Palm V wont recognize taps on screen

[andyr354]

My palm V will not recognize any taps to the screen. The screen displays fine and does not apear damaged.

I have tried both a hard and soft reset. No results. Tried tapping all over, nothing works.

ar

[little-man]

First, you may want to take your palm apart and check the digitizer connection. If the cable is loose, push it all the way back in. If this doesn't work, you probably need a new digitizer. look at ********hightech.com

[Joeboy]

I had the exact same problem with a Palm Vx; it wouldn't recognize any taps on the screen, soft and hard reset didn't change anything. Then I removed the homemade screen protector that I had shoved into the frame around the screen. Like magic, the Palm worked perfectly.

If you have a screen protector on, try taking it off and see if it makes a difference before you crack open your Palm to try and reseat the cables.

[DrMud]

Andy,
To this point you heard two of the three causes of Palm Vx Digitizer problems. Joe's post is one to consider. Even trash around the perimeter of the V/Vx screen, wedged into the space between the screen and the top of the case.
The most common is a software issue. If you have OS 4.1 you have the latest Digitizer software that Palm has offered for the Vx.
Here is a way to fix your problem if it is software related, and even if the cable is a bit loose.
Go to Palmgear.com and search for DigiFix or Suretap. Both work fair at this. AutoDigi2 is more preventative but cost more.
Download and hot sync one of them to your Palm. After the hotsync do a soft reset. They all try to reset the digitizer at this point (I like Suretap for this). If you are back to normal after this you may want to revisit SureTap or DigiFix on a regular daily basis.
Doc

[andyr354]

I am not sure if it has a screen protector on it. There does seem to be a plastic membrane above the screen that presses down slightly. Shoule it just be a hard surface??

I was going to try the procedure on the removal of the case, but don't have a hair dryer! Would a heat gun work better, or are the to hot.
Will have to go to wally world and get a cheap blow dryer.

[DrMud]

The surface is slighly elastic. I think if it had a screen protector you would see the edges.
Have you tried one of the software fixes? They are the least risky.

A heat gun will work, it is the proper tool.
Go to gethightech.com to see pictures of the process and to read the proper proceedure, lest you damage the screen.
Doc

[andyr354]

I was going to try the software but I cannot run a sync. The palm beeps and keeps bringing up the getting started screen asking me to tap on the screen to start 1 of 4 steps.
Guess I will have to take it apart. I am leaning towards the cable being loose. It was just shipped through the mail and didn't work after arriving. I am not going to attempt to take it appart untill I get word from the USPS on if they will pay me on the insured value.

[DrMud]

If it looks like you will be compensated and you want it done by a professional I beleive Chris Short does the cable for only $25.
Doc

Chris Short Palm Repairs (ips@chartermi.net)

[gabopagan]

Originally posted by DrMud
Andy,
To this point you heard two of the three causes of Palm Vx Digitizer problems. Joe's post is one to consider. Even trash around the perimeter of the V/Vx screen, wedged into the space between the screen and the top of the case.
The most common is a software issue. If you have OS 4.1 you have the latest Digitizer software that Palm has offered for the Vx.
Here is a way to fix your problem if it is software related, and even if the cable is a bit loose.
Go to Palmgear.com and search for DigiFix or Suretap. Both work fair at this. AutoDigi2 is more preventative but cost more.
Download and hot sync one of them to your Palm. After the hotsync do a soft reset. They all try to reset the digitizer at this point (I like Suretap for this). If you are back to normal after this you may want to revisit SureTap or DigiFix on a regular daily basis.
Doc

This appears to be a fairly common problem. I tried Suretap but you need to calibrate the digitizer once to get it to work. I can sync using the craddle but I can't do anything on the Palm because the digitizer is about one inch out of aligment. The graphiti area and the buttons work fine so I can (arely) use the address book but I can't get to the application buttons. Are there any shortcuts or graphiti commands that can take me to the All buttons area?

[DrMud]

YES, a \common problem.

Suretap is designed to RESET the Digitizer after the Soft Reset.
If you are an 'Inch" off can you not get closer each time to setting it? I have played around with the targets on the welcome screen until I have figured out were the target was. Let's say the first target is dead center on the screen and you know you are off by one inch to the bottom left. Play around until you hit the spot that corresponds to the target.
I don't think I have made this very clear! Work is calling.
Doc

[gabopagan]

Its just too way off in my case. I can use it a bit because I know where to hit but the corners are impossible and the home/properties/calculator and search are all out of range. I'll keep playing wiht it for a few days but I might use this problem as an excuse to buy myself a CLIE.:D

[brendalee2]

I was experiencing problems recently with my Palm Vx, most commonly the digitizer being off. This has been my only frustration with the Palm Vx. But today, for some reason I was able to fix the problem using an alternative. Now, I'm not sure that if you don't already own and have installed the portable digital keyboard whether you'll be able to do so after you've already experienced the problem. But in my case, I had bought and installed one of these gizmos because I type so much faster than I graffiti or tap.

Simply plugging my Palm Vx into the keyboard, and using the application and menu keys on the keyboard to navigate my way around brought me to the "welcome" screen where I was able to reset my digitizer with ease. I haven't yet explored the possibility of pre-programming certain keystrokes to take care of this for the future. But now I have my digitizer re-set, after fumbling with tapping pretty much everywhere on the screen for an hour with no prior results. Just an idea for those of you who may be struggling and may want to make the small investment like I did off of eBay. The keyboard is small, portable, and just may save you some frustration and bucks in the end. Good luck! let me know if any of you try this and do or don't succeed.