These digitizers are driving me crazy! - EVO Shift 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

A little preface. I've repaired numerous phones and have never had a problem like this.
Foward to now: I had a guy come to me with two evo shift 4g's with cracked screens that were working fine just cracked which to me didn't look like a problem. It's litterally 4 connections alltogether but what I have found is that my digitizer will work for a second then stop. Battery pull then it works for a minute and then back to not working. The problem is that it's both of the phones that are acting the same way.
Question: Is this a common problem because I know all my connections are perfect and I'm getting tired of going back through these phones,
Any help is appreciated.

Drroid said:
A little preface. I've repaired numerous phones and have never had a problem like this.
Foward to now: I had a guy come to me with two evo shift 4g's with cracked screens that were working fine just cracked which to me didn't look like a problem. It's litterally 4 connections alltogether but what I have found is that my digitizer will work for a second then stop. Battery pull then it works for a minute and then back to not working. The problem is that it's both of the phones that are acting the same way.
Question: Is this a common problem because I know all my connections are perfect and I'm getting tired of going back through these phones,
Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you replace the Digitizer as an assembly? Meaning the Digitizer, and the LCD. Or did you just replace the Digitizer Screen? Also when you were in there did you make sure and inspect the Flex Cable thoroughly? I have found that even the small breaks in the Flex Cable will cause, weird issues to occur.

prboy1969 said:
Did you replace the Digitizer as an assembly? Meaning the Digitizer, and the LCD. Or did you just replace the Digitizer Screen? Also when you were in there did you make sure and inspect the Flex Cable thoroughly? I have found that even the small breaks in the Flex Cable will cause, weird issues to occur.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I replaced just the digitizer as the lcd screen was fine and working properly. I've got a desk magnifier when I take the phones apart and all the connections were seated correctly, ribbon cables were all in the same shape as they came, no tears and scuffs anywhere. This is why im just aggravated because what else could this be?

What your mentiioning points to a Flex Cable issue. But if your sure, then I'm at a loss. Did you make sure and put all the fasteners back in? Did any of the connectors act weird when being reconnected? That sometimes ends in a bent Pin.
TEAM MiK
MikROMs Since 3/13/11

Well the flex cables looked fine when I took it off the back of the lcd. The flex cable had 4 connector spots. One snap on connector to the board and three push to snap connectors (one at the top where the speaker is and two at the bottom).
My thing is that the digitizer for the shift had a peice that you had to bend on top of itself so it would have the correct length to snap into the connector at the top where the speaker is. If never felt good about bending ribbon cables but thats how the ones before this one came and even in the videos they did that. It just makes me wonder if that could be the reason.

Hmmmm... if the Flex Cable was actually bent, instead of gently curved that could possibly cause issues. But it doesn't seem like that is what's going on here. I would check everything again. Especially the Flex Cable, and connections.

prboy1969 said:
Hmmmm... if the Flex Cable was actually bent, instead of gently curved that could possibly cause issues. But it doesn't seem like that is what's going on here. I would check everything again. Especially the Flex Cable, and connections.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just fed up with this thing. I just went through it again and I've gotten to the point I'm just gonna buy the phone from my customer and leave it at that. I've never seen a phone give me so much damn trouble. Thanks for all your help!

I was looking back through my notes ( yes I do enough were I have to keep notes ) just now. I found something that might interest you. Had something sort of similar occur a while back. The device was giving me serious headaches. Well I had forgotten to ask how the device was damaged. When I asked the woman how the device was damaged. She explained that it had been dropped on a curb, and then fallen into a puddle. She then dried it out, and bought it to me. I had repaired two phones for her previously. So I never thought to ask how this one was damaged. The thing was being dropped in water, was what ruined it. Caused all kinds of issues I could not resolve. Ended up switching the Mother Board for her. That was the only thing that resolved the issue. So you may want to ask if the device has been dropped in water. But it's not just that easy. Because you then have to deal with Sprint, because in essence it changes the Phones ID .

Related

I sat on my Fuze :(

Hi all,
I sat on my Fuze, short and simple. There is now a weird crack on the screen. I am very familiar with what a broken LCD looks like, there is no LCD "liquid" oozing all over the place, and the picture is not distorted in any way. It looks like some kind of lens INSIDE might be broken, and I think it's the digitizer. The cracks stop once they get to the dark grey at&t/HTC border around the screen, even though I hit very close to it, so whatever I cracked is under the top lens/protector.
Also, I read online (albeit at a cell phone repair website) that you can't replace the digitizer without ruining the LCD. Is there any merit to this, or are they just trying to convince people to pay their obscene $149 to replace a $30 part?
So I guess I have two questions:
Did I break the digitizer, the topmost lens, or somehow the LCD glass without damaging the LCD itself?
How hard is this to replace?
Pics:
EDIT: I ordered this on April 17th. Fat chance AT&T will do anything about it, right?
That looks like just the digitizer... I purchased the digitizer already, but haven't gotten the chance to take it apart yet.... to be honest I'm very nervous about taking it apart.. I'm still trying to figure out how to split the two pieces apart (the keyboardbase and the slide screen....
wxy117 said:
That looks like just the digitizer... I purchased the digitizer already, but haven't gotten the chance to take it apart yet.... to be honest I'm very nervous about taking it apart.. I'm still trying to figure out how to split the two pieces apart (the keyboardbase and the slide screen....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken (and I might be), all this should take is removing the two small phillips head screws on the back of the screen that show when the phone is slid open. I landed on this thing while it was open, and drove my knee right into the screen, I'm surprised I didn't break anything else.
There are three more screws that you can't see behind the screen.... when its slid open you can only see 2 screws... There are actually 5
wxy117 said:
There are three more screws that you can't see behind the screen.... when its slid open you can only see 2 screws... There are actually 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we do have to take the whole damn thing apart?
Does anyone have any luck with AT&T replacing things that are clearly accidental damage? With all the horror stories I hear about refurbished phones and the chance that they might send me one, I'd actually rather take my chances at fixing this. I've taken apart a ton of phones and fixed them before, and worked at a cell phone repair shop for a few months. I still have most of my tools lying around, including all the screw drivers I'd need to open this.
I was able to find an HTC service manual that doesn't really explain how to replace the digitizer. It does describe how to get it in two pieces, but I wouldn't know where to go from there.
I have the digitizer in my hand... There is a thing that hooks up to the phone itself so yes i'm pretty sure you have to take apart the entire thing.... I think i'm gonna take the phone to NYC and have someone that knows what they're doing repair it. I tried to get warrenty repair, but they said no because it is accidental damage. i pretty much tried everything before I ordered a new screen.
wxy117 said:
I have the digitizer in my hand... There is a thing that hooks up to the phone itself so yes i'm pretty sure you have to take apart the entire thing.... I think i'm gonna take the phone to NYC and have someone that knows what they're doing repair it. I tried to get warrenty repair, but they said no because it is accidental damage. i pretty much tried everything before I ordered a new screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found a good complete disassembly guide in Russian, why does the screen have to be the LAST thing to come out? I am now looking to buy an LCD/digitizer combo, but I can only find the one from Brando that is made for regular HTC Touch Pros, and not the Fuze (has a camera cutout instead of the AT&T logo).
If I end up having to replace the LCD I'd much rather break it trying to save $50 than just toss it. Is it really that hard to separate the digitizer from the LCD?
http://translate.google.com/transla...ka/htc-touch-pro/&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0=
has anyone had success separating the Digitizer and the LCD screen?
wxy117 said:
has anyone had success separating the Digitizer and the LCD screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, we'll find out. I ordered both an AT&T Fuze digitizer by itself as well as an LCD with a digitizer attached. I'm just going to go ahead and replace everything with the combination unit and see if I can replace my broken digitizer without breaking my LCD in my free time. If it works, I have a spare or I can sell it
be careful I got my digitizer and they sent me the wrong one. They sent me one for a sprint touch pro....
wxy117 said:
be careful I got my digitizer and they sent me the wrong one. They sent me one for a sprint touch pro....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully I'll get it right, I made sure to order an AT&T Fuze digitizer that made it clear it wasn't for use with Sprint Touch Pros or Touch Pros with front facing camera.
The LCD+digitizer I ordered though may very well show up as any of the above, if they're not already attached I'm going to use the AT&T Fuze digitizer on the new LCD, and try and make a new working combo from my old LCD to resell. I'll make a detailed step by step with photos as well.
Don't forget to read this
They just sent out my new one today.... So anyone that needs a digitizer for the Fuze by Sprint hit me up.... They told me to keep it so now I have an extra digitizer that doesn't work for my phone...
I think I can help you cos I repaired LCD and digitizer on Raphael a week ago. Digitizer and LCD are two separate parts joined by flat printed wires. If you need to change just one of them you will need to take apart whole phone.
Raphael consists from 2 main parts - 1. that one with keyboard 2nd part with LCD. You have to take apart both what is quite hard to realize if you this for the first time.
Once you are with your LCD you will see the flat wires grom lcd and digitizer meerged. Split them with your solddering gun carefully! Take new digitizer and solder flat wires together. Anyway there is no glue or liquid fluit or whatever between digitizer and LCD. But - remeber especially those who replacing just LCD - there is kind of black tape around the backside of LCD part (the silver side) - take it apart from old lcd and move to new one. If you dont you will see the rainbow on your LCD but just after assembling whole device together - it is quite concerning if you find out this kinf of malfunction just after such a hard work like a assembling this hellmade device
Good luck to everyone!
pisqle said:
I think I can help you cos I repaired LCD and digitizer on Raphael a week ago. Digitizer and LCD are two separate parts joined by flat printed wires. If you need to change just one of them you will need to take apart whole phone.
Raphael consists from 2 main parts - 1. that one with keyboard 2nd part with LCD. You have to take apart both what is quite hard to realize if you this for the first time.
Once you are with your LCD you will see the flat wires grom lcd and digitizer meerged. Split them with your solddering gun carefully! Take new digitizer and solder flat wires together. Anyway there is no glue or liquid fluit or whatever between digitizer and LCD. But - remeber especially those who replacing just LCD - there is kind of black tape around the backside of LCD part (the silver side) - take it apart from old lcd and move to new one. If you dont you will see the rainbow on your LCD but just after assembling whole device together - it is quite concerning if you find out this kinf of malfunction just after such a hard work like a assembling this hellmade device
Good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for some rather broken, but very helpful advice. Kinda sucks that I'm really happy since I don't have to worry about removing any adhesive, but now I have to sit here and solder flex cables. I shoulda bought a spare one
Do they ship these parts on pigeons from Hong Kong?
To anyone counting on being able to separate the LCD from the digitizer, DON'T. There is absolutely no way to separate them without destroying either or both. Also, take extreme caution when peeling up the flex cable, it is very easy to tear (I tore mine).
So my net cost, 80 + 50, LCD/Digitizer and Flex Cable = $130 vs. sending it to HTC $150. I advise anyone to just pay them rather than take this thing apart.
from my understanding people have done it before... Maybe you just had bad luck? Well we'll see when my screen comes in *crossing fingers*
wxy117 said:
from my understanding people have done it before... Maybe you just had bad luck? Well we'll see when my screen comes in *crossing fingers*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fact of the matter is when people say this is a delicate phone to take apart, they mean it. I worked at a cell phone repair store for a few weeks, and learned how to take apart damn near anything (thank God this was before the iPhone existed). Not only are both flex cables in this phone taped down in 100 different places, making them very easy to tear while removing the tape, the adhesive used between the LCD and digitizer is STRONG. If you really wanted to separate them, you might have some luck with a straight edge and maybe an hour. Good luck, I'll let you all know how this turns out once I have my new flex cable, since I conveniently tore the volume buttons off the original.
I just got my screen today so we're gonna see some time next week how we do on this screen replacement....I'll let you know how it goes....
So far no luck with my digitizer. Has anyone had any luck just changing out the digitizer yet? The guy that was suppose to do mine is backing out because he doesn't want to risk cracking my LCD. I don't blame him thats the reason I didn't do it. sheik124 what are you doing with your damaged fuze? Are you sending it to HTC for repairs?

Digitizer driving me crazy

So I've replaced the digitizer on one of my thunderbolts and all was well. I had not really gotten the lcd affixed to the chassis correctly so after a few days the gap in the phone and the frame caused me to tear back into the phone. I got it all sticky taped down to the chassis and put the phone back together and now the phone is doing all sorts of crazy things. I did a format system, reflashed the rom, bamf forever 1.0.5 and the phone seemed to be fixed and now its right back to doing what it was. It seems to register touch when im not touching the device, also some times when i do touch it its a few inches off, making menu selections impossible and typing as well. I've gotten flustered with this phone beyond belief.
I also had a inc2 do the same thing a while back. Which has me thinking it may be something common. Possibly a dirty connection on the ribbon cable or something? Its getting too late to break into it again but I was wondering if anyone has had anything similar happen?
stayin100 said:
So I've replaced the digitizer on one of my thunderbolts and all was well. I had not really gotten the lcd affixed to the chassis correctly so after a few days the gap in the phone and the frame caused me to tear back into the phone. I got it all sticky taped down to the chassis and put the phone back together and now the phone is doing all sorts of crazy things. I did a format system, reflashed the rom, bamf forever 1.0.5 and the phone seemed to be fixed and now its right back to doing what it was. It seems to register touch when im not touching the device, also some times when i do touch it its a few inches off, making menu selections impossible and typing as well. I've gotten flustered with this phone beyond belief.
I also had a inc2 do the same thing a while back. Which has me thinking it may be something common. Possibly a dirty connection on the ribbon cable or something? Its getting too late to break into it again but I was wondering if anyone has had anything similar happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never torn into a phone, and I never intend to. My guess, if I had to make one, would be that the digitizer is somehow making contact with the body of the phone in some undesirable way, possibly through a slightly conductive tape. ANY sort of contact with a substance or object that could trigger a change in the screens static field will cause you problems.
I think its just the digitizer that's bad, it can't be anything else, just doesn't make sense... So, now who sells the absolute best digitizers?
I've bought fifty plus digizers from various people on eBay, I've used repair universe and can't recall ever having gotten a bad one. But who has the best?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Just googled it and quite a few threads on various android sites where people replaced digitizer and have all kinds of problems getting the touch to work properly afterwards on thunderbolt. Must not be an easy task on this phone.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

Touch screen help

How do you diagnose what to replace on your tablet? Is it possible with the tf700t?
Here is the scenario- I travel a lot and kind of pack my backpack tight and I think the extra pressure on the tablet has screwed the right side.. I turned on show touches in developer tools and a touch comes and goes from the right mid side (sometimes it moves) .
I was able tdeal with this for a while but now after my last travel it's made it almost impossible to use the tab. My tablet it is out of warranty, unlocked and rooted so don't know if I could sent it to Asus for repair.
My question is, is it my touchscreen I need to replace or is it another component? Currently I I hold the tablet and apply pressure on the right side (back) I can make the touch go and come. If I turn the screen off it will remove the touch for a bit. if the touch won't go away I try to apply pressure to the back in various spots to it goes away
My understanding is if you can see what's on the screen the display panel is good. If there are touch problems then you MIGHT need a new digitizer. It could also be that in bumping it around and what not that the ribbon cable connecting the digitizer has come loose. Heat sometimes seems to be involved in this happening too. There are a couple threads here about these issues, fixing them and how to go about replacing the digitizer yourself and where people have bought them. It's not a feat for the faint of heart but it can be done at home.
flhthemi said:
My understanding is if you can see what's on the screen the display panel is good. If there are touch problems then you MIGHT need a new digitizer. It could also be that in bumping it around and what not that the ribbon cable connecting the digitizer has come loose. Heat sometimes seems to be involved in this happening too. There are a couple threads here about these issues, fixing them and how to go about replacing the digitizer yourself and where people have bought them. It's not a feat for the faint of heart but it can be done at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'll check it out didn't know if it was the touch screen or digitizer. I'm typing on it right now so seems like touch is just fine.
I suppose I'll open it up and see if a cable is loose. But do you think Asus would accept it for repairs? It's unlocked and rooted.
They woud gladly accept it for repairs... but they would charge you a bundle. Your warranty is void since you unlocked.
Sent from my K00C using Tapatalk
Touch screen/digitzer I believe are one in the same.
Sure Asus will fix it. In/out of warranty. But as mentioned, they'll charge you big bucks. My guess to replace the digitizer would be about 300USD. MIGHT be a little less.
If you open it somewhere inside, can't recall position, there is a service switch you should turn off 1st, before you do anything else. That might keep you from frying some component should a short develop somehow. Just remember to turn it back on last before you finish inside.
I recall reading that the ribbon cable is held in place by either glue or double sided tape and the heat aids in its becoming loose and can be part of the problem with the digitizer getting all crazy.
BTW Anyone can feel free to correct or add to this....

Backlight doesn't come on unless i bend the phone

So on my Nexus 5, the backlight started going off randomly... tapping phone would bring it back..
Then eventually it went out and i had to bend/flex the phone and it would keep working a while..
I contacted support then, but one time i bent it a little to get it on and the frame (plastic outer edge cracked), doh.. Now, of course, they will not give me a warranty repair because the device is physically damaged. So i tried a new screen, no dice. Now i have two good screens and a phone that still wont work unless i bend the crap out of it. Anyone else see this problem? Worth trying to replace motherboard? or should i just sell parts (new screen i bought, old screen, battery, etc) and buy a whole new phone... There is one specific point where i can bend it and backlight comes on, but i cant find a short or loose connection anywhere. I have had the thing COMPLETELY apart and back together multiple times. I should mention, it works totally fine when backlight is off, just no backlight so i can only see it in super bright direct illumination.
Any ideas???
Take it to a mobile phone repair shop.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Fixed for now! Woohoo! Based on the position of where i had to flex it, i tried a little gap filler... a folded piece of paper, between the SIM slot and the back frame. With everything screwed back together, it just puts a little pressure on that area of the main board.
Now the only problem is the screen i bought is defective (lines all up and down it) so now i have to disassemble again to put the old one back in.... oh joy, now to return it through ebay... I'm sure that will work well. Either way, phone working again! FYI, this phone is REALLLY easy to take apart and put back together.
EDIT: F.. snapped the end off one of the little antenna cables (the black one, on the right when looking at the uncovered back of the phone) when redoing the screen. Anyone know what that is for? WiFi and cell data signals seem ok.. Looks like a diversity antenna for something, because of all the others at the tope. Maybe google will have an answer.
ramerco said:
EDIT: F.. snapped the end off one of the little antenna cables (the black one, on the right when looking at the uncovered back of the phone) when redoing the screen. Anyone know what that is for? WiFi and cell data signals seem ok.. Looks like a diversity antenna for something, because of all the others at the tope. Maybe google will have an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check Bluetooth/try calling/using data just to be sure.
Do not discuss something on how to make fool of insurance company or even an warranty, It's not allowed here. Thanks

Need some help on determining the parts needed to fix Z3

I cracked my phone screen yesterday after getting it repaired. ($60) bucks gone. I figured I'd fix it myself. I actually did it. I noticed it wasn't getting any signal at ALL, I always get 4 bars inside my room and I remembered that I had moved the RF cable with the screwdriver that was magnetized. I don't know if that might have been the problem. Well after I put it all back together I fudged the screen and I opened it back up and I discovered this after I took out the battery. Screenshots follow
http://i.imgur.com/OMAE9Yw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/V5sGFpI.jpg
What isnt noticeable is that the metal clip furthest to the bottom that helps hold the RF cable is gone, I couldn't get it back into it. Does that matter? If so I need to get a complete assembly then.
Also note that the LCD screen is not cracked. But it looks like it is bleeding.
What I want to know is 4 things.
1. Is it fixable?
If not, I'll sell on Ebay for parts.
If it is. then do I
2. I want to know what could cause the LCD damage the way it is, is it from pressing to hard underneath it?
3. Do I need a new RF cable?
4. Is there a name for the flex piece that is in the pictures? I know it is tied to the power, volume and camera buttons. If their is a part, I'll take it to a professional this time.
I found the name of the piece, Its called a motherboard Flex cable.
But Im really wanting to know If I need a new RF cable because of touching the end piece with a magnetized screwdriver fizzed it out.
Thank you ahead of time.
I guess you'll need to replace your whole lcd screen along with the digitizer. You could easily get it on EBay.
About your antenna cable. I think it's damaged and that's the reason your not receiving any reception.
Few months back i replaced my lcd screen cause of some touch issue i think i accidentally damaged the antenna cable and now i dont receive reception in my room or college classroom. I have to move out to get reception.

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