vB Easy Archive - V551 screen is blank, but can make/receive calls usually

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V551 screen is blank, but can make/receive calls usually
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Posted by: Jibu

Hey, my phone recently started having problems with the screen. At first, the screen would just sometimes freeze whatever was on the screen, and then it would be fine again after a few minutes. After that, the screen began shutting off when I closed the phone (both external and internal screen), and would only sometimes come back on. And now, the screen barely comes on.

The weird thing about this is that maybe 1-5% of the time, the normal screen DOES come on, so I know the screen isn't totally dead. However, now all it does is when I try to turn on the phone, the keypad lights up but the screen usually will not come on at all. SOMETIMES, I am even able to make and receive calls while the screen is blank (this was more of how it was initially, but now it's just getting worse and worse). Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this? Could it be a flashing problem or something? PLEASE help me if you know of ANYTHING at all. The phone is out of warranty, btw.

Posted by: Milkbone98

Try a reflash, but its prolly the ribbon. You can get a replacement ribbon at cnn.cn

Posted by: Jibu

would I be able to reflash if I can't get the phone to really turn on?

Posted by: Milkbone98

The PC will know if its on or not, I suggest reading a guide on flashing if you havent already, a currupt flash can make a phone seem to be off when it is visible to p2k apps or RSD lite. Even try a master reset using MotoKit first, but it really sounds like a ribbon to me. When a ribbon is bad, the phone will work fine, as long as fine is defined by cant see anything. Calls will work, etc.

Posted by: Jibu

Thanks for your response, Milkbone. hmm, this is weird. When I close the phone HALF WAY, and attempt to turn it on, it DOES! It comes to the main screen and everything. BUT, when I open the phone up all the way or even close the phone, it begins to mess up. i.e. the screen sometimes freezes, gets distorted, goes blank. I put a rubber band around the phone for now in order to keep it propped half way open so that I can charge it.

btw, I haven't done any flashing/modding etc to this phone whatsoever. This is a problem that just randomly started happening one day. Would flashing the phone make it better? What is a ribbon?

What I am thinking to do is this: recharge my phone fully, backup the whole phone contents with Motorola FlashBackup, then get a flash file to flash it with. I can't seem to find a compatible flash file. I will definitely have to read up on those...

Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Posted by: Milkbone98

It the ribbon without a doubt. Any Vxxx series ribbon will work. look in the recycling box at your local Dealer store, seems to be the only way to get true OEM, although the cnn.cn ones will work.

Posted by: Jibu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkbone98

It the ribbon without a doubt. Any Vxxx series ribbon will work. look in the recycling box at your local Dealer store, seems to be the only way to get true OEM, although the cnn.cn ones will work.

Could you please explain to me what the ribbon is? I am now finding that the phone pretty much works just fine when I have it opened up HALF WAY. BUT, if I open it up all the way or if I close it, it will freeze, get distorted, etc. Would that still confirm your hypothesis of the ribbon? Thanks

Posted by: Milkbone98

Absolutely. Take a look at this manual to see the location of the ribbon. Its function is to carry signals from the board to the screen and earpiece speaker. It can function partially, as in your case. http://www.savefile.com/files/270764

Posted by: Jibu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkbone98

Absolutely. Take a look at this manual to see the location of the ribbon. Its function is to carry signals from the board to the screen and earpiece speaker. It can function partially, as in your case. http://www.savefile.com/files/270764

Hey, thanks for that manual! That will come in handy indeed! Is the ribbon the flip motor flex, as it is called in the manual?

Posted by: Milkbone98

yeah, the vibe motor is attached to the flex ribbon. Do a google image for v400 ribbon to see it.

Posted by: Jibu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkbone98

yeah, the vibe motor is attached to the flex ribbon. Do a google image for v400 ribbon to see it.

Hmm, what kind of tools will I need in order to carry out this procedure? Do you think it's simple? or complicated?

Posted by: Milkbone98

I cant say, whats simple for one can be a real PITA for another. The manual should help, look through it carefully and you will see the tools needed, and R&R procedure. The first time i did one it took a while, not too difficult, but i have always been good with things of this nature. If you can grab any Moto phone from a recycling bin, try it on that one first. You know better than me if youre up to it, if youre the type that has mechanical ability it should be a cake walk.