topic Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue.. in Other/General

Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:38:30 GMT

I have bought my phone of a mate a month or so back when he went to buy the new iphone 4s. I got it and immediately fell in love with it as I'm not used to smart phones at all. So the first month it was great, everything worked fine, charged great and all was good. However, recently this week stuff has randomly gone wrong in a really annoying way. It started with one day at work randomly my 3 front buttons just would not operate so I thought this could be a glitch and turned it on and off again to see if that would solve it. The problem became more annoying and a lot more frequent with it happening constantly within 2 minutes of turning it on and off the buttons would not work no matter what. To make matters worse the volume randomly keeps going down as well making even the bits I can do with the touch screen annoying with it always vibrating all the time. The reason I'm so confident this isn't hardware is because it works fine for the first couple of minutes and then just goes really wrong. I'm basically looking for any help which isnt:

1.) Take off a case, because I'm not using one and the buttons are all not being interefered with.

2.) Reseting it to factory settings, because I've tried that before and it doen't work

3.) Taking it to a shop or back to sony ericsson because I bought it off my friend and don't want to fork out £50 for fixing an already second hand phone.

I've updated to the latest android 2.3.3, Baseband Version 2.1.71, Kernel Version 2.6.29 - 00054 - g5f01537 and am looking for any software patches or any software tips that don't fall into those 3 catergories, as I love the phone but would be so annoyed if I have to get a new one over something so trivial.....

TL:DR : 3 Buttons don't work, volume randomly keeps going down. Newest android and tried the case trick, resetting it back to factory settings and can't take it to a shop as I have no warranty or want to fork out £50 for a second hand phone.

Many Thanks.

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

uliwooly-wooly — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:44:05 GMT

try Update Service (SEUS) to repair your phone

http://dl-www.sonyericsson.com/cws/download/1/110/61/1317636927/Update_Service_Setup-2.11.10.7.exe

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:01:23 GMT

Damn it, I don't know if that was the correct answer but hit it by mistake.... and don't know how to uncorrect it. Never mind thanks for the help though, who knows could be right!

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

uliwooly-wooly — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:00:16 GMT

do you see the button under my post above, it should say something like uncheck correct answer, give it a shot, try to backup everything and repair your phone, if it's software related that should fix it

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:04:12 GMT

No unfortunately when I installed that, it said my phone was up to date on installs so that didn't really work unfortunately. It's just annoying, I'm starting to think there's a virus on one of the programs/apps or something. The phone is pretty much unusable at the moment.... It's such a shame really....but thanks for trying.

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

uliwooly-wooly — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:56:55 GMT

of course it will say that you have the latest software, you have to install or in this case, re-install it

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:38:57 GMT

Hi there, It seems to me like your volume down button has an issue. Similar issue occurs tome when I drive and the phone holder (which is not made for X10) touches the volume down button and none of the other buttons work except the lock/power button on the top unless I move the phone where all the side buttons are free. If you repaired/reinstalled your OS, as Uli said, and you are still having the same troubles then your issue is not a software one but a hardware failure in my opinion. If you are comfortable enough to take the phone apart and check the hardware buttons, give it a try, Uli posted a very helpful link a few days ago with pics on how to take an X10 apart. I would NOT recommend something like that to someone who has not taken a phone apart before. Otherwise send it in to the SE "experts".

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

uliwooly-wooly — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:45:03 GMT

disassembly guide

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6368979&postcount=82

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 1.: The Overview_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

You see the T6 and slot-screwdriver, of course the X10, a guitar pick and an credit card alternative

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 2.: The Easy one_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

The first step is to remove all loose parts like the battery, the sim- and memorycard and all of the fluff you've found after a few weeks of use.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 3.: Unscrewing_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

I've skipped taking pictures of the unscrewing part. I assume; all of you will have enough brains to determine yourself that all 8 screws have to be taken out. Put them in a small bag or box. Otherwise, at least one of it _will_ fall under your table. You will not find it again. Really. It would be lost in the depth of that Bermuda Triangle you call "floor".

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 4.: Removing the strange thingly_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Now remove that part at the lower end of your phone. I couldn't determine what it is, yet. It has to small connectors to the PCB and is half way glued to the backcover. Whatever. Use the guitar pick, the potato knife or your gf's finger nails to pierce once under both sides. You should now be able to lift it with your own finger nails.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 5.: Heading to the first Quest_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Still willing to destroy your phone? Ok, you asked for. So lets do the creepy things... Begin at the top. Simply use your guitar pick to get a little gap between the back- and frontcover. Go slowly and don't use a knife. The damn fake chrome will come off immediately, if you scratch it with something harder than it.
Now you'll have a gap, that is big enough to make use of the credit card. Its plastic is smooth enough to not scratch anything. Simply wiggle a little with the card and make use of its leverage force. The upper end of the backcover now already should have jumped out of its clips.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 6.: Halfway to the Boss-Stage_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Continue on the right side. Go slowly, coming from the frontcover and plant the credit card between the housing parts. First clip will be open now. Continue 'till you are on the lower right side.
Editors note: Don't pierce to deep with the credit card. The ribbons, that will put sweat on your forehead soon, are already hiding right behind the backcover. If you're piercing too deep, the chance of cutting them is high.
Now you can also release the lower clips the way, like you began at the top of the housing.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 7.: Hunting down the Boss._)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

O.k. up, right side and down are loosened. But what about left side? Well. the clips over there are to tight to get a credit card underneath. But you don't need to do so. Simply lift the backcover slowly and wiggle it a little. It should come of by itself. If its clinging a little, take a gulp from you bottle of beer, say yourself: "I'm a man, you won't beat me" and use some force. Not the force you use to tighten your rims on your car. But the force you use to open your women's bra will be fine. (For our virgins: Use the force Yoda gave you

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 8.: Attacking the SIM- and Memorycard Holder_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Now you can remove the sim and memorycard holder. It has four clips. You will see two of them on the next picture, right where my screwdrivers are pointing at. Use your toothpick and use it like a lever between pcb and clip from underneath. You can also make use of your slot screwdriver. Same to the other side. DO NOT REMOVE THE HOLDER YET. Take a closer look to the next picture first.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 9.: And rip it out_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

You knew it. One of our hated ribbon friends is hiding underneath the holder and is just waiting for your inattention in order to tear into pieces. Or at least get a hairline crack. Lift the holder a little from right side and use your toothpick or gf's figner nails to lift it off.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 10.: A closer look_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

9. Here you can see the ribbon again. Take off the audio jack by simply lifting it with your fingers (The arrow shows you how).

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 11.: Patience is needed_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Now loose the three ribbons at the lower end of the pcb. Feel free to use your own fingernails, the guitar pick, the toothpick or a rusty spoon. They should come off easily. Make sure, you don't rip of any of the SMD components beside of them. To resolder them isn't impossible, but hell of a pita.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 12.: Don't forget this one_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Do the same to the ribbon you've already found underneath the audio jack (my red screwdriver is pointing at it).

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 13.: On top of the Hill..._)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

You should now take a break. You've almost done of the hardest things.
The pcb is clipped with four clips. You can see them marked with red circles.
Simply pierce your smallest slot screwdriver between the pcb and the front cover, right next to the clips.
Wiggle a little, and the pcb should jump out of the clips by itself. Repeat it the same way with the other clips.
Now you can lift the LOWER end of the pcb and pull it out in a flat angle.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 14.: Nearly done_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Next step is to split the display, the touchmodule and the frontcover.
First of all, swing loose the keypad. Be careful not to rip that bloody ribbon apart. (Yes, I really hate that damn things, since I had to repair several dozens of Samsung's SGH-E7x0 displays)....

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 15.: Sticky Stuff_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Now you slowly pierce underneath that copper-looking ribbons. They are glued at about the whole area. But not too fast. After a few pierces you should be able to tear them off with your fingers. Do the bigger one first, then the smaller one.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 16.: Disassembling the touchmodule_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

The display is also clipped the way the pcb already was. Once all around and it should pop off by itself.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Step 17.: Hardest one: Splitting the touchmodule from the frontcover_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Little rewritten of wai_lai416's post: The module is glued onto the casing by a strong double sided tape. I suggest you to heat the glue a little with a hairdryer.
All you have to do is lift one corner (it's not 100% taped down) and stick a guitar pick or credit card and run it across and it'll pop out.
Please take a closer look at this picture by shitnap:

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(_Done_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:15:21 GMT

We'll as embarrasing as it is to admit, turns out it was a hardware issue after all. I literally (given up and about to trade in the phone) was walking home from a mates house in the rain and I think the rain might have unclogged something as the buttons are back online and working! So I've bought a case which doesn't tamper with the buttons to make sure it doesn't get wet again but I'm happy to say that it's kinda sorted itself out by natural causes.... But thanks alot everyone who posted! Especially uliwooly-wooly who I will give the answer points to! Many thanks all, hopefully your ideas will help out someone else in my situation but all I can say is thank you good old british weather!

Re: Issues with 3 buttons not working on front and volume keeps down. Anyone help? Pretty sure this is a software issue..

uliwooly-wooly — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:05:19 GMT

Anytime, you should look into the Xperia Active (water proof)