can't unlock cingular 8125 screen

[irv6744]

our cingular 8125 boots ok but when we touch the start button, it immediately locks and then we can't unlock it.
we hear sounds when we touch the screen with the stylus but nothing happens
a soft reset doesn't change anything.
we have data on the pda that we don't want to lose with a hard reset.
anyway to unlock it without a hard reset or a new rom file?
we are using a recent dopod rom for the time being.
the pda will sometimes start showing the saved pictures and i can play with the screen and get it unlocked but as soon as i touch the start button, it locks up again.
if i touch anywhere else on the screen, it makes noise but no response
thanks

[irv6744]

turns out my friend tried to put a screen protector on the wizard and pressed too hard along the left side and now the whole left side is out of vertical alignment.
i realigned the screen but it still seems we have to press the stylus about 1/4" below the actual icon.
oh well.