wesknox

OK...latest developments...the problem has returned somewhat.

I disassembled the case again and "burnished" gently the touch screen directly above the conductive traces around the edges of the membrane. Again, the problem resolved itself. My take is that there is some sort of delamination of the screen with the conductive paths that is happening.

Today's therapy for the problem was to take some 3/8" round, adhesive-backed, soft foam rubber pads (the kind you might buy to put on the bottom of a book-end to keep it from scratching the bookshelf etc.), and cut into small 1/16" wide strips. I placed these strips over the top of the touch screen membrane, directly over the conductive trace. I did not do the same on the bottom as the problem has always been observed (and corrected) with the top strip. You could use larger diameter pads to simplify the process but the essential issue is they must be "VERY" soft and spongy (these are really unique in that characteristic). I believe I obtained them from Lowe's. Anyway...if you use something that is not really spongy, you will likely cause the case to bulge/deform from the pressure (or worse yet, crack the LCD from the pressure). The thickness of the pads I have is around 1/16".

You could conceivably use a number of other materials to accomplish the same effect...but you essentially need to use something that will squish down without exerting too much pressure (soft/spongy) and yet maintain that pressure in the long term (can't be something that will permanently deform). Soft foam weatherstrip might be a candidate but must be trimmed down to a thin height.

The problem is once again resolved. I do note a very slight curve to the case above the top edge of the screen but it's not excessive and does not appear to deform the display (confirm this by viewing reflection distortion of the screen surface). Over time as the foam relaxes somewhat, this should diminish, yet gentle pressure should continue to be exerted on the membrane.

Anyway...that's the latest from the "out of warranty" repair attempts.

By the way...if any of you have info on replacement part(s) (e.g. the screen/membrane) I'd appreciate knowing that.

Wes

Darkrift

Wow.... took me over an hour to read all that! I have that problem but im afraid i caused it myself now! I had no idea there were strips on the front of the screen that could come loose, so when i was attatching my screen protector, i basically did the "post it trick" but with a screen squeegee instead. That caused my problems but only at the very bottom (if i start at the lower left corner, move straight left (stylus touching case edge the whole time) i get an odd looking camel hump that crosses the whole bottom, and goes to about 1/2 an inch in height). Dell is sending a replacement, and the damned thing better be good because i hate refurbs! (ps, mine is A09 hw rev. as if it matters)

nathanwj

yeah that is basically what i did... i accidentally did the same thing, just i opened it up..... but mine doesent respond anymore very well...... it is now ver very off alignment.....:( yeah its a dangerous trick to try....
try leaving it in hot car for about an hour or two... that helped mine a little

Tat8er

I received my brand new Axim X51v today. I charged up the battery and tried to play with my new toy, only to find myself stuck in the endless "align screen loop" as discussed in this forum. I contacted customer support via chat. I had tried soft and hard resets, thanks to having read this thread. Support quickly said that since I had done the resets the solution was to send out a new unit. I am NOT getting the overnight delivery as someone earlier in the thread said they were given *whines*

I am dismayed that this problem seems endemic and I've lost faith in this product even before I have used it. I thank all of you for this thread, though. The Dell site was no help, and I found the problem within a minute or so looking in these forums.

nathanwj

glad we could help:).

Warone

Hey, just a note, I had these problems over a year ago and got a replacement unit and my x50v is still going strong. I've basically had no issues except for constant reboot but... this is because I load every freeware software ever made. I'm hooked on finding the best freeware... anyway... back to the subject at hand. Don't sweat it... Dell customer service is still very good and the x50/x51 are fantastic tools and toys. Just my 2 cents.

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wmm

Originally Posted by Warone

Hey, just a note, I had these problems over a year ago and got a replacement unit and my x50v is still going strong.

Give it another week or two!

I got a replacement for the screen issue and it lasted for about a year, too, before the new one started acting up. Happily, I invested in an extended warranty, so I'm now on my third unit courtesy of Dell. It's a great PDA, as long as the digitizer holds up...

nathanwj

haha i wish mine had lasted that long

nomi17

I was experiencing the same alignment problems with my Axim x51v. I cleaned under the bezel simply using a folded piece of paper and was able to align without a problem. We'll see how long that works for...:exc:

nathanwj

Originally Posted by nomi17

I was experiencing the same alignment problems with my Axim x51v. I cleaned under the bezel simply using a folded piece of paper and was able to align without a problem. We'll see how long that works for...:exc:

okay, when that doesnt work, go to dell, and they will send you a new or refurbished unit, depending on how long you have had your PDA. try a thin library card or other thin piece of plastic (dont get it stuck!!!-- i did that once) but try that ... don't open it up!!!! your warranty is still active....

massacres

i had the same issue with the alignment, did the online chat and they sent out a refurbed one. Everything was great until..... tried to use my headphone jack and it's busted, time for a third one..
i have 2 months left on my warraty, wish i could get a new one instead of a refurb..

Massacres

wesknox

Sorry to hear about the recurrent problems you guys have been having. The "fix" I posted above is a bit of a precision thing but I'm still going strong without even a cough on the alignment. My guess is that there is some sort of mechanical bond (whether adhesive or just mechanical pressure) and that this bond tends to come loose after some period of time. I have seen similar problems in LCD displays in various electronic devices in which the contact between the display "cable" and the glass LCD display is interrupted or becomes dirty...with similar effect. Anyway, periodic replacement is better than nothing.

Wes

Munk

Wesknox,

I have taken mine apart, removed all connections and then reconnected them all after cleaning them with contact cleaner. It seemed to work for a month and then slowly returned.

With the fix that you have done, is it possible that you have any pictures that you could post or e-mail?

I would appreciate it.


-Munk

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nathanwj

i posted a pic already if that helps....

gringopapo

It's been about 3 months since the last post in this forum. Any updates from the prominent posters?