airbornewinter

I have been reading the posts on here for awhile now (Great site btw) about problems with the touch screen. I have seen a few answers to this problem.

1. Dust or the screen protector under the frame. Run a business card between the frame and the touch screen.
2. The mylar cable being nicked that connects the touch screen to the main board so you put tape over it.
3. Replace the touch screen.

I have tried the first solution and this was not my problem. I have checked for the second and was unable to find a single thing wrong with the cable. (I looked at this under a magnifying glass to be sure) To be on the safe side I put tape over the cable anyway. I am debating on the last one.

But doesn't anyone find it strange that the problem almost always occurs just after the warranty is up not a couple of years later? Isn't it also strange that the problem is exactly identical not similiar but identical. i.e. "I hit the okay button and the keyboard pops up". My own X5 did it just 18 days after the warranty was up. Everyone makes that joke about things breaking right after the warranty expires this hits a little too close to the mark.

I wonder just how many have experienced this problem and how close to the end of their warranty. I would like to know. If you have not had this problem please don't post. If you know of another fix other than the ones listed above please be so kind as to either post it here or direct me to where the solution is at.

Thanks in advance.

MrKlaatu

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Guess I side-stepped the problem.........bought used on eBay..........hence, NO WARRANTY!! :approve:
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Trio915

AirborneWinter, Im very greatful to have a job that lets me work on these PDA's. Thanks for the comment. As for the touch screen, there really isnt much you can do. The whole thing about it not working when the warrenty runs out is maybe just a coincidence. There are PDA's we test that are from 2002 that still work. We have been told to try the business card technique, and that really doesnt work. Another thing you can do is try to relieve the pressure that is being put by the cases. Try squeezing the sides of the PDA while you use it. Put your hand in different places to find that perfect spot. If the PDA works after you do that, than it is the upper and lower cases. While I dont recommend that you open it, go ahead since the warrenty has ran out. Dell has already seen the problem with the connector and they have fixed the problem by revising the Upper case. Give these a try. Let me know if your want you can email me at the address that was provided before.

airbornewinter

Trio,

Yes I have read about the technique of squeezing the case and backing off on the case screws. However, that further proves my point. If the unit were designed properly it wouldn't be necessary to do this at all. I could well understand it if it occured after several years but only after a year? If the unit were only 20 bucks that would be one thing but we are talking a 300+ dollar piece of equipment that should last longer than that. I had a Palm Pilot for 3-4 years and never had a problem with it and it's still going strong. I like the AX and really don't want to give it up.

The thing is that in most of the posts I have read the warranty has just run out. Once might be coincidence but a bunch says something else.

So here's a question for you. When you get a unit that has this exact problem what is your fix? Do you just drop a new touch screen in and send it on it's way? That really isn't fixing the problem all it is doing is band aiding it (No offense)especially if it occurs again.

I have been a electronics repair technician for 23 years and have worked on many different products. One thing I have always done is make sure I find the cause of a particular problem and come up with a permanent solution.

Please understand I am not trying to bash you, Dell or the AX5. All I want is a permanent fix as I am sure everyone does. Thanks for your time. :)

JakeRich

The touch screen problem has actually been discussed here almost from the start of the X5 history. The reason you are seeing it as an "end of warranty" coincidence now is that we are now reaching the point where a large number of users are getting to the end of warranty period, so they add that comment into their post about the touch screen. It is a problem, but a number of fixes are available here, especially for out of warranty units where loosening the screws or adding the tape to the cable is a good option.

bandd

Mine is doing the same thing exactly and the warranty has been out for about 4 months. I agree it's a little too ironic. I took mine apart and cleaned it. That allowed about another two weeks worth of use. Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.

MrKlaatu

Originally Posted by bandd

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.

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bandd

Good idea. I loosened my screws, pushed the sides and I'm back in business. This thing has some serious design flaws. The only thing Dell has going for it are cheap prices. They cut too many other corners though.