HTC HD2 Screen Repair Guide

quailstorm · Nov 18, 2013

No success...
I need some homebrew technique. And I didn't expect a company to answer. You know, after 4 years, the original clothing is like dust... and I want more usage than 3 months...
Then phone was 150 EURs the previous year, and it lasted only for 3 months. So pressing the button frequently kills the flex cable soon.
And I made a coat for flex cables in slider phones. From pure tuct tape, and it works if there is enough place. Do you need any picture to understand what do I want?
But if somebody did a succesful and long lasting protection, i would try it out. But I couldn't find one.

repairsuniverse · Nov 18, 2013

quailstorm said:
No success...
I need some homebrew technique. And I didn't expect a company to answer. You know, after 4 years, the original clothing is like dust... and I want more usage than 3 months...
Then phone was 150 EURs the previous year, and it lasted only for 3 months. So pressing the button frequently kills the flex cable soon.
And I made a coat for flex cables in slider phones. From pure tuct tape, and it works if there is enough place. Do you need any picture to understand what do I want?
But if somebody did a succesful and long lasting protection, i would try it out. But I couldn't find one.

When I reviewed the repair guide for you and spoke with another tech. familiar with this phone, he assured me that the home button was far enough away not to damage the flex. If you'd like to send me a picture I will definitely do all I can to get you an answer as quickly as possible today. maybe within the next hour or so..

quailstorm · Nov 18, 2013

repairsuniverse said:
When I reviewed the repair guide for you and spoke with another tech. familiar with this phone, he assured me that the home button was far enough away not to damage the flex. If you'd like to send me a picture I will definitely do all I can to get you an answer as quickly as possible today. maybe within the next hour or so..

That's the old and damaged flex cable, I just tested if the buttons still fit in the place, but I think it's too thick. If you remind me I can provide more photos, but I think you have seen a disassembled HTC HD2, at least on images.

repairsuniverse · Nov 19, 2013

quailstorm said:
That's the old and damaged flex cable, I just tested if the buttons still fit in the place, but I think it's too thick. If you remind me I can provide more photos, but I think you have seen a disassembled HTC HD2, at least on images.

This black tape should not be there. It is stopping the buttons from setting in place as you put the phone back together. Please remove the tape from the screen/digi but please go slow and do not pull or cut the cable.

please replay if you need help.

Robbie P · Nov 19, 2013

quailstorm said:
No success...
I need some homebrew technique. And I didn't expect a company to answer. You know, after 4 years, the original clothing is like dust... and I want more usage than 3 months...
Then phone was 150 EURs the previous year, and it lasted only for 3 months. So pressing the button frequently kills the flex cable soon.
And I made a coat for flex cables in slider phones. From pure tuct tape, and it works if there is enough place. Do you need any picture to understand what do I want?
But if somebody did a succesful and long lasting protection, i would try it out. But I couldn't find one.

if you use wp7 on hd2, you can remap the power and back button using new leo advanced xap
If using android there are many softkey power button mods and apps
You may never need to use those buttons again, and luckily hd2 has spare buttons

quailstorm · Nov 19, 2013

Robbie P said:
if you use wp7 on hd2, you can remap the power and back button using new leo advanced xap
If using android there are many softkey power button mods and apps
You may never need to use those buttons again, and luckily hd2 has spare buttons

Great! Thanks!

Before the tragedy happened, but the digitizer started struggling, the phone ran WP7.8 and Android 4.1.2 in dual boot. On android softkeys were used, even for screen locking, but I am amazed to see a solution for WP too.
I hope it will last longer with the new digitizer covered with tape like on the pictures and minimalizing the usage of power button. In those 3 months, it was pressed hundreds of times, so we didn't take care about it...

I will order an LCD+digitizer in two weeks. I think it's worth 45 euros.

How should I reassemble it? I'm thinking about using double side duct tape. But if I place the buttons wrongly, it will be hard to correct it...
Currently it would fall apart, or open like a book. That's what I hate in this phone, tape everywhere...

repairsuniverse said:
This black tape should not be there. It is stopping the buttons from setting in place as you put the phone back together. Please remove the tape from the screen/digi but please go slow and do not pull or cut the cable.

It's the old, damaged flex you are seeing on the picture. You can't understand what I wrote? It was for testing purpose, and yes, as you say, it blocks the button. But only ONE layer wouldn't, as originally, there was a small piece of clotch on the flex for protecting it... I disassembled the phone, I saw it.

Robbie P · Nov 19, 2013

i wouldn't use duct tape to repair, perhaps just cloth or a plastic shield. if using duct tape and it crinkles over time, it could bend the ribbon.
I haven't actually replaced my screen, so ymmv
yes i only just realised that leo advanced remapped the power key too, it wasn't available before iirc. i tested on hd2owner's rom so it should work for all wp7.8
I am sure you will be careful with it ongoing, so best of luck with whatever your choice.

quailstorm · Nov 19, 2013

Robbie P said:
i wouldn't use duct tape to repair, perhaps just cloth or a plastic shield. if using duct tape and it crinkles over time, it could bend the ribbon.

Maybe you are right. I already used duct tape in a W705 and in a W910 (Sony Ericssons) but those mods are less than a month old. I will look for something more useful than duct tape, but cloth is worse I think. It worns down easily.
Anyway, I haven't experienced crinkling on an unstreched piece of tape. They come off in one piece after 3-4 years. And in this place, it's not necessary to strain the tape. But I will see. I can practice on the damaged one as many as I want.

Anyway, the digitizer is useless, but the LCD works. Is there a pinout for it? To use for a Raspberry PI for example.

Thanks for helping.

Robbie P · Nov 19, 2013

quailstorm said:
Anyway, I haven't experienced crinkling on an unstreched piece of tape.

perhaps "rucking" not "crinkling", repeated movement (of the button) on the same spot might cause it to fold and cause damage to ribbon, is what i meant. Probably won't happen though

repairsuniverse · Nov 20, 2013

quailstorm said:
It's the old, damaged flex you are seeing on the picture. You can't understand what I wrote? It was for testing purpose, and yes, as you say, it blocks the button. But only ONE layer wouldn't, as originally, there was a small piece of clotch on the flex for protecting it... I disassembled the phone, I saw it.

I understand what you wrote Quailstorm, I`m here helping.Here is some info that should help you.

"You first talked about how the digitizer flex cable broke," If you did not break the digitizer jawbone flex holder here.

all you will have to replace is the digitizer which can be bought at

Now if you broke that and the LCD connection then you will need both.

Now What buttons are not working is it the power? or the button row? Either the case both of theses can be replaced and should fix the problem. Lets say you buy the replacement parts and the buttons do not work. It could be either software problem ( if it is Software , you can find other ways around this as the LEO Advanced as Robbie P has said. or hardware IE - Mobo is no longer working.

Yes one layer would block the buttons. The phone is made to be flush with nothing in its way. The Orignal flex cable on the did not have that. So by added it to the phone will prevent buttons not working. ( Now Understand that to add adhesive to the - say - lcd to keep it in place that can be allowed because it needs to hold down the lcd/digi to the middle plate.

Now with 'ducttape' I would say use another adhesive. Duct tape can be to thick. Should be using 2mm or 3mm black adhesive. If that can not be found you can use adhesive and cut strips.

Hope you can get your hd2 up and running

quailstorm · Nov 21, 2013

Both jawbones are in good condition. And I broke the LCD when I tried to cut the digitizer off with a blade... So I have to buy it with LCD.

Every button works, but it's hard to align the case and the plastic button cover. And if I stick the phone with adhesive and make a mistake... I don't want to disassemble it again. But it's mine task to assemble the phone perfectly.

I have adhesive at home. It's about 2mm thick. Itt will be good to fix the LCD on the middleplate. Duct tape is for preventing another flex cable damage. I shown you images. I will do this with the new digitizer. So the power button won't start abrasion on the flex instantly.

Mister B · Nov 21, 2013

Not an abrasion issue, problem is more likely due to digitizer constant flexing around the tail area. I have maintained 24 Company HD2's for almost 3yrs & even my personal device from new with minimal key usage had digitizer failure.
2mm thick tape will be no good. For perfect job on one device you probably best getting the tape from eBay. I use a little (and I mean a little) pu40 silicone adhesive added in the groove between lcd & digi after first assembled with tape as holds much firmer & gives more oem feel & remains perfectly bonded like oem too. I also use a few small half rice grain spots down sides of lcd to chassis & near corners (make gaps in tape for the adhesive spots) works well & makes finish perfectly flush, secure & firm. Also easily stripped again by using razor to cut the adhesive & scrape it off.
obviously dry run lcd/digi & button alignment before secure fixing & it worth making effort to test lcd/digi attached to mainboard with battery pressed on contacts for correct lcd & touch function before final rebuild ...

repairsuniverse · Nov 21, 2013

quailstorm said:
Both jawbones are in good condition. And I broke the LCD when I tried to cut the digitizer off with a blade... So I have to buy it with LCD.

Every button works, but it's hard to align the case and the plastic button cover. And if I stick the phone with adhesive and make a mistake... I don't want to disassemble it again. But it's mine task to assemble the phone perfectly.

I have adhesive at home. It's about 2mm thick. Itt will be good to fix the LCD on the middleplate. Duct tape is for preventing another flex cable damage. I shown you images. I will do this with the new digitizer. So the power button won't start abrasion on the flex instantly.

Great. The 2mm adhesive is very good to use. Sorry about you breaking the LCD . It can be a pain sometimes even on the HD2. Which is a hard phone to repair for the first time.

A good way to help you align the buttons on the bottom before you do your adhesive is to put the adhesive on it but do not take off the sticker part ( talking about the white paper ) and then put the lcd and digitizer in the phone you can align the parts right and do a "dry run" on the phone before you do the adhesive.

Good luck on this phone. its a great phone when you can root / hack it and make it yours as you want it to be.

any more steps or help feel free to post and I will allways follow up .

Mister B · Nov 21, 2013

Need recap on that tape 2mm wide or 2mm thick !? 2mm thick would be no good, 2mm wide tape ok.
a tweak I do on my rebuilds is raise the button board on an extra layer of adhesive tape, perhaps even 2 layers if needed, this keeps the buttons closer to the digi thus more clearance from the ribbon, I mainly do this to get more precision fit of buttons without the looseness that can be present.

quailstorm · Nov 21, 2013

Mister B said:
a tweak I do on my rebuilds is raise the button board on an extra layer of adhesive tape, perhaps even 2 layers if needed, this keeps the buttons closer to the digi thus more clearance from the ribbon, I mainly do this to get more precision fit of buttons without the looseness that can be present.

That's what I was thinking of. So it works, thank you for confirming. The adhesive whick is at home, is 1,5-2mm THICK. And about 1cm wide. But I will look for a better solution.

Mister B said:
Not an abrasion issue, problem is more likely due to digitizer constant flexing around the tail area.

But the cloth cover on the flex fell apart, and the part of the flex which is under the power button is transparent. It would be good to protect it.

repairsuniverse · Nov 21, 2013

Mister B said:
Need recap on that tape 2mm wide or 2mm thick !? 2mm thick would be no good, 2mm wide tape ok.
a tweak I do on my rebuilds is raise the button board on an extra layer of adhesive tape, perhaps even 2 layers if needed, this keeps the buttons closer to the digi thus more clearance from the ribbon, I mainly do this to get more precision fit of buttons without the looseness that can be present.

3M Double Sided Adhesive Tape - 2mm you can find this on our site. this would be what you should use. I use this is my phone repairs. Its the best from what i have come to know when repairing an android/windows device. Now apple devices I use something else.

When you have the Digitizer and lcd together you can pop in the bottom buttons in to that slot on the digitizer and then put the Digitizer/LCD/Buttons on the housing. It should fit with little to no ease so you then can test the buttons on it.

repairsuniverse · Nov 21, 2013

Mister B said:
Not an abrasion issue, problem is more likely due to digitizer constant flexing around the tail area. I have maintained 24 Company HD2's for almost 3yrs & even my personal device from new with minimal key usage had digitizer failure.
2mm thick tape will be no good. .

I have tried the 1mm tape and I have found that its just to small to make it worth it. Because you will use more then what you need to make it stick to what you want.
The 2mm is just the right size and gives the most stickiness to the housing or lcd or digitzer depends on what you are using it for.

Mister B · Nov 22, 2013

quailstorm said:
That's what I was thinking of. So it works, thank you for confirming. The adhesive whick is at home, is 1,5-2mm THICK. And about 1cm wide. But I will look for a better solution.

But the cloth cover on the flex fell apart, and the part of the flex which is under the power button is transparent. It would be good to protect it.

Tape you have at home is no good, you want tape 2mm wide maximum & about 0.2mm thick.
Can be found on likes of eBay or OP's website. I don't find tapes alone good enough but that is up to you on your rebuild preference.

You can indeed add one layer of protective tape over the digi ribbon lcd edge, I use a high tack shielding tape mainly to add bit of support to ribbon & keep it shaped/positioned perfectly. from all HD2's I have opened I have never seen evidence of abrasion on the ribbon.

quailstorm · Nov 23, 2013

Mister B said:
Tape you have at home is no good, you want tape 2mm wide maximum & about 0.2mm thick.

It looks like we three don't understand each other. Maybe because I'm not English and in school we don't learn about tech...
I will come back with pictures soon.

quailstorm · Nov 23, 2013

So, I'm here at last...
My adhesive is about 1,2mm thick. So it's good. I measured it. It's too wide, but scissors are invented.
On the images you can see an aluminium like piece of textilia on tha lower part of the screen. Middlepart of the buttons place, back of LCD panel. Same thing was sticked onto the flex, which is photographed in the light.
And I've got another problem, with a broken GPS connector. I will resolder it, because the first try was not very paraller with the original. Will it affect anything?
I placed back the LCD, and WinMO6.5 still boots up, with no touch.

Images:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/11011118904_44b1d2e8f5_o.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/11011166533_bb9f56606a_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/11010941815_7113850a4f_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/11011038586_96a1055716_o.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/11010944055_99935799de_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/11010945485_c3aaece915_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/11011172433_48f8c4133c_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/11011173983_a17533db4c_o.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/11011129084_8f16454c99_o.jpg

HTC HD2 Screen Repair Guide

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