Phone failure

Question

Level 1

0 points

Phone failure

1. Home button no longer responds
2. Port no longer responds
3. Sleep/wake button works when it feels like it
4. Phone no longer turns off manually (slider off sends it into a reboot)
5. Right before the above, it suddenly downloaded a week's worth of voicemail*

A Macrumors forum mentioned the ribbon cable coming loose, but short of opening the phone up, do I have any options? Is it worth sending it off to a 3rd party repair shop?

I was hoping to keep the phone until contract expiration in December and then make a decision on whether to upgrade, keep the 8gb, or find a more reliable phone.

Now it seems I have to wait for the battery to die and then resort to smoke signal.

Thoughts?

macbook pro / original 8gb iPhone, iPhone OS 3.0.1

Posted on Aug 16, 2009 9:55 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 16, 2009 10:21 PM in response to jungsunm

Try doing a restore in iTunes and let us know if that solves the problem. I've found that to be a solution for a lot of the problems I've had with mine.

Cheers.

Edit: I just reread and saw that you said that it won't manually shut down, are you able to get into DFU mode for a full restore with iTunes?

Message was edited by: jb.tamug99

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Answer 2

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Aug 17, 2009 4:39 AM in response to jungsunm

If a restore doesn't correct the issue, I would make an appointment at the Genius Bar - http://apple.com/retail/geniusbar and see if they can help.

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Answer 3

CArizo

Level 1

55 points

Aug 17, 2009 5:48 AM in response to jungsunm

Open up your iPhone and you risk voiding your warranty.

Restore as a New iPhone (to factory settings), if it does not resolve the issue then it is confirmed hardware repair needed

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Answer 4

jungsunm Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2009 6:12 AM in response to jb.tamug99

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately not, as the port doesn't work, either (it doesn't recognize when I plug into AC power, either... although strangely, I think it still charged overnight).

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Answer 5

jungsunm Author

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Aug 17, 2009 6:19 AM in response to CArizo

Thanks, but I'm only eligible for out-of-warranty service, unfortunately, which carries a $199 price tag... the only thing keeping me from opening the phone up, therefore, is that I'd have very little idea on what I'm doing. 🙂

Message was edited by: jungsunm

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Answer 6

jungsunm Author

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Aug 17, 2009 6:21 AM in response to Tamara

Thanks, I did, although I'm not overly optimistic. I'm predicting the $199 price tag for a OOW service will push me to a new phone.

Great marketing, that.

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Answer 7

Aug 17, 2009 6:25 AM in response to jungsunm

There are iPhone repair services on the web that cost less than $199. There are also sites that tell you how to disassemble your phone (not for the faint of heart). Google is your friend.

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Answer 8

jungsunm Author

Level 1

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Aug 17, 2009 6:38 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Good call - I canceled my Genius Bar appointment - there's a repair shop in the city with a decent track record of fixing iPhones. I'll update as appropriate.

Thanks.

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Answer 9

jungsunm Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2009 2:41 PM in response to jungsunm

Ok -- I paid significantly more than if I had gone the DIY route, but obviously less than Apple's OOW program.

But they replaced the charging port flex cable, which was responsible for the unresponsive port, home button, and mic (a problem I discovered this morning when trying to answer a call).

But they got it done today, and I don't have to tether myself to a new contract for a phone.

I'm still curious about the backlogged voice mail, which I saw reported in another post, but I'll close this thread here.

Thanks all.

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Answer 10

Aug 17, 2009 2:57 PM in response to jungsunm

AT&T has a problem with Visual Voicemail; sometimes messages are delayed days. We don't have a solution, but AT&T acknowledges it. You can still get your vm the old fashioned way; press and hold 1 on the keypad.

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