This must happen with other pdas... screen issue

[relbourn]

I am experiancing some problems!
basically I think the manufacturer installed protective screen has come loose from the hard sensor (due to use?) and so the stylus is pushing on an air bubble, and with the software keyboard (virtual keyboard) the wrong buttons are getting pressed.
I dont know whether to cut out that layer with a scalpel (carefully) and use normal screen protectors that stick properly ... has anyone done this before?

Maybe you could apply heat to it to tighten it or something I dont know so I need help!

My phone is an alpine (xda2i) but other pdas must be having the same issue?
is it ok to cut the initial plastic screen that comes integrated with the xda?

[Jonjamesm]

Just make sure it is actually a protective screen and not the digitizer (the membrane that makes it touch screen and sits on the LCD) that your cutting away.

with a protective skin there should be no need to cut anything... I honestly think your talking about the digitizer - in which case take to a mobile phone specialist and they could heat sync it for you.

[hanmin]

To check whether it is the digitizer or the crappy screen protector, you should be able to see the edge of the layer at the side, especially manufacturer orginial screen protector, they are really crappy. You should be able to seperate the layer (from the edge) with something pointy (e.g. a needle), and then peel it off from there.

If you didn't see any distinguishable edge at the edge of the screen, chances are you should not do anything yourself.

[relbourn]

Just make sure it is actually a protective screen and not the digitizer (the membrane that makes it touch screen and sits on the LCD) that your cutting away.

with a protective skin there should be no need to cut anything... I honestly think your talking about the digitizer - in which case take to a mobile phone specialist and they could heat sync it for you.


Thanks for the responses!!!

I have a feeling that it is what you are referring to as a digitizer. Do most of the mobile phone shops do this heat option? as after googling it, not much comes up, or is it referred to under a different terminology,

thanks in advance!

Rob

[Jonjamesm]

If your UK based you can find out more about them from apex laptops, google them...

I'm in Edinburgh, and it took me a while before I found someone willing to replace the digitizer.

This is not a common thing - but I think with the introduction of the iphone the markets for heat syncing will go up, I suggest freeing up an afternoon and go to some of those dodgy shops that offer the unlocking service, also some computer repair shop technicians might be confident in doing something of this nature.

Happy hunting!...

JJ McG.

[relbourn]

thanks for your help :)

[nauseum]

whatever you do dont approach o2. they are ridiculous, they want to charge 350 dollars to peel off the old one and put a new on one. search ebay and you will find digitizres with screwdriver and peeling, firming tool for 15 dollars plus postage.

o2's repair guys say it "original" spares which make it so expensive....

right...........

[relbourn]

rang up a couple of shops one doesn't do heat sync and the other does but the machines bust, he started talking about soldering etc...(does that sound like it?) but when i re-described the problem he started talking about 50 60 quid for a new screen! which I am not prepared to pay for the relatively minor problem

How is a digitiser different from a normal screen protector anyway?
(placing a normal protector on top of it sort of helped reduce the problems because it applied a little firmness over the offending area....)

[Jonjamesm]

O.k the digitizer is not a screen protector. The Digitizer is a membrane that sits atop the LCD.

Note: that the LCD is not a touch screen and the only thing making your device a touch sensitive is this digitizer

digitizers can be pricey, but the reason your guy is costing it at 50 - 60 quid is because he is the middle man and needs to make a profit. You can find digitizers from apex laptops or GPS midlands (links below) and buy them at trade prices

http://www.gpsmidlands.co.uk/index.php?menu=Home
http://www.apexlaptops.co.uk/touchscreens.htm

Dependant on your device will depend on the price.

My guy asked for 10 pounds to replace my screen, which I thought was more than reasonable because if he broke the LCD whilst replacing the digitizer (which he did) he was liable to replace it. Make sure that your guy will do this.

hope this helps.

[relbourn]

After googling for a bit, I came across someone who had these sort of problems with their own pda
http://jamescrisp.blogspot.com/2007/05/fixing-palm-treos-digitizer-touch.html
it seems that dirt stuck under the sides can cause the same kinds of problems,

after running a bit of paper under the corners of the screen I have found some interesting results, the problems I have have changed slightly and seem to rectify temporarily when I press down (rub down) on the screen...

so I might look at taking it apart with some tools off ebay or something and giving it a good clean... any recommendations on how to strip down and clean an Alpine....? actually I'll repost that in the aline forum if there isn't already a post there....

[Jonjamesm]

hope your confident in doing so - I'd take it to a shop if it pisses you off that much - taking it a part and cleaning might end up with you just having a big screen phone with no touch pad...

Up to you, hope your successful