Back camera module, common for it to pop off?

[jdc]

Because I'm a st00pid munkey and dropped my phone, now the back camera will not work. When I try to launch the camera application, it errors out with:

Unable to start Camera. Unable to initialize camera.

My guess is that the camera module popped loose. What I'm wondering is how common is it that the back camera module comes loose, before I crack open the case and potentially make things worse?

 

[MikeChannon]

Yep fairly common, but a relatively simple job to fix.

Typically the camera will not initialize or will show pics with vivid multi-colors.

This is nearly always caused by the camera receiving a knock or a fall.

Pics are shown here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=356380

Also see my signature website for dismantling instructions/service manual etc. (All warranty voiding).

Remember to align that camera Macro toggle arm on re-assembly!

Mike

 

[jdc]

Yep fairly common, but a relatively simple job to fix.

And that was what happened all right, the camera module came loose.

When I opened the phone up and fiddled with the camera, the whole module came right out.

While I was in there, I pulled the phone further apart and did the slide rail adjustment. While I didn't get it exactly as I has hoping for (one side still doesn't feel all that tight), it does take a bit more force to slide the keyboard open now. I may go back in and try it again later, if it bothers me too much.

Cheers for the web site and instructions mate, it made the job much easier!

 

[MikeChannon]

And that was what happened all right, the camera module came loose.

When I opened the phone up and fiddled with the camera, the whole module came right out.

While I was in there, I pulled the phone further apart and did the slide rail adjustment. While I didn't get it exactly as I has hoping for (one side still doesn't feel all that tight), it does take a bit more force to slide the keyboard open now. I may go back in and try it again later, if it bothers me too much.

Cheers for the web site and instructions mate, it made the job much easier!

Good. Yes with the slide rails you can test them before re-assembly by sliding the blocks over the indents. When the indents are made sufficiently deep, you'll find you need quite a force (using fingers) to make the sliding block go over the indent. In fact you may worry you have made them a little too deep, but you'll find that when everything is assembled again the leverage you get when pushing on the housing to slide the keyboard in requires far less effort than when you were testing with finger tips only!

It is one of those things that may take a few tries to get right and a cautious approach is probably good.

Mike