Has the screen cable problem been fixed in new 5mxs?

[busted5mx]

My 5mx has developed the screen cable problem. I have considered getting it fixed, but some of the keys on the keyboard have been kind of flaky, so I thought I might go ahead and get a new one, since the repair is rather expensive. However, it seems to me that it's a lot of money to shell out for something that has such a known issue. My question is, does anybody know if this issue has been addressed by Psion in more recently made 5mxs? Is a brand new 5mx just going to develop the same problem in a couple of years? I'm rather perturbed that such an expensive item is broken after only 2 1/2 years of only light to moderate use, and I'm torn between my feeling of getting ripped off and the fact that it is absolutely perfect, exactly the features/size/operating system for me.
As a side question, does anybody know if revos/diamond makos have a similar screen cable problem?
And another related question, does anybody know of a reputable repair shop in the U.S. that will do the repair for less than the $160 that PsionUSA wants?

[MikeMcC]

My question is, does anybody know if this issue has been addressed by Psion in more recently made 5mxs? I did read recently that the cable had been strengthened but the design of the 5 and 5mx is such that the cable is bent with a very small curve and with enough open / close cycles will eventually fail.

I haven't heard of a similar problem with the Revo and Mako, they have battery problems instead :rolleyes:

[spegru]

RueyLoon was advertising new sceen cables on his site http://www.portal-pda.com/main.php3 . It might be worth making contact with him.

spegru

[doogald]

I think that those cables are for the Series 5 only. The Series 5mx uses a different cable IIRC.

[diem]

This is true. There are a couple of sources of 5mx cables if you're good with a soldering iron - check my FAQ (URL below).

In terms of lengthening the life of the 5/5mx, the word is to keep it closed for as much of its life as possible! I know this seems strange, but this will mean that the screen cables spend most of their time with the smallest amount of bend in them.

[Mark Kenepp]

diem wrote:
In terms of lengthening the life of the 5/5mx, the word is to keep it closed for as much of its life as possible!

I remember reading this a few months back. Though there is some logic behind the idea, I can not see it as the primary cause . I have had my first Series 5 open from Sunday evening to Friday morning, over 100 hours a week, for the past three years. It only gets opened and closed twice a week. If the problem was the time it was open and not the number of times it is opened and closed, surely my S5 would have screen cable failure at this point.

An article in Palmtop magazine cited that the reason for screen cable failure was due to wear and tear most likely caused by friction of the screen cable rubbing against the inside of the housing. Moisture is the biggest culprit for causing this friction. A clean dry S5 (or 5mx) is less likely to experience the screen cable problem. Also, I have heard that using some lubricant (I believe that K Y Jelly was mentioned) on the cable will protect it from this friction prolonging the life of the cable.

I do not consider myself experienced in regards to the screen cable problem since it has never happened to me. I can only say that both my S5 and MC218 are open for most of their lives and have never shown signs of screen cable failure.

Maybe some day, someone will gather data from people who use the 5, 5mx and/or MC218 and gain better insight to conditions that contribute to the problem.

[busted5mx]

Thanks for the information. Though I wouldn't describe myself as handy with a soldering iron, I might actually try a go at it myself, if I can see how it's done. I have seen some good web pages on taking apart the 5mx, but has anyone posted explicit instructions on taking off the old cable and soldering on the new?

[Sonny]

Mark Kenepp wrote:

________________________________________________
I do not consider myself experienced in regards to the screen cable problem since it has never happened to me. I can only say that both my S5 and MC218 are open for most of their lives and have never shown signs of screen cable failure.

Maybe some day, someone will gather data from people who use the 5, 5mx and/or MC218 and gain better insight to conditions that contribute to the problem.
_________________________________________________


I have recently received my Psion 5mx back after a screen cable
repair. It took 5 months for it to be returned from the local repair firm. It was obvious the screen cable will break again at some stage therefore I bought a Palm which I now use routinely. I intend to use the Psion only at home and leave it continually open. It will be interesting to see if and when the problem does recur.

BTW, having used a Palm for 4 months I find it frustrating not being able to do things on it that I could do with the Psion such as create folders and place numerous and varied files within the folders etc, etc..............

Sonny

[v8man]

Can anyone confirm a source for bare 5 mx cables (pref. in the UK)?