Nokia 8290 LCD Problem -- Fixable??

[Ranger X]

Does anyone know if this problem can be resolved? I've been with Cingular for almost 2 years with the same phone and I'm no longer covered under warranty. A friend of mine told me that if I bring the phone into a Cingular store, they'll replace my phone no questions asked. I went to one today and the guy there was VERY rude and said I have no way to fix the problem. His solution is to sign up for another year and get a discount on a phone. I will NEVER sign up for Cingular and be under a contract when I know the reception sucks.

Has anyone been able to fix it or had any luck exchanging the phone at a Cingular store??

 

[Imported]

Do you have insurance on your phone? If not.. get it and claim it lost or damaged after a couple of weeks.. :x

 

[HiTek21]

if its only the LCD screen you can buy a replacement one from here: Cellphoneshop.net I'm not sure how to install the LCD Screen but i'm sure it can't be too hard since there is no soldering required.

 

[isekii]

if it's under warranty ..

i think Nokia will send you a replacement

 

[Dragnov]

That series of Nokia phone had a PLAGUE of problems. It got discontinued fast with the fatter 3300 series. I'm so surprised yours lasted 2 years.

 

[ddwbi0]

is the problem where the lcd sort of fades in and out? Mine did that and it got to the point to where the only i could see anything was if i put pressure on the phone around the screen.

I took it to a shop (not the actual tmobile dealer, but a small shop) and the guy there opened it up and just tightend some screws. Fixed the problem


Edit: Cingular service sucks, never again will i even look at their deals

 

[DaFinn]

Yeah, that can be fixed real easy!

step 1:

Get a good insurance!

Step 2:

Find 2 stones!

Step 3:

Place phone on stone 1

Step 4:

Smash phone with stone 2

Step 5:

Call your insurance company!

Step 6: (multiple choice)

1. Go to prison for Insurance fraud.
2. Claim new phone and live happily ever after.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

mine has lasted almost 2 years. I have phone insurance. I went to a cingular store, and they replaced the whole body because I was having problems with the image fading in and out.

They have a new version 8390, I think, it's backlight is white.

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: ddwbi0
is the problem where the lcd sort of fades in and out? Mine did that and it got to the point to where the only i could see anything was if i put pressure on the phone around the screen.

I took it to a shop (not the actual tmobile dealer, but a small shop) and the guy there opened it up and just tightend some screws. Fixed the problem


Edit: Cingular service sucks, never again will i even look at their deals

Yes, that's the same problem I'm having. I have to press on the screen to see what's going on. Mine is no longer under warranty (1yr, had mine for almost 2) so I can't exchange it for another one. The guy at Cingular said if I had insurance I could get a 8390 with a $35 deductible.

 

[novon]

I had a 8290 with lcd problems 2, had to fork over $70 to voicestream for a replacement...I had this happend on 2 8290's, must be defective

 

[Doggiedog]

If you do decide to replace your screen yourself, be careful. I did and messed something up. There is one loose part in those phones and it is not obvious where it belongs. I had to dismantle a second phone in order to figure out where the part went. The rest of the phone is pretty straightforward except for that one loose part.

 

[Justin218]

Yes, it is fixable. You need a new LCD conductor strip. It is a little conductive piece of rubber. It is how the LCD interfaces to the cell phone PCB. Make sure you get a screwdriver to open the nokia too. Here is the URL for the strip. They are a good place to buy from, it is where I got it. I'd recommend you get a couple because about 5 months later it started going bad again and shipping is bad from them cause they are overseas. Odd enough, I put the old one back in and it works now. Shouldn't cost you more than 10 bucks. Have fun!

edit: there are a bunch of loose parts in the 8290, take it apart from the front with it laying on a table and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Doggiedog]

Actually, you really don't need a special screwdriver for the phone. A flatheaded screwdriver works just fine as long as you have one that fits just right.

 

[green2]

Well most cellular service providers will provide your with a new phone or replace your current one if you tell them you are going to close your account. Call the customer service, they will gladly help you and you won't have to sign up for another year. Just say that since you can't use your phone there is no sense in keeping your account open and ask them to close it. They will surely counter with, we can provide you with a replacement phone. Make sure however to tell them that you don't want to spend anymore money on a new phone. The phone you'll get is probably refurbished.

As for the screen it is very easy to fix. Just go and buy a replacement screen. but try the no $$$ option first.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: green2
Well most cellular service providers will provide your with a new phone or replace your current one if you tell them you are going to close your account. Call the customer service, they will gladly help you and you won't have to sign up for another year. Just say that since you can't use your phone there is no sense in keeping your account open and ask them to close it. They will surely counter with, we can provide you with a replacement phone. Make sure however to tell them that you don't want to spend anymore money on a new phone. The phone you'll get is probably refurbished.

As for the screen it is very easy to fix. Just go and buy a replacement screen. but try the no $$$ option first.

Not ATT. I used their service for 5 years and the Nokia 8260 I got from them broke in 13 months, right past the warranty period. I asked them if they could give me a new 8260 and they said no. Then I asked them for a discount on the V60t because Verizon was having a nationwide promotion on their V60c and they still said no. I said I would stop using their service if they didn't give me a break on anything and the 2 stores I went to and a call center I called all said no. They didn't even bother having a customer retention person get in touch with me. Well, too bad ATT, I'll never use any of your services again. I am really really happy with my Verizon wireless service (their landline and DSL is another story though).

 

[JSang]

yeah a lot of people had problems with the 8200 series...send it back to nokia or just trash and buy a motorola