I fixed the rainbow rectangle digitizer issue with duct tape!

acmegeek · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:09 PM

Long time lurker here... I got the dreaded "rainbow" rectangle on my screen that meant that the digitizer stopped working. I was pretty sad to say the least. I called Verizon and they wanted $95 to send me a new one with the silly insurance plan. I scouted google and saw that many other have had this issue.

So, I broke down and bought the replacement digitizer on eBay. Well tonight, as I looked at my broken phone, I thought that since I was going to be eventually replacing the digitizer, it couldn't hurt to try to mess with it a little. I noticed that the rectangle appears as a thin film between the top and bottom layers of the digitizer. This thin film is what causes the rainbow effect, just like a thin film of oil on top of water.

What got me thinking was that I had just set the screen to beep when tapped, and every time I turned it on it tapped once. This meant that the screen was actually being pressed continually. So, I thought that I'd try to pull the screen away from the bottom a little. I finally got some duct tape (of the clear variety), and carefully laid it over the entire screen. Then, I pulled off at a pretty shallow angle so it would pull on the top layer pretty good.

Well, lo and behold, the screen started working again! And there isn't a hint of rainbow/oilness at all. And it is totally responsive, as before.

So, if you are in the same boat, try some duct tape or similar.

Cheers!

acmegeek

**Unknown Zone** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:16 PM

Were you watching Mythbusters the other day...they had a show all about "Duct Tape".

acmegeek · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:18 PM

haha... I heard about that one. I actually keep a small roll of the clear duct tape with me at all times. Very handy. The clear stuff is the best for all around usage. I'm just so relieved to have it working again.

**Unknown Zone** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:31 PM

congrads......I also have a couple of rolls of "Duct Tape" in the company work van....it has save me numerous times...lol.

RicoRich196 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:42 PM

Wait your rectangle messed with your screen response/sensitivity? I have the detached digitizer (this is my 3rd) and I have no issues with screen not working, it works exactly as before. When my friends ask me what it is I say it's a portal haha

acmegeek · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:57 PM

My digitizer stopped working entirely. It had the rectangle for a little while, but it stopped recognizing any screen input. My guess turned out to be right, somehow too much pressure over a large area on the screen caused it to stick and then overload the digitizer signal somehow. By separating the two layers, it went back to perfect. No rectangle, no rainbow, perfect response. Worth a go I say...

momojoepo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 11:58 PM

Hey acmegeek. I just tried your method and it worked! Thanks a bunch. Anyone else having this problem, don't doubt the duct tape solution. It took me several tries, but now the phone works like new.

wiskydiver1 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-20-2010, 07:50 PM

I'll be damned, it worked! My daughter's TP's digitiger died a few days ago. Was either going to sell it on ebay for parts, or order a new digitizer and then sell it. I'll be, it worked! Still probably going to sell it though. We both have BB's now. Soooo many problems with touch screens we just kind gave up...

FYI, I used clear packing tape while stuck on the "tap screen to continue" screen. Pulled it, reapplied, pulled again, repeated numerous times, and then it jumped to the crosshair screen. Been working ever since!

Tape (duct and others too) RULES!

rune-san · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 02:43 PM

Yup, this trick works. Just be warned not to let this problem go or you'll eventually end up like my second Touch Pro:

IMAG0267.jpg

The tape gets rid of the simple rainbow issue surrounding the large splotch and temporarily separates the layers over the splot, allowing the screen to work, within a few seconds however, you can watch the colors change as the layers slowly mesh back together. Within 10 second the screen no longer repsonds again. So get this problem fixed early everyone. I dont think there's any way to save my screen at this point. I'd probably just replace it but I already have a third touch pro so there's no point in spending money on it right now.

beefcakeb0 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 06:35 PM

If that is the burn, then that is the same thing that happened with my gf's TP. I would only try the tape thing if I had nothing else legit to resort to.