Database Users

[Q] just purchased a g2 for $30. screen doesnt turn on

The phone definitely boots up because the lights on the buttons flash on then turn off after some time. The keyboard also lights up. You can tell the backlight turns on on the screen, but there is no picture.
Anyone have any idea about what I should do? Thinking about trying to restore to a stock Tom somehow tonight. Then I'm thinking about looking for screen replacements.
I was curious if anyone has had this issue before.
Update 07/14/11
So I got the screen and switched the old one out for the new one. This one also only has the backlight turning on, but I noticed when I put a part back on, there was a little bump in the middle of the phone. Haven't had a chance to fix it, but I noticed it's a piece hitting this rubber piece that seems to "transport" the sound for the mic from the bottom of the phone to the actual microphone module within the phone.
Removed that rubber piece, and I'll try installing it later. I was getting some blue and red visible in the middle of the phone. Anyone know what's wrong?

albanianbrotha said:
The phone definitely boots up because the lights on the buttons flash on then turn off after some time. The keyboard also lights up. You can tell the backlight turns on on the screen, but there is no picture.
Anyone have any idea about what I should do? Thinking about trying to restore to a stock Tom somehow tonight. Then I'm thinking about looking for screen replacements.
I was curious if anyone has had this issue before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ebay for the parts and look around for the link for repairs. I don't exactly remember the link, but it's in one of the "spring replacement" threads. Good luck

mputtr said:
ebay for the parts and look around for the link for repairs. I don't exactly remember the link, but it's in one of the "spring replacement" threads. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How sure are you it's the LCD screen? Replacement screens cost more than what I bought the phone for...lol

it's mostly the physical connection to the screen.
and on your note about it costing more than what you bought the phone for... there are tons of parts on the phone that will cost more than 30bucks. not much you can do about that since you got it non fully functional.

mputtr said:
it's mostly the physical connection to the screen.
and on your note about it costing more than what you bought the phone for... there are tons of parts on the phone that will cost more than 30bucks. not much you can do about that since you got it non fully functional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to be a both, but what exactly is the physical connection? Do I find it by opening the phone up completely to the point where I replace the actual LCD?

albanianbrotha said:
Sorry to be a both, but what exactly is the physical connection? Do I find it by opening the phone up completely to the point where I replace the actual LCD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never had to do it myself, but there is a cable connecting the two parts of the phone. That is usually where this problem originates from. It's not easy to fix though if your not familiar with fixing electronics from what i have seen.

xsteven77x said:
Never had to do it myself, but there is a cable connecting the two parts of the phone. That is usually where this problem originates from. It's not easy to fix though if your not familiar with fixing electronics from what i have seen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've taken apart my laptop completely and put it back together before. Completely as in taking the lcd off and different chips and wireless modules and stuff. I think it may be something I can handle. I'm going to take a look at it now. Restoring wont do me any good because not even the boot screen shows up.

albanianbrotha said:
Sorry to be a both, but what exactly is the physical connection? Do I find it by opening the phone up completely to the point where I replace the actual LCD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty much a ribbon cable that feeds data to display and stuff. When you buy a spare screen, it usually comes with a connector
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App

mputtr said:
It's pretty much a ribbon cable that feeds data to display and stuff. When you buy a spare screen, it usually comes with a connector
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I completely tore apart the phone, got to the point where if I had another LCD screen, I could have easily switched it out. But I don't, so I just put it all back together. I really hope this new LCD will fix the issue. I really hope it's not some other motherboard issue. If all else fails, it goes up on eBay for $70-$100 as is for the phone. If I fix it, I just got myself a phone that goes for $200 used for only $57.

sure. goodluck with it. if you can do it then you're all set. good luck

albanianbrotha said:
So I completely tore apart the phone, got to the point where if I had another LCD screen, I could have easily switched it out. But I don't, so I just put it all back together. I really hope this new LCD will fix the issue. I really hope it's not some other motherboard issue. If all else fails, it goes up on eBay for $70-$100 as is for the phone. If I fix it, I just got myself a phone that goes for $200 used for only $57.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only $57? That would make the lcd screen $27 if u really paid $30 for the phone, but you said the screen was more than what u paid for the phone...so now im confused.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Got my fingers crossed for ya that your getting ur phone fixed over there
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

ptesmoke said:
Only $57? That would make the lcd screen $27 if u really paid $30 for the phone, but you said the screen was more than what u paid for the phone...so now im confused.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. After some searching on eBay, I found some sellers selling it for a few dollars less than 30, e.g. 27.
But I decided to go with a seller who sold more than 200, who claims the screen is an OEM screen, and who is top rated. He sells his for $32. Which makes my phone $62 after all is said and done.
The housing has some scratches on the top and bottom though, which decreases the value a bit, but hey, if it works I'll probably keep it as a backup. Currently have the HD2, but I got a Vibrant with original box and accessories for $100, so I think I'm going to sell the HD2.
That was kinda off topic, sorry
LCD screen should be here by the 13th.

Updated OP

someone help =|

I don't own a G2 but I still think this could be a similar issue to what we get over here on the HTC Droid Incredible. First, what makes you believe its still a screen issue if it lit but just didn't throw picture? Usually thats the symptom of having the wrong recovery version for the device hardware version. Normally for us what happens is we will get somebody who is new and rooting for the first time and they'll end up flashing the wrong recovery or freak out because they don't realize the root process takes a little while and yank the cord. End result being exactly what you've explained above. Phone starts but no screen. So we end up having them do the ruu or a second option which we call a "blind install" where you drop whatever your p file(ours is PB31IMG.zip) so whatever it is for the G2 drop that on the SD and reboot to hboot and do the update process by simply knowing how long to wait between key presses and what keys to hit without useing the screen. Its a unique process and all very magical. Haven't lost a single Inc yet because of this issue.
Anyways bud just a thought...

wildstang83 said:
I don't own a G2 but I still think this could be a similar issue to what we get over here on the HTC Droid Incredible. First, what makes you believe its still a screen issue if it lit but just didn't throw picture? Usually thats the symptom of having the wrong recovery version for the device hardware version. Normally for us what happens is we will get somebody who is new and rooting for the first time and they'll end up flashing the wrong recovery or freak out because they don't realize the root process takes a little while and yank the cord. End result being exactly what you've explained above. Phone starts but no screen. So we end up having them do the ruu or a second option which we call a "blind install" where you drop whatever your p file(ours is PB31IMG.zip) so whatever it is for the G2 drop that on the SD and reboot to hboot and do the update process by simply knowing how long to wait between key presses and what keys to hit without useing the screen. Its a unique process and all very magical. Haven't lost a single Inc yet because of this issue.
Anyways bud just a thought...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't seem to be a ROM issue.
Update 7/18: Sold the G2 on eBay and still made a good lump of money. I was very happy, until another G2 popped up with the same exact issue. Got it for a steal as well, and I tried the OEM screen I got from eBay, and it was still having issues, and it seems to cause the phone to overheat while charging. Definitely a defective screen and someones getting a great deal on a decent condition G2 because I already took the payment after I figured it was the screen I got.
I'm going to try to get a replacement from the guy that sold it to me on eBay, but I already left him positive feedback thinking it was the phone's fault.
Will update probably late July or early August when all of this gets sorted out.
TL;DR: bought 2nd g2 with same issue, turns out replacement screen didn't work in the 2nd g2, too late to not sell the first g2, getting another replacement screen to fix 2nd g2. First g2 was in better condition though =|

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
Just installed the second screen that I ordered, and it works PERFECTLY. Phone is perfect nowwww yay. I can't use it right now though, previous owned put a lock pattern on the phone...

Wipe the system and the data and start over.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Gratz now a factory wipe and root with a new rom will make it run sweet.
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App

All capacitive buttons just stopped working today.

Just today my housemate's T mobile vibrant, the capacitive buttons on the front stopped working, the back light comes on, but the buttons do nothing when pressed, I tried doing a factory restore and they still didn't work. So I restored the nandroid I had just made.
Any ideas on how to get them working again, I think I might try a bit of surgery tomorrow morning. But any help would be GREATLY appreciated, I am a bit newb on Samsungs as my handsets have been all HTC, so hopefully I don't make it worse.

calm down, i think i have good news!
2 months ago i read a topic here of a guy who bough a used phone with exactly the same problem. he flashed through odin stock 2.1 and everything came back working. you should give a try

OK I will try this tomorrow... thanks for the suggestion...

power off phone
pull out battery
GRAB THIS STUFF : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1047087
turn on odin
attach phone to pc with usb cable
now while holding down both volume buttons put battery back in.
now you should be in download mode and go back to stock with odin from here!
make sure u put the proper tar file in pit and the .pda file in pda in there proper places on odin and ur set to go.
Enjoy and also make sure u have the proper samsung drivers

infestedd said:
calm down, i think i have good news!
2 months ago i read a topic here of a guy who bough a used phone with exactly the same problem. he flashed through odin stock 2.1 and everything came back working. you should give a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha I remember it was funny
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Still not working
I flashed back to stock through ODIN and the capacitive buttons are still not working. Any other suggestions?

really strange... since these buttons and the screen are the same digitizer piece, i THINK if there is no software solution, you will need to replace the digitizer. on ebay you will find it for 20 dollars, not expensive but you will NEED an professional to replace it, believe me, i tried and its hard as hell.
But, if you have money to spend... you can buy the lcd+digitizer set and replace yourself, for about 130 usd

I have replaced my screen on my vibrant and buttons are separate piece of hardware tapped to the screen
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

gun said:
I have replaced my screen on my vibrant and buttons are separate piece of hardware tapped to the screen
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am guessing that the connector might have come loose, I will have to do some surgery on the Vibrant tomorrow to check it out. I am guessing that because none of the buttons work it is going to be a connector, and going by a tear down video i just watched I am hoping that this means I won't have to go through the whole screen removal thing, cause that looks long and arduous!!
Hopefully it's just a connector!!!!

hmm sounds like driver/firmware issues. the capacitive buttons actually have seperate firmware. did the owner of the device try updating screen drivers/firmware via operator codes or using an app like sgs toolbox etc? i'm using miui so i can't give you instructions on how i fixed the problem for myself when i accidently tried updating screen firmware. but i will say ODIN didn't do squat for me. if you have an app like sgs tools/toolbox on that vibrant find the operator code for maintenance/tech and screen firmware and try updating/reverting and see if it fixes the issue. Ben about 4 months otherwise i'd be more specific sorry.

boystuff said:
hmm sounds like driver/firmware issues. the capacitive buttons actually have seperate firmware. did the owner of the device try updating screen drivers/firmware via operator codes or using an app like sgs toolbox etc? i'm using miui so i can't give you instructions on how i fixed the problem for myself when i accidently tried updating screen firmware. but i will say ODIN didn't do squat for me. if you have an app like sgs tools/toolbox on that vibrant find the operator code for maintenance/tech and screen firmware and try updating/reverting and see if it fixes the issue. Ben about 4 months otherwise i'd be more specific sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah her phone was in her bag, she pulled it out and the buttons were not working. She doesn't know how to update or anything, and no one had tried updating or anything for 5 months.
Samsungs are so different to HTC, which is what I use that I am struggling to get my head around the different methods of doing stuff on it. I will try to find some drivers or something and go from there. Stupid Samsung releasing so many different versions of the Galaxy S!!
The big issue is that the Galaxy S here in Australia is so different, and the owner of the phone is visiting from America, so it's the Vibrant, so I basically gotta find out info myself, not sure anyone in Australia can help!!!

Is this the thread you are talking about... I am not sure on how you used the code to fix the problem...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=854725
I entered the code into dialer and the info was given to me:
Phone's Touch key FW version :0xd
Part's Touch key FW version: 0xd
I pressed the "Touch key FW update" button and it did it's thing telling "passed" at the end but still no love on getting the keys working again.
The lights for the keys all work, but they buttons do not actually do anything... sigh...

to get to those buttons you have to separate digitizer from LCD and this is the hardest part to do since they are taped together. I used hair blower to heat it up and slowly I mean very slowly was pulling them apart. At one point I almost gave up but next day tried again and it came apart.

gun said:
to get to those buttons you have to separate digitizer from LCD and this is the hardest part to do since they are taped together. I used hair blower to heat it up and slowly I mean very slowly was pulling them apart. At one point I almost gave up but next day tried again and it came apart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK so fixing this is beyond me and no one in Australia has the Vibrant to get parts from....
sooooo.... Is there anyone on here who would be willing to fix this for me? I am prepared to pay!!! Let me know if there is anyone who wants to have a look at this, cause my chances of getting this done in Australia is quite low!!!

I have taken apart quite a few various phones to replace digitizers and such. From experience I can say that even if all the parts are able to be separated with heat they will never go back together quite as good as stock. Also if you do this please do not use a large heat gun as they will get waaay too hot. we have heat pumps with a temperature adjustment that we use here. The lowest setting they have is 100C. I generally set them at 150-175C to remove digitizers.
seeing as how the entire assembly for this phone is around 130 why doesn't she just get a new one with her insurance if she has it? The deposit on an insurance claim for T-Mobile is 130 for me so it is the same financial investment either way.
If she does decide to repair the phone when she gets back to the states I would be willing to help. I do repair various phones and whatnot regularly although most of what comes through here are iPhones (idiot phones). i am in Chicago, but we regularly have phones and laptops shipped to us to repair.
I only found this thread because my buttons just stopped working. A reboot brought them back though.
I hope all works out for her either way.

Ordered new button things from ebay and watched few videos on dismantling and repair of the vibrant then repaired it myself.
All good now! Everything works 100%
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

bunnybash said:
Ordered new button things from ebay and watched few videos on dismantling and repair of the vibrant then repaired it myself.
All good now! Everything works 100%
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the link for the videos? Im having the same issue.. i removed the back cover to replace the camera and now my buttons dont work. but everything looks fine.. not sure what happened.

df186 said:
Do you have the link for the videos? Im having the same issue.. i removed the back cover to replace the camera and now my buttons dont work. but everything looks fine.. not sure what happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odds are that bunny won't respond back due to the his last post was August lol.
Its not hard at all I saw a couple of vids on disassembling the vibrant and the touch keys are easy
I think if you Google" install ffc on vibrant video" it should pull up

Lol.. thanks for the reply... I figured it out . Ribbon was cut slightly.. replaced it and now good as new
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Shift touchscreen issue.

I noticed tonight that my touchscreen stops working when I slide the keyboard all the way out. It looks like when you slide it, when it gets about 1/2 way, the lights under the touch keys (home, search, etc) turn off, then 3/4 of the way out, they come back on, but you can't touch anything on the screen. No scrolling, no selecting, nothing. When you start to close it, the lights turn off 3/4 of the way open, then 1/2 the way open they turn on and the touch screen starts working again.
I've been watching videos on how to replace the digitizer and they look easy enough for me to do, but is it really the digitizer if it is working when the phone is closed? This sounds more like a loose cable, eight? Anyone else have this happen?

That does sound more like the flex cable
Michigan rockin the forums again :O
one by one the penguins steal my sanity

CodeMonk said:
I noticed tonight that my touchscreen stops working when I slide the keyboard all the way out. It looks like when you slide it, when it gets about 1/2 way, the lights under the touch keys (home, search, etc) turn off, then 3/4 of the way out, they come back on, but you can't touch anything on the screen. No scrolling, no selecting, nothing. When you start to close it, the lights turn off 3/4 of the way open, then 1/2 the way open they turn on and the touch screen starts working again.
I've been watching videos on how to replace the digitizer and they look easy enough for me to do, but is it really the digitizer if it is working when the phone is closed? This sounds more like a loose cable, eight? Anyone else have this happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like it's most likely the Flex Cable. Which is easy enough to change. They usually don't just come loose. Has been know to happen, but it's rare. You can repair it yourself, you just have to have the proper tools. If you do attempt it, be sure to take your time. You can pick the Flex Cable / Tool Kit up on Ebay, or Amazon fairly cheaply.

prboy1969 said:
Sounds like it's most likely the Flex Cable. Which is easy enough to change. They usually don't just come loose. Has been know to happen, but it's rare. You can repair it yourself, you just have to have the proper tools. If you do attempt it, be sure to take your time. You can pick the Flex Cable / Tool Kit up on Ebay, or Amazon fairly cheaply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally wouldnt touch it... I had a bad flex cable and brought it to sprint and they bricked my phone while changing it... If sprint can brick that easily changing a flex cable, imagine your odds...
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

drob311 said:
I personally wouldnt touch it... I had a bad flex cable and brought it to sprint and they bricked my phone while changing it... If sprint can brick that easily changing a flex cable, imagine your odds...
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very true. There is a chance you can damage, or even "Brick" the device if you don't know what your doing. I've changed about about five already. The first one took forever, I was so nervous. But after about the third one it was all good . Same with the digitizers, first one is like Ahhh . After about the 10th one it's not that scary. No I do not damage my phone that often. Just know a lot of people who do. That also do not have TEP Insurance.
TEAM MiK
Mik Roms Since 3/13/11

Ok, in the immortal words of Eminem, "I'm not afraid." Or wasn't, at least. I took it apart tonight and yep, the flex cable is broken. Taking it apart made it worse and I've lost my earpiece. The good news is the touch screen works while the keyboard is slid out... But it doesn't with it in. lol
I did find some on ebay, but does anyone know of a place that sells the sliding mechanism? Mine is pretty sloppy and I'd like to fix that while I have it open to replace the cable.

Your best bet is going to be a damaged Shift. I don't know of any place that sells just the parts. But I would still hunt around on the net. Maybe check Amazon, or Craigslist.
TEAM MiK
MikROMs Since 3/13/11

I mean nobody disrespect I am just as intrigued by taking things apart and just as satisfied with self repair as the next tech guy, but you don't even need to have TEP to get a shift with a broken flex cable replaced. This is a warranty issue. By no fault of yours, the phone is broken. Sprint replaces these without push back, I'm on my 3rd shift. Now that you've opened it though, you may be out of luck.

HTCotta said:
I mean nobody disrespect I am just as intrigued by taking things apart and just as satisfied with self repair as the next tech guy, but you don't even need to have TEP to get a shift with a broken flex cable replaced. This is a warranty issue. By no fault of yours, the phone is broken. Sprint replaces these without push back, I'm on my 3rd shift. Now that you've opened it though, you may be out of luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always tell them you took it to a third party store to get looked at.

It was out of warranty. I already tried the warranty route.
Anyway, got the cable today, put it in and the jawbone connector for the LCD is jacked up. It won't go all the way in no matter what you do. So I put the old one back in and now the touch screen is completely gone.
My wife called sprint while I was messing with it cause she wanted to see if there were any repair stores that had parts and they offered me an early upgrade. $105 bucks and I get up to a $150 discount as long as I re-up for 2 years. Since I'm pretty happy with Sprint, this is probably a win-win situation for me to do it, so I did.
Now I just have to decide... Moto Photo, Nexus 4g, or Samsung Galaxy 2. Any opinions?
*edit: I use CM7 on my shift and would like to continue to use CM7, I don't NEED CM9, but the option would be nice.

I have a shift for sale mint condition only 2 months old...
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

Sorry, I already signed up for the upgrade. I just need to go pick one up.

Wait for the Galaxy Nexus, that's what I'm doing. The development is too awesome on nexus devices for me to stay away any longer. Even if the specs are already somewhat outdated, I just want one

HTCotta said:
Wait for the Galaxy Nexus, that's what I'm doing. The development is too awesome on nexus devices for me to stay away any longer. Even if the specs are already somewhat outdated, I just want one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will miss your Shift . Once the Shift has you, it will never let you go .

obe1kobe said:
I have a shift for sale mint condition only 2 months old...
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much? ....

obe1kobe said:
I have a shift for sale mint condition only 2 months old...
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BOOOO! Try the marketplace on xda instead of advertising it here btw what's you next device? I'm trying to see if I should even bother staying with sprint now that LTE is on hold it seems like I might never get 4G speeds in my town.

Ok, didn't want to clutter things up and start a new thread so I'm gonna hijack this one. Hope thats ok.
I've been having troubles with my touch sceen the last few weeks and its very sporadic. So first issue it just simply stops responding all together. Like for instance i go to pull notification bar down and it stops part way down and i cant slide it up or down nor do the home back keys work. I have to hit power button to lock then hit power button and unlock then all is fine for awhile. And to be clear i dont have to power it off, just lock it. Another instance I'll be browsing the web and i go to scroll down it starts acting goofy. As if i got 2 fingers on the sceen trying too pinch to zoom when i clearly dont. Another silly thing happens where it acts like some one is remotely using my phone. For instance I unlock my phone and then it just hitting buttons. It's actually made a phone call for me before. Also happens when browsing or anything else.
I run miui build 112300 with sparks patch. I have ran this rom for a very long time so something tells me it aint the rom. I really dont remember what I've installed lately so don't know if an app would be causing this. Something tells me its a hardware issue but i was hoping to get some suggestions before flash something new or worse running the ruu to stock. Also, i dont think it would be the flex cable because it happens mostly without the keyboard out. Plus i rarely use my keyboard, although I'm using it right now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

^^^ same thing happens to me. I think flashing the touchscreen firmware update would solve it but i haven't had time to try and fix it.
Shifted from my EVO

tbag1122 said:
Ok, didn't want to clutter things up and start a new thread so I'm gonna hijack this one. Hope thats ok.
I've been having troubles with my touch sceen the last few weeks and its very sporadic. So first issue it just simply stops responding all together. Like for instance i go to pull notification bar down and it stops part way down and i cant slide it up or down nor do the home back keys work. I have to hit power button to lock then hit power button and unlock then all is fine for awhile. And to be clear i dont have to power it off, just lock it. Another instance I'll be browsing the web and i go to scroll down it starts acting goofy. As if i got 2 fingers on the sceen trying too pinch to zoom when i clearly dont. Another silly thing happens where it acts like some one is remotely using my phone. For instance I unlock my phone and then it just hitting buttons. It's actually made a phone call for me before. Also happens when browsing or anything else.
I run miui build 112300 with sparks patch. I have ran this rom for a very long time so something tells me it aint the rom. I really dont remember what I've installed lately so don't know if an app would be causing this. Something tells me its a hardware issue but i was hoping to get some suggestions before flash something new or worse running the ruu to stock. Also, i dont think it would be the flex cable because it happens mostly without the keyboard out. Plus i rarely use my keyboard, although I'm using it right now. If not, time to take it to Sprint.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first thing you can try is the latest Radio and Touchscreen Firmware HERE. If that does not work and the screen is still acting strange I would RUU back to Stock Unrooted. See if that resolves the issue. If not it's time to take it back to Sprint.

OK, thanks for the suggestions. Just flashed the new firmware. Like I said it was very sporadic so time will tell. Hopefully this works cause it's been a long time since I rooted my phone and I'd hate to unroot it.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It finally happened I have a big dead area on my Atrix. I can no longer type the letters T, G or V. It's weird, in Multi Touch Tester when I put my finger there, it shows points on both sides of the column. It has rendered my Atrix nearly useless. I tried formatting everything and reloading a ROM in CWM and it is still busted. I guess this is the end. Sadly, I can't get a new phone for a few more days.
I'm really disappointed by this. I don't even know what new phone I would get....
Is it even worth replacing the digitizer? It was woring fine this morning, this happened after dinner. A sad, sad day indeed

Sir_Brizz said:
It finally happened I have a big dead area on my Atrix. I can no longer type the letters T, G or V. It's weird, in Multi Touch Tester when I put my finger there, it shows points on both sides of the column. It has rendered my Atrix nearly useless. I tried formatting everything and reloading a ROM in CWM and it is still busted. I guess this is the end. Sadly, I can't get a new phone for a few more days.
I'm really disappointed by this. I don't even know what new phone I would get....
Is it even worth replacing the digitizer? It was woring fine this morning, this happened after dinner. A sad, sad day indeed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a fix but it's risky, try to find it here.

I think he's talking about the PDS partition fix, might make it easier to find now.

KH_Lionheart said:
I think he's talking about the PDS partition fix, might make it easier to find now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe he can give it a try but it's not the problem, I know because it also happened to me once.

Moved to q&a
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Yeah, tried PDS fix. Also tried fruit cake back to stock and PDS fix again, same problem.
Unfortunately I can't even use the phone in this state. Too much of the screen is hosed. I guess it's back to the 3GS (DOH!!!) and getting a new phone next week.
Not. Happy.

Am still using my fix for months now and screen works great.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Just buy a new digitiser from eBay. Worked for me.
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app

i have the same problem (again)
fist time i hat a part of the upper screen not working now its also the letters t,g,v that seem to be dead areas.
my guesses are that i had my device running under too much heat, as i stresstested it for some periode of time with 80+°C and the letters are near the area of the cpu which was causeing much heat. well now it's just some 30-40 bucks for a new digitizer and 15mins of work for replacement.
little tip: install a cm7-rom and enable 180° rotation so you can use ur phone even in portrait mode. if you have probs with lower screen area just rotate your device

If you get a new digitizer with the frame its pretty easy to fix yourself, not particularly expensive and you should be able to return it easily if it's faulty. Check ebay.
Sent from my Atrix

just replace broken screen, or send to service

tomh235 said:
If you get a new digitizer with the frame its pretty easy to fix yourself, not particularly expensive and you should be able to return it easily if it's faulty. Check ebay.
Sent from my Atrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This!
I tried with an "OEM" digitizer off eBay and it was faulty. Got an original used one off eBay with bezel attached in good Nick and it was much easier to fit and works like a charm.
One word of warning, remove the LCD before pushing the digitizer cable through the phone.

Same happened with me and that was after the repair shop tried three replacements lol.
I haven't heard of any problems with the ones with the bezels though!
Sent from my Atrix

Yea I have three unresponsive bands on my atrix screen and no upgrade options until the winter lol. Also, my headphone jack doesn't work!
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA Premium HD app

Does anyone know what causes this problem. Is it heating issues from overclocking?
Starting to get worried after reading about so many fellow atrix users with the dodgy digitizer issue.
I've had mine for one year with another year left until an upgrade so hoping mine doesn't go the same way.
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app

debt collector said:
Does anyone know what causes this problem. Is it heating issues from overclocking?
Starting to get worried after reading about so many fellow atrix users with the dodgy digitizer issue.
I've had mine for one year with another year left until an upgrade so hoping mine doesn't go the same way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish I knew this as well. It must be some sort of separation between the digitizer and the screen because wedging something between the battery and fingerprint reader can improve the touch sensor.

debt collector said:
Does anyone know what causes this problem. Is it heating issues from overclocking?
Starting to get worried after reading about so many fellow atrix users with the dodgy digitizer issue.
I've had mine for one year with another year left until an upgrade so hoping mine doesn't go the same way.
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its overheating in general. I've never over locked this phone and even simple browsing through xda heats the CPU up to 55-60 degrees.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA Premium HD app

debt collector said:
Does anyone know what causes this problem. Is it heating issues from overclocking?
Starting to get worried after reading about so many fellow atrix users with the dodgy digitizer issue.
I've had mine for one year with another year left until an upgrade so hoping mine doesn't go the same way.
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is a little over 9 months old (got it with contract last November I think) and as I speak, my digitizer is dying as well Not only that, mine has serious bootloop problems and also Sleep of Death very often. Oh well, one more year to go
Sent from my undervolted, underclocked, power saving Motorola Atrix.

Please move to Q & A

maggedo said:
Please move to Q & A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you ever post anything useful?

I messed up big time, desperate for help

Hey all I went swimming yesterday and forgot to take my phone out. It spent 5 mins under water. Im very tech savy and knew to put in a bowl of rice and let sit for 24 hours. Put phone back together and it booted up!! Heres the problem and question I have.
Problem is everything on phone works but the touch screnn (power, volume up and down, settings and go back buttons) I get notifications from Facebook and when I hit the goback or settings button or power phone on it vibrates.
Question is since everything on screen works ( meaning it shows all icons that are turned on and shows me my custome background and apps) can I just replace the digitizer or is it one piece with the screen and I have to replace both?
Any help would be deeply apprechiated as I dont have $650 to buy a replacement phone
-Ryan

juda222000 said:
Hey all I went swimming yesterday and forgot to take my phone out. It spent 5 mins under water. Im very tech savy and knew to put in a bowl of rice and let sit for 24 hours. Put phone back together and it booted up!! Heres the problem and question I have.
Problem is everything on phone works but the touch screnn (power, volume up and down, settings and go back buttons) I get notifications from Facebook and when I hit the goback or settings button or power phone on it vibrates.
Question is since everything on screen works ( meaning it shows all icons that are turned on and shows me my custome background and apps) can I just replace the digitizer or is it one piece with the screen and I have to replace both?
Any help would be deeply apprechiated as I dont have $650 to buy a replacement phone
-Ryan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh btw I did a hard reset to the boot menu and did a wiping of the cach and all as well as a factory erase and reset. When the phone resets it takes me to the Samsung set up page but I cant do anything as the touchscreen doesnt respond to me touching it over the next tab

I beg of you, what device? Is it a flip phone?

TheAxman said:
I beg of you, what device? Is it a flip phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Galaxy S4

juda222000 said:
Oh btw I did a hard reset to the boot menu and did a wiping of the cach and all as well as a factory erase and reset. When the phone resets it takes me to the Samsung set up page but I cant do anything as the touchscreen doesnt respond to me touching it over the next tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The amoled is damaged... surprising as it passes many water tests, you were just unlucky im sorry :\

So the phone powers on, and you say it boots, to samsung, you are talking about the OS right, and then it becomes un-responsive?

jetlitheone said:
The amoled is damaged... surprising as it passes many water tests, you were just unlucky im sorry :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how do I fix it replace the screen?

TheAxman said:
So the phone powers on, and you say it boots, to samsung, you are talking about the OS right, and then it becomes un-responsive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Originally it booted all the way to my home screen, meaning the OS fully loaded. Then when the touchscreen didnt respond I decided maybe it would be best to do a full data wipe and factory install. I figured since 90% of the phone did comback and work I thought a factory restart. Would fix the touch sensitivity. So when I did that it took me to a set up screen for my phone, asking me location and language settings. I cant continue past that point because the screen is unresponsive. However I suspect if I could get past that point the phone would fully boot as it did the 15 times prior to the wiping of data and factory reset option I choose.
I hope this helps you, Im doing my best to explain everything in as much detail as possible
Thanks for helping me
Ryan

juda222000 said:
Originally it booted all the way to my home screen, meaning the OS fully loaded. Then when the touchscreen didnt respond I decided maybe it would be best to do a full data wipe and factory install. I figured since 90% of the phone did comback and work I thought a factory restart. Would fix the touch sensitivity. So when I did that it took me to a set up screen for my phone, asking me location and language settings. I cant continue past that point because the screen is unresponsive. However I suspect if I could get past that point the phone would fully boot as it did the 15 times prior to the wiping of data and factory reset option I choose.
I hope this helps you, Im doing my best to explain everything in as much detail as possible
Thanks for helping me
Ryan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the touchscreen work AT ALL ?

If you have the balls or know how I would disassemble the device to check screen/digitizer connections. There are several youtube videos showing instructions.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium

jetlitheone said:
Does the touchscreen work AT ALL ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as responding to touching icons or apps no. But it does display everything else like normal and my phone does get notification updates and the screen shows me when they come in. Just cant access anything by touching the screen

jamess0621 said:
If you have the balls or know how I would disassemble the device to check screen/digitizer connections. There are several youtube videos showing instructions.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I have no probs with that I fix computers so that shouldnt be too far of a streatch. Do u know if I can just replace the digitizer or do I have to replace both the screen and digitizer?

juda222000 said:
As far as responding to touching icons or apps no. But it does display everything else like normal and my phone does get notification updates and the screen shows me when they come in. Just cant access anything by touching the screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes amoled seems messed up but can be a few other things I'm not really keen on this subject too well so idk :/
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

jetlitheone said:
Yes amoled seems messed up but can be a few other things I'm not really keen on this subject too well so idk :/
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok well I apprechiate all ur help, im still digging for more info as well so if u hear of anything else. Let me know and thx again =)

juda222000 said:
Yeah I have no probs with that I fix computers so that shouldnt be too far of a streatch. Do u know if I can just replace the digitizer or do I have to replace both the screen and digitizer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very good possibility replacing the digitizer alone would do it. I would also highly recommend cleaning all battery terminals, circuit boards and metal parts with alcohol and a qtip to prevent corrosion.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium

jamess0621 said:
Very good possibility replacing the digitizer alone would do it. I would also highly recommend cleaning all battery terminals, circuit boards and metal parts with alcohol and a qtip to prevent corrosion.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok man thanks for all the tips I will do all of them, btw do u know where I can get parts, ie digitizer and screen if needed?

juda222000 said:
Ok man thanks for all the tips I will do all of them, btw do u know where I can get parts, ie digitizer and screen if needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are willing I would try craigslist to see if you find one that may have a cracked screen or been dropped where you could swap parts. If not a quick google search will give you several options. You will probably be looking around 250 for a factory digitizer. Good luck
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium

jamess0621 said:
If you are willing I would try craigslist to see if you find one that may have a cracked screen or been dropped where you could swap parts. If not a quick google search will give you several options. You will probably be looking around 250 for a factory digitizer. Good luck
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill do that, hey thx again man, heck 250 a lot better than 599 lol

The problem is you don't know if it stops at that 250. There's no guarantee the phone will work reliably for months/years after such incident. You should clean it thoroughly (perhaps by somebody (service center?), who know how to do it properly) to avoid/lessen the risk of any (further?) corrosion inside.
Good luck.

jamess0621 said:
Very good possibility replacing the digitizer alone would do it. I would also highly recommend cleaning all battery terminals, circuit boards and metal parts with alcohol and a qtip to prevent corrosion.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the digitizer fixed to the glass on this device?
where you end up, depends on where you start.
AT&T SGH-I337 32G