Replacing the Openmoko Touchscreen

[John Koenig]

It seems possible to get it replaced and it is pretty reasonable in 
terms of price as well (57 USD + 20 USD for shipping) .  I have been in 
communication with this Chinese reseller:

http://www.qinyielectronics.com

I am going to be completing the transaction with them today.  If you 
want to hold off purchasing until after I receive mine; I will be sure 
to post up the aftermath.  At least that way if they are fraudulent only 
one of us will be out the cash ;). 

Otherwise, it is possible to remove the screen and it required nothing 
more than the guitar pick that I used to open the case.  The only tricky 
part was the connection to the main board.  There is a small black 
locking mechanism that flips up and allows for the LCD panel to be 
disconnected from the main board.

I haven't heard much from Koolu (my reseller) yet as to whether or not 
they would be willing to RMA the system.  Last time they checked in with 
me they were contacting the manufacturer to "see if it was even possible."

John


AVee wrote:
> On Wednesday 13 August 2008 23:29, John Koenig wrote:
>   
>> Is it possible to remove the touchscreen from its mounting on the
>> GTA02?  Visually it looks possible, but it certainly doesn't seem to
>> want to come out easily.
>>     
>
> Did you actually manage to get a new sceen yet? I #%(!@$@#)$#%)!@~! dropped my 
> freerunner on the pavement which broke the screen. 
>
> Please keeps us updated if you are actually going to repair your freerunner. 
> I'm not very keen on getting a whole new freerunner just because the screen 
> is broken. Anyone around with a GTA01 to get rid off or a freerunner which is 
> broken in some other way?
>
> If that doesn't work i'll have to find some use for a 400Mhz low power debian 
> system.
>
> A few lessons learned during my holiday: 
> - The freerunner does work at altitudes above 2000m.
> - It will also work fine at speeds around 180 km/h...
> - ...but operating the touchscreen while driving isn't that easy.
> - (Up to ~140Km/h the speedometer of my car is remarkably accurate).
> - Just a heading towards your destination is generally quite usefull...
> - ...but less usefull when there's a huge mountain inbetween.
> - You can only use it as just GPS for more around 6 hours. 
> - A nokia BL-5C makes a fine spare battery.
> - A toothpick is perfectly useable as a styles, cheaper to replace as well.
> - An cheapo usb car charger will happily charge at 1 amp.
> - You can drag it up and down a few mountains without problems.
> - You will break it during a 'save' trip to a nice old village...
>
> AVee
>
>