Digitizer Fix For T3!!!

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$how$topp3r*

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Ist thanks to BILL GAMBLE on rabroad Forum. I have two T3's that were in the trash heap due to digitizer problems that couldn't be fixed. Now both are working almost like new. If your problem is a hardware problem, and it probably is, then you can repair it yourself. I am a total mechanical clutz so if I can do it anybody can. Actually there isn't much harm you can do to the unit. Just lift up the ribbon from its connection and then replace (reseat) it. I did it on BOTH of my T3's. Both are now about 90% back to normal. Again thanks to Bill Gamble's Aug 13, 8:38am post on rabroad Forum.

Here's Bill's link to fix the digitizer:

http://www.gethightech.com/Merchant...re_Code=GHT&Category_Code=_tungsten_takeapart
 
Thanks for the tip. I must just add however, that if your unit is still under warranty I strongly advise against such action. If would invalidate your warranty, and while it is under warranty you may as well have Palm fix it- then it's at their risk.
The down side is that you may end up with a refurbished Palm, but I would recommend agaist doing hardware repairs yourself whilst the unit is under warranty, however simple the repair is.
 
I would agree with you under normal condition except that I, after 7 years of owning 5 Palms have virtually never had a positive experience with Palm's technical service. Also they have no fix for the digitizer problem. All they do is either "fix" your T3 and have the problem return after you get it back or use the "Advance Replacement" option. Then they send you a Refurb, which in time may develop the same digitizer problem. In short, they don't have a permanent solution for this particular problem.
For other problems, a refurb or repair when it's under warranty makes sense. Whether it invalidates the warranty, who really knows, but the fix is incredibly easy. Two days ago I had 2 T3's that were worthless to me. Today I have 2 almost perfect T3's.
 
Trust me!..I and many others have tried digifix, digime, digiyou, and digithem, and every oither remedy suggested on this Forum and on rabroad. Some were marginally successful for a brief time, and some, like me, found none of the programs useful. As far as the fix being invasive, it isn't. As I said in my original post, I have 0 skills with electronics and was able to do the entire procedure in no more than 5 minutes. VERY simple.
 
I hear you, and believe me if my Palm was 3 months older I would be ripping the back off as I type, but I see it this way: If I was to take the back of, and damage something in the process, thats my tough luck. Also if I take the back off and it doesn't solve my problem, then I'm up the creek without a paddle- I still have a broken digitiser and I can't ask for a warranty replacement. I don't belive one fix suits all, as software fixes help some. I had A LOT of experience with digitiser problems on my IIIc, and neither software nor hardware fixes would make it go away (believe me, I've tried everything to fix my IIIc).

The only reason I didn't replace my Palm before, is that I didn't want a refurb. But I think I'm going to have to replace it before warranty is out. As soon as the warranty is not valid though, on whatever T3 I have (if it has the problem), I will try the fix, so thanks.
 
DigiMe, DigiYou, DIGI THIS.

I'd personally trust wghandorf and myself, and IIIc, after half a dozen tequilas each, to do a better job than PalmOne - and we wouldn't get it back with scratches -- or worse yet, Mrs. Nesbitt's old returned one as an exchange -- two weeks later!!!

I found out a long time ago, when a mechanic wanted to charge $450 for a new computer for the car, that doing it MYSELF was half the risk and 1/10th of the cost. I opened the glove box, took out the computer box, changed the e-prom and whammo!! Done. $35.00. This doesn't even seem that hard . . . and as Tim Allen says, you'll probably have "a little bag of real important sh** left over!"

GO FOR IT!!
 
I undestand. I resorted to my own fix cuz I had already done the Advance Repl refurb thing, and it didn't help. I just didn't want to spend another $40 dollars on another refurb and still n ot work for the 3rd time. also asdisorganized and as incompetent as the tech svc is, they might not even be aware that I'd removed and replaced the back. I'm not sure hoe they would know since no seal is broken. Anyway take care!
 
$40 to get it replaced? Ok, maybe I will try this! No I'm no sure how they'd tell, but it may require you to be dishonest and declare that you hadn't opened it. There is a special seal that breaks on HP ipaqs so you can tell if it been opened- and the sticker that breaks say "warranty void if seal broken".

PTL- hehe. Yes I do believe we could do a better job using our feet to mend the Palms, whilst running the London marathon in 10ft of snow.
Maybe I think too highly of Palm, hoping that they'd actually be kind enough to send me a new one. It's just not gonna happen I guess:(
 
Yea, the Advance Repl option is $40, but you do get to keep yours until they send the refurb with a return box for your defective one.....or you can just send it in and they will either repair or replace it. That might be a better option for you cuz you'll save the $40 and may get a refurb....but you'll be without your PDA for a week or so. I just hang in with Palms. I had a lllc for almost 3 years. Later!
 
I hate to say this, but I could survive a week without the T3. I have and hp4150:) (Please don't hate me forever!)
And then of course there is my IIIc, which I have learnt to use (just press approx 2cm below and .5cm to the left of where you are trying to click on screen :))
iiicRuled
 
Awe crap! I just sent my Tungsten T2 in for a screwed up digitizer. They'll probably send me a refurb.

My question to you all is this: Is this digitizer problem across the board with all makes of PDA's using the Palm OS, or is it relegated to just the Palm brand????

In other words, does the Sony Clie have all these digitizer problems? My thought is that if this Tungsten T2 comes back and it goes bad....then I'll buy a different brand.

But, if all brands with Palm OS do it....then maybe it's time to consider a PDA with a Microsoft OS???
 
Sultan said:
Awe crap! I just sent my Tungsten T2 in for a screwed up digitizer. They'll probably send me a refurb.

My question to you all is this: Is this digitizer problem across the board with all makes of PDA's using the Palm OS, or is it relegated to just the Palm brand????

In other words, does the Sony Clie have all these digitizer problems? My thought is that if this Tungsten T2 comes back and it goes bad....then I'll buy a different brand.

But, if all brands with Palm OS do it....then maybe it's time to consider a PDA with a Microsoft OS??? [/QUOTe

I think all Palm models have had some calibration/digitizer problems, but the T3 is THE worst of all...probably (maybe) due to the slider mechanism. Have you done a search to review the posts and comments on the T2 digitizer problem?
Click to expand...
 
My experience is that the Palm brand is much worse the the Clie when it comes to digitizer problems. I've owned four Palms - a IIIx, IIIxe, IIIc, and a 515. All except the IIIx had digitizer problems with the IIIc being by far the worst. I've owned an SJ22 and T665 and only the T665 had a slightly out of alignment digitizer that was easily fixed. I believe that Palm and Sony use different screen suppliers and Palm's suppliers just don't seem to be able to get the digitizer thing right. The Handera and iQue also seem to have very few digitizer problems so I can't help but think that this a Palm quality control issue.
 
Thanks for the replies....my Tungsten T2 has the slider function exactly like the T3....except that it doesn't have as big a screen.

I'll check into the T2 forums...
 
Digitizer Fix For T3!!!
Ist thanks to BILL GAMBLE on rabroad Forum. I have two T3's that were in the trash heap due to digitizer problems that couldn't be fixed. Now both are working almost like new. If your problem is a hardware problem, and it probably is, then you can repair it yourself. I am a total mechanical clutz so if I can do it anybody can. Actually there isn't much harm you can do to the unit. Just lift up the ribbon from its connection and then replace (reseat) it. I did it on BOTH of my T3's. Both are now about 90% back to normal. Again thanks to Bill Gamble's Aug 13, 8:38am post on rabroad Forum.

Here's Bill's link to fix the digitizer:

http://www.gethightech.com/Merchant...gsten_takeapart


__________________
Bill

Are you saying that by simply lifting and reseating the connector that you fix the digitizer problem?

Richard
 
Yes. Going on 2 weeks ago I lifted the connector and then just reseated it on 2 T3's. Both are still digitizing accurately, except one of them is still a little off around the status bar. Maybe the digitizer on one or both will eventually go haywire again, but if they do I'll just reseat it again since it only takes a few minutes.
 
Wow, just was notified via email that my Tungsten T2 (similar to the T3 except for the extended viewing area) has been repaired and has been shipped back to me.

The problem? The inoperable digitizer....imagine that?!

This turnaround was a matter of 3 days....pretty impressive. But, the larger question is; is it really fixed and will it stay fixed?!

Time will tell....I'll let ya know
 
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