My First Post! How's it going everybody! (Newb Alert)
I just purchased a Bell HTC Desire Z from a classified ad off of an older man who found that the phone wasn't fully functioning. The poor guy probably paid around $400CDN for the phone, but I ended up eventually buying it from him for $250.
Here is what is wrong with the phone:
1. Power Button-does not work, neither on or off...basically fully unfunctional and only way to turn phone off is battery pull...fun stuff! (planning on using the Teardown/Repair guide by verkion - recommended?)
2. The In-Call speaker (where you put your ear while talking on the phone) seems to have very limited sound, perhaps something has been destroyed on the inside, how all other sound mechanisms work, such as the external speaker and internal speaker w/ headphones. (planning on using the Teardown/Repair guide by verkion - recommended?)
3. The Digitizer, well parts of it (along the left edge of the phone when upright) are unresponsive, so called blind spots which when touched are unresponsive on the digital keyboard along with the home button (house shaped icon) - especially frustrating when browsing web pages because I have to click back like 10 times to get home... (planning on using the Teardown/Repair guide by verkion - recommended?)
4. It is a Bell branded phone, Locations does not work! however I have done the research on the forums and I think I can figure out the whole Rooting thing out, but advice is appreciated! (planning on using gtrab's FAQ for Dummies for the rooting, s-off, and de-branding)
Now...I am not really technologically inclined to the level most of you probably are, but I am good with my hands and really interested/curious about this whole mission I need to complete, so I can fix this phone myself instead of paying $100 for cell phone repair...plus its a nice challenge right?
Do you guys recommend that I take care, or at least attempt to fix the power button issue before I root the phone to a previous, unbranded firmware which will allow me to use Locations? This only makes sense right, because I am going to need the power button for that process?
I know this is a lot to ask, but I just need some pushes and shoves to get me on the right track to try and get this to work, so if it is technologically impossible or excessive...please let me know how I can fix 4 of these problems methodically in a safe and professional way!
Once again, I appreciate it.
Thanks in Advance
EDIT: My prediction is that the individual who originally owned this phone dropped it and as a result the digitizer, power button, and speaker were all affected...but of course I am no expert.
To me it sounds like the flex cable has been damaged. It would definitely cause all these things at once.
I'm pretty sure you need to fix the power button before rooting because you need the power button to actually root it.
Hmmm,
Never thought of that but it sure seems like a better diagnosis. The flex cable originates in the bottom half of the phone in the same compartment that the z hinge is found right?
It is also the flexible strip that runs through the middle of the phone when the hinge is half-way positioned, connecting the lcd/digitizer to the main motherboard of the phone?
I geuss replacing the flex cable would still involve the Teardown/Repair, however I dont think I will need to replace a power button, speaker, or digitizer IF!...that is the case.
Any other ideas on this?
TheToiletSpaula said:
Hmmm,
The flex cable originates in the bottom half of the phone in the same compartment that the z hinge is found right?
...
It is also the flexible strip that runs through the middle of the phone when the hinge is half-way positioned, connecting the lcd/digitizer to the main motherboard of the phone?
I geuss replacing the flex cable would still involve the Teardown/Repair, however I dont think I will need to replace a power button, speaker, or digitizer IF!...that is the case.
Any other ideas on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thats the flex cable, it is built into the pcb behind the lcd, so the whole pcb has to be replaced AFAIK. Yes it requires a full tear down to do it, fairly basic to do, my phone is in pieces atm because the lcd needs replacing.
If the flex cable is the problem then none of those parts need replacing, it would be very unlikely in my opinion for all those parts to fail from a drop without it being flex cable related, possible though.
Link to the teardown, some steps in the middle are unneccesary for what you need. http://tjworld.net/blog/htc-desire-z-tear-down
elliott2705 said:
Yes thats the flex cable, it is built into the pcb behind the lcd, so the whole pcb has to be replaced AFAIK. Yes it requires a full tear down to do it, fairly basic to do, my phone is in pieces atm because the lcd needs replacing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, do you know where I can get a replacement pcb if I decide to take that route man? Seems hard to find that as a single part for sale...
I assume people replace their whole phone if they have a problem like mine :/
You wasted your freaking money on that phone!
250 is a huge waste!
You might as well add a line to your friends for the contract price.
melodicjunkie said:
You wasted your freaking money on that phone!
250 is a huge waste!
You might as well add a line to your friends for the contract price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not THAT bad...considering a brand new one unlocked DZ goes for 450+ and i knew I could fix parts of the phone so for -200 cheaper...i don't know bro!
I just need to know if a replacement pcb is possible to get, or maybe just the flex cable is damaged in which I wouldn't need to replace something so crucial.
Who knows what to do?
EDIT: 450 where I live...Ontario, CA.
...i dunno...could even be water damage that did the deed to that phone....in which case you could be replacing a pcb...or not....I've seen water-loged phones come back to life before....sad thing is it might cost you a few to fix it properly...
Totally agree 250 was to steep...that guy probably paid 79 on contract for it....
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
tvnaderwal said:
...i dunno...could even be water damage that did the deed to that phone....in which case you could be replacing a pcb...or not....I've seen water-loged phones come back to life before....sad thing is it might cost you a few to fix it properly...
Totally agree 250 was to steep...that guy probably paid 79 on contract for it....
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow about the whole coming back to life thing you just said...thats exactly what my digitizer just did, so the left side of my lcd is now working including the home button!
Im guessing the touch panel ribbon was loose but it somehow shifted to functionality.
Great...now for the in ear speaker and power button, and 250 wont seem too bad!
Edit: anyone know how I can look for past signs for water damage like a colored change in a sticker or something?
TheToiletSpaula said:
Wow about the whole coming back to life thing you just said...thats exactly what my digitizer just did, so the left side of my lcd is now working including the home button!
Im guessing the touch panel ribbon was loose but it somehow shifted to functionality.
Great...now for the in ear speaker and power button, and 250 wont seem too bad!
Edit: anyone know how I can look for past signs for water damage like a colored change in a sticker or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 2 water damaged indicator stickers, 1 under battery and, 1 under the back housing, you can see it through the opening where the top tab of the battery door latches.
Edit: Forgot.... 1 on the battery too.
What color would the stickers be? They are both white, does that mean anything?
If they are pink they got wet.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
^^ What they said.... Pink or Red
250 is quite a bit for a device with issues, but good news is it isn't water damage by the sounds of it.
I'm an aviation electronic tech, and your symptoms definetly sound like a loose interface ribbon. If I were u id haul it apart and reseat the flex cable you guys are talking about. I would put a 85% chance that's the issue.
good luck, and welcome fellow canuck to xda and dz family
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Sounds good guys.
However...even if it is probably the flex cable that is causing the remainder of my problems:
1. the in call speaker being super quiet
2. power button not working
Is there any other chance that the speaker and power button areas have loose connections? what should i look for when i open the phone aside from ribbon/flex cable connections?
I need to get the power button fixed because then i can move onto rom modifications and stuff to finally get locations!
hallo
i have been searching the web for a couple of days but i cant find a replacement
power button for xperia play xs
so i want to know if somebody wants to sell his power button from his broken xperia play or i will buy a new power button if you send me the link with the item
i will pay you 5-10dollar and the shipping cost to belgium
sorry for my bad english
thank you
Uhm... just out of curiosity, why would you want a power button replacement?
It fell apart?, is it visibly OK?
If nothing fell apart, nor broke, and it just stopped working try this:
If you're under warranty, send it.
Disassemble your phone and clean it's hardware carefully with isopropylic alcohol and an used toothbrush. (let your phone dry completely before turning it on again)
Put a tiny amount of WD40 on the push button. (not the chromed plastic but the little thing that is underneath) I had a Palm T|X some years ago and this process revived it. (I've never tried this on other hardware and since WD40 melts plastic you must be very careful. When I said a tiny amount I meant it; just enough to penetrate but not to soak any the button's surroundings)
If all of above fails try going to a generic repair center to find a spare button.
Here in Mexico City is a place called "Cellphones' Square", a lot of repairmen work there and they usually have bunch load of spare parts. (maybe there's some place like that near where you live)
Hope I helped
jhonyrod said:
Uhm... just out of curiosity, why would you want a power button replacement?
It fell apart?, is it visibly OK?
If nothing fell apart, nor broke, and it just stopped working try this:
If you're under warranty, send it.
Disassemble your phone and clean it's hardware carefully with isopropylic alcohol and an used toothbrush. (let your phone dry completely before turning it on again)
Put a tiny amount of WD40 on the push button. (not the chromed plastic but the little thing that is underneath) I had a Palm T|X some years ago and this process revived it. (I've never tried this on other hardware and since WD40 melts plastic you must be very careful. When I said a tiny amount I meant it; just enough to penetrate but not to soak any the button's surroundings)
If all of above fails try going to a generic repair center to find a spare button.
Here in Mexico City is a place called "Cellphones' Square", a lot of repairmen work there and they usually have bunch load of spare parts. (maybe there's some place like that near where you live)
Hope I helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info but i lost my power button when i was replacing the digitizer and i cant find it nomore
but thank you
Believe it or not the same thing happened to me yesterday. I really can't find a power button for my play and my phone is now useless without it. Please help...
http://www.etradesupply.com/sony-ericsson-xperia-play-z1i-housing.html
You can get one in this parts set. I didn't look through the rest of the site to see if you could get one without getting all the other stuff as well. Shipping hurts with this company though. Shipping will probably be the same price as the part.
http://www.gerry-mobilfunk.de/cgi-b...steller1=Xperia-Play-R800i&ru=Handy&sk=GM&sa=
I sarch by google and found this! i hope this can help
---------- Post added at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------
or this
:laugh: http://www.handyersatzteilshop.de/a...s+SonyEricsson+R800I+Xperia+Play_3409565.html
happen to have a full set of spare buttons to the xperia play. where do you live ?
Ive got a spare broken xperia play.
Working power button.
I would like to give it for free if you lived close to me, but u live all the way in Belgium.
And i cant send stuff.
Fresh_G_Style said:
hallo
i have been searching the web for a couple of days but i cant find a replacement
power button for xperia play xs
so i want to know if somebody wants to sell his power button from his broken xperia play or i will buy a new power button if you send me the link with the item
i will pay you 5-10dollar and the shipping cost to belgium
sorry for my bad english
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eBay.
Look for a dead cell phone, with good body.
Yesterday i dropped my device from one feet. It turned off and i turned it on.
Now lower part of screen and capacitative buttons dont work. i will attach a image(non-working area outlined in red)
My warranty has expired so i cant exchange it for a new one. What should i do? Can i fix it by myself?
Please help me
Fycola123 said:
Yesterday i dropped my device from one feet. It turned off and i turned it on.
Now lower part of screen and capacitative buttons dont work. i will attach a image(non-working area outlined in red)
My warranty has expired so i cant exchange it for a new one. What should i do? Can i fix it by myself?
Please help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Only thing I can think of is that somehow it has damaged the cable from the touchscreen or the tiny wires that feed into the cable without damaging the screen. I came across a brand new screen I was replacing once for someone that had a similar problem where the bottom left hand corner wouldn't respond to touch unless there was firm pressure on the screen to create contact, and this was a brand new screen. It could also be that the touchscreen connector needs to be pushed back onto the board if it's come a bit loose.
If this is the problem, you can fix it by yourself although I'd have a good look around youtube, there are heaps of DIY videos of how to replace screens. If you do go down this path I recommend you replace the touchscreen/LCD/LCD frame in one go, as it's generally already pre- assembled the only thing here is that there are 3 brands of LCD's HTC used with the phone and they aren't all compatible, and you can only tell by pulling down your phone and looking at the LCD flex cable colours, and the other thing is that the screens that are available aren't always the same quality as the original. If this sounds to hard your best bet is to take it somewhere and diagnose the problem just in case it's something else
Ok Guys, I broke my Note 2 protective glass, after some time accidentally display also break by my hands (I pushed little hard in my note screen)
now the phone is switching on but no display (when I power on the blue led blinks on top of screen and sounds when I push volume up or down)
so I sent it to Samsung care for display replacement and they charged me 6500/- Rs. After 10 days they called me and telling me that my device mainboard is defected. then I called back and asked them to put the battery on phone and switch on and they they told me that blue led blinks.
Now I don't know what to do. are they telling the truth that mainboard is damaged. did they accidentally damaged the mainboard.
Is it damaged by me when scrren broke. They are asking me for additional 8300/- total 14800/- now what should I do.
I don't think that phone can switch on after mainboard is damaged (Just Guessed not a technician)
Sorry for my bad English.
It's been exactly a year since i have first booted my phone up, and about a month and a half ago, the touch had started acting up, and soon, the middle horizontal strip had gone dead, and other regions followed, and now the touch is completely dead. I can't give it for warranty because, a, I live in India and the phone's from UAE, probably Dubai, and b, it would take a long time. I've heard that that's a digitizer issue. Does anyone know of a good seller for digitizers in a website like aliexpress? I mean just the digitizer. the whole display unit is too expensive and unnecessary. My display is still intact. No physical damage to screen whatsoever, except the one time I pressed really hard on the screen, after the problem had gotten worse(no cracks, but I did see the effect you get when you press on an lcd laptop screen on the phone when I pressed) .
someone pleeeeeaasssseeeeee aannnnnnsssswwwwweeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrr!