Develop Bugs

Epics keep failing

Hello everyone. Before i get started let me just say this isnt a rant just a please help me post. Here is my situation:
My wife and i have been with sprint for 4 months now. Every month since we started our agreement with sprint we have had to have both our epics replaced so that makes a total of 8 epics that have come into our house hold. I have always been nice (never raised voice or cursed at) to the reps in the store and over the phone. How many replacements do i need before sprint switches us to a different model phone.
My wife and i need reliable phones as i am a paramedic and use phone at work and my wife is a stay at home mom with our cellphones being only form of communication. I have been googling for sprints policy and have come up with nothing. Thanks for any help.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

What exactly is failing?

To correct you, this is a rant.
You didn't ask a real question. Sprint makes next to no loss replacing your phone if you're under TEP insurance. They'll keep on replacing the phone with refurbished phones until:
A. They find a reason to charge you for the replacement
B. You ask to change phones, likely at a cost
C. The Epic is discontinued (not likely soon)
Refurbished isn't bad, but it's not new.
Moreso, you claim to have already found this answer yourself nearly 3 weeks ago:
MedicStuder said:
According to my local corp store, if i replace my phone 2 more times (already done 3 exchanges) then i will be able to switch to different device which if i have to exchange this epic 2 more times i am jumping ship to htc and if evo 3d is out then i am going to it.
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Furthermore, without already being an HTC user, you clearly don't realize it is plagued with many similar problems, although without you mentioning a single problem, I can't compare it for you. However, only 4 months into a contract, Sprint will NOT be giving you a free replacement to the Evo, especially not the Evo 3D. You will be paying a premium to switch phones, and likely be forced into another 2 year extension on your plan.
Now, if you'd like to actually use this forum for what it's for, please, tell us what's so wrong with your phones that you have replaced 6 of them?

Double post.

My guess he is an EVO user just trying to stir up the Epic forums.

I brought my phone back last weekend because it died. It was the 3rd Epic that I had taken back from the beginning of my contract. I told them that I would like to switch to a different phone but they werent willing to do that. They said that if all 3 problems would have been within 6 months of one another then the manager could issue a different model of phone. Since my last brick wasn't within 6 months of the previous 2, they weren't willing to replace. So I believe that is their policy.

Very strange... I've been on the same Epic for nearly a year.. Must be a lot of duds out there or some are just very hard on a phone.

To the trolls that post I am not an evo user. Yes I did make that post to help someone that asked. I was told in store 5 phones in 6 months and on the phone I was told 3 phones. That's what is confusing me. Also research also instead of stalking me the evo at full retail is the same if not less then the epic. I am not even looking at the evo 3d because I know I will have to pay a significant difference.
The problems I am having for those that have posted and showed a willingness to help me. What happened is (happens on my epic and my wifes): apps started to force close then the touch screen stops working then the phone goes into a boot loop that I can't fix. I am on stock and not rooted. This is the first epic I haven't rooted. I am just confused from getting different stories. The phones have never had any external damage.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

I'm thinking it might be a PEBKAC error.

063_XOBX said:
I'm thinking it might be a PEBKAC error.
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What is a PEBKAC error?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

I have witnessed this on a friends epic. I thought for sure I would be able to fix it with a fresh install of eb13 then ec05 nothing helped. The screen would not work and the phone was in a boot loop. I thought in the back of my mind he must have sat on it or something. Then I saw someone else has the problem too. Coincidence?

@MedicStuder PEBKAC = Problem exists between keyboard & chair
Sent from my Epic 4G
ACS SyndcateROM FROzen (EC05)
BionixBlack Theme
"Bappa de boopy?" "Que cooozaa?!?"

GRK4G63 said:
@MedicStuder PEBKAC = Problem exists between keyboard & chair
Sent from my Epic 4G
ACS SyndcateROM FROzen (EC05)
BionixBlack Theme
"Bappa de boopy?" "Que cooozaa?!?"
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Thank you and now I see. I appreciate that. Thanks. I ask a legit question and all people want to do is knock people down. Whatever... Atleast there has been a few posts of people seeming to want to try to help. I see these forums still haven't changed and apparently never will.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

Try not installing anything. I noticed one app I had in the market boot looped my epic. I reported it but nothing has fixed the app (locoroco) it would cause my phone to over heat running in back ground killing the battery then killed on board memory sure to heat. Sprint tech helped me through this.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

tubasteve said:
Try not installing anything. I noticed one app I had in the market boot looped my epic. I reported it but nothing has fixed the app (locoroco) it would cause my phone to over heat running in back ground killing the battery then killed on board memory sure to heat. Sprint tech helped me through this.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
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Make sense, maybe I will wipe device and just do one application at a time each day and see if one is causing it. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

"As far as exchanging it in store for a different model it depends on what the Warranty Exchange List allows them to do. Each device has a list of roughly equivalent devices to be replaced with in case the same model isn't available, or now if you're gone through multiple devices within 6 months."
http://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/22141
the warrenty exchange. I did this awhile back with my touch pro and i got the palm pre.
i had traded in my old touch pro like 7 times and went to a sprint store (the official store not a exclusive retailer )
tell them whats up with the phone how many switches and you arent satisfied. you pay money for a phone and expect it to work. inquire about the swap list for the phone.
all in all be firm and make your point. just be nice.. they are employee's afterall and each employees experience varies.
sorry for errors or hard to read things. sent from the Epic.

MedicStuder said:
Make sense, maybe I will wipe device and just do one application at a time each day and see if one is causing it. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
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that wasnt the first thing you did?

Epic button fail
I don't have the insurance but I do have a defective phone. I'm outraged that Sprint is holding me up for $35.00 to exchange my phone for a working-somebody-else's-rejected/returned-faulty refurbished unit. Why should I pay extra because their phone (back button no longer works) --less than six months old- is defective?
I've looked through several forums trying to find someone who has a user fix to restore use of my "back" button to no avail...tried the "enable haptic feedback to 3/4" suggestion and it worked once, but never again.
$35.00 for this aggravation? Why?

andbnew said:
$35.00 for this aggravation? Why?
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because you opted to not purchase insurance. duh!?!

andbnew said:
I don't have the insurance but I do have a defective phone. I'm outraged that Sprint is holding me up for $35.00 to exchange my phone for a working-somebody-else's-rejected/returned-faulty refurbished unit. Why should I pay extra because their phone (back button no longer works) --less than six months old- is defective?
I've looked through several forums trying to find someone who has a user fix to restore use of my "back" button to no avail...tried the "enable haptic feedback to 3/4" suggestion and it worked once, but never again.
$35.00 for this aggravation? Why?
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The phone has a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer. Mail it back into Samsung and you'll get it fixed or replaced in about 10 days. If you need it back the same day/next day you have to have Sprint's insurance or pay them for the service.
I'm not a huge fan of Sprint or Samsung for that matter, but business is business and it seems fair enough to me.

[Q] Sprint Question!! Bricked... only getting Blue light :(

I already know its a hard brick, no odin, no recovery, no hope. I was wondering if anyone has worked for sprint and would know if I dont have insurance, and just now get insurance, and then bring it in and act clueless saying I dont know what happened yadda yadda yadda, would they give me a new phone?

Well I'm very new to rooting and things of that nature but what does the screen look. Like
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA soon to be on ics

Be a man and pay the deductible! Well I have no idea never had a brick or replace issue with Sprint ever, but from what it seems if Sprint can't get it to boot they will replace for you.
Are you sure you can't get into download mode?

I actually unbricked my infuse with Odin and I wasn't in download mode took a few attempts but I saved my phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA soon to be ics

I personally don't work at Sprint, but if you play dumb and you make up a good enough excuse, their's an 85% chance that they'll give you a new one. I mean since it isn't physical damage, you're in luck. I say i's worth a shot. My E4GT is at Sprint right now, I completely reverted it back to stock and they had no clue on what was going on with it and they decided to give a new one. Just try it. Just lie and say something like "It was overheating, and it shut off." Good luck kiddo.

im0rtalz said:
Be a man and pay the deductible! Well I have no idea never had a brick or replace issue with Sprint ever, but from what it seems if Sprint can't get it to boot they will replace for you.
Are you sure you can't get into download mode?
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Am I sure????!!!!!! Of course!

jajosh66 said:
I personally don't work at Sprint, but if you play dumb and you make up a good enough excuse, their's an 85% chance that they'll give you a new one. I mean since it isn't physical damage, you're in luck. I say i's worth a shot. My E4GT is at Sprint right now, I completely reverted it back to stock and they had no clue on what was going on with it and they decided to give a new one. Just try it. Just lie and say something like "It was overheating, and it shut off." Good luck kiddo.
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But with no insurance??

RussellEstridge25 said:
I already know its a hard brick, no odin, no recovery, no hope. I was wondering if anyone has worked for sprint and would know if I dont have insurance, and just now get insurance, and then bring it in and act clueless saying I dont know what happened yadda yadda yadda, would they give me a new phone?
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Click to collapse
Take it in to a Sprint store that has a repair center. Act clueless. With no insurance you should only have to pay $35 since it's a software issue. You may even get a free replacement...I doubt that though.
Sent while hanging with that really hoopy frood Ford Prefect.

blackroseMD1 said:
Take it in to a Sprint store that has a repair center. Act clueless. With no insurance you should only have to pay $35 since it's a software issue. You may even get a free replacement...I doubt that though.
Sent while hanging with that really hoopy frood Ford Prefect.
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Once they fix it would they see it was rooted?

Cool dude. Lie so you raise our premiums. You f'd up your phone, pay up.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

tkemack said:
Cool dude. Lie so you raise our premiums. You f'd up your phone, pay up.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
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Actually dude.... I'm sending it in to mobiletech.com to get fixed for 50 bucks.... So chill. It was just a question about insurance.

I'm glad you're doing that, hope they can fix it.
In your op you said you didn't have insurance then said you're gonna get it, then play dumb. That's what I responded to. Thanks for being noble.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

I didn't say I was going to. Just wanted to know if it was even an option. But I had already sent my payment to mobiletech.com and then asked my question on here. More to humor myself cause I wanted to feel I did the right thing. And i am. Never bricked a phone before so i apologize for my melt down.

Better luck next time bud
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

Way to man up! Hope jtag works. Worst that could happen, if jtag doesn't work, is you go in tell them your phone won't work period, pay the deductible and you'll most likely have a phone fast. But you get to be honorable. Good luck.

I again do not understand explain to me how someone who has insurance I on a device raises our payment that is the stupidest thing I have heard
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

If u dont get he insurace when u get phone u cant get it after far as i know cuss every1 would do it right as they **** it up...
And tkemack people steal ****...atleast he got it legitinately pays his bill and sticks to sprint..ive had 2 phones replaced just saying im nkt receiving calls and late texts tell them ive factory reset it via sprint tech and they told me to come in... All because my hero evo and shift had minor cosmetic damages and my hero vol + bar broke off... They didnt ask **** just gave me and my wife new phones.. I also just *****ed about signal...my signal is fine there sending me a free airwave signal booster 200$ value
Not to sound like a **** just being funny treat sprint like walmart take back your used dirty diapers and demand new ones
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

crazycon51 said:
I again do not understand explain to me how someone who has insurance I on a device raises our payment that is the stupidest thing I have heard
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
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He clearly stated in the op that he DOES NOT have insurance. Carry on.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

tkemack said:
Cool dude. Lie so you raise our premiums. You f'd up your phone, pay up.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
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i know right? its not totally all the brickers fault but they are a large part of the problem. Take responsibility and pay the deductable

If you ultimately need to go to Sprint just tell them you are a flashaholic but promise to go to rehab if they can help you out....
Just as someone mentioned above when you buy your phone there is small window of time to buy insurance. After that time you cannot.

Switch black for white?

I've been having off and on issues with my E4GT screen and would like a replacement. Ive been living with it since february, but it's getting very annoying for such a beast of a phone. Is there any way I can switch it out and get a white one? I do have the tep insurance if it matters. I'm in the Dallas area. Please PM me if you think you can help

Chances are they'll send whatever refurb is next in line.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

Since they are two foretaste model numbers, they will send whatever is attached to your account. Your best bet would be going to a local store and trying to persuade a rep to help you out... But chances are you'll be leaving with the same model that is on your account.
Good luck
Jason
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I'm doing this same thing. My wife wants a white one now so I'm trying to figure something out.
I figure if I throw enough of a fit about how Sprint owes my a** something in order to make up for their lack of any mentionable data speeds while I still pay every month for 'premium data' - a white E4GT swap for my wife is the least they can do.
Otherwise I'll just cancel my contract with no ETF due to them failing to hold up their end of the contract. Or they can upgrade us both to a SGSIII when it comes out so I can have the speeds I was promised with LTE and 1x Advanced.

All I need is a tech!! I spoke to a 3rd party sprint rep and they said it can be switched with either, its basically up to the tech. Is there any one at all in the Dallas area that would like to help a fellow XDAer out? (i would be more than happy to bring a donation to a cause of their choosing )
btw I do have the ted insurance, so would that provide any help in getting a white replacement more easily? I dont want to pay the $100, but im almost willing to at this point. hence the "donation" not being an issue

I need help with this too but I live in NJ :/
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Sprint rep, Sprint rep, Sprint rep!
o nvm i forgot i dont have a mirror app

bump. I would really like to get this resolved by the weekend

I already told you what you need to do.
You also have to remember that being a technician is our job, not strictly our hobby. We have to adhere to policies. I personally wouldn't swap you just because you asked, my SRSS frowns upon that.
The best thing to do is bite the bullet, drive to the store, and take whatever is given to you.

I understand what youve told me, however it is difficult for me to leave the office again and go through the hours of bs just to end up with someone looking at the thing for 20 min and saying nothing is wrong or I need to get a battery (yes, someone told me my screen and buttons malfunctioned due to my battery). This is not the first time I have done this and I am fed up to say the least. I know more about these devices and this network than 80% of the people working at the stores I've gone to.
Replacing the device is the hard part and the color change is a bird id like to kill with the same stone. All I was looking for was assistance from a fellow member to stream line things and get me the customer service that Sprint should be striving for. God knows their data speeds and innovation aren't going to save them.
I'm sorry for the rant, it was not directed at you. Ive been calling Sprint for weeks about separate issues and I was trying to take this issue on by myself. If it comes down to it I will bite the bullet and deal with them the old fashion way, but that is my last resort

Depending in what custom ROM you're running (sorry just assuming since you're on xda, if not it doesn't matter) if you type *#0*#0 on the dialer it brings up a diagnostic menu. One of the tests in this menu is a line drawing test for the touchscreen. If you can see it consistently messing up in a certain part of the screen that's one of the easiest tests we have to verify touchscreen issues and a good way to make sure the tech you talk to isn't just going to say sorry we can't verify the issue. And as much as it can suck if we can't reliably duplicate the issue our options are pretty limited as far as repair/replacement goes.
As for the color issue, I may be in the minority but if I have the parts in and someone comes in and asks nicely, I don't mind swapping what color someones screen/housing is of there's actually a problem
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

You've got a pm.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

afive720 said:
You've got a pm.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
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thank you, replied

asrielx1 said:
Depending in what custom ROM you're running (sorry just assuming since you're on xda, if not it doesn't matter) if you type *#0*#0 on the dialer it brings up a diagnostic menu. One of the tests in this menu is a line drawing test for the touchscreen. If you can see it consistently messing up in a certain part of the screen that's one of the easiest tests we have to verify touchscreen issues and a good way to make sure the tech you talk to isn't just going to say sorry we can't verify the issue. And as much as it can suck if we can't reliably duplicate the issue our options are pretty limited as far as repair/replacement goes.
As for the color issue, I may be in the minority but if I have the parts in and someone comes in and asks nicely, I don't mind swapping what color someones screen/housing is of there's actually a problem
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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tried to do the dialer and it wont let me input the last 0. i think the hashes are the start and end of a code, so nothing can go after them

Yea when they sent us the code that's how out was written but now that I think about out out does just jump into the menu as soon a you hit the second #. I think it only works on completely stock roms though, I just tried it on calks el29 and no joy
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

asrielx1 said:
Yea when they sent us the code that's how out was written but now that I think about out out does just jump into the menu as soon a you hit the second #. I think it only works on completely stock roms though, I just tried it on calks el29 and no joy
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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tried on calk2 1.6 and no go. idk why it would only be on completely stock. calk practically is

An easy way to tell, for me, is dragging down notification bar, if it gets really choppy in a certain area, then you definitely have a spot that's out. Doesn't always work, but easy to tell. The dio menu, I am pretty sure it only works on completely stock roms with EL29, I have not tried on any ICS leaks though. I am currently running CM, so obviously, doesn't work lol.

afinch1992 said:
go through the hours of bs just to end up with someone looking at the thing for 20 min and saying nothing is wrong or I need to get a battery (yes, someone told me my screen and buttons malfunctioned due to my battery).
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I have had a Sprint rep tell me that a charging issue that my old Hero had was due to a bad cable. So I bought a new cable(not from sprint) and had the same problem. Took it back and they said it was the battery. So I bought a new battery(not from sprint), and had the same issue(returned the battery after. The last issue they said was that the charging port was loose, but they didn't want to fix it because they didn't want to ruin the internals of the phone.
I have hardly ever gotten good service by a rep in a Sprint store. I have gotten good service over the phone though.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

KCRic said:
I'm doing this same thing. My wife wants a white one now so I'm trying to figure something out.
I figure if I throw enough of a fit about how Sprint owes my a** something in order to make up for their lack of any mentionable data speeds while I still pay every month for 'premium data' - a white E4GT swap for my wife is the least they can do.
Otherwise I'll just cancel my contract with no ETF due to them failing to hold up their end of the contract. Or they can upgrade us both to a SGSIII when it comes out so I can have the speeds I was promised with LTE and 1x Advanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahahaha..
I'd cancel your contract in a heartbeat.
It's a cell phone, there is no reason to have a sense of entitlement. If you don't like your data speeds or whatever, cut ship and go elsewhere. But don't even try that bull****.

If you really want a white one shove a flat head in your charging port and break the pins ( made me cringe when I seen my buddy do it) automatically a replacement cause we can't fix them. Then go to a 3rd party preferred retailer and when they go to order it just ask nicely for a white one. As long as you have TEP is all free
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Mod please close

Alight so here is my problem. My gf has a t-mobile gs3 refurbished from T-mobile running stock 4.1.2 firmware no root. The problem is that the screen randomly freezes when its being used. All I have to do to unfreeze it is lock and unlock the phone but it constantly does this. For instance it happened three times while writing this. I have no idea what to do. Could it be a firmware problem? Should I go ahead and root and flash custom ROMs?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

bor3d2damax said:
Alight so here is my problem. My gf has a t-mobile gs3 refurbished from T-mobile running stock 4.1.2 firmware no root. The problem is that the screen randomly freezes when its being used. All I have to do to unfreeze it is lock and unlock the phone but it constantly does this. For instance it happened three times while writing this. I have no idea what to do. Could it be a firmware problem? Should I go ahead and root and flash custom ROMs?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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The issue you are having is probably why it was a refurb in the first place. I once bought a refurb CRT monitor. Not only did it have severe ghosting and a bad case of double images, but if you shook it, you could hear a loose screw flying around in there. That was a ViewSonic, and I will never do business with them again (that's not the only reason). It's blatantly obvious nobody bothered to test it. Just repackaged it and pushed it out the door. I will never ever accept refurbished items if I have a choice, or used electronics. Same difference.
You can try a factory reset and reflashing the firmware with Odin. But I suspect that it's a hardware problem that was never fixed when the original owner returned it. Pretty sure there is zero quality control anywhere these days.

Aerowinder said:
The issue you are having is probably why it was a refurb in the first place. I once bought a refurb CRT monitor. Not only did it have severe ghosting and a bad case of double images, but if you shook it, you could hear a loose screw flying around in there. That was a ViewSonic, and I will never do business with them again (that's not the only reason). It's blatantly obvious nobody bothered to test it. Just repackaged it and pushed it out the door. I will never ever accept refurbished items if I have a choice, or used electronics. Same difference.
You can try a factory reset and reflashing the firmware with Odin. But I suspect that it's a hardware problem that was never fixed when the original owner returned it. Pretty sure there is zero quality control anywhere these days.
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That's crazy why would T-mobile allow a refurbed phone in this condition to be sold. I hope it can be fixed because my gf bought this in Jan. She isnt tech savvy so she just kept it. Ill try flashing stock through odin
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

bor3d2damax said:
That's crazy why would T-mobile allow a refurbed phone in this condition to be sold.
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Lack of: care, time, money.
Trying to meet: employer's demands, quota.

Aerowinder said:
Lack of: care, time, money.
Trying to meet: employer's demands, quota.
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I hear you there
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Mod please close
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium

[Q] My S3 has a black screen constantly, but the phone works

I just bought an S3 off a friend, thinking nothing was wrong with it, the kid just doesn't know how to use a phone, but I've come to the conclusion that he may have been right. I don't want it to be a hardware issue, but it very well may be.
The phone has never been rooted, always stock 4.1.2, but one day the screen quit working while he was asleep. The phone works, makes noise, I can unlock it and all, but no matter what I do, I get nothing on the screen, just black.
Like I said, I don't want to shell out $200 for a dang screen replacement when it isn't cracked or anything.
If anybody could help me fond a way to get this thing to work as a gift for my better half, I would be forever grateful!

It sounds like you already know what needs to be fixed, you just don't want to spend the money to do it and I don't blame you. Spending over $150 fix this device really isn't worth it, to me at least.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

I really was hoping it would be something exceedingly simple that I was just oblivious to, but I guess you're right. You think there is any chance Samsung would replace it? After a quick Google it seems Samsung made a couple bad batches and a few people got replacements for free. I can wait if they would, so I'm gonna call them and have my fingers crossed.

Daltonyx said:
I really was hoping it would be something exceedingly simple that I was just oblivious to, but I guess you're right. You think there is any chance Samsung would replace it? After a quick Google it seems Samsung made a couple bad batches and a few people got replacements for free. I can wait if they would, so I'm gonna call them and have my fingers crossed.
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You can try, but unless its under warranty, they'll probably charge you an "arm and a leg" to fix the device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Da Kine said:
You can try, but unless its under warranty, they'll probably charge you an "arm and a leg" to fix the device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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I just got really freaking lucky. Days are left on the warranty. Looks like I'm sending it in for a replacement! End of story! :laugh: