Kaiser keyboard and Dpad issues

[haserfauld]

Hello,

I have been a longtime lurker/reader of this crazy wealth of knowledge, but i've finally run into a problem with my tytn ii that I can't find a solution to (despite searches). Any input would be fantastic. Let me preface this by saying I picked up this phone early on, new/oem. I can't really take it in to AT&T, especially since it's a kaiser not a tilt. Here's the issue:

A couple weeks ago, my keyboard and dpad just quit working. The phone and touchscreen were still completely functional, but no other input method worked. When I hit the power button, it would turn the screen on and type edfc, and begin recording a voice memo. Immediately that looks like a hardware problem. My brother (tech genius; replaced the LCD with me when that broke a few months ago) took it apart and checked all the connections and everything looked alright. After reassembling it, nothing had changed. I backed up everything on the phone and hard reset it. Still no change. I switched ROMs, and still no change. I think it must just be a failed piece of hardware.

Since the only things that don't function are the keyboard AND front dpad, I'm thinking it must be the board / ribbon that connects the two halves. I don't really have any way to test this though, and that's discouraging. So for the tldr types:

1) Are the parts from the tilt / tytn ii interchangeable, or would i have to find parts specifically for the tytn ii?
2) Is it worth picking up a phone with a broken screen/case etc and attempt to fix mine myself?
3) Is there a reputable repair place that it might be worth shipping my phone off to?
4) Is there another possibility as to why my phone is doing this that i've overlooked?

Thanks for any help

[Sebacestmoi]

6 month ago I had the same problem, it's an hardware problem. I send my Kaiser to warrantly and 2 weeks later I've got a new kaiser that works good. So use warrantly ;)

[haserfauld]

I'm fairly certain i cannot send my unit in to warranty. Had I known the extent of problems these phones have since been shown to have, I would have purchased one with warranty. :\

[fone_fanatic]

1) Are the parts from the tilt / tytn ii interchangeable, or would i have to find parts specifically for the tytn ii?

Yes, the parts are interchangeable, so you dont have to get parts specifically for the tytn ii (unless its the housing and you want the same branding on it).

Check out pocketpcthoughts.com they have main flex cable button assembly (http://www.ppctechs.com/AT-T-Tilt_974/repairs/Main-Flex-Cable-Button-Assembly_1215-372.htm) and the main keyboard assembly (http://www.ppctechs.com/AT-T-Tilt_974/repairs/Main-Keyboard-Assy_1091-372.htm) for sale as parts.


2) Is it worth picking up a phone with a broken screen/case etc and attempt to fix mine myself?

Thats worth a shot, i'd recommend that if you find one at a good price. But watch out. I purchased a Wizard a while ago with a broken lcd in hopes of using its mainboard. Swapped out the mainboard with my damaged one and it didnt work so i was left with 2 dead devices :(


3) Is there a reputable repair place that it might be worth shipping my phone off to?

I'd check out pocketpctechs.com and look into HTC usa.


4) Is there another possibility as to why my phone is doing this that i've overlooked?

not sure but does sound like a hardware problem from what you've described.


Thanks for any help

Your welcome ;)

[haserfauld]

awesome, thanks so much for the info. I have a bid pending on a damaged tilt on eBay...keeping my fingers crossed. If it goes for cheap hopefully it fixes it. If not, I may pick up one of those flex cable assemblies, as I'm almost certain that's the failing part. Thanks again