Bottom of iPhone touchscreen not working...

Question

Level 1

4 points

Bottom of iPhone touchscreen not working...

So, I discovered today that my iPhone's touch screen isn't working like it should. The bottom bar/dock doesn't work. VERY BAD! I don't use the phone part any more (AT&T *****, so I switched back to T-Mobile and my Sidekick III unfortunately), but I do still use the email, web, iPod and map functions on a regular basis (very important). So now I can't access my email or anything... just my calendars, and even thats not fully functional.

Questions is.... has anyone had this happen? Any other way to fix it? I don't live ANYWHERE near an Apple Store, so that is totally out of the question. To those who have had this problem, how was Apple's response/solution to the problem? Was it a smooth resolution, or a frustrating hair-pulling experience?

(I ALMOST threw the iPhone.... but I didn't!)

Any ideas, comments, experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Message was edited by: Scidsecret

Intel iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 2.16 Ghz, 2 GB ram, 250 gig HD

Posted on Mar 16, 2008 12:03 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 16, 2008 11:06 AM in response to Scidsecret

Try the suggestions on this link. Hopefully they may help. One test you can try is to use the calculator application. If all numbers work, your screen should be ok.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1259916&tstart=0

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Answer 2

hiousi

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2008 6:11 AM in response to Kailualondon

It seems that Tamara see hackers everywhere, and in every posts 😉
Kaiualondon, I have the same problem, and Tamara did not help in any way.

1- The warranty is not dependent on activation :
got to https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do and try with your serial number, for me I have :
Our records indicate this product has not been activated. Learn how to activate your iPhone. Please note that warranty service is not dependent on activating your iPhone. For more information, please contact us.

2- in France , Orange unlock iPhone on simple demand. They MUST do that because of Law.

Please tell me how you manage to solve your issue.

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Answer 3

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Mar 29, 2008 9:36 AM in response to hiousi

The warranty is not dependent on activation :got to https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do and try with your serial number, for me I have :Our records indicate this product has not been activated. Learn how to activate your iPhone. Please note that warranty service is not dependent on activating your iPhone. For more information, please contact us.

If you unlocked/jailbroke your iPhone, you may not get any warranty repair on it. Apple can tell if the phone has been unlocked. A friend of mine works at an Apple Store as a Genius and they hook the phone up to a device that can tell if the unit's been unlocked/jailbroke--even if you try and restore it before taking it in.

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Answer 4

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Mar 29, 2008 2:22 PM in response to MobileDev

MobileDev wrote:
Can you cite a public source where a casual buyer would've seen this fact, please?

http://www.apple.com/iphone/easysetup/rateplans.html

Its all over the iPhone page. Every page discussing the rates shows AT&T as the only carrier.

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Answer 5

Mar 29, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Ansuz82

Can be purchased at an Apple Store or the Apple online store, or at an at&t corporate store or the at&t online store only should make this somewhat obvious.

Available at the Apple online store when adding an iPhone to the cart.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=br owse&mco=3587D031&node=home/shop_iphone/family/iphone

I haven't visited an Apple Store in a while, but I doubt the at&t logo and this information is kept hidden from view.

Also included on the iPhone retail box under Requirements:

First sentence - Minimum two year wireless service plan with AT&T required to activate all iPhone features, including iPod features.

I purchased my iPhone at an Apple Store, and the bag my iPhone was placed in includes: iPhone - Only on AT&T.

And don't forget the television ads which include - "Only on AT&T".

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Answer 6

Mar 16, 2008 3:53 AM in response to Scidsecret

I literally just had this happen to me yesterday. I can't access anything on the dock or slide to unlock .... I'm in Ireland so I'm going into the O2 Store today to see if I can get a refurb or a repair but since its an imported one I doubt I'll have much luck.

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Answer 7

rdesport

Level 1

0 points

Mar 16, 2008 9:15 AM in response to Scidsecret

Bad news, sorry the phone needs replaced, at least that was my solution, the top portion of my screen stopped working, was not able to get first voice mail, contacts etc..just wouldnt work, tried to do a full reinstall, then took it to the apple store, and that is always the first thing they try, and it was unsuccessful for them as well, it is basically a hardware issue not a software, so doing a fresh install does not do anything. I got a replacement that day.

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Answer 8

Scidsecret Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 16, 2008 11:36 AM in response to Scidsecret

Unfortunately, none of this has helped. It hasn't made a difference. I guess I'll just have to call Apple tomorrow, or make a 3 hour drive to an Apple Store I just found out existed. Thanks for the help though.

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Answer 9

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,303 points

Mar 16, 2008 12:37 PM in response to Scidsecret

You need to either call or get on-line and make an appointment. That way your time is set, and you don't have to wait on anyone else. The process should not take that much time, but you do have the alternative of calling AppleCare and having them send you a pre-paid shipping carton, and letting you ship it back and no trip to the store. Either alternative is up to you.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 10

Mar 16, 2008 2:19 PM in response to Scidsecret

My girlfriend has this exact problem with her iphone. Restoring it failed to solve the problem so the only option was to take it to the Apple store. Make an appointment before you go otherwise you could be waiting for hours. They were very quick about the situation and they replaced her phone and it hasn't had a problem at all.

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Answer 11

Mar 18, 2008 5:53 PM in response to legendofdon

My four month old 8G iPhone's touch screen stopped working this week. I cannot text, email or input new numbers. I bought the phone in LA, but recently moved to London. I called Apple and was told to go to the Genius bar which i did, but i was turned away because i bought the phone in the US, but was at the Regent Streen (London) store. i may be out of luck as they say they cannot help.
i was on AT&T, but when i moved to London i switched to 02, but they said i voided warrenty by swithcing to 02. they said i need to buy a new one for England. THIS IS A JOKE!!!!!! The touchscreen is faulty and they should replace it. NOW. anyone else have this problem?

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Answer 12

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Mar 18, 2008 6:02 PM in response to Kailualondon

It would seem your solution is to ship it to someone in the US who can go to a US Apple store with the phone.

The US iPhone is carrier locked to ATT. Did you hack the phone to work with O2 or did you just get an O2 iPhone SIM?

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Answer 13

Scidsecret Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 18, 2008 11:37 PM in response to Scidsecret

Well, I called Apple yesterday and they shipped me a box to return it. I sent it out today, so we'll see how that goes. I don't actively use the iPhone as a phone any more (I don't use it for phone purposes), as I don't have an AT&T account any more. Hopefully this won't affect getting a replacement. Fact is, it's not my fault the touchscreen stopped working. This is a major defect, and Apple is responsible, and should acknowledge that fact. I didn't pay $500+tax for a paperweight.

I've been a faithful Mac user for the last 8 years.... I would hope Apple has the same respect for my expectations of their products (hope you're listening, Apple!).

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Answer 14

Beslon

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2008 6:19 AM in response to Scidsecret

I just bought my iPhone.I was working well with the Indonesian Simpati SIM card, but now it was dead (the touchscreen not working) after I updated to the latest version. I want to the restore, but now the iTunes does not give the option. What can I do now? I try to find the solutions from the internet, but I don't find any help. Help me, please!
Tx.

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Answer 15

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Mar 19, 2008 7:43 AM in response to Kailualondon

So, you hacked the phone to work with O2. The US Apple iPhone is covered by a US warranty not a global warranty. If you want it repaired, you'll have to send it to the US and hope they don't notice you hacked it.

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