well as the modified ROM
They would not warranty the "newton ring" and said they would not repair the Digitizer due to the fact that it had been "hacked". They would replace the Digitizer, LCD and internals for $389.00. I told them they were smoking crack.
After paying HTC $25.00 for doing nothing they sent the phone back and I went online to order a Digitizer. I paid $17.00 which included shipping and I got it within 7 days.
The HTC service manual does not have a guide on how to replace the digitizer or the LCD. They really don't want you messing with it.
It was scary and I thought I had ruined the phone when I pryed the front of the unit open. At first the sticker to the digitizer came off(black framing) and then you have to pry the digitizer(its pretty stiff) from the frame. I destroyed the thin cable that led to the backside of the LCD but the new one has one already attached so I wasn't worried about that part. The LCD with a metal base plate is attached to the back of it. You have to slowly pry off the LCD from the backside of the digitizer.
Anyways I have assembled it back and everything is working perfectly. It was doing Micro-Surgery at times.
Just wanted to share my story.

Congratulations!!

mrmomoman said:
To make a long story short:
I must have somehow put too much pressure on the digitizer to create a "newton ring" which in turn would not allow me to use the touch feature of the digitizer. I sent it to HTC USA to repair it. They noticed the "newton ring" as well as the modified ROM
They would not warranty the "newton ring" and said they would not repair the Digitizer due to the fact that it had been "hacked". They would replace the Digitizer, LCD and internals for $389.00. I told them they were smoking crack.
After paying HTC $25.00 for doing nothing they sent the phone back and I went online to order a Digitizer. I paid $17.00 which included shipping and I got it within 7 days.
The HTC service manual does not have a guide on how to replace the digitizer or the LCD. They really don't want you messing with it.
It was scary and I thought I had ruined the phone when I pryed the front of the unit open. At first the sticker to the digitizer came off(black framing) and then you have to pry the digitizer(its pretty stiff) from the frame. I destroyed the thin cable that led to the backside of the LCD but the new one has one already attached so I wasn't worried about that part. The LCD with a metal base plate is attached to the back of it. You have to slowly pry off the LCD from the backside of the digitizer.
Anyways I have assembled it back and everything is working perfectly. It was doing Micro-Surgery at times.
Just wanted to share my story.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you attach the digitizer to the LCD? Aren't they glued together or something like that?
Because that's where my attempt went terribly wrong: Instead of getting the digitizer off my LCD, I broke my LCD... I bought a new complete screen unit because I didn't know how the LCD is attached to the digitizer!

The digitizer is semi-glued to the LCD panel which sits on the back along with the thin metal cover. The digitizer has a thin flat connector that connects to the back of the main board on the bottom. I slowly pryed off the LCD(grayish white in color) from the back of the Digitizer. It came off and I aligned it back up with the new digitizer and the glue residue left over from the LCD adhered to the rear of the new Digitizer. the tricky part is the thin connectors that attach to the mainboard. You have to get a pair of tweezers to pull it from the flat connector. When you get the digitizer you will see the new connector. Attaching that and the prying of the LCD was the hard part.
I read somewhere some guy said he broke the LCD but in truth it wasn't the LCD that he broke. He pryed apart the 3 layers of the Digitizer and thought he ruined the LCD. I thought the same thing orignally then I when the whole LCD/Digitizer was in my hand I was looking realized that the LCD was the grayish/white panel on the back. One can easily peel away the top 2 layers of the digitizer and would think that it could be the LCD they ruined.
I hope that makes sense. It was the first time I did this and I didn't see the video where someone removed the Screen. I only saw the Russian guy who didn't finish the job because he was stuck at the end. I just figured it out the hard way.
Also the T6 works but I think a t5 would be better. I only had a T6 and it did the job.
I am so glad I wore gloves or I would have had some major finger prints all over the unit

mrmomoman said:
The digitizer is semi-glued to the LCD panel which sits on the back along with the thin metal cover. The digitizer has a thin flat connector that connects to the back of the main board on the bottom. I slowly pryed off the LCD(grayish white in color) from the back of the Digitizer. It came off and I aligned it back up with the new digitizer and the glue residue left over from the LCD adhered to the rear of the new Digitizer. the tricky part is the thin connectors that attach to the mainboard. You have to get a pair of tweezers to pull it from the flat connector. When you get the digitizer you will see the new connector. Attaching that and the prying of the LCD was the hard part.
I read somewhere some guy said he broke the LCD but in truth it wasn't the LCD that he broke. He pryed apart the 3 layers of the Digitizer and thought he ruined the LCD. I thought the same thing orignally then I when the whole LCD/Digitizer was in my hand I was looking realized that the LCD was the grayish/white panel on the back. One can easily peel away the top 2 layers of the digitizer and would think that it could be the LCD they ruined.
I hope that makes sense. It was the first time I did this and I didn't see the video where someone removed the Screen. I only saw the Russian guy who didn't finish the job because he was stuck at the end. I just figured it out the hard way.
Also the T6 works but I think a t5 would be better. I only had a T6 and it did the job.
I am so glad I wore gloves or I would have had some major finger prints all over the unit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your explanation! But I'm still not going to attempt this on my own any time soon... We'll see... Maybe I'll change my mind if my digitizer is broken or scratched...

Respect man! You mentioned that you bought digitizer for $17. Is it possible to buy mainboard for Touch HD from that place? Can you please advise where I can get it. And how much it will be?

Got to love a bit of micro-electronics DIY!

This just shows that HTC are taking people for a ride - there are a lot of people who would have just paid the price they stated. As you've only replaced the digitizer, shows they were taking the mick with the LCD and otherwise, what are these "internals" that HTC said it needed I wonder...??

Just replaced the digitizer on my HD and it took about 1.5hrs. As long as you're very careful, it's not that hard at all.
Make sure you have the Service Manual though as it was a great help.

Have you got the link for the service manual?
Ive just had to order a Digitizer as my phone has decided it doesnt want to work anymore (6 months to go on contract too ffs).
Managed to get one from a UK seller with tools for £17 so im happy.

KickAssMoves said:
Have you got the link for the service manual?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in the wiki.

WelshWarior said:
Just replaced the digitizer on my HD and it took about 1.5hrs. As long as you're very careful, it's not that hard at all.
Make sure you have the Service Manual though as it was a great help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi:
How did you get the digitizer separated from the LCD?
I was thinking of putting two suction cups (1 on the back of the LCD, and the other on the front of the digitizer), heating everything up for a couple of minutes with a heat gun, and then pulling them apart holding the suction cups.
Does that make sense?
Thanks.

mrmomoman said:
To make a long story short:
I must have somehow put too much pressure on the digitizer to create a "newton ring" which in turn would not allow me to use the touch feature of the digitizer. I sent it to HTC USA to repair it. They noticed the "newton ring" as well as the modified ROM
They would not warranty the "newton ring" and said they would not repair the Digitizer due to the fact that it had been "hacked". They would replace the Digitizer, LCD and internals for $389.00. I told them they were smoking crack.
After paying HTC $25.00 for doing nothing they sent the phone back and I went online to order a Digitizer. I paid $17.00 which included shipping and I got it within 7 days.
The HTC service manual does not have a guide on how to replace the digitizer or the LCD. They really don't want you messing with it.
It was scary and I thought I had ruined the phone when I pryed the front of the unit open. At first the sticker to the digitizer came off(black framing) and then you have to pry the digitizer(its pretty stiff) from the frame. I destroyed the thin cable that led to the backside of the LCD but the new one has one already attached so I wasn't worried about that part. The LCD with a metal base plate is attached to the back of it. You have to slowly pry off the LCD from the backside of the digitizer.
Anyways I have assembled it back and everything is working perfectly. It was doing Micro-Surgery at times.
Just wanted to share my story.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just had mines fixed called them told them wat i did that i found an outer sreen and tryed to replace it myself and completely destroyed the lil black screen inside of the 4screens put together and that my device software was moded now i had 469 out going and another 469 incoming calls they only charged me 113 but wen we first talked about it they did say about 350 until they see the device and then they will call you before the repair it but the did wipe out my device and reinstalled the oem rom they also gave me a full new body and zero'ed out the incoming and out going calls which never changest unless they put in a new mother board which makes my phone brand new

sorry if ive missed it, but how do you get the lcd and digi out from the black outer casing frame to start with ??, from what i can see it comes out by somehow pushing from the inside to make it pop out ?? could someone please explain a little bit more on how to do this, ill try and make a vid of me getting it out as i have yet to find one that shows this, also my screen has that wierd pearl essance look to it?? does this mean its the digitiser.
Cheers
Mike

pickie said:
sorry if ive missed it, but how do you get the lcd and digi out from the black outer casing frame to start with ??, from what i can see it comes out by somehow pushing from the inside to make it pop out ?? could someone please explain a little bit more on how to do this, ill try and make a vid of me getting it out as i have yet to find one that shows this, also my screen has that wierd pearl essance look to it?? does this mean its the digitiser.
Cheers
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine had that pearl essence look to it for a good few months before it broke, not that im sure that has anything to do with it.
Just awaiting the delivery of the digitizer and hopefully I can repair it.

yeh mine had the pearl effect for a long time prior to it dyeing

ive followed the service manual and the video of the guy who gets stuck near the end, but how do you g et the screen out of the casing to get to the digitizer?
Its one hell of atight fit and i cant see anything o bvious.
Help

Hi Guys
Sorry about the late replies - had phoneline probs!!
Assuming you followed the instructions in the Service Manual to take the rest of the phone apart, you've just gotta be VERY careful and push the screen out from the back (where the Circuit Boards where) of the plastic frame. At first, it feels like it's not budging but be patient and it WILL start to push away.
It seems to be held in with some sort of hot glue or maybe a contact sort of adhesive and I didn't try it but some heat from something like a hair dryer may make the job easier.
Many people have cracked their LCD screen during the repair but as long as you're careful not to bend the screen too much when taking it out, you'll be fine.
I peeled the 3 layers (outer glass ones and then the Digitizer itself) off the LCD whilst removing it.
Good luck - it's really not that hard. Any more questions - just ask ;-)

ive got the phone apart to the point of the service manual/video
which part of the back do you push out? doesnt look obvious as to whats attached and what isnt

Once you get to the last stage (I thinks it's the Speaker Removal) you simply push on the metal protector of the LCD from the back. You will see small holes in the plastic of the back of the frame where you can push something blunt through and push very lightly on the LCD to push it out.
If I remember correctly, at the bottom of the phone where the circuit board with the vibrator and microphone on it was sitting, there is quite a large opening with the metal backing of the LCD visible through it. I started pushing there and gently went all around the phone in the various small holes dotted around it.
As I said above, it won't feel like it's working at first but it will - just be patient and not too heavy handed!

My HD2 LCD screen broken -- Help!!

My LCD screeb broken yesterday. I have tmobile HTC HD2.But my touchscreen works fine.
Do I need to purchase this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/OEM-HTC-HD2-T858...#ht_2748wt_698
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/T-MOBILE-HTC-HD2...ht_1845wt_1014
Do I need to solder something or is just an easy fix?
Please let me know.
Thanks

Mine too
The links to the Ebay sale you posted are no longer valid.
My screen is broken also, just the touch sensitive glass (digitizer). The LCD is still in tact.
From what I understand the digitizer is harder to replace than the entire screen (digitizer+LCD) because the LCD is glued to the digitizer. There's a video on YouTube someone posted demoing the process.
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/HTC-T-Mobile-HD2-Digitizer-p/htc733745.htm
Has the digitizer for only $57 USD, but you have to order 3 at at time. If we can find someone else that's interested, then maybe we can go in and get one if that's all that you need also.
Cyph

I have done the digitizer repair, not exactly what I would call a fun time.
Easy to mess up your phone, need to make your own glue or double sided tape (to hold digitizer/lcd/frame together), about 4 little tiny wires that need to be placed correctly when putting the phone back together.
Thankfully the US HD2 does not require soldering the digitizer's connector to the lcd (the european one does), however again this is not a repair job for the feinthearted.
After all was said and done and the digitizer was repaired, the new one had the rainbow/oil effect when under a fluorescent light source, don't know if it is due to me using the wrong digitizer or what, but it did not look good. I had the same issue with a altell touch pro 1 that I purchased on ebay, it annoyed me then and it's back with a vengance.
Have fun, be very meticulous and watch the HD2 dissembler videos about 5 times before you unscrew one screw.

well its happened. i dropped my bloody phone

as the title says. i dropped my hd2. and cracked the screen.
i love my hd2 and really want to fix it , is it easy ?
and if its a pain in the ass to fix what new phone should i get . ?.
i am thinking of trying to fix it as love the phone , i have abit of experiance and am willing to give it ago.
can someone give me some advice pls ?

There are plenty of threads if you search. I dropped mine last week and cracked the screen, too. General consensus seems to be that its pretty complicated. I decided to spring the hundred bucks to get the screen fixed. Cheaper than a new phone and I knew it would be done right.
Even the experienced tech I took it to had to do it twice cause he messed up the first time
Sent from my NookColor using xda premium

Not that hard, takes a while
I've had to tear mine down (US Tmo HD2) several times (outer back case broke, mid housing cracked below buttons). I'm not violent, apparently living in Florida and having a windshield mount were bad for the plastic.
Allow about 3 hours from start to finish. You can go quicker, but I'm a stickler for detail. Make sure that you:
1. Order the 3m adhesive tape (lots of it available for cheap on eBay) as it makes life better during assembly.
2. Verify the parts (touchscreen and LCD) match your phone, EU and Tmo-US have different connectors internally. EU requires soldering, Tmo is a snap connector.
The videos here http://http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/02/official-htc-step-by-step-video-for-disassembling-the-htc-hd2/ make it way easier. Most of the touch screens, LCDs, and combos touchscreen/LCD kits on eBay come with a #5 torx and a case opener too. I've had good luck with part quality, hope it works out for you.

And if it doesn't - I am looking for a mainboard and front buttons, either 512 or 1024.

I changed LCD and touch on my own little time ago.take your time, be gentle and take care for the flex board(especially volume button connection is really fragile) and the connector latches.then you will have no problems.and yes, buy the adhesive tape as suggested.I took the wrong one witch I found out to be a little to thick after the device was almost put together completely, so by time I have to redo the job with the correct adhesive tape as it does not look perfect now.
Gesendet von meinem GT-N7000 mit Tapatalk

thanks for the info.
i have taken my phone apart to the bare bones . and it wasnt that bad to do .( just be careful).

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly advise AGAINST super glue for securing the digitizer.

silverton said:
I highly advise AGAINST super glue for securing the digitizer.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

Anyone gone through front glass replacement?

Recently got a GS5 and my mom doesn't have a phone right now so I'm handing my N4 down to her. The front glass is cracked and I wanted to get that fixed before I do. The digitizer and lcd are not broken, just the glass, everything else looks and functions fine. I guess what my question is, if I take it to a repair shop can they just replace the front glass or am I looking at around 100ish to replace it all? I'll be going in and getting quoted but just wanted to see if I got any input from here first, it will likely be a week or so before I take it anywhere due to this damn weather.

wareju said:
Recently got a GS5 and my mom doesn't have a phone right now so I'm handing my N4 down to her. The front glass is cracked and I wanted to get that fixed before I do. The digitizer and lcd are not broken, just the glass, everything else looks and functions fine. I guess what my question is, if I take it to a repair shop can they just replace the front glass or am I looking at around 100ish to replace it all? I'll be going in and getting quoted but just wanted to see if I got any input from here first, it will likely be a week or so before I take it anywhere due to this damn weather.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same thing happened with my friends N4. The glass, digitizer and LCD all had to be replaced as they all come as one unit. Cannot get them separately.

Amazon/ebay has parts where you can just order the LCD/Digitizer etc, but then to separate them you have to have a heat gun etc. if you touch any part by mistake you will get finger prints or smudges permanently. So not a good idea unless you are one of those super careful person. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-Nexus-4-...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
if you are handy, you can order the whole assembly online (amazon) for about 60 bucks or so) http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Screen-...r=8-1&keywords=nexus+4+lcd+screen+replacement
I personally got it replaced in So Flo for about 95 dollars + tax. I have been quoted about 140 at a chain fix up places.

bluesteve3 said:
The same thing happened with my friends N4. The glass, digitizer and LCD all had to be replaced as they all come as one unit. Cannot get them separately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure they do. FYI, the "glass" is[ the digitizer. If "everything works", then technically all that needs replacing is the digitizer.
However, digitizer replacement is far from an easy thing to do. Not only does it require some specialist equipment (suction cups, heat gun, glue), you're probably going to screw it up unless you've done it before.
wareju said:
Recently got a GS5 and my mom doesn't have a phone right now so I'm handing my N4 down to her. The front glass is cracked and I wanted to get that fixed before I do. The digitizer and lcd are not broken, just the glass, everything else looks and functions fine. I guess what my question is, if I take it to a repair shop can they just replace the front glass or am I looking at around 100ish to replace it all? I'll be going in and getting quoted but just wanted to see if I got any input from here first, it will likely be a week or so before I take it anywhere due to this damn weather.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy just the screen assembly off eBay for about $45, which has the digitizer already mated with the LCD. However, this requires removal from the bezel (again, a heat gun is recommended), then gluing the new one back in. For $60 you can get the entire front assembly (hey, brand new phone!), which is the easiest way to go about things. I'd also recommend buying a new battery ($20) and replacing the old, tired one while you've got the phone apart.
It's not all that difficult to do it yourself. You'll need a T5 TORX driver, something thin, sturdy and plastic to pry the phone halves apart (you can buy screen assemblies that come with all these tools), and some patience. Do everything on a fluffy white towel so the little screws don't get lost. The tricky part is the little rubber gasket thingy that goes over the proximity/light sensor module. Most people who have done a screen replacement have found that reassembly screws up the prox sensor, causing it to always read "near" (meaning during a call the screen will stay off and you can't hang up or use the dialer). The common fix is to put the gasket in backwards.
There are a number of threads here, some youtube videos, and a good teardown tutorial on ifixit.com.

I thought the digitizer was what recognized touch input? Either way I don't think I'll be doing any of this work myself, I'll just take it up somewhere for her for the repairs.

wareju said:
I thought the digitizer was what recognized touch input?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is. It's built into the front panel of glass (which is made up of a bunch of different layers of stuff). Don't ask me how it works, it's all magic to me. But when you break the front glass, yet everything still works, that's the digitizer. If you look up digitizers on eBay you'll see that it's the front glass panel, with a cable and other electronic stuff attatched.
Either way I don't think I'll be doing any of this work myself, I'll just take it up somewhere for her for the repairs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's honestly not all that difficult to do yourself. Hell, send me the phone and screen assembly, and I'll do it for free. Seriously. I'll even through in a couple TPU cases I'm not using.
If you do take it somewhere for repairs, make sure you ask what they're doing. Replacing the screen assembly, or replacing the digitizer. For a $100 fee, it could be either. They could buy a $20 digitizer and the remaining $80 is in labor, but it'll take them a lot of time and effort, or it could be a $45/$60 screen assembly that takes far less time and effort to do. Personally, it costing the same, I'd rather have the screen assembly replaced, since replacing only the digitizer can lead to complications. Since it has to be reglued onto the LCD, you might get bubbles, dust/lint, dead spots, and that rainbow affect when you hold it in the light at the right angle.