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In Panic Mode, help please--screen went dark

My screen worked fine earlier today, then out of the blue went dark. It is as if the backlight is set at a permanent low setting. I can barely make out what is on the screen. It is not totally black, but it is by no means easily visible. I have not made any reg changes or application installs that I did not previously have.
Please help. This particular device was an insurance swap out made in November. I have tried hard resetting, and nothing. It is still a very dark screen--even the initial TMo boot screen is dark.
I am running Jaguar 3.1 by NTS.
PLEASE...help. I would very much appreciate any insight. Is my screen fried? Is it able to be fixed?
Thanks in advance.

akashastrega said:
My screen worked fine earlier today, then out of the blue went dark. It is as if the backlight is set at a permanent low setting. I can barely make out what is on the screen. It is not totally black, but it is by no means easily visible. I have not made any reg changes or application installs that I did not previously have.
Please help. This particular device was an insurance swap out made in November. I have tried hard resetting, and nothing. It is still a very dark screen--even the initial TMo boot screen is dark.
I am running Jaguar 3.1 by NTS.
PLEASE...help. I would very much appreciate any insight. Is my screen fried? Is it able to be fixed?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can try the prog Mymobiler to see if your today screen is really dark (if it´s dark on your computer too, than i think it´s a software failure) if it´s shown normal on your computer than i don´t know, maybe hardware failure...
sorry can´t help more
steph

I have that program too, and didn't even think about that. I will try it and report back. Thanks for the idea.
EDIT
Everything works fine using My Mobiler. I was able to make sure power and brightness adjustments were made-but to no avail. I even flashed a different rom just to rule out rom failure. My screen is still dark. In bright light I can barely view the item, and that is with some serious squinting.
Could it be my screen needs replacing, or is this a bigger issue like the mobo? If you suspect the screen only, could you please suggest where I can get a replacement screen?
This sucks big time. I love my Wizard and really do not want to move to an inferior device (like a "regular" cellphone, or the Wing--which is what insurance would swap me with).
PLEASE HELP ME FIX MY WIZ!!

I remember a long time ago...
akashastrega said:
I have that program too, and didn't even think about that. I will try it and report back. Thanks for the idea.
EDIT
Everything works fine using My Mobiler. I was able to make sure power and brightness adjustments were made-but to no avail. I even flashed a different rom just to rule out rom failure. My screen is still dark. In bright light I can barely view the item, and that is with some serious squinting.
Could it be my screen needs replacing, or is this a bigger issue like the mobo? If you suspect the screen only, could you please suggest where I can get a replacement screen?
This sucks big time. I love my Wizard and really do not want to move to an inferior device (like a "regular" cellphone, or the Wing--which is what insurance would swap me with).
PLEASE HELP ME FIX MY WIZ!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first time I have use a Pocket pc in settings I uncheck the square that say "Turn on backlight whena button i pressed or the screen is tapped".. or something, jeje every time I turned on my wizard, it hasn't light jaja.
But I think that your problem is hardware, you need another wizard to change displays... cause if you buy a new display... maybe the failure isfor the motherboard...
Think about it...

+ Que PPC said:
The first time I have use a Pocket pc in settings I uncheck the square that say "Turn on backlight whena button i pressed or the screen is tapped".. or something, jeje every time I turned on my wizard, it hasn't light jaja.
But I think that your problem is hardware, you need another wizard to change displays... cause if you buy a new display... maybe the failure isfor the motherboard...
Think about it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your quick responses!!
I was worried that the issue could go beyond just screen issues. Does anyone know a way to troubleshoot something like this? To find out if it is just a screen, or if the MoBo is going out on me...
**Or is anyone willing to sell me their working but no longer used wizard? I can afford about $100 (+shipping costs/insurance) for a used but working device. My hubby is unemployed and I am on disability so right now money is tight.

akashastrega said:
Thanks for your quick responses!!
I was worried that the issue could go beyond just screen issues. Does anyone know a way to troubleshoot something like this? To find out if it is just a screen, or if the MoBo is going out on me...
**Or is anyone willing to sell me their working but no longer used wizard? I can afford about $100 (+shipping costs/insurance) for a used but working device. My hubby is unemployed and I am on disability so right now money is tight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check ebay, you maybe able to find a working phone for 100 bucks. Gook luck!

have you checked the wiring (flat cable) that connects to the screen.
maybe you just need to replace that. if the screen works, then it is just the LED's that are not responding. maybe just a loose connection, or a broken contact.
Does the keyboard light up?

i think i have the same problem or at least similar.
my screen backlight goes black from time to time when i press the screen "too hard", but that comes and goes.
interesting: i'm using homescreen plusplus (ex-batterystatus) to overclock my cpu with the option "set cpu speed at wakeup" activated. when i turn off my screen with the power button and then turn it on again, in most cases my backlight turns on, too.
but that's to enerving for me to live with that, so i disassembled my wizard and found some sort of black dot on the flat display connector. maybe it has something do with that? and if so, where can i get such a flex cable?

S.V.I said:
have you checked the wiring (flat cable) that connects to the screen.
maybe you just need to replace that. if the screen works, then it is just the LED's that are not responding. maybe just a loose connection, or a broken contact.
Does the keyboard light up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the manual--I used it when my usb was fubar'd--but I am a bit intimidated about doing something with my screen. Is it something that can be easily screwed up if I even look at it funny, or can I handle it carefully and not worry that the mere act of touching it will make it explode??!!
Perhaps I am being a bit dramatic, but you get the idea I think.
Do I have to be totally grounded out first? Do I need gloves on? Or do I just rip the dang thing apart and go at it?
Thanks for your help and responses.

akashastrega said:
I have the manual--I used it when my usb was fubar'd--but I am a bit intimidated about doing something with my screen. Is it something that can be easily screwed up if I even look at it funny, or can I handle it carefully and not worry that the mere act of touching it will make it explode??!!
Perhaps I am being a bit dramatic, but you get the idea I think.
Do I have to be totally grounded out first? Do I need gloves on? Or do I just rip the dang thing apart and go at it?
Thanks for your help and responses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get an anti-static kit in Radioshack!

Well I don't have a Wizard, so this might not be much help; however, I have had a similar problem with my Touch Elf after installing a new app. The dark screen did not appear until I performed a soft reset and I really started to panic because there was nothing I could do to change it. I could barely make anything out that was being displayed it was so dark. Even when I turn my screen brightness down it was not ever that dark. Just out of luck though I pluged my phone into my computer VIA USB and voila, the backlight came on. I could use my phone again and immediately navigated to my brightness display settings and turned it all the way up (it was set all the way down for some reason). I have not had this problem ever since. I don't know if you have tried this already or not - It was not mentioned in any posts.
Good luck
Rod

Check out eBay for a replacement LCD, I got one last week for € 32,- ($45,-) including the shipping costs.
BUT...when buying from eBay notice the following 2 things:
1) The screens are most of the times used screens with a new (hand-soldered) digitizer on it (but it is done nicely as far as I have seen).
2) Disassemble your Wizard, check if your LCD has a BLACK or a GOLDEN flex ribbon cable at the back.....when you purchase the wrong one, it will not work!
An alternative is just to buy a 2nd hand Wizard for like $70 / $80, buy a new housing for it ($40) and it looks brand new (except for the LCD, most LCD's do have some scratches on it).
A HTC Wizard Service Manual can be found in the Wizard section on the XDA Dev FTP Server (I use it a lot), sometimes when buying a LCD on eBay they will also send you the tools needed to disassemble and reassemble the Wizard.
Good luck!

jozzy said:
i think i have the same problem or at least similar.
my screen backlight goes black from time to time when i press the screen "too hard", but that comes and goes.
interesting: i'm using homescreen plusplus (ex-batterystatus) to overclock my cpu with the option "set cpu speed at wakeup" activated. when i turn off my screen with the power button and then turn it on again, in most cases my backlight turns on, too.
but that's to enerving for me to live with that, so i disassembled my wizard and found some sort of black dot on the flat display connector. maybe it has something do with that? and if so, where can i get such a flex cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can furnish you with a flex cable for $15.00, plus $5.00 for shipping. Let me know if you have an MDA or 8125.

HTC Fuze, Black/Blank Screen. Everything Else works, just can't see it.

Firstly, my screen does not show visuals. I can still touch the screen and make things happen, but it is just a back-lighted black screen. I have answered calls on it and such. Basically I'm returning it and getting a new one.
Since I am getting a new one, I want to see if anyone ever heard of this problem and to see what the cause of it is, for prevention purposes.
I didn't get it wet (the white sticker in the back is still white.) Though I have flashed PROven ROM to it a couple months ago (it's a great ROM by the way), but could that have messed up my screen?
I also wanted to know since I can't see the screen, would I have to, for warranty purposes, (blindly) reflash to the Stock ROM?
Thanks in advance!

Yeah, you probably oughta return it to stock configuration (good luck on that!). If you're really lucky, that might even fix the problem. Have you done a hard reset yet? Might be worth a try, although it certainly sounds like a hardware problem.

Sounds like the flex cable has gone bad

Exactly same thing happened to me this Tuesday. Luckly I backed up info to memory card using PimBackupV2.8 with remote control software on my PC. With the remote contol tool, I could see everything as if on my phone and icons are clickable.
Hard reset did not fix the issue. I then flashed the shipped official ROM and stock SPL for warranty purpose. Will send the phone to them today for repair.

mine also like that..
from vodafone also..
the things that make me panics is the phone become hotter and hotter.

asdiqa said:
mine also like that..
from vodafone also..
the things that make me panics is the phone become hotter and hotter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Summer is coming...

Sometimes they make updating phones too easy......

The back of my phone often gets hot I have to use the edges to hold it even though it was not a hot day and it is in my pocket.

blank screen
ya so my screen is blank white
but everything else works
i've heard something about this being a faulty "flex cable"
how can i fix this?
thanks so much for your help

how do i fix this???

did you eventually find out how to fix this/???

u ever end up fixing that? how?
thankss

Mine was still in warranty so I rang Vodafone. They sent me a special delivery envelop the following day. I sent it back to them. The following day I got a text message from them saying they got it and was working on it to fix the fault. The next day received another message saying the device was on the way back to me and I should receive it the following day.
Actually they sent me back a replacement

So.. basically.. is this a faulty flex thing?

I had the same problem for the last week until today i was about to buy another one since i dont have any warranty for this one.. I searched google and saw somebody say that just putting a business card between the keyboard and the lcd and then slide it and it works so far
hope it helps everybody

Ack! my Fuze, which I got off eBay a few months back, just went black too.
I'm not exactly sure whether it's the LCD or the flex cable, but the fact that the D-pad backlight also has become intermittent makes me think it's the cable.
So has anyone attempted the flex cable repair themselves? I see you can buy the cable for around $40 and the LCD for around $80 from Hong Kong.
Maybe this is a sign I should just get an Android device.

eelpout said:
Ack! my Fuze, which I got off eBay a few months back, just went black too.
I'm not exactly sure whether it's the LCD or the flex cable, but the fact that the D-pad backlight also has become intermittent makes me think it's the cable.
So has anyone attempted the flex cable repair themselves? I see you can buy the cable for around $40 and the LCD for around $80 from Hong Kong.
Maybe this is a sign I should just get an Android device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you end up fixing it? I have the same problem.

same thing happened to me Twice.... in my sleep overnight. I LOOOOOOOOVe my raphael but man this was the last straw

This maybe of some help for those of you with blank screens. I bought a Touch Pro on ebay that had a very dark screen, occasionally you could just make out some icons being displayed. Using Mymobiler showed that the basic system was working, as was the touchscreen. Other symptoms were that the camera would not work and the keypad lighting was intermittent. Sometimes on connection to Mymobiler a dialog box would come up saying there was an error with Microp?!?
Despite cleaning all internal connections and ensuring they were correctly and securely made the problem remained. I then noticed that the small camera used for video calls (in a socket on the main flex cable) looked very dirty and corroded. I removed the camera module and, using a fibreglass brush, cleaned the contacts on both the socket and the camera module. These were very badly corroded with verdigris.
On putting everything back together I was most surprised to find the screen was now working, as was the main camera. Unfortunately the ROM that is loaded doesn't seem to have any facility for checking the front video camera. There are still problems with sound - both the loudspeaker and the headphones seem to be dead and I have not had the opportunity to test GPS, Wifi, bluetooth, buttons, etc, however I will keep working on it.
Hope this is of help to someone.

[Q] Any chance for this guy?

let someone borrow my transformer. (big mistake)
Let's skip the drama and focus on the present
Nothing on the screen, nothing nada ziltch.
it's definitely been dropped.
But i know it someone works cause if i plug it in to a computer I can see the files. Which tells me it's actually fully booting but there's ascreen problem.
Anyone have any experiences repairing these guys?

They're really easy to take apart compared to other tablets and phones I've seen.
I'd start by taking it apart and seeing if anything's detached / loose / broken.

bonesjones said:
But i know it someone works cause if i plug it in to a computer I can see the files. Which tells me it's actually fully booting but there's ascreen problem.
Anyone have any experiences repairing these guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a hdmi cable handy?
That could 100% confirm it is a screen issue and let you use the tablet for something even if you can not fix the screen.

Actually..I am in the same boat..
Bloody screen has gone dead on me.. this is a 6 month old B60..
I was watching a movie..closed the lid..walked 100 meters back to apartment opened it and blank screen..turned it on and off a few times.,,could tell by two beeps..
Anyway, I have been on a island off the Philippines and lucky had a usb drive with nv flash tools on it..so got apx mode going and nvflashed back to factory ICS.. plugged it into a HDMI flatescreen TV and used developer options to check touch points..
They are semi working, I had the dock with a usbmouse..as that's working fine..
So as it stands..looks like a new touch screen.. I will RMA it once back home as I have brought 3 from the same Asus dealer..
Will see if they replace free of charge and or what they charge..as I have seen the components needed for sale online @ taobao here out of shenzhen.. and I just did a strip down of a HTC evo so its much the same procedure..
Painful as I still have two weeks of tripping ahead of me..lucky I have another laptop stashed at a hotel and that I can pickup..
Will keep you posted on how it goes.
Edit: You might want to check out this video on Youtube..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRLcxI2JddQ
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

As an update..
I pulled it open and tried the plug jiggle fix.. no good..
Had to RMA it.. all goo through as they replaced the touch/Screen and it seems to be up an running again..
Fingers crossed as the other one I have placed in the family is almost 17months old an still running strong..
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] I am done with it

I replaced the motherboard on my bricked tf300t. It boots and stops at the "Welcome" set up screen the reason is the touch doesn't work. I found out that I need defferent touch firmware. I've tried the usb doggle but I guess it doesn't get far enough into the OS to pick up the mouse. Any who I was gonna sell it on a auction site but I have no Idea how much to ask. Its a 16gb version, black, 2 chargers and a usb doggle, screen is in like new condition and so is the back. Any Idea's on how much to charge because I'm done mucking around with this thing. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Hey Mr. Mod if this is not supposed to be here please delete it and I'm sorry in advanced.
Tony

[Q] White screen of death?

Has anyone encountered the following issues with their SHIELD?
Mine was working just fine after updating to 4.3 and rooting with CWM. I performed multiple reboots in this configuration, played games, etc. - everything was fine.
I had a pretty busy weekend so didn't touch the SHIELD at all for a few days. When I got back:
When I opened it up, I saw the screen backlight turn on but nothing displayed on the screen. The SHIELD button was glowing green.
I long-pressed the SHIELD button to turn off the device. When I turn it back on, I get a white screen that is dark around the edges (mostly vignetting around the corners). The brightness of the screen here and degree of vignetting seem to change every time I try and turn on the device.
If I enter fastboot mode via the key combo, the same thing happens - white vignetted screen. The device DOES appear to enumerate as a fastboot device on my PC in this configuration.
At one point I figured it might be due to a low battery, so plugged it into the charger. 30 minutes later, when I opened the lid, I actually came up to a launcher screen with 65% battery.
However, after closing the lid and reopening it again - black screen again, with the "white vignette of death" coming back if I reboot.
Has anyone else seen similar behavior? Searching results in no one complaining about a white screen like this, at least not on this device.

Screen of Death
This just happened to me today. Did you find a fix for this problem?
Entropy512 said:
Has anyone encountered the following issues with their SHIELD?
Mine was working just fine after updating to 4.3 and rooting with CWM. I performed multiple reboots in this configuration, played games, etc. - everything was fine.
I had a pretty busy weekend so didn't touch the SHIELD at all for a few days. When I got back:
When I opened it up, I saw the screen backlight turn on but nothing displayed on the screen. The SHIELD button was glowing green.
I long-pressed the SHIELD button to turn off the device. When I turn it back on, I get a white screen that is dark around the edges (mostly vignetting around the corners). The brightness of the screen here and degree of vignetting seem to change every time I try and turn on the device.
If I enter fastboot mode via the key combo, the same thing happens - white vignetted screen. The device DOES appear to enumerate as a fastboot device on my PC in this configuration.
At one point I figured it might be due to a low battery, so plugged it into the charger. 30 minutes later, when I opened the lid, I actually came up to a launcher screen with 65% battery.
However, after closing the lid and reopening it again - black screen again, with the "white vignette of death" coming back if I reboot.
Has anyone else seen similar behavior? Searching results in no one complaining about a white screen like this, at least not on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Might be just bad luck for me.....
nmerc001 said:
This just happened to me today. Did you find a fix for this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So ive already gotten two shields and they both got the same effect. my guess is the ribbon cable when you open and close the screen, is wearing off? because when i open my shield in a certain way, it works... when i open it at around 100 degrees or open correctly then tilt it forward, the screen tears and slowly shows the white screen. I do admit that i open and close the screen more than i should, but i do it carefully. Ill look over at the ifixit site to see how the cable is connected to the board.

This is what has me worried about buying a shield, the ribbon cable, did you confirmed this was the problem?

DJNinja1625 said:
So ive already gotten two shields and they both got the same effect. my guess is the ribbon cable when you open and close the screen, is wearing off? because when i open my shield in a certain way, it works... when i open it at around 100 degrees or open correctly then tilt it forward, the screen tears and slowly shows the white screen. I do admit that i open and close the screen more than i should, but i do it carefully. Ill look over at the ifixit site to see how the cable is connected to the board.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a tech by trade and bought one of ebay for 40 bucks cuz it would not power up so the guy claimed. After getting it I found the issue was actually the display was not coming on and once it did. Then went out in a few moments. Connect it to HDMI and the unit runs all day of you want to be cabled. ]
So I tore it down and found that the issue is the flex cable. The problem is that the flex cable is part of the LCD and you cannot just replace the cable. Also since the unit is so new there are no sources as of yet to by the LCD from.
So if you have this issue I suggest just holding out till a source of LCD's at hopefully a reasonable price become available.

So it's soldered to the screen and not replacable right?

nex86 said:
So it's soldered to the screen and not replacable right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct.. The flex cable is actually an integral part of the display and even has much of the driver circuitry placed right on it at the LCD. In the business we call it a flex circuit since it is a flexible circuit board and not just a cable.

I pretty much know what you mean.
On my old Archos Gamepad I ripped the flex that connected the left side of the controler to the logic board by accident.
It was a pain in the ass to fix it by soldering seperate wires, I guess it's impossible to do this with the display connection in the Shield.

nex86 said:
I pretty much know what you mean.
On my old Archos Gamepad I ripped the flex that connected the left side of the controler to the logic board by accident.
It was a pain in the ass to fix it by soldering seperate wires, I guess it's impossible to do this with the display connection in the Shield.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be possible if you used 32 gauge magnet wire. It is enamel coated so it won't short, but it to will break over time.

hi, flash factory image
Sent from my LT25i using XDA Free mobile app

dragxdk said:
hi, flash factory image
Sent from my LT25i using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you supposed to flash a factory image when the screen won't let you see what you are doing? When you are in the bootloader screen the HDMI drivers are not loaded yet so not even hooking it to an external monitor will work. You might want to fully read and understand the problem next time before offering advice.:good:

fastboot tells you if you were sucessful or not.
just for relocking the bootloader you have to do some button combinations, you can look up some tutorial videos to see what you have to press.

nex86 said:
fastboot tells you if you were sucessful or not.
just for relocking the bootloader you have to do some button combinations, you can look up some tutorial videos to see what you have to press.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even still, it is not a software problem that causes this. I know because if I move my display to a certain angle it will start to work sometimes. A software issue would not cause this. I also have taken my apart since I am a tech and can actually see the traces in the flex cable that have broken..
Any device with a folding display is a bad idea and a failure waiting to happen. Flex cables have a limited number of flex cycles that is even usually published. So the idea of using them in a device that may get heavy use is just dumb.

Solarenemy68 said:
Any device with a folding display is a bad idea and a failure waiting to happen. Flex cables have a limited number of flex cycles that is even usually published. So the idea of using them in a device that may get heavy use is just dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, they used flex in the Nintendo DS and 3Ds as well, but they don't break that fast.
I find it still better if they have used recular cables like what they use for Laptops.

Solarenemy68 said:
Even still, it is not a software problem that causes this. I know because if I move my display to a certain angle it will start to work sometimes. A software issue would not cause this. I also have taken my apart since I am a tech and can actually see the traces in the flex cable that have broken..
Any device with a folding display is a bad idea and a failure waiting to happen. Flex cables have a limited number of flex cycles that is even usually published. So the idea of using them in a device that may get heavy use is just dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you are saying is the EXACT same thing that happened to my SHIELD. I can tell its a hardware problem because when I tilted my screen it would work, and sometimes it wouldn't. Now my SHIELD's display does not even show any signs of picture. HDMI still works, however. Like one of the previous posts said, there is not a screen available for purchase, so my next step is NVIDIA customer support. Maybe if they would sell these screens, I wouldn't even have to have a warranty claim. sigh.

White screen of death?
yes mine too same as
i tried connecting my via HDMI from power cable to large HDMI to plug it works fine on my galaxy tab
thought id be clever try it on nvidia shield never worked sould of bought mini HDMI so now White screen of death
i cant get into recovery or anything i had this on charge for 12 hrs yesterday still no green button on charge only orange .. i too cant find anything on internet to help with this White screen of death situation

Solarenemy68 said:
How are you supposed to flash a factory image when the screen won't let you see what you are doing? When you are in the bootloader screen the HDMI drivers are not loaded yet so not even hooking it to an external monitor will work. You might want to fully read and understand the problem next time before offering advice.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I'm having a similar issue. My wife's SHIELD has an unresponsive touch screen. So I tried to flash the factory image (It was never rooted to begin with) and I got the white screen issue when in the bootloader screen. I have to keep restarting it to get the screen to show up as normal when the device boots to the home screen. But the bootloader screen is still blank and white. I was able to watch a video and mimick the steps to flash the factory image but that did not fix the issue. It's definitely a hardware issue. I live in Cincinnati OH, anywhere I can go to have this fixed? I have a portable myself and i know this is going to happen to mine soon.