Develop Bugs

Disassembling the EPIC 4G?

Has anyone done it before? There is a video on youtube, but it only goes as far as the keyboard. I'm looking to get to the LCD to fix/replace it because of discoloration from water damage. Anyone thinks it's possible?

I remember a thread like this being made a while ago...if you're on a computer, just search and you should find it. I can't post a link, but I think the guy in that thread replaced it succesfully.
There was also alotta chatter about insurance covering it
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Here's a tear down of the Epic 4G:
http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2010/09/teardown-of-the-samsung-epic-4g-smart-phone/
Try asking a repair technician. The truth is, body repairs can be quite pricey - to the point where you might as well be getting a new phone in many cases.

I watched someone else take mine apart. There are an awful lot of little screws, but you can definitely seperate the case, the screen, and the actual guts in about 10 or 15 minutes.

DiGi760 said:
I watched someone else take mine apart. There are an awful lot of little screws, but you can definitely seperate the case, the screen, and the actual guts in about 10 or 15 minutes.
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The question then is can you get it back together ;-)
Sent from my ext4 Epic 4G running Bonsai4all 1.1.3!

sauron0101 said:
Here's a tear down of the Epic 4G:
http://www.chipworks.com/en/technic.../teardown-of-the-samsung-epic-4g-smart-phone/
Try asking a repair technician. The truth is, body repairs can be quite pricey - to the point where you might as well be getting a new phone in many cases.
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I had TEP with my BB curve and I smashed it [was REALLLLLLY angry at my gf...she wasn't worth the BB :'( ] and I took it to a corporate store, and he fixed the screen in front of my face and I walked right out lol but that was a couple years ago
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

The phone still works, I just wouldn't want to look at pictures or watch videos on it since the color is all messed up. It's been about 2 weeks since the accident and it's still going! I just want to study this just for reference just in case it does go out. The replacement cost $60 on ebay, so I'd definitely do that, especially when I don't have insurance with Sprint (I think it still costs more than DIY) and I don't think Samsung fixes water damage through its warranty.
Oh well.
Thanks for the link! I'll check it out!

being a technician at an indirect sprint store, its a pain in the ass to separate the LED screen and the glass itself. the very best way to do it is either go to a 3rd party sprint store that has a full service(repair) center and either have them do an exchange if the tech is a nice guy (considering its water damage) or replace the part (which would be free as long as you have TEP). PM me with more questions if you have them

kzn said:
Has anyone done it before? There is a video on youtube, but it only goes as far as the keyboard. I'm looking to get to the LCD to fix/replace it because of discoloration from water damage. Anyone thinks it's possible?
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Yeah, I've done it at least 20-30 times now. It's EXTREMELY difficult to get the lcd out and you'll more than likely end up breaking your phone.

br//0k3/n said:
Yeah, I've done it at least 20-30 times now. It's EXTREMELY difficult to get the lcd out and you'll more than likely end up breaking your phone.
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Yea, you're definitely right about the LED itself. It's close to paper thin and made of a glass type material. it will break if you try to get it out. it's glued pretty good.

flawlessbmxr said:
Yea, you're definitely right about the LED itself. It's close to paper thin and made of a glass type material. it will break if you try to get it out. it's glued pretty good.
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I took mine apart, lots of screws. Honestly the hardest part was removing the back cover that goes over the motherboard. I used a very small flathead to pry up underneath where the little notches are on the side. There's a lot of clip points and 2 of them at the battery are very hard to get off. Once that's off, the rest is cake. Separating the screen was a non-issue, as mine was already broken/cracked.

just to chim,e in on this ancient thread. i used a guitar pick instead of a flat head. i thought a metal screwdriver would scuff and mar up the plastic cover over the board.

Another protip: the notches on the second to last plastic cover serve a purpose -getting that back half to snap onto the phone is a huge pain in the ass, - i put a flathead into the slits and pushed down and snap snap snap snap motherboard cover was back in and my battery case didn't bulge.

kzn said:
Has anyone done it before? There is a video on youtube, but it only goes as far as the keyboard. I'm looking to get to the LCD to fix/replace it because of discoloration from water damage. Anyone thinks it's possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've replaced my LED screen before by myself, took a few hours. This video helped me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeO89VGAPuU

zvonkorp said:
I took mine apart, lots of screws. Honestly the hardest part was removing the back cover that goes over the motherboard. I used a very small flathead to pry up underneath where the little notches are on the side. There's a lot of clip points and 2 of them at the battery are very hard to get off. Once that's off, the rest is cake. Separating the screen was a non-issue, as mine was already broken/cracked.
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Is there a water sensor inside the phone, I've always wondered if the battery was the only place
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

[Q] Question about water damage

So my GS3 fell into the toilet last night at about 3am (totally freaked out) and immediately broke it down and put it in rice. Took it out after about 6 hours and it turns on, but the screen doesn't really work. It'll flicker and I couldn't answer a call. Anyways, I'm wondering if T-MO's insurance (Asurion) will cover it? The store isn't open yet and I wanna know like, now lol. If not, does Samsung have a manufacturers warranty or something? If they both cover it, which will cost me less and get me another phone faster?

Well you going to have to pay around 130 if you got insurance. But dropping your phone is totally your fault so ain't no way around paying that money
Sent from T mobile galaxy s3 (24mbs down) 4g network

Rice doesn't work btw. Use 90 percent or more rubbing alcohol as that drives out water. My brother went swimming with his one phone and I put it in rubbing alcohol for like 30 minutes and dried it using a hair dryer and it worked perfectly. Rubbing alcohol is non conductive so it doesn't short anything out plus it dries insanely fast.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

elesbb said:
Rice doesn't work btw. Use 90 percent or more rubbing alcohol as that drives out water. My brother went swimming with his one phone and I put it in rubbing alcohol for like 30 minutes and dried it using a hair dryer and it worked perfectly. Rubbing alcohol is non conductive so it doesn't short anything out plus it dries insanely fast.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
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I've had a lot of luck with both, but when I use rice I don't take it out after only six hours.. it's more of a twelve hour deal.

I used rice every time once swimming and once after the phone went into the washer with my pants.
And to clear up the blow dryer best not to put on any heat cause that may cause damage to the phone... so I've read.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

mt3g said:
I used rice every time once swimming and once after the phone went into the washer with my pants.
And to clear up the blow dryer best not to put on any heat cause that may cause damage to the phone... so I've read.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
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Yes, if you are using a blow dryer use "low" or "cool" as the setting.

I put in a claim and paid $130 for a replacement. Should arrive today. I put it back in the rice for another 12 hours or so and it works. It's not perfect, but it works pretty well. So far I've had a couple random reboots, the sounds chops up every once in a while (only notifications so far, not video/music/calls) and the flash usually flashes real quick when opening the camera app and sometimes instagram. If anyone is interested in buying it, let me know. T-Mo, blue, 16gb

beanboi said:
I put in a claim and paid $130 for a replacement. Should arrive today. I put it back in the rice for another 12 hours or so and it works. It's not perfect, but it works pretty well. So far I've had a couple random reboots, the sounds chops up every once in a while (only notifications so far, not video/music/calls) and the flash usually flashes real quick when opening the camera app and sometimes instagram. If anyone is interested in buying it, let me know. T-Mo, blue, 16gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will be blacklisted since you filed a claim.
Sent from my SGH-T999

You could part it out though. Digitizer, glass, Motherboard/USB, battery back for that guy the other day complaining about his.
Easily get back your $130 just by selling digitizer and glass.
Also, I've used distilled H2O as it is less corrosive. But since you got the new one, this is for anyone in the future that reads.

Woodrube said:
You could part it out though. Digitizer, glass, Motherboard/USB, battery back for that guy the other day complaining about his.
Easily get back your $130 just by selling digitizer and glass.
Also, I've used distilled H2O as it is less corrosive. But since you got the new one, this is for anyone in the future that reads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is also true. Most people are not aware you can separate the digitizer and the glass, so you can undercut everyone on eBay and still make a decent profit.
Sent from my SGH-T999

Woodrube said:
You could part it out though. Digitizer, glass, Motherboard/USB, battery back for that guy the other day complaining about his.
Easily get back your $130 just by selling digitizer and glass.
Also, I've used distilled H2O as it is less corrosive. But since you got the new one, this is for anyone in the future that reads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
joshnichols189 said:
This is also true. Most people are not aware you can separate the digitizer and the glass, so you can undercut everyone on eBay and still make a decent profit.
Sent from my SGH-T999
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Sweet. How would I go about separating everything? Also, how much would each piece go for? And does anybody know of anyone that wants to buy these parts?

beanboi said:
Sweet. How would I go about separating everything? Also, how much would each piece go for? And does anybody know of anyone that wants to buy these parts?
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I thought that there was a teardown floating around here but it might be on one of the other SGS3 variants. Anyways, you could probably YouTube it and find out.
Only advice I could give would be to have a single drink/smoke/chant/whatever to get your nerves calm and have a delicate touch/ The digitizer is extremely important. I once bought a Vibrant from a guy (I needed the motherboard) who was a little heavy handed and cracked it top-to-bottom with almost no effort.
Just check Ebay for prices and unfortunately you can't sell it here on in the forums, but you can sell it in the MarketPlace, if you have all the pre-reqs.
Good luck.

After disassembling speaker doesn't work...?

I got my phone wet and cleaned the mother board, took apart the phone as described. And it worked. Problem is I have no stereo sound. So no ringer, alarm, or anything. Took apart again, still nothing. The corrosion was only on top portion of the phone. Not bottom with speaker. Any suggestions...?
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda app-developers app
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda app-developers app

JonBos4123 said:
I got my phone wet and cleaned the mother board, took apart the phone as described. And it worked. Problem is I have no stereo sound. So no ringer, alarm, or anything. Took apart again, still nothing. The corrosion was only on top portion of the phone. Not bottom with speaker. Any suggestions...?
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Click to collapse
Here is a comment from an app called SoundAbout. Give it a shot...nothing to lose.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick - October 29, 2012 - Samsung Galaxy Nexus with version 2.3.1
Thank you!
While out walking in Hurricane Sandy, I dropped my phone onto a concrete curb. From there, it rolled into a puddle. Needless to say, my phone was all sorts of broken. However, after a firm toweling, the only problem left was lack of audio input/output. This app saved the day!

How did you find this app SoundAbout?
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda app-developers app

JonBos4123 said:
How did you find this app SoundAbout?
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
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I made it. Hope it helps.

dmwoods said:
I made it. Hope it helps.
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Click to collapse
I had this problem the last time I disassembled my phone. I don't know if you've fixed it yet or not, but here goes.
Remove the bottom 3 bolts where the speaker assembly is. Remove the speaker. Now, with the phone face down, look at the right side. There should be two connectors from the board. They may be folded down to look as if they are part of the board itself or they may be bent all the way back to the frame. Either way, you must bend them to a position where they will make contact with the speaker assembly.
In case I haven't explained it correctly, I pulled the picture which shows what I am talking about from the teardown and replacement thread and circled the connectors in question.

This loojef VERY promising, and just given up. Pulled the connectors up like you said. Put the speaker back carefully. Restarted.... then NOTHING! DAM. I might try again later....
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda app-developers app

JonBos4123 said:
This loojef VERY promising, and just given up. Pulled the connectors up like you said. Put the speaker back carefully. Restarted.... then NOTHING! DAM. I might try again later....
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda app-developers app
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Did you align it to the metal strips on the speaker assembly? I thought I had it the first time as well. I ended up having to take it apart and adjust it two or three times to get it to make contact correctly. You don't want them at a straight up 90 degree angle to the board, you want them bent more to a 45 degree angle, maybe just a little more.

Replaced the screen, now the speaker is messed up, help!

So I dropped the phone a while ago, no asurion until august due to too many claims SMH
Anyways, I just broke down and bought for $250 a new screen OEM. Installed it, all is well, EXCEPT the speaker now. It cracks at higher volumes. I have tried new roms hoping it would fix it, but no dice. Can I fix the speaker? Any ideas?

Ive noticed youve gotten over 30 views and absolutely 0 responses.... guess ill bite...
By guess is something wasnt taken apart or put bac together... after watching a youtube video on replacing the screen, id say your best bet is take everthing, that you can, apart again (chances are the screen isnt adjustable, unless you got another 250), and after disassembly, make sure all the speaker components are intact and assembled to the 9's
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

PhxDroid86 said:
Ive noticed youve gotten over 30 views and absolutely 0 responses.... guess ill bite...
By guess is something wasnt taken apart or put bac together... after watching a youtube video on replacing the screen, id say your best bet is take everthing, that you can, apart again (chances are the screen isnt adjustable, unless you got another 250), and after disassembly, make sure all the speaker components are intact and assembled to the 9's
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
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Thanks for the reply.
This is what I ordered, I didn't need to take the glass off the screen, it wasn't that bad to disassemble.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330855959331?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Maybe the speaker is dented or vibrating and needs to be glued down?

Michigan Jason said:
Thanks for the reply.
This is what I ordered, I didn't need to take the glass off the screen, it wasn't that bad to disassemble.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330855959331?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Maybe the speaker is dented or vibrating and needs to be glued down?
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Normally when you replaced the whole screen assembly you have to be sure that the speakers are all the way in because those have the tendency to become lose when you reassembled the device. Open it up again and be sure to put everything back very tight. I replace so many screens before and got that problem in some, but once I reopened and put it back together everything works like is supposed to.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

Dropped Galaxy S3 in Bathwater

Hey everyone, so my buddy recently dropped his Galaxy S3 in bath water. He ended up buying a new phone thinking the phone was dead but he turned it on a few days later and it worked. Everything works EXCEPT the touch buttons next to the home button. I bought the phone off of him for $150 thinking I can fix it but as I research video and threads online.. it seems much harder than I thought. I know that soaking the phone in 99% isopropyl alcohol can fix a lot of water damage problems but I'm not sure if I should soak the motherboard in it as it's working fine other than the touch sensor buttons. Should I dip only a part of the front frame (where the touch sensors are) in isopropyl alcohol stopping right below where the LCD screen starts?
I'd like to change the frame as well since there are some scratches here and there along with the home button. It works but the button is scratched up a bit.
Do you guys have any advice for me? The phone is currently disassembled btw if that helps.

Could always download lmt launcher and not worry about it?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Or modify your build.prop to add capacitive buttons
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Just use a ROM that has navbar settings and dont worry about the buttons. I dropped my old optimus t in water and yea it comes back to life , but the uncertainty of how long it will work is terrible. A few weeks after it happend phone screen flickering and it just died.
Best thing to have done was pull the battery and let it dry for two or three days
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Lots of ways to just bypass the buttons all together. Like thwy all said use a custom ROM and nav bar. Just let it dry and leave it be. Good luck.
Oh and give lmt launcher a shot too
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

I would definitely research cleaning it properly.
The water residue will eventually crust up and cause connection issues or shorts.

CZ Eddie said:
I would definitely research cleaning it properly.
The water residue will eventually crust up and cause connection issues or shorts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you think is a good way to clean it? Dip the main board in isopropyl alcohol?

I am a tech junky, the first thing I would do is take it 100% apart and clean every inch on the inside. Eventually the stuff inside of that phone will turn cruddy from the bath water. $150 for a SGSIII is a hella good deal, rip it apart and give it a good cleaning.

Thanks yeah I thought it was a great deal, I could've asked him to drop it less but I felt bad since he was my friend. Phone is brand spanking new and only used for 2 months.
I'm thinking about buying a new whole front piece (LCD, digitizer, frame) though.. what do you guys think? I can get it online for $230ish and not sure how much I can get for my existing front piece.

artluo100 said:
Thanks yeah I thought it was a great deal, I could've asked him to drop it less but I felt bad since he was my friend. Phone is brand spanking new and only used for 2 months.
I'm thinking about buying a new whole front piece (LCD, digitizer, frame) though.. what do you guys think? I can get it online for $230ish and not sure how much I can get for my existing front piece.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would try to fix it before going for a new front piece. Getting that new front piece + the 150$ you already paid = the price of a brand new S3 on ebay.
If it's himidity keeping them from working, leaving the phone in a seeled bag of rice for a couple days can fix it.

If you have the $$$ laying around to do it I would say go ahead. It may help the resell value down the road. I can't stand this phone naked, it feels like a big wet bar of soap in my hands. I would preserve the $$$ spent and put it in an Otterbox Commuter.

I was thinking about making back the money by selling the original piece. Not sure how much I can get for that though. The only thing holding me back is replacing the silver bezel around the LCD. You have to remove everything and swap it over including LCD, glass, buttons, etc. Sounds like a big risk for someone like who who has never done this type of work before.

artluo100 said:
I was thinking about making back the money by selling the original piece. Not sure how much I can get for that though. The only thing holding me back is replacing the silver bezel around the LCD. You have to remove everything and swap it over including LCD, glass, buttons, etc. Sounds like a big risk for someone like who who has never done this type of work before.
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Click to collapse
Well if getting someone to do it for you doesn't cost much, could be something to look into.

Yeah currently looking for someone to do that for me. Not sure where to look... all these cell phone repair places want to replace the whole piece PLUS they keep your LCD for "recycling" which means they'll take my LCD, repair it and sell it to the next sucker for $200 something.
I'm in NYC btw.. so by any chance any of you know someone in the area who has experience doing this, please let me know. Thanks!

artluo100 said:
Yeah currently looking for someone to do that for me. Not sure where to look... all these cell phone repair places want to replace the whole piece PLUS they keep your LCD for "recycling" which means I'll take your LCD, repair it and sell it to the next sucker for $200 something.
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Click to collapse
Haha. Well mobiletechvideos.com is well known around here, could be an option. I dunno how he proceeds though.

BWolf56 said:
I would try to fix it before going for a new front piece. Getting that new front piece + the 150$ you already paid = the price of a brand new S3 on ebay.
If it's himidity keeping them from working, leaving the phone in a seeled bag of rice for a couple days can fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Soaking it in 99% isopropyl alcohol right now. gave the mainboard a scrub down with a toothbrush about 1.5 hrs in. Also scrubbed the back of the touch screen, whichever resistors and chips I saw.
Fingers crossed.

Quick question.. how long should I let the parts dry after taking it out of the alcohol? It seems like alcohol evaporates pretty quick but the smell of it stays.