Display Alignment tends to wander

[DLCPhoto]

The original new TP2 I had was rock solid with its display alignment, and once I did it when I got the device, I never had to do it again. There was a problem with the "R" hard key on the keyboard, and I ended up with a refurbished one a couple of months ago. The alignment with this one is not nearly as stable.

When this first acted up, out of nowhere, it was like 1/4 to 1/2" off. It kept going off, and I ended up doing a hard reset. Since then it hasn't varied so widely, but it does get off a mm or 2, and I have to realign to gain better precision, perhaps once or twice a week.

Is this likely to be a hardware or software issue? I'm inclined to think hardware, but am relatively new to Windows Mobile devices, so wanted to check before I pursue another possible replacement device. This one is otherwise fine.

[Eschelon]

Refurbs tend to have issues since, after all, they were broken at one point in the recent past, right?. But Verizon tends to be reasonable with returns, especially if it's a hardware issue. Take your device back to the store and demand a new device (not a refurb). Explain to them that you paid for a new device and were, instead, given a defective used one and make them replace it

[DLCPhoto]

I agree completely with you, Eschelon, although Verizon doesn't.

My first, brand-new TP2, had a defective "R" key, and only registered 1/2 the time, so new doesn't guarantee it will be free from defect. In any case, I put up with it for more than the 30-day window they give you to get a new replacement, although I was out of the country for a third of that time. I called Verizon, and after a very long phone conversation explaining these circumstances, was told that I would be sent a new TP2. I was pretty pleased with Verizon at that point, having come from Alltel, with much uncertainty about VZW.

This went all to hell when the device delivered was a refurb. I called back, and they refused to honor what the other rep had told me, and said it was a refurb or nothing. That is the phone I'm currently using.

My primary question here is whether or not the lack of stability in the screen alignment represents a hardware problem. If it is, I'm going to call back again, and push as hard as I can to get a new one. But based on my prior experience, I'm not real confident about the outcome.

My TP2 was ordered online, and the local store says they can't help.

[Eschelon]

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

I agree completely with you, Eschelon, although Verizon doesn't.

My first, brand-new TP2, had a defective "R" key, and only registered 1/2 the time, so new doesn't guarantee it will be free from defect. In any case, I put up with it for more than the 30-day window they give you to get a new replacement, although I was out of the country for a third of that time. I called Verizon, and after a very long phone conversation explaining these circumstances, was told that I would be sent a new TP2. I was pretty pleased with Verizon at that point, having come from Alltel, with much uncertainty about VZW.

This went all to hell when the device delivered was a refurb. I called back, and they refused to honor what the other rep had told me, and said it was a refurb or nothing. That is the phone I'm currently using.

My primary question here is whether or not the lack of stability in the screen alignment represents a hardware problem. If it is, I'm going to call back again, and push as hard as I can to get a new one. But based on my prior experience, I'm not real confident about the outcome.

My TP2 was ordered online, and the local store says they can't help.

Sorry to hear that. I've never had a problem returning a defective device to Verizon. To bad they won't do the same for you.

Anyway, to answer your question, the phone's calibration settings are stored in the following registry setting:

HKLM\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\TOUCH\CalibrationData

If this value isn't changing, then it is definitely a hardware issue

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by Eschelon

Sorry to hear that. I've never had a problem returning a defective device to Verizon. To bad they won't do the same for you.

Anyway, to answer your question, the phone's calibration settings are stored in the following registry setting:

HKLM\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\TOUCH\CalibrationData

If this value isn't changing, then it is definitely a hardware issue

Yeah, I was pretty pi$$ed about it.

Thanks for the registry key - I just wrote down the figures, and will check it if/when the alignment goes off again.

Much appreciated!

[Eschelon]

Happy to help. If the value doesn't change and it turns out it is a hardware issue, go back to the Verizon store and give 'em hell until they replace your device

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by Eschelon

Happy to help. If the value doesn't change and it turns out it is a hardware issue, go back to the Verizon store and give 'em hell until they replace your device

Will do, and I'll tell 'em 'Eschelon' sent me - that should get their attention!!

[DLCPhoto]

Update:

I've been able to document this issue, having noted what the values were for the Calibration Registry key, and then last night finding that the alignment again seemed off 1 to 2 mm.

Initial Registry Key Values:

504, 528 780, 847 794, 204 223, 205 226, 8

Values after doing a re-alignment:

505, 540 788, 849 799, 226 226, 227 231, 8

Presumably these values are x/y coordinates, with the vertical being the first of the 2 pairs of values, since in 3 of the pairs, this has changed from 12 to 22 units (whatever they represent).

I feel that I am therefore justified in concluding that this represents a hardware malfunction, and will see what Verizon will do about it.

Also, there's a Shortcut, where simultaneously pressing the Up/Down Volume keys on the side would bring up the Alignment Screen. I had used this once before, but this also no longer seems to be working. Is there a Registry setting for this, or is this also a Hardware issue?