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Capacitive Button Backlight

do any of you guys experience the issue where the capacitive buttons dont light up when theyre supposed to ? which is almost.... always ?
one really annoying thing for me :|

Yes, you're not the only one to have this but It's very intermittent for me.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

In my brief time with the DS, the buttons lit up just once. In anything other than full light, they were useless.
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using XDA App

well tbh i dont have DS ...yet. im thinking if i should buy this or incredible S :| had optimus 2x in mind.... but its got issues lol.
any1 tried to play dungeon defenders on this phone ? if so ,does it work smoothly enough ? and btw, hows the loudspeaker ? good quality or still crappy -.- ?

My experience is that buttons backlighting simply doesn't work. Sometimes they light up (no matter if environment is dark or bright) but most of the time they don't. Completely sporadic behavior. Makes it difficult to use device in the dark. Engadget has highlighted this problem in their review of Desire S http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/10/htc-desire-s-review/

hm... looks like it works for me okay

Swapped the DS for an Incredible S, backlit buttons work perfectly. So suspect DS software issue?
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using XDA App

I haven't noticed any problems either, they are lit when they are supposed to.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

No problems here
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

xilw3r said:
do any of you guys experience the issue where the capacitive buttons dont light up when theyre supposed to ?|
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works fine here.

Seems ok here.

Very bizarre - got rid of the DS after a day mostly for the wifi issue, but to a degree also because I could not see the buttons in anything other than full light! They literally came on once and that was when I connected it with my PC.
How can that be so when other folks don't have that issue. Different software versions?

Everything ok here.
DS S-OFF with superuser and BusyBox installed. (ROOT)
Maybe a hard reset would had helped.

There are well reported software issues with the buttons, basically the phone detects the background ambient light levels and decides whether our not to light up the buttons
Sometimes in a dark room the presence of a bright light source such as a window or a bright Tv stop them from lighting
unfortunately there us nothing we can do.
Although considering that the buttons don't change positions I always know where they are and which one is which so I can't see what the real problem is?
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

Ive had to get used to guessing where the buttons are as well.
As an aside you can force them on by putting your thumb over the front camera.
Not a solution but useful when your stuck.
Gordon

gordonendersby said:
As an aside you can force them on by putting your thumb over the front camera.
Gordon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Covering front camera doesn't help in my case IE buttons don't light up.

if you cover sensors on the top left of the screen (one cm to the left from HTC logo) the light should turn on after 2-3 seconds.

Its not the front camera that performs the light sensing it's another sensor thats located on the front face of the phone just to the left of the word hTC under the glass.
you can test this by covering the top left of your phone with your left finger/thumb and after 2-3 seconds the buttons should light up.
edit: sorry just realised that I said same as post above.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

funny htc with all their adjustments ...

Haven't had any probe.. work on light sensor,so if there's light shining on phone then won't work,if in dim lit room then they light up..
Sent from my 7 Mozart using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Flicker screen

Anyone have their screen blink/flick on startup, on when you see sense rings for unlock. This doesnt happened all the time but you will notice it once awhile.
Is this hardware issue or software? Its not custome Rom I'm running. I tested out other and it sometime occur. On HTC One X it mention about this also.
Any input would be helpful. I don't like to flash Rom all over too see what caused it.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

I had an issue with Apex launcher. Every time I would select a folder on the home screen, the screen would pixilate, tile and flicker, not in that particular order. I uninstalled Apex and now everything is fine.
I read that the type of screen used on the One S has a type of matrix pixel or something that can be seen by a trained eye. Could that be what you are seeing.
hTc One S

I've been testing with this flickering. It noticeable if I restart my phone and look at the screen before the "sense ring" pop up. The screen will flick once. This occur on stock, custome Rom so I might think the hardware is acting up. This issued is known on HTC One X.
I restore back to stock Rom and move between app it also flick. Messed with brightness seen to help, but once I select auto brightness it come right back.
Man I'm not happy
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

Talked to Htc rep. they might consider the display went bad. Usually, the screen shouldn't blink. Even when I reopen an app..it still flicker and turn black screen.
Next steps called back Tmobile and demand a exchange because I'm not happy with my $600 phones..that blink like strobe lights
Maybe I should never buy the first patch that released on launch day. LOL

Sooo... mine started doing something weird this morning...
Is it anything like yours is doing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrW9xwdGd38

Aydthird said:
Sooo... mine started doing something weird this morning...
Is it anything like yours is doing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrW9xwdGd38
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is worst then mine. My just blink sometime.
You should get a replacement. That is a bad backlights
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

x1tyme said:
That is worst then mine. My just blink sometime.
You should get a replacement. That is a bad backlights
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it was weird, it was fine last night, even had done a backup on clockwork. took it off the charger this morning and restarted it. looked at it later and half the screen was like that. I restarted the phone again and it only did what you saw, tried restart couple times still came back but later on as I was finally leaving home I was texting someone and it just went away?? tried restarting it again nothing... not coming back?? no idea why. I did see on youtube another person with a one X doing the full screen like that, SCary.
I would return it but I'm rooted 2 months in and had to buy from someone else's upgrade so I'm not even sure what they'll tell me if I take it to the store or talk to HTC

I got replacement from T-Mobile since there 90 days exchange warranty and guess what? My screen still does it. I went ahead called HTC for advice and rep. Told me it just parts of O.S.
For yours side, if you sent to HTC for a repair. They might check if you tamper with phone and will charge extra :what:..
Hopefully it won't do it.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

only once in a while, when on lowest brightness, the screen would flash up very bright, after pressing the on button but than goes back to set low brightness.
Don't have an Issue like in your video

I've reverted the phone back to stock, not only does it still do it, but it was doing it while on the restoring mode. I've called T-Mobile, they are sending me a new phone. Unfortunately now I will be getting a refurbished phone. Pretty unnoying.... Hope its not defective too in some ways.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using XDA

my screen will have a black square in the top left that will occasionally flicker only on the home screen when I swipe through. Does anyone have this specifically? Really hope there is a fix, it is quite an annoyance.

mattmann95 said:
my screen will have a black square in the top left that will occasionally flicker only on the home screen when I swipe through. Does anyone have this specifically? Really hope there is a fix, it is quite an annoyance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, that's all you.
On an other hand, my phone is only getting worst every morning I wake up.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using XDA

Aydthird said:
Sooo... mine started doing something weird this morning...
Is it anything like yours is doing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issue, but in a bigger area. I noticed that it happens when the screen is too cold.
First time it happened was when I was taking some pictures outdoors and it was under 0°C and snowing.
Second time also outdoors, strong cold wind, but above 0°C.
Don't know if this is really the cause, but it always happens under these conditions.

victinlauria said:
I have the same issue, but in a bigger area. I noticed that it happens when the screen is too cold.
First time it happened was when I was taking some pictures outdoors and it was under 0°C and snowing.
Second time also outdoors, strong cold wind, but above 0°C.
Don't know if this is really the cause, but it always happens under these conditions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine originally started on a random morning, I live in Cali and phone usually on my bed so granted it's not under the blanket I'd imagine it stays fairly warm at nights. tho I had touched the screen with wet hands before and I've always been curious if that would have done it. I did since get a replacement which I haven't babied as much as the original one, it's been few months and seems to handle itself fine now (crossing fingers).
But if it happened once, it will happen again, mine came and went couple times, here is couple vids of the way it got... but eventually instead making a transparent gray, it was a full shade of it blocking that half of screen that wouldn't go away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUM1FiLeb0c&list=UUvGuDLwvPLcA79xqQvL_OHA&index=7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM8rZc1_Pbk&list=UUvGuDLwvPLcA79xqQvL_OHA&index=1&feature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OaktvRsWU&list=UUvGuDLwvPLcA79xqQvL_OHA&index=6

[Q] Desire S broken? Buttons sometimes don't work

Hello!
A few days ago my desire s started acting very weird. Sometimes the four buttons don't work (home, back, etc.) and sometimes my finger gestures aren't recognised. For example if I want to call somebody and then click on the home button my device thinks I pressed on the call button instead. Or if I am in some menu and I click on some of the four buttons, my desire s thinks I pressed the display somewhere else on the screen. Sometimes it helps if I turn the display off and then immediately on. But after a few clicks the same behaviour again.
I wanted to install a custom rom anyway, so I did a full wipe and installed Fallout. But nothing changed. Do you think my device is broken?

Ive had this top my screen was replaced under warranty mine was stick at the time
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium

ratzer said:
Hello!
A few days ago my desire s started acting very weird. Sometimes the four buttons don't work (home, back, etc.) and sometimes my finger gestures aren't recognised. For example if I want to call somebody and then click on the home button my device thinks I pressed on the call button instead. Or if I am in some menu and I click on some of the four buttons, my desire s thinks I pressed the display somewhere else on the screen. Sometimes it helps if I turn the display off and then immediately on. But after a few clicks the same behaviour again.
I wanted to install a custom rom anyway, so I did a full wipe and installed Fallout. But nothing changed. Do you think my device is broken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone has somehow been exposed to high temperatures?

Not that I am aware of. Though these things happened when I was out in the garden playing with my phone while the weather was pretty hot (about 30 degrees). But I don't think that you mean that with high temperatures, do you?

ratzer said:
Not that I am aware of. Though these things happened when I was out in the garden playing with my phone while the weather was pretty hot (about 30 degrees). But I don't think that you mean that with high temperatures, do you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excessive heat can lead to detachment of the adhesive that is bonded touchscreen, it's not making edge contact. It happened to my ex HTC Hero on a sunny day (the phone was black)

Have you tried factory reset maybe this fixes it
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium

kamei said:
Have you tried factory reset maybe this fixes it
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happened here sometimes with gingerbread stock while on *charging*! Only when charging. It's not happening on ICS RUU update.

I had the same problem a fortnight to a week back... exactly as OP describes (phone 6 months old from new). I've factory reset and changed ROMs, the problem remains.
But since 4 days now, my phone has become completely unusable.
The back and menu touch buttons don't work at all now. And some area's of the screen are dead, and brown coloured.
It's a PITA every time I have to type anything as my keyboard keys don't work at all (and other area's). Then, randomly, after 2-10 seconds, none of the keys or phone touchscreen will work until I off->on the screen.
Anyone please any idea of a fix (to me, it looks like hardware)?
If not, anyone ANY idea how to add a back button somehow? Or even assign the search button the back button function?
I desperately need the back button working. TIA!

I have exactly the same problem with my Desire S (stock ICS). Anybody of you solved this?
Thanks.

Problem with screen--water damage?

So I dropped my phone on a wet floor. I wiped it off and it seemed fine. Next day, after some normal use, I turn on the screen and only the capacitive buttons turn on, not the screen itself. I hold down the power button to reset, and its still like that. The phone works and incoming calls/alarms still sound, i just have no way to answer them. Later I managed to get the screen to come on by literally smacking the phone (it filickers a bit during the smacking process). Yet after any substantial movement it goes blank again. This process repeats a few times until smacking is no longer any use.
I'm guessing some water seeped in and caused damage but I really don't know. I'd like to replace the screen yet i'm not sure if that will do the trick. Any ideas?
Thanks!!!

If smacking it achieves results, then smack it:thumbup:
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

18th.abn said:
If smacking it achieves results, then smack it:thumbup:
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
while that sounds funny and did work for a bit it doesn't work any more

b3nman said:
while that sounds funny and did work for a bit it doesn't work any more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rice trick is your best option. I've had mixed results over the years with it.

Reducing use/wear of power button to prevent fail

The power button is one of he captivate's weak points. I started looking at ways to reduce use of it to head off the problem before it happens. I'm interested to hear what, if anything, others may have done.
Here is my list so far:
1. use a case, such as otterbox commuter, that keeps the button clean and perhaps softens the impact when pressed.
2. use Rebooter app for reboot, reboot to recovery, and power off.
3. In JB, add the screen lock function to the notification bar. I often lock the screen before putting phone in my pocket after use. instead of power button, I tap the icon.
4. in JB, enable the volume rocker wake function. use volume keys to wake the phone.
Locking/unlocking the screen probably accounts for 99% of my power button use. so items 3 and 4 reduce my power button use the most.
Sent from my SGH-I897

laughingT said:
The power button is one of he captivate's weak points. I started looking at ways to reduce use of it to head off the problem before it happens. I'm interested to hear what, if anything, others may have done.
Here is my list so far:
1. use a case, such as otterbox commuter, that keeps the button clean and perhaps softens the impact when pressed.
2. use Rebooter app for reboot, reboot to recovery, and power off.
3. In JB, add the screen lock function to the notification bar. I often lock the screen before putting phone in my pocket after use. instead of power button, I tap the icon.
4. in JB, enable the volume rocker wake function. use volume keys to wake the phone.
Locking/unlocking the screen probably accounts for 99% of my power button use. so items 3 and 4 reduce my power button use the most.
Sent from my SGH-I897
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to this list: Capacitive buttons in recovery.
Imo, case is probably the best solution. The power button is fairly opened to dust/dirt and such. On top of that, if dropped without a case, you multiply your chances of breaking something.
I must say though, I own 2 captivate (both bought about a year and a half ago) and never had any button problems. They have been dropped and got dirty but pretty much always have a case so either I've been very lucky or those cases actually make all the difference!

Button savior also helps.

Anniraff said:
Button savior also helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that an app?
edit:
i see the app on google play. thanks for sharing. I am not sure I want to give up screen real estate as preventative measure, but nice to know about it if ever needed.
Sent from my SGH-I897

Is the power button really such an Achilles heel when it comes to the cappy? I've had mine for over 2 years now, it's used every day, has no case on it and it's been working great... so far.
Is this something that just "fails" or does it actually have to break?

iamzombie said:
Is the power button really such an Achilles heel when it comes to the cappy? I've had mine for over 2 years now, it's used every day, has no case on it and it's been working great... so far.
Is this something that just "fails" or does it actually have to break?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope you didn't just jinx yourself. It will just fail one day as that's what it did to me. On the bright side having volume rocker wake on ever rom and most roms now including a go to sleep toggle for the notification drawer its easy to work around.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app

Screen off and lock (free in the play store) will save your power button. No root required.
There are kernels with "touch2wake" that will turn your phone on by touching the capacitive buttons. This of course requires, root, unlock, custom Rom.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app

I'm on my third Cappy (warrantied) and the first one suffered from the power button death. It was less than a year old at the time. It would work intermittenly at the end and finally quit. I tried taking it apart and spraying electrical cleaner in and around with no success. I had to resort to apps to lock the screen and wake with volume buttons. Hopefully this one will hold out till I'm up for upgrade in March.

I never had any issues with my captivate buttons, but I replaced my nexus S twice, in less than six months, due to a shoddy power button. I'm steering clear of Samsung for a while.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app

Had one for about 2 years and never had any issues

grotz497 said:
Had one for about 2 years and never had any issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A cappy or NS?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Going on 2 yrs too. I drop mine all the time and am shamefully careless with my cappy. It just keeps on going. I do have a seemingly dead or choosy HDMI port but its probably from my toddler sucking on the Phone a few times.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app

nespid said:
A cappy or NS?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cappy. NS had the shoddy power button. Actually, I think I've had my cappy for closer to three years. My brother in law had a cappy and beat the snot out of it and it still worked. Pool twice, dropped from scaffolding, countless drops, and it kept going.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app

nespid said:
Cappy. NS had the shoddy power button. Actually, I think I've had my cappy for closer to three years. My brother in law had a cappy and beat the snot out of it and it still worked. Pool twice, dropped from scaffolding, countless drops, and it kept going.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I swimmed with mine in a pool for about 20mins. Get out of water, freak out a bit, take it a part so it can dry in the sun (not too long), put in bag of rice for 48hrs = Cappy is still running like a champ! Been dropped quite a few times too but has a case. :good:

wow. what case were you using?
Sent from my SGH-I897

laughingT said:
wow. what case were you using?
Sent from my SGH-I897
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A very regular/boring black soft case that covers the buttons