Develop Bugs

Loose piece.

Hey, um... slightly embarrassing question here. I dropped my EVO off a staircase. It seems fine and runs well, except there seems to be something loose inside, noticeable only when using the haptic keyboard. My question is this: would it do any good at all to open it up and try to fix it, or is the vibrator too deep for me to safely access? Thanks for your time.
An army of pacifists can be defeated by one man with the will to fight.

Techrocket9 said:
Hey, um... slightly embarrassing question here. I dropped my EVO off a staircase. It seems fine and runs well, except there seems to be something loose inside, noticeable only when using the haptic keyboard. My question is this: would it do any good at all to open it up and try to fix it, or is the vibrator too deep for me to safely access? Thanks for your time.
An army of pacifists can be defeated by one man with the will to fight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
someone open the phone up be4 and change the LED lights, so i am sure you can open it.

Techrocket9 said:
or is the vibrator too deep for me to safely access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahahahahaha!!! Sorry, had to say point that out
Anyways, yes, it can be opened, and you may be able to fix it, but if there's no outward damage, take it to Sprint and have it swapped and say it just started making that noise. I don't want to encourage you to take advantage of them, but that's your best option here.
The phone is ridiculously easy to disassemble and reassemble, but there is a sticker over ONE of the the back panel screws (the one on the left middle). If that sticker is broken, your warranty is void. It's too far recessed to peel it off with a razor and stick it back on, so unless you have a tiny black sticker to put back in once you're done, you should just swap it to keep your warranty.

Huh, I guess insurance isn't a bad idea for some people.

[Q] Random touches with replaced digitizer

I replaced my digitizer on my inc and now it will randomly have touches on the screen. I have no idea why this is happening. I have tried two different digitizers with the same problem. It gets worse, i have tried the first digitizer i got on a second phone and this phone has the same problem.
I am running cyanogenmod and have "show touch" turned on so i can tell when its happening and where. The random touches appear to happen all on there own. I can not reproduce them. They do generally happen in about the same spot/spots each time. There are two general areas and when its registers a touch it moves a little, meaning when it touches it self it dances around a little. how ever if i turn off the screen and turn it back on it usually fixes the issue for a while.
Any idea what may be causing this problem and how to fix it?

Funny, I am having the same exact problem. Replaced my digitizer about a month ago and routinely get the "random touches" or just general unresponsiveness while using my phone.
I just assumed it was a side effect of my less then perfect installation but now I wonder if the digitizer itself is shoddy.

freestylesno said:
when it touches it self it dances around a little.
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Haha, excellent...
Have you considered the trackpad as the possible culprit? I know when my phone does similar things (swiping homescreens, moving the cursor when typing, etc) it's usually because the trackpad is dirty. I can't really think of why the digitizer (assuming it was properly replaced) would be causing that problem..

My buddy Bob had this happen to his Incredible too when he cracked his screen and had it replaced. He had it replaced 3x through Best Buy because each time it came back it would freak out like that. It turns out that something inside the phone was shorting out to the chassis, it would only happen when he squeezed/held the side of the phone. They ended up just giving him a new one after the third time.

brando56894 said:
My buddy Bob had this happen to his Incredible too when he cracked his screen and had it replaced. He had it replaced 3x through Best Buy because each time it came back it would freak out like that. It turns out that something inside the phone was shorting out to the chassis, it would only happen when he squeezed/held the side of the phone. They ended up just giving him a new one after the third time.
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Click to collapse
Yeah im thinking it could be something shorting but no real way to test. But after many take apart's i seem to have got the screen to a point where it does it like all the time rendering the phone useless. i have put back on the original screen and am seeing if there are problems there. (i got a new plastic housing)
k_nivesout said:
Haha, excellent...
Have you considered the trackpad as the possible culprit? I know when my phone does similar things (swiping homescreens, moving the cursor when typing, etc) it's usually because the trackpad is dirty. I can't really think of why the digitizer (assuming it was properly replaced) would be causing that problem..
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Click to collapse
Yeah i have disconnected the track pad and tried that with no change. and i tried disconnecting the light bar for a try and it would not boot. but i only tried once and i could have messed something else up when i put it back together.
i will report back with how the stock screen does and i'm thinking that will confirm that its the replacement digitizers .

Well the stock digitizer is doing the same thing. So its someting on the board, but i have tried it on two different phones.
So im up for trying just about any suggestion at this point. I have 2 phone and 3 digitizes doing this.

Mine does the same thing. I replaced just the screen awhile back.
I thought it might be related to maybe an upgraded screen family and the kernel not supporting it or something..
Like this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=15132827&postcount=3626
I usually take off the back and then pull the battery and snap the case back on. Seems to fix the problem until I mess with the battery again.
Anyone know how to see what touchscreen version you have?

ok so i have 3 phones(boards) 3 digitizers. 2 phones are the same hardware version i believe, one isn't. and all three experience this problem. This is even with swapping around the digitizers. I'm thinking that somehow all of these share something similar. All i can think of is me putting them together.
Any idea on what they share?

Just wondering if you ever fixed the problem or got it figured out to some extent?
Same thing is happening on my phone ever since I replaced the screen/digitizer. Took it back apart and cleaned all the ribbon connections and the problem is still there. Thinking it might be a grounding issue possibly since it seems like it goes away (most the time) after I vigorously squeeze the bottom of the phone, by the trackpad and capacitive buttons. But it invariably comes back, and seems to be worse when plugged in to the charger for whatever reason.
Also, since you've also taken apart and reassembled your phone, have you had an issue with the trackpad not sitting flush with the screen? No matter how I reassemble everything, it seems like my trackpad is recessed now and it's even worse when I use the little rubber gasket that was on there originally...

I haven't been able to determine what the problem is, but mine seems exactly like yours. When charging I pretty much can't use my phone random touches everywhere, or it doesn't fully reconize my touch. I just took my INC all the way apart and cleaned everything connections and all. I read somewhere it could be a dirty optical pad so cleaned that good too. Just powered on *Fingers Crossed*

odlay75 said:
I haven't been able to determine what the problem is, but mine seems exactly like yours. When charging I pretty much can't use my phone random touches everywhere, or it doesn't fully reconize my touch. I just took my INC all the way apart and cleaned everything connections and all. I read somewhere it could be a dirty optical pad so cleaned that good too. Just powered on *Fingers Crossed*
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when you replaced it did you make sure you the ground straps where connected to the screw holes with nothing interfering? i pulled my LCD out of my screen on my dev phone because there was dust under the glass. after i put it all back together i was getting the same thing descried in the OP. so i took it apart and noticed that the thread lock used on the screws pealed off and on the ground straps. so i cleaned them up with Alcohol and a cotton swab. put it back together and haven't had it happen sense.

synisterwolf said:
when you replaced it did you make sure you the ground straps where connected to the screw holes with nothing interfering? i pulled my LCD out of my screen on my dev phone because there was dust under the glass. after i put it all back together i was getting the same thing descried in the OP. so i took it apart and noticed that the thread lock used on the screws pealed off and on the ground straps. so i cleaned them up with Alcohol and a cotton swab. put it back together and haven't had it happen sense.
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When you say ground straps, are you referring to the two tiny screws that are near the top of the actual screen (after you've taken of the red battery compartment thing and the board)? I remember there being these little metal mesh strips that were in those screw holes that I think I promptly lost after taking the screws out..

k_nivesout said:
When you say ground straps, are you referring to the two tiny screws that are near the top of the actual screen (after you've taken of the red battery compartment thing and the board)? I remember there being these little metal mesh strips that were in those screw holes that I think I promptly lost after taking the screws out..
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yes. after removing the board on the back of the LCD screen there are 2 straps on the top that ground the screen to the frame. the screws had blue thread lock on the bottom. sometimes it will come off when you remove them.
basically make the head of the screw is clean and the metal straps are clean to make a good enough ground.
EDIT:
if you lost the screws you can try to pick up an eye glass repair kit. the ones used for glasses. they have small phillip screws that might work. you can normally buy the kit at a $.99 store.

I was wondering what the screws were for since it didn't look like they were actually holding anything in.. I didn't lose the screws, just the grounding material, which were those metal mesh adhesive strips. Trying to think of what I may be able to replace that with, maybe just some aluminum foil or something? There has to be some better material, I'm just not thinking of it..

k_nivesout said:
I was wondering what the screws were for since it didn't look like they were actually holding anything in.. I didn't lose the screws, just the grounding material, which were those metal mesh adhesive strips. Trying to think of what I may be able to replace that with, maybe just some aluminum foil or something? There has to be some better material, I'm just not thinking of it..
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the straps fell off? (the straps are on the back and should be soldered to the drivers on the rear of the screen) i wouldn't recommend aluminum foil. try going to a store like radio shack or any do it your self electronic store and see if the can sell you some fine wire mesh.

Hm, I think we must be thinking of different things, cause these were just tiny little pieces of wires mesh that those screws held into place that were stuck to the metal on the back of the screen. Might have to open it up again and snap a picture or two to clarify if I can't find any other grounding issues, etc.

k_nivesout said:
Hm, I think we must be thinking of different things, cause these were just tiny little pieces of wires mesh that those screws held into place that were stuck to the metal on the back of the screen. Might have to open it up again and snap a picture or two to clarify if I can't find any other grounding issues, etc.
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Click to collapse
yea thats what im talking about. the 2 straps on top that are screwed in. they need to have a clean connection from the strap to the screw heads that it sits on after screwing them down.

Well I'll be damned, I think that was it! I "borrowed" a little bit of that wire mesh stuff from the back of the screen (it's holding down the screen's ribbon connector and covering other things) and put the screws back in holding little strips of the mesh down and stuck to the metal on the back of the screen. I haven't been using my phone much but the phantom touches and vibration haven't come back, crossing my fingers that it stays this way!
Thanks again synisterwolf, mashed your thanks button a bit
To the OP: I'd highly recommend making sure the screen is grounded properly with those two tiny screws towards the top of the screen.

Thanks for the info guys! Does anyone have a pic of this mesh stuff. I think my old screen had it, but the new screen does not..

odlay75 said:
Thanks for the info guys! Does anyone have a pic of this mesh stuff. I think my old screen had it, but the new screen does not..
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr4uy9yKqIE
3:30 MARK is what we are talking about.
---------- Post added at 11:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------
k_nivesout said:
Well I'll be damned, I think that was it! I "borrowed" a little bit of that wire mesh stuff from the back of the screen (it's holding down the screen's ribbon connector and covering other things) and put the screws back in holding little strips of the mesh down and stuck to the metal on the back of the screen. I haven't been using my phone much but the phantom touches and vibration haven't come back, crossing my fingers that it stays this way!
Thanks again synisterwolf, mashed your thanks button a bit
To the OP: I'd highly recommend making sure the screen is grounded properly with those two tiny screws towards the top of the screen.
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you are welcome. glad i could help and glad i took mine apart. now i can see how it all works. it was hard with my big hands but it was fun.

[Q] Help Loose backplate question.

Hi, my Xperia play has a kinda loose back of the screen plate, the part i point in the picture with a red arrow is different feeling, like a bit loose unlike the part i point with the blue arrow.
if i press the part of the backplate pointed with the blue arrow i dont feel any movement at all, but if i touch the part pointed by the red arrow i notice it is more away meaning more detached from the back of the screen than the other and if push it i can feel it moving to the position the other is.
so mi question is, is this normal, and could it cause any problems with normal use, the phone is new, i noticed it by accident.
xp.jpg:

Anyone please

If it's relatively new, call your provider and get it replaced. Should be under warrenty.
Also check to make sure theres no broken clips.

can i tell if a clip is broken without openning the cell? i dont' think is is because it just like half cm that the side market in the red arrow is outter than the blue one, but i can push it foward unlike the blue arrow one that is still.

Heres a detailed photo of the problem, the part in the blue square is good and the part in the red square is kinda misaligned out of the frame (i can push it and it moves to the place it should be, but comes to this position when i stop pushing), could this be serious and possibly get worst or this is something that can normally happen normal can i continue using it without problems, i don't have warranty

what you guys think, looking at the last picture?

Sorry, I know this isn't going to help but, your Play looks way different to mine. Different volume and different L/R buttons. I know there are different models, but I never realised that the actually outwards facing hardware was different.
R800i myself.

i
d31b0y said:
Sorry, I know this isn't going to help but, your Play looks way different to mine. Different volume and different L/R buttons. I know there are different models, but I never realised that the actually outwards facing hardware was different.
R800i myself.
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yeah me neither. +1
EDIT he's got a rubber case on it. lol I bet we both feel stupid now.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

Lol.
So back on topic, please can someone tell me if i should worry of this problem or i can continue use the phone normally without concern:
Heres a detailed photo of the problem, the part in the blue square is good and the part in the red square is kinda misaligned out of the frame (i can push it and it moves to the place it should be, but comes to this position when i stop pushing), could this be serious and possibly get worst or this is something that can normally happen normal can i continue using it without problems, i don't have warranty

Is it in warrenty?

no, do you think is something serious or i can continue using it normally?

Nobody can really tell without actually getting it into their hands. To me, from the pictures, it looks ok to use. But without actually feeling how loose it is I can't say for sure.
Personally, without a warranty, I would continue to use it but just be careful when sliding it open and closed.
If you notice anything other than the loose backplate, then it is time to get it checked out. Eg, dimmed screen, lack of responsiveness to the touch screen etc. Especially around the area where it is loose.

thanks, it's not realy loose just kinda moved half cm outwards of the frame, and it only moves if i push it down to where it is supposed to be. the other side cant be moved because its pressed against the frame, unlike this side.

Yeah, just sounds like a broken clip all right. Like what you first though. I'd say you will be fine.

Thanks.
Could be but i dont feel any broken pieces moving inside, and i havent dropped the phone and i opened from its seal brand new.
but is this is the cause, you think this could have been caused by the plastic case, it's a trident one?
also, can clips be replaced easily by yourself, or the cell have to be serviced?

No, it's more likely a clip that is actually attached to the casing. You are unlikely to hear anything as it would have fallen out long ago. They are quite small.
Eg, like the ones that hold the back of the phone in place.
I can't imagine a case would have done this. It's too.... internal, if you know what I mean. Is it possible it was like this when you bought it? It could have just been shipped badly or something. These things happen.
If it is what I think it is, then the casing itself would need to be replaced and that wouldn't be worth the money.

Thanks again

Backing Plate Removed (With Pics)

Ok, so this isn't anything special...yet. But I do intend to see how much more I can find out over the weekend.
I decided I was gonna see what's under that back panel, so here are some pics, and what I did.
What you need:
-Patients
-Precision Screw Driver (Philips Head)
-Thin Guitar Pick
1st, Remove the top and bottom covers on the phone. This will expose 4 of the 5 screws you need to remove.
2nd, Peel up the bottom label. BE VERY CAREFUL AND VERY SLOW!!! This will expose the 5th screw to remove the back.
***This bottom label is designed to snap away from itself if removed too quickly. I don't know if this would void anything, so don't chance it.
3rd, Using a guitar pick on the HDMI PORT SIDE of the phone, carefully wedge open the seam down the side of the phone. Once this is done completely on that side, the backplate just kinda peels off, so to speak.
It appears as if there are a total of 6 water indicator stickers once the cover is removed.
NOTE: When you put the backplate back on, there is a single snap just above the camera that has to be secured before the top cover will go back on properly. BE CAREFUL, it looks like it can break easy.

Good tutorial. At least we have a tutorial on how to take apart the back of the ion. Hopefully there's future battery replacements that offer better battery life so we can use this method to change the batteries or other needed purposes.

Do you think it is possible to change the battery? It'll be great knowing that once this battery died I can buy a replacement.
Sent from my LT28i using xda app-developers app

Also, it looks like our phone is built like a tank! I think a lot of phones just have one layer of plastic
Sent from my LT28i using xda app-developers app

Getting to the battery is my goal. I've a second part-time job at a battery shop, so... once someone or myself can get to it, I can see if it can be ordered or if we can build it in the lab.
Sent from my LT28at using xda app-developers app

tribalartgod said:
Getting to the battery is my goal. I've a second part-time job at a battery shop, so... once someone or myself can get to it, I can see if it can be ordered or if we can build it in the lab.
Sent from my LT28at using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE: This coming weekend, I will be taking this phone apart some more. Any warranty stickers I encounter, if any, will not be touched unless I can do so and still be able to reapply it. I will be taking pictures of everything I do, and will post them here. Stay tuned...
Sent from my LT28at

I have do it before. My Phone is dead to "brick", I removed the battery cables and repair

vuhien said:
I have do it before. My Phone is dead to "brick", I removed the battery cables and repair
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you happen to take photos? If so, would you share them with us?
Sent from my LT28at

tribalartgod said:
Did you happen to take photos? If so, would you share them with us?
Sent from my LT28at
Click to expand...
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At Flash, my battery level is too low to result in dead phone, I tried to fix by simply removing the hardware but it's a big mistake, just flash the full charge the battery when everything is all right, no need to remove and reinsert the battery cable. sorry I do not have time yet capture

So I was having major trouble and decided to try and take the battery out. got one step further than tribalartgod, and took off the second plate by removing the torx screws (t5 fyi) and got nowhere after that. any who, Just thought I'd post the pic of whats next.
btw got the phone back up and running just had to charge a long time and reflash.

Did they have to have the top of the plastic connector open almost like a lid to pull out the ribbon? That's how most all of them are on the PSP. Maybe the same on the phone. Thanks for the pics.
Sent from my LT28at

Sorry, I didn't think to take any pictures of the plastic backing part. But, no I didn't have to remove any ribbons. Its just another plastic backing. I think there might have been some connectors but they were just contacts, no pins or plugs.
Oh and make sure the sim card and removable memory are out when you remove the plastic because they slide through the plastic into the slots. Its helpful to have a snap tool or guitar pick. I started from the bottom of the phone near the camera button and worked my way up and around. These snaps are harder to pop off too.

Nice. I appreciate the tip. I'm so behind on things I want to and need to do with this phone. I only get about 4 hours a week I can play, so.. I'll get to do everything I say I will, it just may be delayed.
Sent from my LT28at

test points?
after looking at both of your brave pictures. i noticed a slot under the sticker on the right side, in tribalartgod's pics, where you can see contacts. also in Guregnack's pics the plastic is gone and contact points are exposed.
could these be test points for SETool unlocking?
i have the at&t ion an have no 'official' unlock method. have seen the paid test point method for alot of other xperia's. i got my ion for free so,why not pay to unlock it.
thanks for the nice pics how about a video next time you get brave.

any idea what the prongs by the flash are for? look a bit similar to SGS3's wireless charging cover contacts. I could be hallucinating though.

Guregnack said:
So I was having major trouble and decided to try and take the battery out. got one step further than tribalartgod, and took off the second plate by removing the torx screws (t5 fyi) and got nowhere after that. any who, Just thought I'd post the pic of whats next.
btw got the phone back up and running just had to charge a long time and reflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just reflashed mine, myself. Sucks.
I notice in your photos there appear to be two more water indicator sticks. If they are, I say bravo to Sony... Placing those at various levels could tell them the extent of water damage. Pretty smart move if you ask me.

twent4 said:
any idea what the prongs by the flash are for? look a bit similar to SGS3's wireless charging cover contacts. I could be hallucinating though.
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Click to collapse
Might be for camera auto focus emitter ring around lense
~Jaramie
from my LT28at ION rooted and eating an Ice Cream Sandwich

ToledoJab said:
Might be for camera auto focus emitter ring around lense
~Jaramie
from my LT28at ION rooted and eating an Ice Cream Sandwich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most likely its nfc antenna connectors ,
nfc tags are working only if i hold it just right next to camera

im having problem removing the bottom cover. it seems tightly secure; i dont really want to scratch anything lol.

I just took out the back cover and see in the little bit that's see through on top of the white sticker label (the rectangle see thorugh thing that is covered by some orange plastic) what is that? because mine looks like it's broken but it might be just like that abnyways... It doesn't look neat compared to the others and that it looks like it's burnt or something but I'M NOT SURE, cant see it properly
My phone can't turn on, see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1896123 for my problem...
I can't take picture cause I don't have camera that can focus that close :/

[Q] Adjusting Trigger Buttons?

I had my new xperia play delivered yesterday, and while I'm really pleased with it overall, there's one thing that's slightly offputting. The right trigger button feels far looser than the left, and requires much more force to register when playing a game etc. It also seems to be sitting slightly higher up than the left.
Is there any way to adjust the 'tightness' of the trigger? It's not the end of the world obviously, but it is quite annoying for a new phone, particularly as it's a button that is going to be used regularly.
Apologies if this question has already been asked, but I couldn't find anything about it on the forum.

The screw on the inside adjacent to the button can influence it, but do not screw it too much because might will cause it to become lose. You will need a size T5 torque bit.

eksasol said:
The screw on the inside conjunction to the button can influence it, but do not screw it too much because might will cause it to become lose. You will need a size T5 torque bit.
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Do you mean the screw directly behind the trigger, underneath the battery cover? I thought that could be related, but the screw appears as if it is already as tightly screwed as possible?

theotakuoverlord said:
Do you mean the screw directly behind the trigger, underneath the battery cover? I thought that could be related, but the screw appears as if it is already as tightly screwed as possible?
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Click to collapse
I haven't look at it very much, but if you unscrew them all and pry the back off, you will be exposed to the entire mechanism and see if you can adjust it.

eksasol said:
I haven't look at it very much, but if you unscrew them all and pry the back off, you will be exposed to the entire mechanism and see if you can adjust it.
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Click to collapse
I think I'll try this, though I'm not really enthusiastic about taking the back off entirely. Would this invalidate my warranty?

theotakuoverlord said:
I think I'll try this, though I'm not really enthusiastic about taking the back off entirely. Would this invalidate my warranty?
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Well in that case maybe you should get an exchange, but really they would hardly notice if you just unscrew it and put it back and its quite easy to do. If you bought it new and the factory sticker on the box was not removed, then it wouldn't be acceptable to have this issue. If you didn't have a factory sticker then its wasn't new.

Unfortunately this is not uncommon, my R trigger is *slightly* more sensitive than my L trigger, anyone playing on my phone would never notice it unless they were purposely looking for something to complain about. My suggestion to you is to hold down the R button and insert the edge of a trading card and run it thru gently taking any dust or dirt with it, then get a damp microfiber, take off the battery cover and wipe down the R button. I do this every couple of months to keep my triggers clean
Sent from my R800x using xda app-developers app

eksasol said:
Well in that case maybe you should get an exchange, but really they would hardly notice if you just unscrew it and put it back and its quite easy to do. If you bought it new and the factory sticker on the box was not removed, then it wouldn't be acceptable to have this issue. If you didn't have a factory sticker then its wasn't new.
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It does have the factory sticker, but getting a replacement this early on is quite annoying. I think I'll try adjusting it, and if that has no effect, I'll get it replaced. Thanks for your help.