Fast LCD cable failure?

[atomicthumbs]

It seems I only just got my Pandora in the mail (on the 14th), but I opened it a few minutes after starting my music, and there was nothing but a black screen. I restarted it, and it gave me what looked like a bar code, but nothing more. Backlight's still on, though.


With the screen being inoperative but the backlight on, would this be a cable failure or just it being misaligned or coming out of its socket? Is there any way I can fix this without another RMA? I really don't want to wait another month and a quarter.


I was just getting used to having a portable device that fit in my pocket, too.


Edit: I guess this probably should've gone in the support forum.

 

[craigix]

This sounds like the ribbon has moved slightly.

 

[atomicthumbs]

This sounds like the ribbon has moved slightly.

Do you think I'd be able to fix it by (carefully) opening the screen and/or main bit, or should I just RMA it?

 

[craigix]

I assume this unit must have the new cable, did Ed repair your unit?

 

[atomicthumbs]

I assume this unit must have the new cable, did Ed repair your unit?

I think it might be a new unit, since the one I sent in had various problems, including a broken nub (it was one of the first few).

 

[Nintendo]

WTH? A new cable failing?

 

[WizardStan]

black and white vertical lines is how mine looks when the cable comes loose from its connector and I have to squeeze the corner back together to make it make contact. It's a sudden poor connection across all data channels, resulting in signals that the LCD can't really interpret, leaving the black and white artifacts. If it were a broken cable, it would simply tint, as the signal degrades from one side or the other.

 

[EvilDragon]

WTH? A new cable failing?

Who says it's a new cable?

 

[Nintendo]

I thought recently repaired LCDs, as in repaired within the past 2 months have the new cables in them. Apologies if I'm incorrect.

 

[atomicthumbs]

As far as I can tell it is an entirely different unit than the May- or June-made one I got last year; the new one was sent out on May 3, if that helps.

 

[atomicthumbs]

How do I disassemble the screen once I have the screws out? I don't remember if it's glued or not.


Edit:


Turns out I didn't need to go that far; I put the screws back into the screen to make sure my table didn't absorb them during the night, and it started working again. Hopefully it'll stay that way.

 

[craigix]

The LCD connection is in the base of the unit for future reference, there is nothing serviceable in the top part.

 

[atomicthumbs]

The LCD connection is in the base of the unit for future reference, there is nothing serviceable in the top part.

Thanks; I was assuming that there was a socket in the top part, since when I squeezed the corner of the screen casing it showed a (messed-up) image. If it stops working again I'll see if it's crept out in the bottom part.

 

[atomicthumbs]

found the problem





I appreciate the design decision to put the LCD cable on the underside of the board.

 

[Nintendo]

So, what exactly is wrong with it?

 

[sepp256]

So, what exactly is wrong with it?

It's in crooked. See how the left side is out from the connector further from the right side?

 

[Nintendo]

Oh yeah! Thanks, I see it now. I guess it just need to be put back in properly now.

 

[atomicthumbs]

Well, I fixed it, and it still does the exact same thing. I think the problem is inside the hinge (maybe where the cable twists), since when I put pressure on the hinge, it shows a (garbled) image instead of a black screen.


Looks like I'm going to have to RMA it again after all

 

[EvilDragon]

Well, I fixed it, and it still does the exact same thing. I think the problem is inside the hinge (maybe where the cable twists), since when I put pressure on the hinge, it shows a (garbled) image instead of a black screen.


Looks like I'm going to have to RMA it again after all

You can be sure it will get a new LCD Cable and a lot of love from me when I fix it.


You might also be able to watch the repairment live