The title says it all. I am trying to teach myself how to repair smartphones. A lot of family and friends ask me to do this and now other people are starting to ask me too. But getting a hold of official service manuals sometimes seems to be a challenge. I found one recently on here for a Sony Xperia Z2, which was excellent, highly detailed with diagrams and videos and everything one would need to effect a first class repair. But it took considerable effort and time to search for and find this.
I know I can look on YouTube, but sometimes these videos aren't all that helpful, as they can obscure parts of the process. I'm not even sure if most smartphone producers release their service manuals to the public?
Anyway it would be great if there was a single repository I could go to to download any and all of the latest phone service manuals. If they were all as good as the Xperia manual it would make my life massively simpler.
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I'm not sure if this is kosher or not but my Tilt passed away the other day. I use this for GPS, tethered internet to my umpc and PC's in the field, email, contacts, tasks, calendar, notes, mp3 player, movie player, cell-phone, etc. etc. etc. I'm lost without it but I can't find myself paying another $400 for another one. What happened is the "tilt" part of it got separated from the main piece and when that happened the ribbon cable got cut by some sharp edges. What I want to do is purchase a broken one from someone for a lower cost of a new one so that I can resurrect mine with spare parts. I have looked for videos on how to do this but couldn't find any. I do have the HTC service manual and some of the other docs provided by some gracious users at this wonderful website. I was planning on video taping my efforts to fix this and post the disassembling and reassembling procedures I went through somewhere on youtube and linking it on this site for other people that may be in my situation.
So......if anyone has a broken tilt I will gladly pay you for it. I know a lot of people are still pissed about the lack of video drivers for this thing so even if it's not broken, feel free to sell it to me. I too wish that there was something to be done about those damn drivers but the phone has so many features, and with so many resources this website gives us, it is by far the best phone I've ever used.
I hope I haven't overstepped the boundaries of the site by pretty much posting an "item wanted" ad but I do hope to contribute my efforts when and if I get ahold of another phone. Thanks.
Check ebay.com if you haven't already
just buy a new ribbon cable and housing it'll be about 150 or less
Hello, newb, I searched and skimmed the first couple of dozen results but didn't find what I need.
I'll try and keep the background to my request brief, you're not bothered about my life story, but a few bits of info are relevant to the question; I have a form of High Function Autism, one of the symptoms of which is that I have real trouble with "day to day" stuff - I can spend two days straight reading physics papers or writing short fiction, but keeping track of appointments, even remembering to do simple stuff like take a shower or put my clothes in the washing machine is a struggle. Until recently, my mum was around to remind me to do stuff and nag me when I didn't, alas she recently passed away.
So, in trying to find new coping strategies, it occurred to me that I might use an android smartphone as a personal organiser, set up in such a way as to give me daily reminders for basic things and also to manage appointments. The issue is I'm a bit lost as to what to actually buy. Are the sort of apps which would meet my needs hardware intensive? Do I have to shell out for an SGS2, or would something like an HTC Wildfire be enough?
Essentially, I'm looking for a handset which has a decent battery life, a decent screen size(I have ludicrously large hands), which can serve as a personal organiser, main phone(no point in having a landline as well), and occasional portable music player, and I don't want to overspend. I'm in the UK, and the handset would have to be available sim-free and unlocked, as I'll be going pay as you go and will likely use giffgaff.
Any recommendations or advice you can offer would be appreciated.
EDIT: Rats, I forgot to mention, being DLNA-compliant would be handy but not essential - I've no idea if that's a common feature on smartphones, as I've never actually owned one before.
Hi and welcome.
I'd recommend a large screen "making user input easier" but that doesn't mean needs to be SGSII, some great device's even though ageing are the Desire HD / Atrix / LGO2X and they can be found at a decent price.
Regarding keeping track and having formality then nearly every android device will do this with the many pieces of software available on the market, not intensive @ all either.
Device data base has allot of info regarding specification - link @ top page. "if anything is baffling feel free to PM"
Not sure DLNA has certified android phones.
Hello,
I might have the possibility to start working in a smartphones repair shop.
I expect to fix a lot (mostly) broken screens and digitizers. Also water damage and charging ports for sure.
I'm writing this thread so perhaps people who already have experience with hardware can provides extra tips, so I could be more ready. I'm quite skilled with software repair, while I'm not a developper, I've unbricked, rooted, flashed a lot of phones. Software is generally easy and I'm not worried.
But since I expect mostly to do hardware repairs, mostly screens/digitizers, my concern is that I've never actually opened up a phone to try. All my phones are working, no experience with hardware repair, and thus not much budget to buy a new phone. I own a Galaxy S4 and LG P500. Considered opening up my LG P500 to give it a try (Device fully working).
I did watched a bunch of YouTube videos already, with several devices, mostly flagship phones, from different manufacturers. I also took quick notes on the dissasembly process, which could maybe help me remember the process faster.
Obviously every phone is a bit different, so the process has to be figured out on my own. Some tasks are also obviously harder than others. Was it the iPhone 6 (For instance) that has the glass glued really tight, and is really difficult to change just the glass?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9d...O-bGY_1dM&annotation_id=annotation_2906560193
Once again, not sure, maybe people usually don't bother with the glass replacement for this one, maybe some would change the screen and digitizer at the same time? Not sure.
If you have any tips to share, please let me know. I keep reading to use a lot of patience opening the device with a guitar pick/playing card, and don't apply excessive force, keep using a heat gun if needed - don't apply too much heat and stuff.
Obviously, training is offered, but I still don't know what kind of training it will be. Might know really soon.
Thanks for the advices, working with hardware. Trying to learn more and more at the moment.
Contemplation on our obsession of Smartphones.
Do you still remember how you live through a day back when Smartphone-free era? Have you ever wondered how people are glue to their smartphones these days? Oh you are one of them too? Well, never mind, because we all do and you’re not the only one (sound of release). From the moment you wake up in the morning, the first thing you do is probably check you phone, and then, you start your day. Smartphones have become the extension of our bodies? Well, you bet, just like the glasses people are wearing.
Maybe it's time to confess our obsession of smartphone? Hell no, don’t joke on me! How can we let go when our life has become so much easier with that handy device. In the old days but so long ago, one may do all these in a day: read newspapers, watch TV, listen to radios, read books, read magazines, make phone calls, do business with people, etc. Now with one little device, we can do all these and MORE without switching around, and we are more connected with others, believe it or not.
The issue is, can we find a phone to help us go through the day with greater satisfaction? Because obviously, everyone knows we can’t really get our hands off smartphone now.
Search on the market, there might be one particular phone for your choice. The newly released UMi Z. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how a Chinese smartphone can survive a day’s usage in China’s busy vibrant metropolis.
UMi Z - More than a day's power Youtube video.
EmanuelCirstea said:
Contemplation on our obsession of Smartphones.
Do you still remember how you live through a day back when Smartphone-free era? Have you ever wondered how people are glue to their smartphones these days? Oh you are one of them too? Well, never mind, because we all do and you’re not the only one (sound of release). From the moment you wake up in the morning, the first thing you do is probably check you phone, and then, you start your day. Smartphones have become the extension of our bodies? Well, you bet, just like the glasses people are wearing.
Maybe it's time to confess our obsession of smartphone? Hell no, don’t joke on me! How can we let go when our life has become so much easier with that handy device. In the old days but so long ago, one may do all these in a day: read newspapers, watch TV, listen to radios, read books, read magazines, make phone calls, do business with people, etc. Now with one little device, we can do all these and MORE without switching around, and we are more connected with others, believe it or not.
The issue is, can we find a phone to help us go through the day with greater satisfaction? Because obviously, everyone knows we can’t really get our hands off smartphone now.
Search on the market, there might be one particular phone for your choice. The newly released UMi Z. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how a Chinese smartphone can survive a day’s usage in China’s busy vibrant metropolis.
UMi Z - More than a day's power Youtube video.
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Hello,
XDA Assist is for newbies finding their way around XDA Developers.
It isn't a discussion/Off Topic forum.
Thread closed!
Regards
Vatsal,
Forum Moderator.
Let me start off by saying, I am a looooong looooong time Sony fanboy. I have the following mobiles -
X10, S, Z, ZR, L, Z1, Z2, Z1c, Z3, Z3c, Z1tab, Z2tab, Z5, XZ, along with Smartbands SWR10 and SWR12, Smartwatch 2 and 3.
Out of these more than half, I got from Sony Mobile, Sweden, as I have been an active contributor to Sony Open Source (github.com/sonyxperiadev) and worked on CyanogenMod for Xperias.
On 30th April 2017, I bought a Mineral Black Xperia XZ from Amazon India.
On 6th June 2017 (just a month from purchase). The device goes dead. Just plain dead. Put it on charge overnight, nothing worked. It just won't turn on.
So on 7th June 2017, I take to a Sony Authorised Service centre. In India, F1 Info Systems is a Sony Service partner, and I take the phone there, they do some preliminary investigation, and report to me that since the unit is dead, they need to send it to Sony India, Okhla office for repairs.
I get a service id and a work order - W117060700429.
I am told it can take up to 10-to-15 working days for this to get resolved.
Fine. I wait.
I wait till 20th June 2017. And then try to call the service centre. The service centre neither picks up the call nor do they answer emails. I check the status on http://servicetrack.rms.sony.co.in/ and it says the device 'is under repairs' . I give call on Sony's toll free customer service number, the representative tells me it'll take 2-3 more days, and he cannot tell me anything more.
I wait again.
2-3 days later, I write a mail to [email protected], and the reply next days is the same - "it is under repairs, please wait".
I wait again, and after some more days on 28th June, I again call, and mail. Same response. They have no clue except 'it is under repairs'. I send a harsher email, saying this is hardly the kind of response I was awaiting, and I need more information than barely 'it is under repair'.
I get another email back in response, which promises that someone will call me to share further info and escalate the matter within 48 hours. I wait 72 hours. No calls received.
I call again, and once again the person on the other end has NO INFORMATION WHATSOEVER other than 'it is under repairs'.
So here it is, now, 10th of July, more than 30 days since the device was submitted for repairs, and I am left on the lurch, without any information and having been treated the worst possible way a customer can be treated.
Until this day, I had been an ardent follower, supporter and fan of Sony products. All my headphones, fitness trackers, music players, gaming console - have come from Sony. Everyone in my extended family buys Sony, because I don't let them buy anything else. But I guess people learn from their experiences. I always wondered why Sony is unable to sell phones well, and the answer is pretty clear to me now.
I will wait for 45 days since the deposit date (7th Jue 2017), before I proceed with legal proceedings against Sony Mobile at the Consumer Redressal Forum of India, and I hope I'll get some positive response from there. Because I spend Rs. 37000 on a premium flagship device, which went dead 1 month from purchase, and now has been at the service centre for more number of days than it has been with me.
For anyone reading this post. Take it from a person who has used only Sony Xperia mobiles in the past 5 years - stay away from Sony. The company has no future.
(I will edit this post if there is a positive resolution to the problem)
EDIT: My phone was finally replaced (40 days after it was submitted for repair). It has been over a year now using the replaced phone and it is working pretty well.
From my multiple experiences with sony repairs, Sony Australia & New Zealand and pretty good.
Although I do agree, Sony's phones are just becomming the same sadly, still no Camera RAW support, no AMOLED display yet.
Not sure what is with all those stupid decisions and less than stellar customer service from Sony,
but they definitely need to up their game.
Perhaps even replace their CEO (or what his / her title is),
the current one doesn't seem to have a distinct vision for Sony smartphones ...
Having the only compact high performance, high class smartphone might be great but it can only carry you for so long until the others catch up or supersede you ...
They have excellent hardware (cameras, sound equipment, DSEE HX and other unique offers) but if those don't get refined, improved upon - merely only resting on the laurels is clearly way too little nowadays,
then there's the missing RAW cam picture support, the subpar camera processing compared to other phone manufacturers who even use the same camera module from Sony (!) but manage to outshine Sony
by offering superior software on many levels.
Don't get me wrong, I don't claim that Sony is only bad, they have brilliant programmers, engineers, inventors, etc. (take a look at e.g. the custom scheduler changes they've implemented for the Z5 and the other custom stuff they come up with),
there's someone needed at the top of the company (or even among the subgroups in the hierarchy) who can inspire and push everything forward ...
as far as i know if they are unable to repair the phone in 15 days they must give u a new one...my friend had a Z1 and he went to sea water and of course phone died completely but they gave him a new device after 15 days not beeing able to fix.also i replaced two xperias already....z2 had problems with display and broken camera button and they gave me a new device...and for the z5 i also had some issues with heating and signal loss they again gave me a new device but to acheive that u really must go there personaly and act like mad Max...trust me! )but yea at the end there support is at lowest point it can get...very shame for Sony
This deserved an update, that I never gave. Yes the phone was, finally after 40-45 days, replaced, and I was given a new unit.