ipad 2 keeps freezing - hardware problem?

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ipad 2 keeps freezing - hardware problem?

I have an iPad 2 (Model MC979LL/A) running IOS Version 7.11 (11D201) and the screen keeps freezing.

I have pretty much exhausted all the good advice regarding hard resets with the two buttons, resetting from settings, and I have used iTunes to do multiple restores both automatically and manually (with & without Recovery Mode) from the .ipsw download for Version 7.11. No matter what I do, the screen will freeze within 2 minutes, if not sooner.

Is there a likely hardware issue that might be the cause of all this? The battery seems to keep it's charge. Because it freezes I haven't been able to really use it, so the battery is in the 98% to 100% range. When it freezes, the screen doesn't go black. It just freezes wherever it is, and buttons are unresponsive.

Is it possible that the Versions 7 and above have put a strain on some component that now causes a freeze up, or what component would be likely to cause something like this over time? Any techs out there that might have a likely guess?

I don't think it's a software issue, but I could be wrong. Nothing on the iPad is important, and it was given to me by someone that was having the same problems, so I'm not adverse to taking it apart. Maybe I'll get lucky. If I "brick it", no loss.

Thanks

Gary

iPad 2, iOS 7.1.1, 16 GB

Posted on Jun 10, 2014 7:53 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 10, 2014 11:49 PM in response to DOK4848

When you restored are you setting it up as new only using your Apple ID (not restoring from a backup)....I ask because if you are if it's corrupted software causing it and you restore from the backup you may be putting the corrupted file back...if you did the restore and didn't restore from a backup and are still having the issue it's a hardware problem...i had something similar happen to me and that's the advise I got from the apple store

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Answer 2

DOK4848 Author

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Jun 11, 2014 5:36 AM in response to Community User

I have been trying to it up as a new ipad, but no matter what I do, it still ends up freezing.

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Answer 3

Jun 11, 2014 10:07 AM in response to DOK4848

If it still freezing after a restore and setting up as new the issue isn't software...you are having a hardware problem...I recommend calling apple to see if it still in warranty...if it still in warranty and doesn't have any accidental damage apple will repair it on them...but if it's out of warranty or has accidental damage you may have to pay for the repair

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Answer 4

DOK4848 Author

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Jun 21, 2014 9:23 AM in response to DOK4848

Since it appeared to be a hardware issue, I figured I would take a chance and open the iPad up.

Upon opening, I saw two similar connectors, one for the battery and one for the lcd screen.

I disconnected them, cleaned them, and reseated them, figuring it might make a difference. But it didn't.

After putting everything back together, the ipad still froze exactly like before after 2 minutes. At least

I didn't make it worse!

So I started to think that this screen freezing problem seems to have gotten worse since the seasonal

change in weather has gotten progressively warmer here in Pennsylvania from February to June, and that

it would be interesting to put the iPad in the freezer for 15 minutes and see if cooling the iPad improves it's

performance.

It did! After 15 minutes in my freezer, the iPad was able to respond properly for 26 minutes before the screen "froze".

Is this because there is a component that is heating up inside, and cooling the iPad slows down that process,

OR

is the touchscreen more capable of "distinguishing" my warm fingers when the iPad is generally cooler?

All thoughts welcome.

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Answer 5

DOK4848 Author

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Jun 29, 2014 3:20 PM in response to DOK4848

I removed the logic board for inspection. There appears to be some kind of

damage to the chip shown in the attached picture:

343S0542 - A2

11288HFD

Apparently the chip has something to do with power management. Could this be a

likely cause of the screen freezing? From the appearance, is it likely that there

is damage, or can they look like that when new? Is this a common cause of logic

board failure. If so, I'll try to salvage a logic board from another iPad 2 with cosmetic

problems; or vice versa.

Thanks,

Gary

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Answer 6

DOK4848 Author

Level 1

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Jun 29, 2014 3:22 PM in response to DOK4848

I removed the logic board for inspection. There appears to be some kind of

damage to the chip shown in the attached picture:

343S0542 - A2

11288HFD

Apparently the chip has something to do with power management. Could this be a

likely cause of the screen freezing? From the appearance, is it likely that there

is damage, or can they look like that when new? Is this a common cause of logic

board failure. If so, I'll try to salvage a logic board from another iPad 2 with cosmetic

problems; or vice versa.

Thanks,

Gary

Reply