My Fix For The Joystick Screen Pressure Problem.

[CoinOp]

How I fixed the screen pressure problem with the joystick ...

Well after debating if I should open my 2x and void the warranty I decided to go ahead and see if I can sort this out for the good of the community. Turns out that it is a ridiculously simple fix.

First understand that you will void your warranty if you try this. Also if you if you have problems chewing gum and walking you may not want to undertake opening your 2x. It can be a little tricky to get back together.

I didn't take any pictures but I think you can get the gist of it.

What I did ...

Marked the screen with tape where the screen would distort.

Carefully took apart the unit.

I checked the back of the circuit board seeing how it lined up with the problem area of the screen. Guess what? 1"x1" plastic foam squares. Layers of them. I took off the top most layer carefully peeling it back. Reassembled and voila! No more problems. Hope this helps some of you more adventurous types.

Warmest Regards,

CoinOp

 

[mrsnature]

how much did you have to take apart before getting to this part?

just the back screws or did you have to remove the screen etc? :s

cheers for the advice, wondering whether to return mine or try this fix, as its really the only problem i have that i don't foresee firmware fixing

 

[CoinOp]

how much did you have to take apart before getting to this part?

just the back screws or did you have to remove the screen etc? :s

cheers for the advice, wondering whether to return mine or try this fix, as its really the only problem i have that i don't foresee firmware fixing

​

It really wasn't that difficult taking apart the unit. And no you don't have to unplug the screen. I'll try to describe the process as well as I can.

First remove the four screws on the back of the unit. The back should lift off. My battery terminals held it in place a bit and I had to coax it to get it off.

Next here is a U shaped piece that runs from the power switch to the dc input that you have to disconnect. I pulled it slightly away from the sides and it gave right away. Do notice how the power switch interacts with the board as you will have to line it up to get it back on. The rubber protector bits are easily enough removed and put back.

The board was a bit tricky. There are no screws holding it down, so you have to sort of lift it off the screw terminals and make sure that the headphone jack doesn't hold it up. You'll see what I mean when you get here.

At this point you are home free. Once you disconnect the board you can pull it towards you and look at the back. You should see the foam squares I talked about. I had thought about getting a razor to help with removal, but just decided to carefully pull off the top most piece by hand. The screen need not be moved if you so desire.

I've had my unit apart three or so times now and it gets easier each time. I do recommend you take care if you decide to do this. Just pay attention to how it all fits together.

The first time I reassembled it took a little longer then getting it apart. If you just take your time and pay attention you should be okay. Ultimately it's up to you and how comfortable you are doing this kind of stuff. For me I take apart everything to see how it works, and I've destroyed quite a few things in the process. This GP2X fix on a scale of 1-10 was a five in difficulty for me. And as they say YRMV.

Hope this helps!

CoinOp

 

[Quiest]

Oh boy, thank you so very much for that fix!

 

[Cbass182]

Holy Crap! It works!

You have to take of the back of the handheld and remove the outer plastic edgeing, then (well make sure your sd card is removed) take off the couple the little rubber covers and the r and l buttons to make sure you don't lose them. carefully...life up the edges of the pc board, and you'll have to slide it a bit away from the top of it and then lift up the top edge of the board to expose the underside, there will be layers of red foam. 1 inch by 1 inch squares of it. Just take off the very first layer and re assemble your GP2X and you set..works like a charm...

Edit: Oh and don't forget to pull off your joystick, er whatever you wanna call it, I couldn't figure out for the life of me what was holding the board down the first time I took it apart :blink:

Here's a pic

 

[Ninjia^]

I saw this when I opened mine but thought it was a heatsink lol

No side effects like the screen feeling loose or rattling then?

EDIT : Fixed my joystick/Screen problems aswell with this tip.

 

[Cbass182]

The screen is held down by the front part of the case...those foam things don't hold it whatsoever...

 

[CoinOp]

Interesting, my foam is black not red.

 

[Ninjia^]

The screen is held down by the front part of the case...those foam things don't hold it whatsoever...

​

Cheers

Interesting, my foam is black not red.

Mine was too... Not that interesting really

 

[TelcoLou]

"Screen pressure problem"

Could someone describe the symptoms? I dont want to perform any un-necessary surgery on my gp32_console.

^ and yes, I'm aware that there is no GP2X icon ... which reminds me ...

 

[stinch]

I saw this when I opened mine but thought it was a heatsink lol

​

It almost certainly is a way to transfer heat from the chip to the screen to keep the chip cool. Unless you know what you are doing I wouldn't recommend you do this, remove too much and there will be an air gap between the transfer pads and the screen. This may result in the chip not getting adequate cooling.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

nice work there, however I am happy that I don't have to open my unit

 

[Ninjia^]

"Screen pressure problem"

Could someone describe the symptoms? I dont want to perform any un-necessary surgery on my gp32_console.

^ and yes, I'm aware that there is no GP2X icon ... which reminds me ...

​

If you had it you would know, its a small blob in the top middle of your screen that appears when you wiggle the joystick or insert the SD card. I got used to it but Im glad its gone now, Only 2 more problems to go.

 

[DynaMight]

I cant see rubber being a very good conductor of heat. I expect it's more to try to make it a snugg fit so it doesnt rattle around. Just left my one going for 20-30mins, not a big test but it was fine, I've kept the extra pad just incase.

I actually had 3 layers of the pads, took 1 off.

 

[Ninjia^]

I cant see rubber being a very good conductor of heat. I expect it's more to try to make it a snugg fit so it doesnt rattle around. Just left my one going for 20-30mins, not a big test but it was fine, I've kept the extra pad just incase.

I actually had 3 layers of the pads, took 1 off.

​

Yeh Im not worried about it, there were three layers on mine aswell and like you side rubber wouldnt be very useful for this purpose anyway.

 

[Rayek]

woldn't loosening the screws on the back slightly fix this problem? i suggested this in another topic and the person who was having the problem said it worked.

 

[Ninjia^]

woldn't loosening the screws on the back slightly fix this problem? i suggested this in another topic and the person who was having the problem said it worked.

​

I already tried this and it didnt help plus the more you lossen the screws the less solid the unit feels and the stick feels less responsive. This is a permenant fix without any draw backs as long as you dont break it putting it back together :rolleyes:

 

[Rayek]

i would still suggest loosening the screws a bit before you decide to void your warranty. it seems to work for some units, but not all. and if it works, but you don't like your unit feeling loose (i'm sure some don't feel that) then go ahead with the modding.

just a suggestion

 

[mrsnature]

i loosened the 4 screws my gp2x was almost in two halves and it didn't solve the prob..

 

[stepp]

Why dont all the people who have the problem send them back for a replacement?....i know that if 1 thing is wrong with mine when i get it its replacement/refund time for me