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fixed the brightness/touch issue with capacitive buttons

ok so i made an attempt at fixing the buttons today to see if i could make them any brighter and possibly fix the issue with having to press them several times to make them work.
i tore my captivate apart for the first time ever. this was my first time taking a screen off of any phone before so that was pretty interesting, as ive also never had any experience with touch screens or capacitive buttons..
so the outcome? a total success minus one button that i took to much paint off of and made it look terrible, but it does still work, and better than before, all i did was pull it apart and with a precision screwdriver i etched the paint away on the inside, i did make a video of the outcome but not during the process, i realized that my phone is also my camera so anyway here is the video, youtube is processing it so it may take a little while before it works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVHbWyKoI3c

hmm...it does seem to be a success despite your search button fugg up. I think etching with a screwdriver was a bit aggressive, i think i would have tried an emory cloth or something like that first. But it is good to see that you actually did something about it, congrats man that is awesome

buddy17 said:
hmm...it does seem to be a success despite your search button fugg up. I think etching with a screwdriver was a bit aggressive, i think i would have tried an emory cloth or something like that first. But it is good to see that you actually did something about it, congrats man that is awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
make no mistake, i screwed the button up visually, the only reason i call it a complete success is due to what i was going after in the beginning, and that was to make all of them work properly and figure out the root cause of all these issues, now at least we have information about these buttons and why they dont work, its amazing to me that such a small detail can make such a huge impact on performance. hopefully someone here can repeat my actions and learn from my mistakes and get it done properly.

wow, really cool. that irresponsive problem really has driven me crazy...but i'm still brave enough to do this...is it possible to send my phone to samsung and ask them to do it?

shengshuyang said:
wow, really cool. that irresponsive problem really has driven me crazy...but i'm still brave enough to do this...is it possible to send my phone to samsung and ask them to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not very likely.
Sent from my Captivate

Awesome! I want to try this myself.
Was the paint you etched away distributed across the inside of the case, or was it just spread across the clear buttons? How delicate/skilled of a hand would you say you need?
I'm just trying to get a better idea of what I'll be looking at.

andars05 said:
Awesome! I want to try this myself.
Was the paint you etched away distributed across the inside of the case, or was it just spread across the clear buttons? How delicate/skilled of a hand would you say you need?
I'm just trying to get a better idea of what I'll be looking at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know this as well. Would it be possible for you to tear down the device again and take a pictures for us on the forum to view?
I've been wanting a reason to disassemble my phone and this looks like just the reason.
I agree with one of the posts above, I think emory cloth would be a good way to go. You'd certainly have much better control of how much paint(?) you were removing.

i dont have any more of a steady hand than most people i would say, i do work on small delicate things at work but i shake and stuff just as much as your average joe,
the paint is does not go across the whole screen it is only in the areas where the buttons are, what makes it really hard is that the paint area is actually larger than the button itself, there are two layers of paint one black (to fill the middle of the buttons) and one gray (for the buttons shape) and where you are looking at it, its extremely hard to see where to etch and where to leave the paint, i didnt think the black was paint so i just started etching away at all of the gray on my first one and thats when i ended up with the screwed up search button, then the rest i payed more attention to the detail, all in all i think it took me about 40 mins, thats break down/video and everything.

this is a really good picture too look at and pay extremely close attention to the search button and you can see the dip in the paint where you actually need to etch
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So just etch where it dips in? Do all the buttons.dip in like that?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

andars05 said:
So just etch where it dips in? Do all the buttons.dip in like that?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
And.
Yes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Cool! Ill give this a shot later. Thanks for the help!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Take pics when your done. And tell us how difficult it was to you..i was more scared than stumped..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Did you have to unglue anything to get to the buttons? I have it apart now, but can't get to the buttons.

Start from the top of the screen and pry three glass from the back..be very careful.. I didn't scratch mine at all doing it but it did take time
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

How do you get the screen to stick back? Did you use any adhesive. Im mainly hesitant because I don't want to get dust between the screen and glass.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

The screen and glass stay together so no worries with dust. But it has an adhesive that you can re use
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Ill give it a shot later tonight if I have time. Ill be sure to take pictures. Im looking forward to brighter LEDs.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I'm sorry I'm nit much help I will be better when I get off work
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

You do knew that the sensitivity can and does change on different kernel/roms? I have run some where physical pressure seems necessary and others where barely touching them activates them.
swyped....and I apologize for not proofreading

[Q] replacement screen?

anyone know where i can get a new one? how easy are these to fix?
it works fine. just cracked. im not sure how touch screens work, but it just looks like the outer glass..if thats what it is.
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I heard its extremely difficult. Supposedly the touch sensor is extremely fragile. Again just what I heard.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

If you are good with small parts and very patient, it is not going to be a terrible job, but I wouldnt recommend it if you havent done a digitizer before. They are very fragile, and the front bezel will require careful removal of old adhesive. Here is a video, ignore the final part which is just the LCD disassembly.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xiauhj_htc-thunderbolt-take-apart-screen-repair-guide_school
...and here is the digitizer on Amazon....
http://www.amazon.com/Verizon-HTC-Thunderbolt-Digitizer-Engraving/dp/B004ULQH34

gospeed.racer said:
If you are good with small parts and very patient, it is not going to be a terrible job, but I wouldnt recommend it if you havent done a digitizer before. They are very fragile, and the front bezel will require careful removal of old adhesive. Here is a video, ignore the final part which is just the LCD disassembly.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xiauhj_htc-thunderbolt-take-apart-screen-repair-guide_school
...and here is the digitizer on Amazon....
http://www.amazon.com/Verizon-HTC-Thunderbolt-Digitizer-Engraving/dp/B004ULQH34
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks! i will definitely look into this.

ok so in that video the adhesive is heated up so they can be separated, but what about putting it back together? is that same adhesive still good? what about where the ribbon cable is glued down?

I have used thin double side tape on a few, but usually I like the black rubberized superglue from the hobby store (called tire glue for RC cars). Use very sparingly. It is shock resistant and not brittle like regular superglue. Keep in mind, I have done a lot of digitizers in the past, but not on a Thunderbolt, your mileage may vary!

Very fragile is an understatement.

I had to replace mine about a week ago. I though it would be easy since I have replaced MANY iPhone digitizers. Ohhh I was wrong. I really wish I would have looked on Amazon since I had to pay 88 for one on eBay (I only buy from US sellers). The hardest part to me was seperating the LCD from the frame. I kinda man handled the old digitizer since it was broke. You will need to use a good combo of heat and force but don't pry to hard or you will crack your LCD. I recommend a blow dryer it does not get super hot and everyone has one. Use the adhesive well since that is the only thing holding your LCD and digitizer to the phone. I made the mistake of not using enough and now when my.phone is not in its case the screen likes to move around.
PS: Keep everything dust free!!! You do not want pressure points between the digitizer and LCD from dust.
No, thats not a storm. Its just my Thunderbolt layin down this post.

thanks again guys. i went ahead and ordered the digitizer. i really hope i dont screw this up. ive never done this before

if you have a warranty, it's cheaper just to pay the deductable and get a new phone

Jesus, you people are brave; I'd not be caught dead trying to pull this kinda thing off!

its mostly because im too cheap to pay someone else to do it lol i better not screw it up though

ok so i replaced the digitizer, no problem. i turned on my phone and my LCD is now all f'd up. half the screen is discolored and lines, bla bla. i took it back apart and what it appears to be is that i must have pulled on the ribbon cable too hard when separating the lcd from the motherboard. its sort of stretched on one side.
So now i have to buy a new LCD i think :/ i might have a cellphone repair place put it in for me.
does anyone know if using a screen from a different phone such as the inspire will work?

Fehnix22 said:
ok so i replaced the digitizer, no problem. i turned on my phone and my LCD is now all f'd up. half the screen is discolored and lines, bla bla. i took it back apart and what it appears to be is that i must have pulled on the ribbon cable too hard when separating the lcd from the motherboard. its sort of stretched on one side.
So now i have to buy a new LCD i think :/ i might have a cellphone repair place put it in for me.
does anyone know if using a screen from a different phone such as the inspire will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many services that will repair these things for you, I've seen several ads on eBay to repair digitizers. I would stick with Thunderbolt parts though, unless you want a frankenbolt.

haha yea i guess you're right. its just so expensive :/ i thought maybe i could cop a super LCD. i might bid on a broken thunderbolt on ebay that still has a good screen. think i should or just buy a new one for 70/80 bucks?

[MOD] Silver Ear Piece On Phone!!!

First off, this is a physical mod!!! you do this at your own risk!!!
Second, i seen this mod in the captivate section of xda and i cant find the OP so that i can give the guys credit, but credit goes to him for doing this to his captivate!!!
after i seen the thread about this i noticed that my friend, who has a captivate, had a chip in the ear piece and it was silver with black paint on top of it. after seeing this he said "Take it off!" and so i did...after doing it i seen it looked rather cool so i took a knife and started scratching the black paint off of mine. i think it looks good and gives it kind of an accent from all the black on the phone. If you decide to do this to your phone, please be careful when doing it and take your time. you dont wanna take this piece out or make it sharp and end up cutting your ear 1 day when you answer your phone, so again, please be careful when doing this mod!!!
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FYI : Once you do this you cant undo it....unless you get some good paint and know how to paint this without filling the holes with paint!!!

Just did this, and I must say, it looks amazingly awesome. It also kinda smoothed the face down, making it seem more slick.

KillKount said:
Just did this, and I must say, it looks amazingly awesome. It also kinda smoothed the face down, making it seem more slick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good...im glad you like it as much as i do...just gotta be gentle with it while doing it!
btw...i love your avatar!!! roy mustang ftw!

This reminds me of what I did with my iPod. I took a fine grain sandpaper and sanded the back of my iPod. Looks great now. Unorthodox mod to what we normally see but I dig it Tator, thanks.

What exactly do you do, just scratch off the paint there? Sand it?
I've also been wondering, on older phones you could use a sugar block and scratch off logos like the us cellular or samsung logo. Can we do that?
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500

I just taped off around ithe speaker grate and used my pocket knife's small blade and she's silver and no scratches. keep in mind I keep my knife extremely sharp and was very very very gentle. It took about 5-10 minutes. Thanks tator. Kinda like the new look.
Edit, Also once you scratch most of it off. an damp alcohol pad seems to remove the remnants really well
Edit: OK so this is how I did it and have no scratches what so ever.
I taped the phone to my desk at work. then taped around the speaker.
Used a Knife to gently scratch off as much of the paint as I could.
Took a toothpick and cut one end as to make a sharp blade on the end and used this to "rub"off the paint down in the crease.
Then wet a q-tip and rubbed the remianng paint of the ear piece.
Hope this helps some that are wondering a way to do this.
I wish I wasn't at work. I would post a pic. Honestly it looks like it was made this way.

sageDieu said:
What exactly do you do, just scratch off the paint there? Sand it?
I've also been wondering, on older phones you could use a sugar block and scratch off logos like the us cellular or samsung logo. Can we do that?
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just use a sharp knife...and be uber careful....and scratch it off
im guessing this should work the same for showcase as well as the fascinate too....but it would take someone trying and reporting back to verify!

I just did this to my mesmerize and it looks great it does look like it came put of the box this way adds a nice little accent to the face of my phone. Thanks for the idea
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Mopuzi said:
I just did this to my mesmerize and it looks great it does look like it came put of the box this way adds a nice little accent to the face of my phone. Thanks for the idea
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
np....its what i do

you were baked, weren't ya tator?

I can confirm that this can be done with a dime and get a reasonably good result. I didn't have a knife handy but I did have some change so I scraped a dime across it until it turned silver. Looks fine. Not perfect, I will probably touch it up with a knife later, but it isn't bad and it didnt scratch the surrounding area. I wasn't even careful
Sent from my CM7 SCH-i500

sageDieu said:
I can confirm that this can be done with a dime and get a reasonably good result. I didn't have a knife handy but I did have some change so I scraped a dime across it until it turned silver. Looks fine. Not perfect, I will probably touch it up with a knife later, but it isn't bad and it didnt scratch the surrounding area. I wasn't even careful
Sent from my CM7 SCH-i500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well good stuff...get the rough crap with a dime...do the finer detail with a knife...will add this info to the OP

jpaulwaite said:
you were baked, weren't ya tator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sober as a nun sir!!!

Broken Screen, Need help knowing what to replace.

The glass part of my screen broke recently but it kept functioning, I could still use it like nothing was wrong. Then earlier today my screen went black but I can still feel the haptic feedback when pressing the menu and other buttons. I would just like to know, do I have to buy the digitizer along with the screen, just the screen or just the LCD. Thanks in advance.

Search replacing screen i727 xda. It's been discussed before. From what I remember you need to replace the screen and digitizer. It's next to impossible to separate the two.
God promised men that he'd put beautiful women in all corners of the world. Then he laughed and laughed and made the world round

jd1639 said:
Search replacing screen i727 xda. It's been discussed before. From what I remember you need to replace the screen and digitizer. It's next to impossible to separate the two.
God promised men that he'd put beautiful women in all corners of the world. Then he laughed and laughed and made the world round
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help

thefief said:
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome
Sent from my SGH-I727R using xda app-developers app

thefief said:
The glass part of my screen broke recently but it kept functioning, I could still use it like nothing was wrong. Then earlier today my screen went black but I can still feel the haptic feedback when pressing the menu and other buttons. I would just like to know, do I have to buy the digitizer along with the screen, just the screen or just the LCD. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After changing a bunch of screens for both apple and android....I would always recommend buying the complete LCD & digitizer screen replacement referred to as a screen assembly....if not it involves heat guns lots of glue that is not ment to unstick and so forth..... Most devices including the i727 make changing the screen assembly easy...
There are plenty of sites out there to show you step by step for most devices such as ifixit its my go to...for many devices and they have parts also. YouTube is another treasure trove.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Fixing screen
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I had just gotten my Skyrocket setup exactly like I wanted it and then it slipped off the seat of the car and I stepped on it. You have to replace the entire screen/digitizer assembly. There are some good you tubes on how to do that. I'll let you in on a "what not to do". I inadvertently severed the cable to the lighted buttons. No prob its an $8.00 fix. I put the new screen back in the phone, which is held by double sided tape so it wouldn't hurt to order some also. When the new cable came I looked at the phone and thought the hole at the top of the screen would be good leverage to remove the screen as I had scraped off most of the old adhesive. That was a mistake and almost a huge mistake. I cracked the new screen when I pulled on that opening on the new screen. I was just about to throw it in the trash and thought that I had the screen cable readily accessible I should plug it in. It worked perfectly- the digitizer doesn't go up that far and my case protector covers 95% of the broken screen area. It has worked perfectly since before Embryo 5. One of these days I'll get around to replacing the screen with a new one but not today. Have a pix attached.
thefief said:
The glass part of my screen broke recently but it kept functioning, I could still use it like nothing was wrong. Then earlier today my screen went black but I can still feel the haptic feedback when pressing the menu and other buttons. I would just like to know, do I have to buy the digitizer along with the screen, just the screen or just the LCD. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

thefief said:
The glass part of my screen broke recently but it kept functioning, I could still use it like nothing was wrong. Then earlier today my screen went black but I can still feel the haptic feedback when pressing the menu and other buttons. I would just like to know, do I have to buy the digitizer along with the screen, just the screen or just the LCD. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I broke my screen and replaced it for $150 off ebay. Just buy the LCD, it comes with the digitizer and faceplate, everything you need. You can't just separate the two and do it yourself for cheap, you'll ruin it. Took me no more than 10 minutes from start to finish. I recommend getting something to pry open your phone (the kits are like $2) because if you use anything like a flathead or what not, you'll scratch and chip the edges. Nails work but it's frustrating and you might put too much force trying to pry it and snap a clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf6jqYejWNU (try to ignore his coke nail)
This video is what I used to make sure there weren't any cables I had to worry about when opening it. 7 screws, some patience prying it apart and your phone is open. The rest is just swapping out the internals to your new screen. It's really simple. Not worth sending it off for $200+ and being without your phone for a week just to keep your warranty. It's probably up or almost up anyway and you still have a nice, new-looking phone to sell when you're done with it.
Plus you get the satisfaction of fixing your phone yourself.

Permanent smudge splotch on screen

Just got my Note 3 and I'm loving it. However, I recently noticed upon closer examination of my screen that there is a permanent smudge mark that ceases to go away. It only appears when there is a large build-up of normal smudges or when I breathe on the screen.
Here is what it looks like:
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Anyone else have this issue? To check, just breathe onto the screen creating that fog-like cover.
From what I have gathered, it is "oleophobic screen coating" wearing off but I have had my Note 3 for four days so it has not gotten that much usage.

I don't have that problem. Does this only happen when you have smudges or breathe on it? If so then I would suggest a screen protector either tempered or film.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

mikemq2003 said:
I don't have that problem. Does this only happen when you have smudges or breathe on it? If so then I would suggest a screen protector either tempered or film.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I wipe the screen of all smudges, it goes away. But as soon as there are more smudges it becomes visible.
Is it worth exchanging?

If you are within you return policy date then yes I would. I'm the type of person if I knew it was there even though I don't see it it would bother me lol.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Anyone else?

cyberprodigy said:
Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine seems OK, I'd suggest bringing it back also. If it is the coating of the screen vanishing this fast then that's a build issue. - could also cause weaknesses to the screen any time further down the line.

cyberprodigy said:
Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same issue. My smudge is alot bigger. Its horizontal a little above center of the screen and about an inch long. It drives me crazy. I can wipe my screen completely smudge free and if I breath on it, there it is! It is starting to exceed the limits of my OCD medication!! :banghead:
Edit: Mine was like this since day one and noticed it about 10 minutes after purchase.

cyberprodigy said:
Just got my Note 3 and I'm loving it. However, I recently noticed upon closer examination of my screen that there is a permanent smudge mark that ceases to go away. It only appears when there is a large build-up of normal smudges or when I breathe on the screen.
Here is what it looks like:
View attachment 2427122
Anyone else have this issue? To check, just breathe onto the screen creating that fog-like cover.
From what I have gathered, it is "oleophobic screen coating" wearing off but I have had my Note 3 for four days so it has not gotten that much usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never seen anything like that before. If that was my phone i would be seeking a replacement ASAP!!!!

i have the exact same issue here, except the location, which makes it interessting:
mine is exact over the place of the indicator LED, and goes up to the top in a "U" form!
and i do not know why, but i did not encountered it before. could the light (and the minimal
temperature) from the led has something to do with this?

Probably is the coating worn off. I had something similar on my old phone. I ended up polishing the entire screen with a little bit of white toothpaste to remove coating elsewhere and give it a better appearance.

Wow I didn't think there we some many cases like this. What the hell is Samsung doing to these screens?

Reading this thread. .. It's just unbelievable that you guys haven't gone and got a replacement. No way should you be having any of these issues on an expensive flagship phone. Take it back is all I'm going to say. I haven't got it. ... If I breath on it the fog disappears Just as Fast as it came. ..
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

I agree. I would of taking this piece of crap back. I have already had one replacement. These phones man I swear.
I hope they replace everybody's phones. We pay to much money for crap like that to happen.
Again, I WILL NEVER BUY AN AT&T PHONE OR SAMSUNG PHONE AGAIN IN MY LIFE. IM DONE.
Hello Google phones.

LuckyColdJohnson said:
I WILL NEVER BUY AN AT&T PHONE OR SAMSUNG PHONE AGAIN IN MY LIFE. IM DONE.
Hello Google phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize that eventually you will get a Google phone with a defect? WHERE WILL YOU TURN THEN?
HELLO, WINDOWS PHONE

I've walked on the top corner of my note 4. Since then, a stain appeared ont the screen. That stain keeps growing covering up the display day after day. It is dark at the center, blue in the midlle and purple at its ending side. What must I do to remove it? Please, can anyone advice me.