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So I bought a second hand MT4GS today, but the buttons on the face of the phone don't work - it came rooted, s-off, with some buggy ICS Rom installed. I just installed Bulletproof in the hopes that it was just the other rom causing the issue, but the buttons (home, menu, back, genius) are still non responsive. The corresponding buttons on the qwerty slider work fine.
Any ideas or suggestions? Would it help to try flashing a zip to map those front buttons? Since they don't work in 2 roms, is it something physicial?
I would appreciate any advice you could give me, whether its a certain way to try and remap the keys to force them to work, or a rom that might fix it, or maybe a kernel that would be most compatible with a quick, stable rom with full camera features? I really don't care about being on the bleeding edge or having ICS, I just want a stable, every day use rom.
Thanks much!
Almost certainly physical. The flex cable inside has 5 dangly little fingers that go down in that area for the 4 buttons and the track pad. Very easy for that to get gummed up, and not an easy thing to fix (because this phone is kind of a pain to take apart). Still, you can find some videos on YouTube that show how to disassemble the phone. You can try it. Put it back together carefully enough, and those buttons might start working again. (If you're unlucky, you might need a new flex cable.)
OK, do I need anything besides standard precision torx to open this phone up? I haven't really peeked inside, since we only got it a couple hours ago.
Also, I noticed that the home button on the physical keyboard sometimes takes me home, and sometimes selects things, depending on what I'm doing - talk about weird! Either way, it's still better than my ancient and fading G1 I've been stuck using the last couple days.
So if I open it up, do I just want to blast it with canned air, or is that a big no-no? Get a little soft brush and brush around the fingers? Tell it sweet nothings and tuck it in bed?
Edited to add:
Aaaand while I was busy typing and researching, my husband is cracking it open like a kid opening a Christmas present - wish him luck!
Bah humbug, just a note to let you know that we got to the 8 screws that hold the keyboard to the sliding part, and 2 of the phillips screws are stripped. So we're putting it back together until tomorrow night, when we will try to figure out how to get those 2 screws out.
But hey, at least we took it almost all the way apart, and got it back together, and it is working as well as it was before - if we didn't totally break it, then we're still ahead of the game!
So now I'm looking for advice on the following:
1) best way to clean out those button flex cables (air, small brush, ?)
2) ways to keep this phone clean inside - previous owner must have worked in a dust bunny factory, based on the dust I found inside the half of the phone we got disassembled. Then again, I live in a desert, it's to be expected?
3) super-stable rom/kernel combo that also gives me the camera app goodness that this phone deserves (And be honest, if I need stock to get the camera working, I'll go to stock).
rhondalicious said:
So now I'm looking for advice on the following:
1) best way to clean out those button flex cables (air, small brush, ?)
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Compressed air or a small brush should work fine... If it is just a connectivity problem caused by dust or dirt or whatever.
rhondalicious said:
2) ways to keep this phone clean inside - previous owner must have worked in a dust bunny factory, based on the dust I found inside the half of the phone we got disassembled. Then again, I live in a desert, it's to be expected?
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The only way to really keep it clean on the inside is to take it apart and use some compressed air or a small brush to get rid of all the dust... Doesn't matter where you are located you are gonna get dust inside of a phone that has no dust covers... You can see if they make any cases that have dust caps for the ports (I'm not sure if there are any for the MT4GS or not... haven't looked...)
rhondalicious said:
3) super-stable rom/kernel combo that also gives me the camera app goodness that this phone deserves (And be honest, if I need stock to get the camera working, I'll go to stock).
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For the awesome sense camera I would recommend stock or if you want ICS then one of the Virtuous roms. Either Primmadonna (ICS+ Sense 4.0) or Inquisition (desensed with sense camera). I'm sure others have other opinions, but those are the only roms I have used... Well that and CM9 which is basically fully functional although it will never have the sense camera, but the AOSP camera isn't too bad. They are all super stable as well.
Those 8 little screws are easy to strip. They are only a couple of turns each, but if they don't budge ... well, I've got a broken phone just like that that I can't fix. If you figure out a way of drilling the out or whatever, I'd be interested to hear.
The dust in these phones is a well-known problem. In particular, dust can find it's way under the glass, and it's a complete teardown to clear that out.
Were the screws stripped when you got there, or did you do it? If someone had the phone apart before, it could be that the little flex cable fingers are just not in the right position. If that's the case, you just have to do it right. (Easier said than done since it's kind of tricky to work on it and keep everything positioned while you close it up.)
Those 2 screws were stripped when we opened it - we've tried a couple things and still haven't been able to get them out, but we haven't tried the trick of dabbing superglue on a screwdriver and letting it dry in the hole yet, and we haven't tried one of those screw extractors that is like an extra sharp screwdriver. We tried cutting a new slot with my dremel, but the cutting discs I have are too soft for the screw heads, we need a diamond cutting disc, I think. We also tried one of those drill chucks that has the 2 ends for reaming a new hole and unscrewing, but my husband is afraid to drill through the phone, and the chuck doesn't fit in my dremel.
I'm pretty sure whoever had the phone before me tried to fix it and gave up, that's why we were able to buy it off him for so cheap. I don't mind fiddling around with it, since the actual phone bit works just fine.
If I ever manage to get these stripped screws out, I'll let you know what works!
Those screws are definitely short in length, as you've seen from their companions, so I am also leery of drilling a millimeter too far.
Another thing I've contemplated is carving the plastic around the screw head so that the screw no longer holds anything in place. Haven't been bold enough to try it, though. I figure after that I would be able to get a grip on it with needlenose pliers and twist them out.
((My phone with the stuck screws is a water damaged phone that I bought used. [[Seller said "I don't know what happened to it", but, uh, it's a bit obvious once you look inside or even look at the sticker.]] Screen was flaky and I was going to take it apart and stare at it til I ran into those stuck (and rusty!) screws. Luckily, after a few days delay for head-scratching, the screen started working perfectly. I like to think of it as the Universe finally giving me a break.))
Would a cell phone repair place have better ways of getting those stripped screws out? My husband said I should find out what they would charge to open it up, but if I can't get the screws out, how would they do it?
And it's nice that your soggy-phone decided to start working for you, it's a pain dealing with wet phones, sometimes. My neighbor dropped hers in a big cup of soda once and I got to have futo leaning it out to help prevent sugar/corrosion issues. I only managed to keep it working for another 3 months, but by then she had already dropped it into a toilet.
rhondalicious said:
Would a cell phone repair place have better ways of getting those stripped screws out? My husband said I should find out what they would charge to open it up, but if I can't get the screws out, how would they do it?
And it's nice that your soggy-phone decided to start working for you, it's a pain dealing with wet phones, sometimes. My neighbor dropped hers in a big cup of soda once and I got to have futo leaning it out to help prevent sugar/corrosion issues. I only managed to keep it working for another 3 months, but by then she had already dropped it into a toilet.
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For wet phone the best thing you can do is to use milliQ water (distilled will do also), put the phone in it, it basically removes any ions from previous fluids (take the battery out!), then let it dry out (24h should do), please battery in and use... Worked for me few times...
Btw. Good rom is virtuous inquisition or Primadonna, cm9 did not work for me so good, too many unfinished things...
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using xda premium
Hi Guys
I've seen a couple of posts about this on forums but, I've had a similar thing to a few users now, where I have 2 circles of "Dead" pixels appear on the phone.
Seemed to appear suddenly today at work. I've not dropped the phone (today) but, I have had it in my pocket when getting out the car and, it might have been caught between my leg and steering wheel of the car.
I know there's been some suggestions of placing the phone in a carrier bag and, then in the fridge for a couple of hours (well, couple of hours to a weekend). I'm a bit nervous of this but willing to give it a try.
Just wondering though, does anyone have any explanation for why this happens? I can't see it being physical damage to the screen, as otherwise there would be whole columns of dead pixels or spider patterns with a crack. In the middle of the circles, it seems to be sub-pixels that are out (Blue / Red - Green seems to be OK). Also, has anyone else had the same experience and tried putting the phone into the fridge and, does this work? Annoying though it is, I'd rather live with it than knacker the phone totally lol.
I've attached some pictures to demonstrate what I mean... Note, on the blue one, it looks as though there's a pentagram dotted in the lower circle... Satanic Possession? lol
Kind Regards
Daryl
Well,Nothing of those homemade methods will help
maybe the screen got pressed too hard..got hitted by something..
take it to a lab
Probably just enough pressure and maybe battery and body heat, did the same with my Acer and a till reciept scrunched up so now have a multi-coloured circle in centre of screen... doubt there's a fix except replacing it
Rooted Xakep E320/C6 EUU Hacked Update
Thanks for the feedback on this. I think you're both right. The screen is slowly getting worse. The sub-pixels in the middle of the circles have repaired themselves but, the horizontal lines of dead pixels are slowly expanding horizontally across the screen.
I think I'm going to have to face the fact that its broke and see about getting a new screen fitted. I'd normally do it myself but, I've seen how well the digitizer and LCD are glued together, and to the case lol (HTC Sensation).
Am thinking it has to be a pressure 'injury' when getting out the car and, maybe it got trapped between my leg and the steering wheel.
The good news though, at least I have an excuse to nick my tablet back off my son lol
Well... bugger me rigid lol. As I was typing my last message, I thought "sod it, I may as well try putting the phone in the fridge to see if it does any good" After all, I had nothing to lose (as long as I was careful of condensation on the warm up) and... it does actually seem to be having a positive effect!!
Attached 2 more pics... One was taken at work at 3pm, one was taken after 80 minutes in the fridge at 11:30pm (note, the screen had gotten a little worse between 3pm and 10pm).
I've put it back in the fridge for another couple of hours and, will post an update on progress.
Ever the optimist once more
lol at the pentagram. Yeah it's probably because of pressure or some other physical damage. Do you have warranty?
Nope, the phone is 18 months old, I rang 3UK and, apparently the warranty is only 12 months so, bummed out there.
Have got the phone back in the fridge after noticing how much of an improvement the first blast of cold air made to it lol. Fingers crossed. I can't believe such a simple thing might actually make it better again
Bummer. Have a hard time seeing the fridge as a permanent solution, yeah you could always try ifixit if you think it's worth a shot.
This is true, I cant see it being permanent either. I did take a look at replacing the screen on YouTube and, it seemed like a straightforward enough task but, not sure about the whole glue thing between motherboard and screen, and screen / digitizer. I know it'll need heating to melt the glue a little but, the video I saw indicated that his heat gun was at 420 degrees Celcius... the psycho!!
Am hoping I can get another 6 months out of the phone, so that I can get an upgrade to a One X / Galaxy S3. I've really loved the phone and, will be sad when it eventually goes.
Just to give anyone interested a bit of a status update... Just about to go to bed and, need the phone for my alarm in the morning so, pulled it out of the fridge again lol.
As you can see from the attached though, it does seem to be still improving.
Going to run the dead pixel fix app overnight (not that I believe this will do anything spectacular) and, may do another round in the fridge tomorrow night. Of course, I will keep you posted.
For now though, the latest comparison - between 11:30PM (the improvement I posted earlier) and 1:30AM. Once again, you can see that the dead pixels do seem to be returning to life.
Well from the pics I'm gonna try it myself not looked up how the screens are made up but the cold could be doing several things as shrinking membranes (those touching may separate) and crystallizing the LCD (expanding the Liquid Crystal) to fill the gaps made at the pressure point, that's my guess so throwing it in the freezer tonight
Thanks for continued updates
Rooted Xakep E320/C6 EUU Hacked Update
I probably wouldn't recommend throwing it into the freezer. Just a gut feeling but, as the temperature in there is well below freezing, I think it would do more damage than good. At least in the fridge, it's only around 4 degrees C so, technically still within the operating temperature range of the device.
Also, when you do take it out, make sure you don't just throw the battery straight back in. As soon as it comes out, it gets quite a hefty amount of condensation on it. The last thing I would want is for something to short on the device when it gets its power back and fry your logic board :s
Not much improvement on last night in running the LCD fixing application (as I thought) so, thrown it back into the works fridge - much to the amusement of works colleagues lol. I'll take it back out around lunch time, see how it is, and post the comparison between 1:30AM last night and lunchtime today...
Fingers X'd
Latest on phone: My director at work advised I should check on operating temperatures of the phone to see how cold I could take it safely. Turns out that they are electronically safe at temperatures of up to -40 degrees C (although there's no way I would actually test this and wouldn't recommend testing it to anyone).
Following from this, I put it in the freezer at work for an hour (after being in the fridge at work for 2).
Not posted the before picture but, here's three pictures of how it looks at the moment. One on a pure white screen then, to demonstrate that it's not just the pixels being stuck white instead of not working, I have also done a shot of my home page, and a shot from a game.
I have a doubter at work who stated quite daringly that he would eat his underpants if the cooling of the phone worked... Now... All I need to do is prove why it's worked, then find some recipe's for Underpant Madras... any suggestions as to both would be appreciated lmao
Googling now and second post gives this http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-687247.html I'll see what else pops up and add to this posting here
Wiki lol -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchscreen <- I guess from this and type of screens now being used it's an adhesive layer between the back and front glass that is 'spread out' so no separation between back and front conductors, freezing may crystallize the adhesive and on warming the original surface pressure may force the adhesive back and conductors are separated again ;-)
Rooted Xakep E320/C6 EUU Hacked Update
Just noticed my own screen (or rather noticed it less lol) my spot has gone, although not as bad as your own screen only colour swirls on screen pressure no black/white pixels, I did have my phone slide and bounce off my knee that may have been enough for mine lol was looking forward to fridging it this I will be remembering though
As for a recipe for the grundigs i'd serve them raw .... 3 days worn .... why make it easy lol
Rooted Xakep E320/C6 EUU Hacked Update
Right it came back not as bad so I'd recommend a hard front cover, bit of a bind if they don't flip but it's that or faulty screens
Rooted Xakep E320/C6 EUU Hacked Update
Hi
Been a little while since my last update so, checking in. I don't have any extra pictures at the moment but, the cold is really starting to make a big difference.
I took it out the ice-making compartment at work at lunchtime and, the screen is mostly repaired. I would say about 5 - 6 dead pixels in a line now, around where the "beak" was on my satanic chicken (lol)
It's still in the fridge at home at the moment and, will probably stay there most of the weekend. This last bit is being quite stubborn to shift but hoping that it does shift and, when it does, it goes for good.
I'll let you know how it goes anyhow. I'm simply stunned by the improvement so far though
Yayyyyyyyy!!!
Well, the great news is the phone is now completely 100%
I've attached a photo of the screen with my home wallpaper on it... The trouble is, I can't remember exactly where the fault was so I can't get the exact same screen so, I've taken a wider shot which still demonstrates that there are no dead pixels.
I did have a bit of trouble getting Wifi and the SD card to read when I first powered back up from the latest (4 hour) stint in the freezer but, whipped the battery straight out and let it settle back to room temperature some more, then used a hairdryer just to ensure that any last bits of condensation had cleared up.
Fully working phone once again. I think I'll serve underpant soup at work on Monday lmao.
Thanks for following this little thread that I'd done and thanks for your input too. It's certainly been an interesting journey and, hopefully someone else with a similar problem can benefit from my experience too.
Kind Regards
D
What a cool way to fix your phone I have a Nokia 6303 classic with dead pixels. I will place in the fridge overnight and wait for the results next morning.
Good to hear it's running again, bear in mind it wont take as much to bring the fault back if pressure is applied again but from my own phone it does wear off so repeating the damage is repairable but will probably shorten it's life.
And please by all means post the pics of the garnished garment meal
Rooted Xakep E320/C6 EUU Hacked Update
I am wondering if anyone has thought of or even tried removing our new GPS/ WiFi panel from the back of the Tablet. What I am thinking of is to cut/ drill holes in it to increase ventilation to allow the heat to dissipte easier. I have seen something similar built it from the new Asus ZenBook. I am thinking that this could possibly allow us to run some of Clemsyn's higher 1.9 or 2.0 Over Clock kernels easier or allow him to go higher with the GPU? I would be willing to try this myself if I could find an easy way to remove that back piece without needing to remove the screen from the rest of the tablet. I am however not sure if it could harm the tablet more then it could help it. I would love to for some advice and suggestions.
RKnight1983 said:
I am wondering if anyone has thought of or even tried removing our new GPS/ WiFi panel from the back of the Tablet. What I am thinking of is to cut/ drill holes in it to increase ventilation to allow the heat to dissipte easier. I have seen something similar built it from the new Asus ZenBook. I am thinking that this could possibly allow us to run some of Clemsyn's higher 1.9 or 2.0 Over Clock kernels easier or allow him to go higher with the GPU? I would be willing to try this myself if I could find an easy way to remove that back piece without needing to remove the screen from the rest of the tablet. I am however not sure if it could harm the tablet more then it could help it. I would love to for some advice and suggestions.
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Hey fellow GR TF700 owner! Nope, unfortunately there is no way to remove the back piece without removing the screen, ect. You are really talking about a full tear down of the tablet, and rebuild after adding the vents. Sounds like fun though, I am an avid PC modder and if you are looking for a partner in modding, look no further!
If you want an idea of what you are in for.. check this out:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Asus+Transformer+Infinity+TF+700+Teardown/10306/1
Thanks for the input. I didn't know there were so many XDA member from the West Michigan area. I am still debating on performing the operation on my Tablet and I have in fact seen that tutorial. I am just still not sure if it would in fact be a positive. I know that I would have to put some sort of mesh on the inside to prevent dirt from getting inside. I just always notice that my tablet can get arm on the top left corner after a while even if I am using the keyboard. I noticed this even before I unlocked and also recall it happening on my Prime.
It would seem that your warranty may not cover this if you messup on it. I got this info here. Just thought I would give a fair warning
Thanks for the fair warning. I already figured that the warranty would not be valid after i put holes in my device on purpose. I am just trying to figure out if it would in fact help lower the temperature of the device with ventilation holes. I know that our tablets may not be up to standards with actual lap tops or computers, however I do believe that we have better processors internals then early PC's and they even had cooling fans and better ventilation. I do know that we have devices now that are way to thin to put cooling fans or liquid cooling tubes, but why would it not help to put well places ventilation to help our device run cooler and more efficient. I notice that the biggest difference when my devices starts to get hotter is that the battery drains quicker. I have noticed this with any device I have overclocked that once the temperature starts rising, the battery starts dropping quicker.
RKnight1983 said:
I notice that the biggest difference when my devices starts to get hotter is that the battery drains quicker.
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Heat is a form of energy, so the reason for this should be obvious.
If no one has im gonna do a tear down this weekend take pics and post. I do the thermal paste mods jus like g3. Have also done on a g4. Ps3. And my pc. I prefer arctic silver thermal paste. Due to its wonderful heat disapating properties. Now before hand warnings. The back and fronts of the phones will feel warmer when this is done because the paste draws the heat out of the pross and sinks it in the screen and back of the device . No bad reports that i have come across yet other than people with absolutly no electronic skills whatso ever tearing stuff up. I do the mods slightly diffrent i coat the main pross plus any othe flat chips such as ram. Memory. Power unit. Helps keep em cool.
Noticed though this device does stay pretty cool
Give me some feedback and opinions please
Of course I'd do this with a $1300 phone..... I've looked at some other posts and they all say the mic is offset by 90 degrees. Those these were all on the older model phones. I thought I heard a pop when I put the pin in the mic hole but I may be losing my mind. Tested the speaker with multiple times and it seems fine. Any chance I screwed up the waterproofing?
P.S. Why in the world do they still make the hole the same exact size as the sim slot....
That horrible feeling when you realise...
You've two options - the first (and probably more sensible) - doubtless they've already allowed for this and don't put anything delicate in the path so you won't have damaged anything - use your device and you'll forget it ever happened.
Or... put your note in a bucket of water for a bit to determine one way or another if you've affected the water proofing.
If the microphone is working then it must surely be all ok?
neilw said:
That horrible feeling when you realise...
You've two options - the first (and probably more sensible) - doubtless they've already allowed for this and don't put anything delicate in the path so you won't have damaged anything - use your device and you'll forget it ever happened.
Or... put your note in a bucket of water for a bit to determine one way or another if you've affected the water proofing.
If the microphone is working then it must surely be all ok?
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My nervous twitch was getting the better of me so I went with option 2. I put it in a sink full of water for about 20 minutes. Everything seems to still be working now 4+ hours later. So knock on wood, hopefully they accounted for that like the past phones.
It's fine, if you have every watched Jerry Rig on YouTube they make them so the sim ejection tool doesn't harm them. No biggie you're good to go man!!
Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk
Yea, definitely no damage done. As you said yourself, the mic is round a 90 degree bend for this very reason. All you did is press the tool against the wall of the bend. You can rest easy
Yeah, don't worry, many of us have done this and many more will still do!
As others have said it won't damage the microphone because the way this opening is designed.
Breathe!!