Tapping screen not working consistently.

Mardia · 05-04-06, 07:11 PM

Have been having trouble with X5 not responding to screen taps. Once in awhile it will respond and then go back and hang up for an indefinite period of time.

Did a backup today and then a hard reset. Now all I get is the alignment screen. I touch that crosshair all around the screen and it goes around and around and around. I turn off the device, wait and then restart it and I'm right back where I was with the alignment screen.

I have been reading about ActiveSync and some issues there. I am running AS 3.5 on a W2K Pro laptop.

Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated.

05-04-06, 08:44 PM

If you have a screen protector on try it without it.Run a business card around the edges between the case and screen.Try the simple things first.

Mardia · 05-05-06, 11:24 AM

Thank you for your reply.

I have done all of your suggestions awhile ago and they haven't helped. I liked having the screen protector on, but when the screen lock-up started I had to do something. I removed it and it still locks up. Now I cannot get it out of this endless loop of the screen alignment crosshair going around the screen when I tap the center of the crosshairs. When will the alignment routine stop?

gshanna · 05-10-06, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Mardia

Have been having trouble with X5 not responding to screen taps. Once in awhile it will respond and then go back and hang up for an indefinite period of time.

Did a backup today and then a hard reset. Now all I get is the alignment screen. I touch that crosshair all around the screen and it goes around and around and around. I turn off the device, wait and then restart it and I'm right back where I was with the alignment screen.

I have been reading about ActiveSync and some issues there. I am running AS 3.5 on a W2K Pro laptop.

Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated.

I was having the exact same problem with mine - to the point where I was ready to pitch it because I figured it was useless. When I did one last Google search, I found the following fix. It worked like a charm - my X5 has been perfect ever since! Hope it helps!

__________________________________________________ ______________
Unfortunately what you describe is a standard fault on X5s that have been well used and can be caused by one of 3 problems. In order of ease of correction:

1) There could be a screen protector that is causing a problem, remove the protector and try again.

2) There could be dirt between the case and the screen, remove this by using a business card to push between the screen and case, run this around the screen to remove dirt.

3) The most likely. After some use, the Mail button will have rubbed away the coating on the cable between the motherboard and screen, shorting out touchscreen and giving exactly the problem you describe.

Test this theory by squeezing together the sides of the Axim VERY hard and while doing so, try screen align - it will work until you release the sides.

If this is the case, first do a full backup, because you will need to remove both batteries, causing data loss.

The FIX:

You will need the following items: small cross head screwdriver, small container to save screws etc, small clean piece of plastic, a pin, insulation tape.

Remove the main battery and also the backup battery.

Carefully pull off the two top rubber feet and stick them loosely down on the piece of plastic (be careful - you want them to remain sticky so you can use them again. If not, have some thin double-sided tape handy - glue will not do it).

Under the feet, you will see small screws, undo and remove these, place them safely in your container.

At the bottom of the Axim, you will see two screws that are normally hidden by the main battery, unscrew these and place them in the container.

On either side of the main battery compartment, you will see a small black piece of rubber pushed flush to the surface - use your pin to carefully remove these and expose two more screws. Save the rubber bungs in your container and unscrew these two screws and again save them.

Make sure you have removed all CF and SD cards or filling blanks.

Carefully pull away the two side rubber grips, use the pin to start you at the bottom pointed end. (Take care as you need these to remain sticky.) Place them face-up on your clean plastic.

Starting at the bottom of the X5, by the connectors, use a credit card or finger nail (- I use the latter), to split the case by depressing the latches that are between the top and bottom case. Take care not to break them.

Use the credit card or fingernail to carefully open the case all the way around on both sides and lift away the rear case.

Look at the bottom left of the exposed motherboard. You will see a very small clear plastic connector with two small wires. This is the speaker cable - carefully pull this from the motherboard.

With the Axim face down, lift the motherboard up by the bottom connector to approx 20 degrees and pull backwards. It may help to hold the top of the case and pull this carefully away from the motherboard so that the speaker connection is free.

You should now have the motherboard/screen assembly clear of the case.

Turn the assembly over so that the screen is upwards. Now is a good time to fully clean the screen.

At the bottom right/middle of the screen is a red/brown ribbon cable, which is the cause of the problem. Cut a piece of insulation tape approx 1/4 inch wide and place this so that it covers all or at least the left edge of the ribbon cable (you can wrap it under the cable also).

The repair is now complete.

Reassemble in the reverse order (remember the speaker cable).

Enjoy your Axim!!!

uarkjones · 05-13-06, 11:14 AM

You are describing my exact problem. Screen didn't respond, reset pda, then had cross-hair problem. Another couple of re-sets and the crosshair problem resolved itself, but, now can't set owner info, Xout not working, etc. However, I don't remember ever even using the mail button so am puzzled that this could be the cause of the problem. I have had mine for 3+ years so can't say the mail button was never used, but I have never read my email on pda.

Could you please re-post if opening up pda, etc. works - and thanks to the responder for such complete info.

uarkjones · 05-13-06, 04:41 PM

Before I started taking my axim apart, I looked at an old post that suggested squeezing sides of pda together (hard) - this was actually a suggested fix for a screen that was tapping " on its own".

Anyway, I gave it a try and it worked! No more problems with selecting anything on the screen. However, the fix seems only temporary - I now have to squeeze the sides (just below reset on side) to get it to work.

Is the case on too tight or not tight enough? Either answer then leads to another question - how do I tighten or loosen case screws?

BTW, I have removed protective cover and done the "business card" bit ...

bandito1 · 05-13-06, 05:39 PM

:) :) Thankyou fror the info on fixing the X5 screen problems - have only just joined the forum and am so glad that I did
Dell were quite helpful - giving a contact for repairing Axims - apexlaptops.co.uk
might be usefull for someone

Thanks again - will know where to look next time

__________________________________________________ ______________
Unfortunately what you describe is a standard fault on X5s that have been well used and can be caused by one of 3 problems. In order of ease of correction:

1) There could be a screen protector that is causing a problem, remove the protector and try again.

2) There could be dirt between the case and the screen, remove this by using a business card to push between the screen and case, run this around the screen to remove dirt.

3) The most likely. After some use, the Mail button will have rubbed away the coating on the cable between the motherboard and screen, shorting out touchscreen and giving exactly the problem you describe.

Test this theory by squeezing together the sides of the Axim VERY hard and while doing so, try screen align - it will work until you release the sides.

If this is the case, first do a full backup, because you will need to remove both batteries, causing data loss.

The FIX:

You will need the following items: small cross head screwdriver, small container to save screws etc, small clean piece of plastic, a pin, insulation tape.

Remove the main battery and also the backup battery.

Carefully pull off the two top rubber feet and stick them loosely down on the piece of plastic (be careful - you want them to remain sticky so you can use them again. If not, have some thin double-sided tape handy - glue will not do it).

Under the feet, you will see small screws, undo and remove these, place them safely in your container.

At the bottom of the Axim, you will see two screws that are normally hidden by the main battery, unscrew these and place them in the container.

On either side of the main battery compartment, you will see a small black piece of rubber pushed flush to the surface - use your pin to carefully remove these and expose two more screws. Save the rubber bungs in your container and unscrew these two screws and again save them.

Make sure you have removed all CF and SD cards or filling blanks.

Carefully pull away the two side rubber grips, use the pin to start you at the bottom pointed end. (Take care as you need these to remain sticky.) Place them face-up on your clean plastic.

Starting at the bottom of the X5, by the connectors, use a credit card or finger nail (- I use the latter), to split the case by depressing the latches that are between the top and bottom case. Take care not to break them.

Use the credit card or fingernail to carefully open the case all the way around on both sides and lift away the rear case.

Look at the bottom left of the exposed motherboard. You will see a very small clear plastic connector with two small wires. This is the speaker cable - carefully pull this from the motherboard.

With the Axim face down, lift the motherboard up by the bottom connector to approx 20 degrees and pull backwards. It may help to hold the top of the case and pull this carefully away from the motherboard so that the speaker connection is free.

You should now have the motherboard/screen assembly clear of the case.

Turn the assembly over so that the screen is upwards. Now is a good time to fully clean the screen.

At the bottom right/middle of the screen is a red/brown ribbon cable, which is the cause of the problem. Cut a piece of insulation tape approx 1/4 inch wide and place this so that it covers all or at least the left edge of the ribbon cable (you can wrap it under the cable also).

The repair is now complete.

Reassemble in the reverse order (remember the speaker cable).

Enjoy your Axim!!![/QUOTE]

jelindley · 05-19-06, 06:08 PM

The touch pad completely stopped responding on my X5. When I took it apart I noticed the furthest left conductor of the four you mentioned is pushed against the metal edge of the screen at one point and has a hole nearly through it. From what you said, would that be what's causing my touch pad to not work? I tried pressing the sides of the case as you suggested but no go. That wouldn't have an effect on a complete short anyway though. Am I on the right track?

[QUOTE=gshanna]I was having the exact same problem with mine - to the point where I was ready to pitch it because I figured it was useless. When I did one last Google search, I found the following fix. It worked like a charm - my X5 has been perfect ever since! Hope it helps!

__________________________________________________ ______________
Unfortunately what you describe is a standard fault on X5s that have been well used and can be caused by one of 3 problems. In order of ease of correction:

jelindley · 05-22-06, 11:54 PM

I found that the plastic piece above the mail button had punctured the left conductor (#1 of 4) to the touch screen. My touch screen is 100% inop. The buttons work, plus I'm able to use my folding keyboard for some functions. I tried putting some electricians tape behind of over the top of the flat cable. The conductor does not appear to be completely severed. I got everything back together but the touch screen still does not work. Fortunately I saved everything so I'm able to restore my data.

I've seen prices on new touch screens for $75 and replacing it (part and labor total) $100. I'd much rather not have to fork over the money right now. (These things always happen at the most inoportune times.)

Any more ideas for fixing my touch screen?

Originally Posted by gshanna

I was having the exact same problem with mine - to the point where I was ready to pitch it because I figured it was useless. When I did one last Google search, I found the following fix. It worked like a charm - my X5 has been perfect ever since! Hope it helps!

__________________________________________________ ______________
Unfortunately what you describe is a standard fault on X5s that have been well used and can be caused by one of 3 problems. In order of ease of correction:

3) The most likely. After some use, the Mail button will have rubbed away the coating on the cable between the motherboard and screen, shorting out touchscreen and giving exactly the problem you describe.

Test this theory by squeezing together the sides of the Axim VERY hard and while doing so, try screen align - it will work until you release the sides.

If this is the case, first do a full backup, because you will need to remove both batteries, causing data loss.

The FIX:

Enjoy your Axim!!!

JELicht · 06-06-06, 11:37 AM

I had the same problem with my 3 year old Axim. I too never used my mail button. However, the diagnostic test was right on (squeeze the sides). The fix worked! I am delighted to not have to buy a new PDA and to have my old reliable one back.

JELicht · 06-06-06, 11:38 AM

Thanks GShanna!

jelindley · 06-06-06, 05:48 PM

After about 4 weeks of the touch screen not working and me taking the unit apart and reassembling it about 5 times and using electrical tape around the flat cable for the touch screen, I'd finally given up and resolved myself to buying a new touch screen (cheapest available about $48 including shipping) or a used Axim X5 on ebay. Then suddenly it started working again and continues to work. :approve: Hallelujah! I'd come so close to replacing it and had several bids out on ebay at the time. The last unnecessary bid was outbid by only a dollar 9 seconds before the auction was to end. I'm so happy now I feel like jumping outside my skin and dancing around, then jumping back in.

bgwss · 06-12-06, 09:43 AM

Great thread. Just exactly what I needed to diagnose and fix my Axim.:)

sssv · 06-21-06, 09:33 PM

I know, just don't drop it! I was heading to bed for the night, (my Axim is my alarm clock!) and it slid out of its case and hit the floor. This has happened other times with no trouble, but this might have been the last time.

The unit still powers up, but the screen won't respond. I've tried a reset, taking the battery out, etc, with no luck. Any new suggestions? Thanks, this site is great!

axzilla · 06-22-06, 09:04 AM

take it apart and make sure ribbon cable to screen is securely connected