Screen dies when closed - help requested - G1 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have an HTC Dream/G1 that's having a rather odd issue. When the screen is flipped open, it appears to behave exactly as it should. When the screen is closed however, the display becomes a mess of vertical lines (or sometimes just fades to black) and does not respond.
One need only "sleep" the phone and "wake" it after flipping the screen up to bring it back to normal operation. This only lasts until the phone is again closed. I've included a couple of screen captures to help illustrate the issue. I've searched and searched and found absolutely nothing about this problem anywhere.
I'm currently running Firmware 1.6, CyanogenMod-4.2.7.1 with Cyanogen recovery. Everything was working fine and the phone suffered no trauma prior to this issue presenting itself. It literally happened while the phone was sitting idle on a coffee table. I've tried reflashing the phone (including reverting to Dreaimg.nbh and starting "from scratch") to no avail.
It does not appear to be an issue with the ribbon cable (no amount of flexing the cable or moving the screen has any effect). The display behaves properly throughout its movement up until the exact point at which it switches to "closed" functionality (approximately 80% closed). It appears to be something related to the hardware after it switches to "closed mode". My shot-in-the-dark guess is some form of chip-failure related to the phone's orientation detection as the vertical lines do not change regardless of orientation or touch-input. Again, that is just a guess.
If no one here has any recommendations, I will likely perform exploratory surgery and barring any obvious hardware failures, will likely be forced to replace the phone. If I do manage to resolve the issue (with or without outside help) I will surely assemble a how-to so others may resolve the issue in the future.
Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions, and for existing in the first place. You are the reason technology is fun.
EDIT - As pjcforpres kindly pointed out, I neglected to include the fact that the display failure is present regardless of boot state. It behaves this way upon initial "G1 screen" boot and even in the recovery console. This is appears to be further support for the idea that it is indeed a hardware failure.
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Does it do this while in recovery/boot loader as well? Is there anyway when closed to get it to work correctly?(I think your answer will be 'no' but just double checking)...

Oh wow, I can't believe I forgot to include that important bit of information. Yes, the phone behaves this way regardless of boot-state. Even with the initial "G1" screen displayed or in recovery mode, closing the screen brings about the display failure. No amount or configuration of screen or button operation seems to bring about the appropriate closed screen behavior. I will edit my original post with this information if I can. Thanks for looking and responding!

I didn't read your post
But my dads g1 did this.
It's a hardware ribbon, not software.
Go get a return or exchange for a new g1 because yours is defective.

That makes me think hardware then... not sure what though? Like you were saying, if there is an open/close switch of sorts that would be my bet. It could be the flex cable as well, and when it close that much it gets pinched, and happens to coincide with the orientation flip. But then it wouldn't take sleep and unsleep to go back right when opened, I would think... so we are back to it probably being the orientation sensor switch being funky like a monkey.

Well, I just tore it completely apart and put it back together to no avail. I made the assumption that the LCD flex cable was not the cause because of the behavior (only happening at a precise position, having to sleep then wake the phone to recover, etc...). It appears, however, that this assumption was incorrect. On Icebergxx's suggestion I decided to give it another look. I wedged a tool in against the cable and with various forceful flexing I can recreate the issue even with the screen fully extended. Luckily it appears the LCD flex cable is available on ebay for $24. Thank you so much for your responses. I'll dig around for a flex cable replacement guide, if a sufficient one does not yet exist, I will take the opportunity to share. Thanks again!

You're so handy its admirable haha good luck buddy glad to have helped.

Happy to hear it is just the flex cable! I was worried with the way it was acting it was something worse, just the whole not coming back to life when opened without sleeping then un-sleeping.

Related

urgent please help -screen issue

Hello,
I've had my tilt for less than a year now. Today, my screen, when I turned it on, shook and while it was shacking, it was showing multiple lines on the screen. At the end, the screen was complete white. I can still make/receive calls, however, I wouldn't know what's going on since the screen was white. It seems to me it was a loose connection???? It got me extremely worried. I took off the battery, made a hard-reset, tried to physically move the screen, non worked. all of a sudden, the screen was fine. Later today, it happened again.
Can anyone please explain this problem to me and how to fix it. I would really appreciate that...
Thank you
Not sure what "shacked" means.
But given you are under 1 year, you probably have a warranty. Would be best to try and get a warranty exchange.
To have you dig around inside checking connection and voiding your warranty, would not be wise with an active warranty.
JimmyMcGee said:
Not sure what "shacked" means.
But given you are under 1 year, you probably have a warranty. Would be best to try and get a warranty exchange.
To have you dig around inside checking connection and voiding your warranty, would not be wise with an active warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, I meant to say "shake". Anyways, My phone is unlocked and I bought it from ebay... currently using it in Canada
iamcanadian said:
I'm sorry, I meant to say "shake". Anyways, My phone is unlocked and I bought it from ebay... currently using it in Canada
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh Booo.
Ok, Find mikechannon's disassembly guides and wiggle all your connections. Sounds like a loose connection to me.
Hello,
Thanks for the reply, I dismantaled my device and made sure all the connections are fine. The problem still appears....
Ok Next Thing it, The LCD panel is "dieing" you will probably need to replace it.
JimmyMcGee said:
Ok Next Thing it, The LCD panel is "dieing" you will probably need to replace it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh damn
I noticed that when it happens, if I touched the OK and the end call button together, it would sometimes solve the issue. I would have to do it several times though. Is that any hint? are there screen related connections underneath those buttons?
Thank you for your continuing support, much appreciated!
OK, I've noticed that once I click on the call button, the white screen shows up. As I said, I dismantled my device and checked all the connections. However, I didn't go further than the 15th page, i didn't go further because I though that it wasn't necessary.. That's the websites of the tutorial I followed:
http://www.mikechannon.net/PDF Manuals/Replacing the LCD on a Kaiser.pdf
So the two connections I made sure they are properly in was the small and big one only like in the picture below....
Connection #1:
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Connection #2:
Another view of Connection #2:
I appreciate any help possible.... Thank you all...
Thank you again for the continuing support
bump...
Please help as this issue is really bothering me. Anyhelp is much appreciated!
Those connections you have pointed out in those pictures are the keyboard ribbon connections....I think you might have to dismantle a bit further to get to the screen.
mic_888 said:
Those connections you have pointed out in those pictures are the keyboard ribbon connections....I think you might have to dismantle a bit further to get to the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I went further and was able to see the screen ribbon. I made sure the connections are in tight. However, after putting everything back, the problem still persist. Now, I'll be more than happy to buy a new screen IF it solves the problem... Please correct me if i'm wrong, doesn't seem more like a connection problem; maybe the chip that holds the ribbon cable is loose? In this case, it would need soldering???
Moreover, I noticed that the screen ribbon is underneath the talk button. Like I said before, touching the talk button solves the white screen*. Isn't that more proof that its not a screen issue?
I am very grateful for any advice...
Thank you
* Before completely dismantling the phone, it used to be touching the talk button brings the white screen problem, now its the opposite

Backlight/Screen won't stay off, turns back on after only moments!

I've had this tilt for a couple of days now and this new screen problem only started happening today. My screen/backlight turn back on moments after being turned off, either by the power button on the side or after the short timeout.
I've searched through the forums to no avail. My bluetooth and WiFi are already turned off and I do not have any programs running in the background.
The problem only appeared today and the only program I've installed today is Xpress Mail. Could Xpress Mail be causing this problem?
Any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated. This little glitch is getting on my nerves pretty bad.
aagil001 said:
I've had this tilt for a couple of days now and this new screen problem only started happening today. My screen/backlight turn back on moments after being turned off, either by the power button on the side or after the short timeout.
I've searched through the forums to no avail. My bluetooth and WiFi are already turned off and I do not have any programs running in the background.
The problem only appeared today and the only program I've installed today is Xpress Mail. Could Xpress Mail be causing this problem?
Any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated. This little glitch is getting on my nerves pretty bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds like the opposite issue of the known backlight error.
You can try this to see if it might happen to also solve your issue.
http://www.htc.com/us/supportdownloadlist.aspx?p_id=67&cat=all
I just gave that a try but it didn't work. I'm still having the same problems as before.
I also uninstalled Xpress Mail but that didn't work either.
Any other suggestions??
The only other thing i could recommend is a hard reset. Have you tried that yet ? ( It will restore the phone back to factory )
To do this you will need to hold the stylus in while pressing these buttons ( Red dots ) :
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Maybe I'll tackle that tomorrow. I've been adding and customizing things obsessively for a few days, wiping the slate clean might take some getting used to.
Thanks for your input!
Anytime! Thats what we are here for I just wish I have a better answer for you. Something somewhere seems to have changed a registry setting it seems. Easiest way to fix is to reset
On the plus side, it gives you the opportunity to install a custom rom that is much faster and has no bloatware ( If you feel brave enough to try ). Flashing sounds much more scary than it really is. There is almost no way to mess up the phone
One more thing. Even if you dont flash a new OS, you can still get rid of the bloatware ( Factory branding with all the apps you will never use ). Just after it hard resets just as the screen changes to " Customizing in 3 seconds", just poke your stylus in the hole and reboot it. It might take you a few times because I hear there is a split second but trust me it will make things better not being there!
Goodluck!
Check my 2 posts in the thread on page 1 and page 2. Sounds like you have a problem with a stuck camera button
Frank
The button for my camera seems pretty regular. My phone stays off longer than yours in that video, fordmav. Also, on my phone when the phone is off and I push the camera button it does not wake up.
Its looking like a hard reset is in my future.
I had this problem after upgrading to 6.1. It came down to a tweak or set of tweaks that I had applied, but I don't recall what they were. I've caused it using tweaks programs, applying multiple tweaks that caused no issue before. Going back in & undoing the tweaks got rid of the issue. So did a hard reset before I figured it out.
If you do hard reset, make backups periodically as you're installing stuff/tweaking successfully. That way, you can go back to a good point if necessary.
well I don't know what I did but the screen and backlight are remaining off, at least so far today. hopefully that's the end of the story...

[Q] wonky flash + non working ambient sensor after power button service

Hello,
Recently I sent my nexus one for a button replacement. I got the phone back with some strange symptoms:
- Flash light blink at random event (first boot, after I hang up a call, etc..) but cannot be controlled by software (torch and camera app in CM7, MIUI or the stock firmware). The camera however works fine.
- The ambient sensor is dead. It either reports a very high value (2600 or 5800) or a very low one (10) (these values were taken from the CM7 auto brightness adjustment settings)
- Mic from the headphone when I plug in does not work anymore (the mic works before and tested to be in working condition)
From some online research, it seems like a loose connector can cause the wonky flash light problem (report by fblodroid, he fixed it by plug the connector back)
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=46ef1e3a49030ed9&hl=en
My question is: can the other two problems be related to this connectors as well? Or did I get a defective board?
I plan to fix it once the tools arrives (dealextreme takes forever!). Another option is to bring it back to the service center to get fixed (this will take a week, and who knows what kind of fees on top of that). I'd prefer to fix it if I can.
Anyone has some knowledge about this kind of issue? Any idea what do those connectors do?
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popophobia said:
Hello,
Recently I sent my nexus one for a button replacement. I got the phone back with some strange symptoms:
[...]
Anyone has some knowledge about this kind of issue? Any idea what do those connectors do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, if your N1 is on warranty I wouldn't even bother to think what is causing this problems Send it back. You'd have o wait some time but you will still have your warranty for the future, and if you disassemble it you will probably loose it (not mentioning that your problem could be unfixable!).
They screwed up and they should fix it for free. I hate when electronics come back in worse condition after repair than before...
Well, it's out of warranty. But I think I have 3 months part warranty from the last repair.
They didn't put any seal on the screws this time. Maybe you're right, it's smarter to just send it back to get everything resolved.
I'm just curious whether all the problem described above can be attributed to the board they replaced (or one or two loose connectors).
popophobia said:
Well, it's out of warranty. But I think I have 3 months part warranty from the last repair.
They didn't put any seal on the screws this time. Maybe you're right, it's smarter to just send it back to get everything resolved.
I'm just curious whether all the problem described above can be attributed to the board they replaced (or one or two loose connectors).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know about the warranty, BUT: They spoiled your phone while fixing button so as a consumer you have right to demand that they fix it free of charge! Maybe it's something like silicon defect or "cold solder" (don't now if it's correct name. Google-Translated it) on the main board. They should have tried it before sending it to you.
Wish your N1 will get better soon

[Q] Can I recover this LG G2 ? Snow on screen(see pic)

I got this phone the other day, It's just got snow all over the screen (it's out of warranty) so I opened the cover, pulled off all connectors and re-seated them (didn't remove any boards, just what was accessible once the back covers were off.
I am new to Android but, this model I have replaced 2 Displays on (not this phone), seems I get one for cheap with a broken display, I fix it and someone offers me more than triple what I paid for, so I keep selling them :-/ (a man cant turn down a big profit). So I know how to pull this phone apart and replace parts if needed. I was looking to give Android a solid shot here (I am a Windows Phone person now)and not sell this one...
Not sure if the display is toast or this is just a Bricked or something else.
Note:
-If I connect to a PC, it connects fine
-When the phone is on, If I touch the lower of the screen, I hear clicking
-Double click on the center of the screen wakes up the display.
-Verzion software tool does not detect the phone (even though a drive is mapped for it)
Also to know, I have never rooted a Android device, so no idea on how to tell if it's rooted or not from the file system. Yea, when it comes to Android devices, I am a NooB.
Any idea ?
Thanks in advance !
Ok, Still trying to trouble shoot this, figuring it was a Brick or something with a lot of effort (The touch screen seems to work but, power off was a guessing game where to push to get it into bootloader mode).
I tried to go back to Stock with it, following these directions...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448960
Now during the process, every once an a while, on the top of the screen, I can see about 1/2 of the ICONs, it's static so it does not update but, it's the most I have seen off this display.
After showing Successful, it's still doing the same thing. accept a hair of it, static across the top of the screen.
So, does this lead down to a hardware based issue (if so, what part should be replaced), or is this display damaged and needs a replacement ?
Has anyone gone through this and can help ?
Edit, Picked up the one of the cables for the phone that the video, power, headphones all plug into, as all my problems are resulting in something that plugs into this cable, figured I would give it a shot, The only things that are left are the Main board, or the display itself.
Maybe this will fix it ?
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Does anyone have any input that might help me here ? Will this part fix it, or is this phone screwed completely ?

N910T won't fix on satellites, even though it can see them.

Hey guys, I'm pulling my hairs out on this problem I am getting with my note 4.
Long story short - I cannot get a GPS fix (to even a single sat) with my N910T.
The longer version:
This thing had a cracked screen - but worked great before that (no GPS problems) and I used it a good year before breaking it. So I bought a N910A (ATT) note 4 to use the screen to fix my trusty note.
I gutted both phones, and put my N910T motherboard in the N910A's frame, with the screen still attached to the frame. I kept the N910A's USB daughterboard (with the charging port) because in the research I did, it seemed basically identical to the one from my broken screen frame, and I knew it would be tricky to get that out and into the new one without busting the new glass or destroying the flex cables.
So after some trouble with the S pen not working initially (the cable didn't press in fully, had to stick paper behind the flex cable and it went in properly) I was able to get the phone up and running again, and all features seemed to work great again.
However - I noticed after a couple days that the GPS was super spotty, so bad it was mostly unusable. I noticed that AGPS was on and it was using wifi and mobile data to help get a fix, so I turned it to GPS only mode. In GPS only mode the phone gets not signal whatsoever, no matter where I am.
I tried the simple fixes many recommend online, one which is to try tightening the screws a bit, and in fact, as this process continued I opened and closed up the phone several times, making sure to carefully but tightly screw all the screws back into place. That didn't help. I also tried making sure the compass calibration was good - and it made no difference. And I even factory reset to make sure there were no issues with installed apps or anything like that.
I got to thinking, perhaps its a issue with the small bendable pins that press from the motherboard into the mid-frame not making good contact, so I tore the phone down a couple more times, slightly bent out - very carefully - all the pins that press into the mid-frame to make them all have a solid contact, and even tried to get any corrosion or debris from the pads on the mid-frame. I even made sure there was contact for those little ones alone the sides of the phone which seem to have something to do with the buttons rather than what I'm dealing with.
Still no luck, so I tried doing a NV rebuild, which I read might solve getting 0 sat fixes, and discovered my phone wouldn't let me into that menu of the service options, so I had to install root and then do it through shortcut master instead. Once I finally was able to get to the menu and run the NV rebuild.... nothing changed.
So I am fresh outta ideas, and I'm thinking that A) that ATT USB daughterboard actually plays a part in GPS somehow and I need to take my TMO one out of the old phone and put it in the new frame and screen.... or B) Something is damaged on my motherboard.... or C) Somebody out there has a better solution
Any ideas, experiences of what worked are all appreciated!
BUMP --------
Still having this issue. Tried opening it up, and realllllly making sure those antenna springs are making contact, and I made sure the contacts on the mid frame are clean.
I tried TopNTP and that made no difference. Here is an image of whats going on when I run GPS Test:
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Bump?
Losing hope for my old phone here
Anybody happen to know if the daughter board that has the USB charging port plays any role in gps?

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