n800: horizontal black lines when screen "cold"

[luca]

My 1 year old n800 has started showing this problem yesterday:

after the screen has been off varius hours, when it turns on I get horizontal black lines running up and down the top third and the bottom third of the screen, but only if the background image is mostly dark (e.g. the unlock keypad or the home screen with an image), no lines with an app open (even looking at hackaday, which is black!) or with the home screen set to a white background.

Eventually the lines disappear completely, which makes me think it's a faulty electrolytic capacitor somewhere, but it could be anything else.

I searched and I only found people reporting vertical lines, and that issue was fixed by reflashing, but I think this is a different one.

[luca]

no lines with an app open (even looking at hackaday, which is black!)
I now discovered that the black lines are only where the right edge is dark, so no problem with hackaday due to the white scrollbar.

[lazuli]

hmm i sometimes get this with a gray background and some bright colored graphic in the middle. i see faint horizontal dark lines but it doesn't bother me much. maybe it comes with age :p

[luca]

Well, it doesn't bother me too much if it doesn't get worse and the screen remains useable.
How long have you been seeing those faint lines?

[luca]

It is getting worse :(
Now it doesn't recover after a while.
edit: it eventually recovers, but it isn't the time the screen is on that matters, but use of wifi (or maybe the cpu load caused by it), so if it is a condenser it's probably one near the wifi chip.

[Mara]

but it isn't the time the screen is on that matters, but use of wifi (or maybe the cpu load caused by it), so if it is a condenser it's probably one near the wifi chip.

So you are basically saying it is the temperature... WiFi use and loading CPU increase the internal temperature.

Could it be a bad connector/connection between the display and "motherboard"? Have you tried to tap/shake the device to see if that makes a difference?

[luca]

So you are basically saying it is the temperature...
Yes, that's my guess

WiFi use and loading CPU increase the internal temperature.
Exactly
Could it be a bad connector/connection between the display and "motherboard"?
It could be, however I think the lcd connector is on the opposite side of the wifi chip. Mmmh.
Have you tried to tap/shake the device to see if that makes a difference?
Yes, I tried and it doesn't seem to make a difference.
I guess I'll have to open it to check :(

[luca]

Well, it's definitely heat related, lack of heat actually: the problem is less pronounced if I keep the tablet in my pocket (keeping it warm) and it is more pronounced if I leave the tablet alone (now that ambient temperature has lowered).
Using an hair dryer makes the problem go away for a while, but that's hardly a solution.

[luca]

Well, I finally found the required torx t6 screwdriver and I opened the tablet.
Unfortunately I think it's the screen itself that's broken: reseating the connector made no change, heating (with the hair dryer) the mainboard had no effect, the only change I noticed when heating/cooling the screen alone.
Now I don't know what to do: change the screen (which is at least 100€) or use it as it is while it lasts.

[luca]

An update (a long message but I hope it is useful to people needing replacement parts).

Since my last message I did something stupid: I removed the bezel from the display itself to try and push the flat cable, suspecting a bad contact on the lcd side.

Well, the flat cable is extremely delicate (either that or I'm extremely clumsy;)), and while manipulating it I really broke it (the screen still worked, with the black lines, but the touch sensor didn't).

I contacted Nokia Spain through their online form to know where I could get my tablet repaired......and I'm still waiting for a reply.

Meanwhile I started looking online for a replacement screen. Tessco was out since they don't sell to end users.

I found one at a local online shop (impextrom (http://www.impextrom.com)) for 77€ plus shipping (8€) plus VAT, for a grand total of 98€. Their page showed that they had the display in stock.

I also found it at mytrendyphone (http://www.mytrendyphone.com), for 96€ plus VAT, but they have a price match option, so I told them I found it cheaper.

In a couple of days they lowered the price to 75€ plus VAT, but since the VAT is higher there (25%) than here (16%), I ordered from impextrom anyway.
Next day they told me that they have no stock and cancelled my order :mad:. I asked if they were going to have more stock...and I'm still waiting for a reply.

Meanwhile, even if I don't understand german, I checked the german page of mytrendyphone (meintrendyhandy (http://www.meintrendyhandy.de/)), since the vat is somewhat lower in Germany. and I placed my order there.

For a strange glitch they didn't charge me neither the VAT nor the shipping (maybe because I chose the option to show the prices without VAT), though they charged a 2€ fee for paying with credit card. I told them I found it strange that they didn't charge VAT but they told me it's ok (it's sure it's ok for me;)).
I ended up paying 77€ total for the display.

It turns out they're based in Denmark (they sent the screen from there).
The order tracking page didn't work form me, neither in the german nor in the uk site, I had to use the danish or norwegian site to get a tracking number.

They sent it the same day by mail and it took a week to arrive.

It arrived today, they sent it in a simple padded envelope with very little bubble wrap inside, no box, not even a piece of cardboard to protect it from bending, nevertheless it was in good shape, I fitted it and it works.

Now I have a new, shiny, display, I hope it lasts more than the old one.

They also have the display for the n810 and other spare parts, just search n800 or n810, so check them if you need some spares....and click on the option to show prices without VAT :p

[Benson]

Got any pictures? I still have not seen with my eyes conclusive evidence that I can't put an N810 screen in my N800, though I know it can't be easy.

If this sucker has to last me till next fall, why not mod it crazy? :D

[luca]

Well, I can take some pictures of the old screen, but since it's an n800 and I don't have the corresponding picture for the n810 one, I doubt it would be useful for your endeavour.
Since it has been said various times that the n810 is not plug compatible to the n800 and my hands-on experience tells me that it's futile for me to try and adapt it, I ordered an n800 lcd.
The n810 costed the same amunt, so I'd surely liked to use it instead.

[Benson]

Ah, I thought you had got an N810 screen for an N810; I see now where I got confused. Thanks, though!

[Ulysses]

That was very helpful, luca. I just placed an order to replace my broken screen. Thanks.

[sjgadsby]

I also found it at mytrendyphone (http://www.mytrendyphone.com)...

In case anyone else is looking for an N800 replacement LCD and stumbles upon this thread, MyTrendyPhone has sold out and cannot get a new supply from Nokia.

[luca]

Too bad, since Nokia didn't even reply when I asked where could I get it repaired, Tessco doesn't send to end users (provided they have it in stock), Impextrom was out of stock back then (and it's probable they cannot buy new stock from nokia either) and now Mytrendyphone.
I don't remember finding other retailers at the time I ordered mine.
It doesn't give me the feeling that nokia really cares about the tablets...

[sjgadsby]

I don't remember finding other retailers at the time I ordered mine.
Cellphone Repair Shop still lists N800 LCDs (http://www.cellphone-repair-shop.com/4850991.htm), but it's not clear if they really have stock. Also, the LCD there costs more than an entire N800 on eBay.

It doesn't give me the feeling that nokia really cares about the tablets...
Well, Nokia end-of-lifed the N800 some time ago. It's not surprising to me that they've now also stopped producing new parts for it. Disappointing, but not surprising.

[luca]

Well, Nokia end-of-lifed the N800 some time ago.
IIRC about a year, or even less

It's not surprising to me that they've now also stopped producing new parts for it. Disappointing, but not surprising.
Well, I was "lucky" to grab one of the last ones available (but not so lucky since the screen broke in the first place), but I still think it's to soon to have to throw it because there are no parts.
Or maybe the screen is a lemon and they have sold all of them :mad:

[allnameswereout]

Hmm, at some point I had this too on my N810, but it also magically went away shortly after. I think inbetween flashing OS, when I upgraded to Diablo, but I'm not sure. It was a very thin, horizontal black line in the middle of the screen. I remember it was not exactly in the middle; slightly above the middle.

[luca]

Hmm, at some point I had this too on my N810, but it also magically went away shortly after.
Be afraid, be very afraid :D

[mrojas]

My N800 screen has horizontal black lines running up and down all along the right edge. I had ordered from Trendy Phone but they told me they are out, so I am looking for other stores. Will update if I find one.

[Ulysses]

Yup, TrendyPhone cancelled my order, the replacement N800 screen is out of stock.

I saw the item listed on a Dutch website as well: http://www.telecomtelecom.nl/zoeken/snelzoeken/N800/-alle/0

But it's out of stock, again.

It looks like the N800 has become unserviceable.

The next model is only due in six months, or something the like.

I need a pocketable linux computer, it looks like I'll have to grab me a new N810. But suggestions are welcome.


Ulysses

[allnameswereout]

You can still buy new N800... or 2nd hand... cheap pocketable Linux computers, are a lot of options for too.

[Ulysses]

I would happily buy a new Nokia N800. Where can I find one?

I tried amazon, expansys, all the big online shops. Nobody carries them anymore, the product has been retired.

Anybody with a 2nd hand N800 to offer is welcome to PM me.

Ulysses

[bunanson]

N810, http://tv.cctv.com/live_t/index.shtml?channel=cctv_p2p_cctv1#toyota@cctv_1

they just changed the price from 229.99 to 233.99. Be careful, I have NOT heard from this particular vendor.

bun

[mrojas]

Well, I found this:

http://www.accessorylink.co.uk/product.asp?ProdID=3479&CtgID=

For the search, I put Nokia N800 and the part number 4850991 in Google. The I found that Accessory Link was a good place to buy from many references from a N95 users forum.

I already ordered one, and it just got shipped, but it is going to take some time to arrive, so I can't assure you if it is a good quality screen or no. But people that order N95 spare parts from that place say it is trust worthy.

[sjgadsby]

For the search, I put Nokia N800 and the part number 4850991 in Google. The I found that Accessory Link was a good place to buy from many references from a N95 users forum.

Thanks for posting about this site. I've attempted to place an order, but Accessory Link's shipping address form doesn't include Pennsylvania in its list of U.S. states. Okay, technically Pennsylvania is a commonwealth, but it should still be in the list.

I've emailed them, so maybe they'll fix the form at some point.

[mrojas]

Thanks for posting about this site. I've attempted to place an order, but Accessory Link's shipping address form doesn't include Pennsylvania in its list of U.S. states. Okay, technically Pennsylvania is a commonwealth, but it should still be in the list.

I've emailed them, so maybe they'll fix the form at some point.

I emailed them before ordering and they assured me they ship worldwide. They have two types of shipments, a normal one using First Class Royal Mail and a deluxe one which is through DHL. I picked FCRM so it is going to take a bit.

Here are two links to threads about that store:

http://www.n95users.com/forum/n95-accessories/18490-nokiaparts-accessory-link-great-service.html

http://www.n95users.com/forum/its-broke/10801-experiences-accessory-link.html

I know my item is on its way down here, but I don't want to assure anything until I have installed it and tested it - which will probably take a couple of weeks.

[Ulysses]

Thanks from me too. I placed an order as well. We'll see how it goes.

Daniel

[sjgadsby]

I emailed them before ordering and they assured me they ship worldwide.

I understand, but due to an omission in their web form, they currently don't ship to Pennsylvania, USA. "PA" isn't in the list of states to select, and leaving the state field blank or selecting an alternate, incorrect state causes the site to reject my address as invalid. I'll need to wait until they add PA to the list of states their form understands.

[Ulysses]

Screen arrived yesterday. I am very happy to announce it fixed the problem (rolling screen).

Tip: use quality torx drivers during disassembly. I butchered the screws with low grqde ones.