Replace Touch Screen/Digitizer

[margolin]

Oh No! I've broken my h4150 screen again! It looks like the LCD is fine and the only thing broken is the touch screen/digitizer. I decided to try to replace just this piece instead of the entire LCD unit as it costs $60 instead of $160. I've replaced the entire assembly before; it's fairly easy. I have not replaced just the touch screen though. I looked at the broken one and it looks like there is a single connector between the touch screen and the LCD that needs to be soldered or glued.

Has anyone done this repair? Do you have any hints/suggestions? I haven't been able to find anything on the web. I'm going to give it a try even if I don't get any advice. Hopefully I can get it to work. If I do, I'll post instructions/photos.

[johnmrson]

Can you please tell me where you got the touch screen from. I've been trying to get one and the only ones I've seen are either from the UK or the USA and are really expensive (I'm in Melbourne, Australia).

Thanks

[freee]

can either of you tell me how to get the 8125 apart? i've got the replacement screen from ebay but cant get the casing apart.

thanks!

[thenso007]

Did you figure out how to re-attach the touch screen to the LCD screen?

[Konrad Pierce]

I've worked on a number of iPAQs with broken digitizers and/or screens.

I don't understand why, but sometimes (even on the same model) the touchscreen/digitizer is a separate component from the screen, easily removed/installed. Sometimes it's (permanently?) affixed as a single LCM unit.

My experience (twice now) with the "stuck" kind is it cannot be separated. It just can't. Not with the most paranoid compulsive gentleness, care, and micro-precision tools. Any serious attempt will fairly quickly result in a cracked piece of glass, and even the teeniest little chip off the corner seems to wreck the invisible touch circuitry, rendering it at least partly useless. It can be removed with the most judicious use of heat (transferred and heatsinked through a solder tip) ... but that seems to "cook" it and damage it visually (smoky opaque "burns" and warpy little "bubble" things you can't see but can feel), with the same useless-busted-touchscreen result, plus a possibly compromised LCD screen. Maybe one can use chemical solvents or somesuch - I've not yet dared anything so bold.

On the other hand, if it's just a glass "layer" that isn't actually attached to the screen, just replace it with another one and plug in all the connectors. It doesn't "attach" directly to the screen, it is just a perfectly-aligned match that fits between the screen and the front casing; once it's all bolted back together the touchscreen shouldn't budge. I suppose you could affix it with some kind of adhesive, at least along the edges - but my experience is that you don't need to.

So my advice:

If the glasstop is a separate piece that almost falls off by itself, then replace it. Otherwise, get a whole new LCM (as small compensation, you might be able to sell or trade the old LCM for some discount, since the repair company might be able to salvage the touchscreen themselves - though I honestly don't know how).

[kunjalraheja]

Actually Konrad... I was thinking the same thing, but check out what I did...

I had the same situation - opened up my T-Mobile MDA to the LCD only to find out that the cracked digitizer/touch screen was stuck to the intact LCD. What do I do?

I took a thumbtack/pushpin and stuck it between the LCD and the digitizer. Be careful, as the digitizer is made of glass and WILL crack (or maybe not if you're good). I used the prying tool that came with the replacement degitizer (or you can use anything flat and relatively soft) to stick it in the gap created by the thumbtack.

Slide the prying tool around the bezel slowly and steadily and the digitizer will come undone (probably in 2-3 pieces). I found out that the two are stuck with some sort of two sided black colored sticky tape (or maybe it's glue).

Leave the glue on there (or not... your call) and put in the replacement digitizer. On the rear side, as Konrad mentioned, all you need to do it align the connectors and secure it with some sticky tape.

Cheers!
K

I've worked on a number of iPAQs with broken digitizers and/or screens.

I don't understand why, but sometimes (even on the same model) the touchscreen/digitizer is a separate component from the screen, easily removed/installed. Sometimes it's (permanently?) affixed as a single LCM unit.

My experience (twice now) with the "stuck" kind is it cannot be separated. It just can't. Not with the most paranoid compulsive gentleness, care, and micro-precision tools. Any serious attempt will fairly quickly result in a cracked piece of glass, and even the teeniest little chip off the corner seems to wreck the invisible touch circuitry, rendering it at least partly useless. It can be removed with the most judicious use of heat (transferred and heatsinked through a solder tip) ... but that seems to "cook" it and damage it visually (smoky opaque "burns" and warpy little "bubble" things you can't see but can feel), with the same useless-busted-touchscreen result, plus a possibly compromised LCD screen. Maybe one can use chemical solvents or somesuch - I've not yet dared anything so bold.

On the other hand, if it's just a glass "layer" that isn't actually attached to the screen, just replace it with another one and plug in all the connectors. It doesn't "attach" directly to the screen, it is just a perfectly-aligned match that fits between the screen and the front casing; once it's all bolted back together the touchscreen shouldn't budge. I suppose you could affix it with some kind of adhesive, at least along the edges - but my experience is that you don't need to.

So my advice:

If the glasstop is a separate piece that almost falls off by itself, then replace it. Otherwise, get a whole new LCM (as small compensation, you might be able to sell or trade the old LCM for some discount, since the repair company might be able to salvage the touchscreen themselves - though I honestly don't know how).

[Konrad Pierce]

I took a thumbtack/pushpin and stuck it between the LCD and the digitizer. Be careful, as the digitizer is made of glass and WILL crack (or maybe not if you're good). I used the prying tool that came with the replacement degitizer (or you can use anything flat and relatively soft) to stick it in the gap created by the thumbtack.

Slide the prying tool around the bezel slowly and steadily and the digitizer will come undone (probably in 2-3 pieces). I found out that the two are stuck with some sort of two sided black colored sticky tape (or maybe it's glue).

You got a special tool? Grumble. Mine didn't even come wrapped in an ESD bag or bubble wrap - both times - from different vendors.

I shall try your clever method out the next time I find an appropriately damaged unit.

As far as the black sticky stuff goes - an Isopropyl-based alcohol will dissolve it apparently without damaging the glasstop or the LCD surface; but I haven't (yet) had success with one of these digitizer replacements. I always end up breaking the glasstop, one way or another.

[vivdhruv05]

Hi! I need help fixing my TMOBILE MDA - I have scratched the screen. The touchscreen funtion works perfectly. What do I need to replace - the digitizer or something else?

Thanks.

Vivek

[headcronie]

Yes, you need to replace the digitizer.

Look in my signature for a list of 3rd party vendors that might have the parts for you, or offer to fix it for you.

Best wishes.

[vivdhruv05]

Yes, you need to replace the digitizer.

Look in my signature for a list of 3rd party vendors that might have the parts for you, or offer to fix it for you.

Best wishes.

Hi! I can get the digitizer for $15-20 from ebay (plus shipping - $5-$10). Also, I can get the entire LCD for about $60 from ebay. Which is better? As I understand it, the digitizer is the top cover of the LCD and is glue to it. How easy is it to remove it from the LCD without damaging the LCD for a novice?

Thanks.