It's a miracle!

[Dan]

I have been having this drifting-and-sometimes-even-completely-failing-screen-problem for over a year. Very annnoying I must say, but I learned to live with having to recalibrate every 20 seconds. I never thought that these problems would be solved and had accepted my fate.

However, last Sunday I accidentally dropped my Psion from the couch (which wasn't too high) and lo! all the problems mentioned above turned out to have vanished!! Must have had something to do with a loose connection or something. I do not know whether the problems will return, but I will enjoy this period of happiness as long as it may last!!

So come on, faulty screen-machine owners: drop 'm and see what follows!!

Cheers,


Dan

[diem]

wow - first time I've ever heard someone say that dropping their machine fixed it rather than broke it!

Regarding drifiting screen calibration, an alternative temporary repair can be achieved by doing a batteries-out reset.

[Colin Turner]

Dan
My S7 suffered from chronic screen drift until I had to take it apart to cure a Flash Card connection problem. The process involved disconnecting the ribbon cable from the motherboard to the screen. When I put it together again, all trace of screen drift had vanished.

I must admit that it has returned recently, but I'm convinced that the problem was caused by a poor connection. The fact that the microphone suffers from a similar problem helps to persuade me.

If the drift returns and you're feeling brave, you could try disconnecting the screen and cleaning the contacts.

Caveat! Read up on the disassembly process first. Diem's website contains instructions.

[Dan]

At http://newth.net/psion7/problems.html I read the following:

But according to one user, KM from Russia (Russian speakers see mypsion.ru), there is a very simple procedure you can try when the screen acts up. His advice was based on experience with the netBook, but I've tried it successfully on my Seven. When the synchronization bug appears, press firmly with a finger on the "Series 7" logo directly above the "6" and "7" keys on the keyboard. Repeat the procedure 2-4 times. It it works on your machine, the screen will go back to normal operation immediately. KM suggests that the screen synch bug is related to a faulty screen cable connector beneath the logo, and the fact that his procedure works seems to bear him out.


Perhaps this does the trick too whenever this wretched screen drift knocks on my door again!

http://newth.net/psion7/images/presslogo.jpg

[wanman]

Dan check you OS version aswell by pressing ctrl+h. Make sure the build is 756. If not then there is an upgrade available from Eirik Newths web sites which will also improve things for you.

http://www.newth.net/psion7/problems.html#prob2

Regards

Si

[Colin Turner]

Wishful thinking, I'm afraid. Eirik Newth - and others with similar sites - has states very clearly that the flash upgrade to Build 756 will NOT cure the screen problem. My own experience bears this out. M S7's touch screen used to lock up regularly - sometimes several times a day, especially in cold weather. After upgrading to 756 it has not locked up once.

However, this had no effect at all on screen drift, which just got worse and worse until I was re-calibrating 2 - 3 times a day. The only certain cure is to disconnect the ribbon cable from the motherboard and clean the contacts. References to S7 owners curing it by pressing down the plastic case bear this out, as the ribbon connector is at the top centre of the case, just above the keyboard and is likely to be affected by downward pressure.

Even cleaning the contacts isn't a permanent cure as my screen drift has returned recently, but to a much reduced extent. The screen connection seems to be a weak point as I've noticed several times recently that the screen has dimmed while in use, returning to full brightness when I've moved or squeezed the lid.

[Beakynet]

I have recently fixed a friends Series 7 with the same problem - they were about to ditch the 7 and move to Palm! So I had to do something!

The problem I found was that the Screen cable was held down by a clamp with two screws, losening the screws slightly stopped the problem. When I thghten the screws up again, the problem came back. If your machine is out of warenty I suggest that you open up the machine (screw under the logo at the top of the keyboard) and try this out yourself. Remember to back up all the data first.

[Spuddey]

My 7 used to suffer drift and then I installed the netbook rom and now it is fine. I don't know if this has solved the problem or whether it was the moving of the rom chip in and out of the machine, but it certainly seems to have sorted it out at the moment.
Was this a problem with the netbook as well?

[diem]

Originally posted by Spuddey
Was this a problem with the netbook as well?

Absolutely! Further evidence that the problem is rooted in hardware, even if successive OS releases for the 7 improved the software side of things.

[jriemerm]

Several weeks ago my 7 started exhibiting the screen calibration problem with a vengeance. The calibration tool in control panel doesn't help (message: pointer too far from point 1); neither does a soft or even a hard reset. Pressing fairly hard above the top row of keys often works, but never for long--next time I adjust the screen it doesn't work.

Seems clear it's a problem with the screen cable and/or connection, but I've tried to disconnect and reconnect that cable with no luck--I can't figure out how to disconnect it, and don't want to force it. I have looked at illustrations on two websites that show how to disassemble the 7, but I can't see how disconnecting the cable works.

My seven has a thick plastic plate or shim with two screws above the cable, which I don't see on any illustrations I've seen. When I unscrew and remove this plate, it's not obvious how to disconnect the cable. Can someone give me a *detailed* description of how to disconnect this cable, or provide a picture large or detailed enough to help? Any assistance would be MUCH appreciated.

thanks,

james

[wanman]

I assume the fact you are fiddling, means your warranty has run out. May be worth checking with Psion to find out what they charge for this type of fix?

If you are certain about delving in yourself, then check out this site for a breakdown guide http://www.symbcity.com/featureshow.php3?featureid=100015

Good Luck!!

Si

[jriemerm]

In fact I bought it used and never had a warranty. I've looked at that page several times, and I still can't tell how to disconnect the screen cable. The instructions are "Disconnect the Display Unit Flexi with the MotherBoard", and the picture's resolution isn't high enough for me to make out where the cable separates.

[wanman]

It may well be that you have to remove the screen and cover underneath to have a proper inspection. If you do decided to go a fiddling, make sure you keep notes so that you can post your findings here.

If in any doubt, it would probably be best to find out how much Psion are asking to repair the unit?

Regards

Si

[diem]

My netbook also has the screwed-down plate. I'm guessing this is there for strain relief.

If the connector itself is anything like mine, it is constructed of two different shades of brown plastic. The cable does not have any part of the connector attached to it - once release the bare end of the cable will slide out.

Where the cable enters the connetor there are two light-coloured 'tabs' at either end of the connector. Put a fingernail in between these and the rest of the connector body, and pull away from the body, in the direction the cable runs in. The tabs will remain captive in the connector, but you should now be able to remove the cable with no effort.

[jriemerm]

Thanks, Yan. I suspected it was something like this, but I didn't want to pull hard and do damage if that wasn't where it's supposed to come apart.

james

[wanman]

James, Yep I see what you mean now. I definitely have a black plate above the cable held in by two screws. nderneath that there is the clips the Yan has already discussed.

Out of interest, what is the build number on your personality module (the card fitted in the right hand slot under the screen (does it say 751, 754 or 756 or earlier number).

I am wondering if these problems affect earlier builds more than the newer ones. Or if it is just the newer ones that suffer. Do all 7's/netbooks, have this clip above the cable connector or is it a recent addition to resolve previous screen probs?

Regards
Si