hardware buttons do not work on x50v

[jlizik]

My wife has an x50v -- and the contact/mail/5-way/etc. buttons haven't worked on it for some time. It hasn't been an issue until now. My young daughter was carrying it to my wife and it fell (on carpet), but the battery cover came off, and now it's reading a memory error, press CONTACT button to correct.

Of course, my wife keeps her life in it AND NEVER SYNCS IT! Does anyone have any ideas on how to recover without a hard reset?

[Frenchy]

Maybe the lock button on the side of the unit is in On position preventing the other button to work.

[jlizik]

Sadly, no. That was the first thing I checked, but I can tap on the screen just fine. Or, at least, I could before the memory error.

I've gotten that on my x50v before, and I just hit the Contacts button and all is right again.

The kicker is that we got her an iPod touch for her birthday, but that's not until next month, so this will be moot then. Gaaahh.

[KimChee]

In my opinion the connector for the hardware buttons at the bottom of the unit has come unplugged. It has happened to me a couple of times when I've taken the axim apart and put it back together. I've had the connector where none of the buttons would work, and once only the second from left wouldn't work. If you want to attempt the takeapart theres nice video on google, the connector is the snap in type, just make sure its pressed all the way flat.

[johnhu_2005]

Though I have never seen that error before...

Try a self-diagnostic?
1. Press Record+Power button together
2. While holding the two, press the reset hole
3. While holding the two, release you stylus from the hole
4. When the diagnostic screen pops up, let go of Record+Power

[srvctec]

This may sound ridiculous, but have you tried to soft reset it yet? (Didn't see this mentioned yet)

[jlizik]

Srvctec, yes, I tried that, and it just goes to the memory error screen.

KimChee, I'll give that a shot. At this point, I've nothing to lose. :) Thanks for the tip.

[bigbop]

Yup - the button board connector is loose.
To open the case, you'll need a T5 Torx and there are 4 screws, one under each rubber pad on the bottom cover.
To crack the case apart, just use your fingernail and slide it around the edge - you don't want to stick anything else between the case halves as you may damage internal parts.
Make sure to remove the stylus first and when opening the case, mind the microphone wire at the top corner.
While you've got the case apart, clean the inside edge of the top cover, around where the LCD is, as well as the LCD surface - use only a clean cloth - NO chemicals.
The button board connector is under the button board. You can just lift the button board off and push it back on. You may want to do that a few times to wipe the contacts clean. Again - do not use chemical cleaners. Just blow the dust out.
Be careful you don't twist or bend the LCD flex cable or you'll have display problems.
Snap the case back to gether - making sure the mic wire is not pinched. Before you put the screws in, put in the battery and check out the operation.

Good luck!