First Hardware Failure

[JaeKar99]

I have the pleasure of administering 6 Fascinates for a small business. Out of the 6 - the first one down has a screen that is blacked out. I know the system is functioning.. shuts down and all the buttons function. Just cannot see them..

I hope this is not a sign of things to come. This is only 55 days into the 2 year contract. We had a 100% failure rate on the Storm I over 16 months.

Anyone else seeing this issue?

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

I haven't heard this issue but I take it you're a Verizon Wireless Business customer? I'd definitely get in contact with them about the issue if resetting the phone doesn't resolve the issue.

 

[Chris3D]

I have the pleasure of administering 6 Fascinates for a small business. Out of the 6 - the first one down has a screen that is blacked out. I know the system is functioning.. shuts down and all the buttons function. Just cannot see them..

I hope this is not a sign of things to come. This is only 55 days into the 2 year contract. We had a 100% failure rate on the Storm I over 16 months.

Anyone else seeing this issue?

Did the user install any 3rd party screen brightness widgets by any chance? There's a few that, when trying to dim the screen lower than the stock dim setting (which is still pretty bright) will black out the screen and you can't get it back without some hassle.

 

[JaeKar99]

Battery pull - power up; I can hear the startup splash but no image. Power off then on.. image for one minute: Facory reset - one minute: Back to Black. Duplicated 4 times.

I also noticed that when the haptic feedback is in operation there are some flickering in the images. Then; Back to Black.

 

[Cory Streater]

With it completely powered down, hold the down volume button, and then plug it into your computer with the USB cable. Does the screen show the gigantic caution symbol?

Note: You might need the Samsung drivers installed to do this. Check the how to root thread in the ROM's and Hack's section to get them.

 

[JaeKar99]

Did the user install any 3rd party screen brightness widgets by any chance? There's a few that, when trying to dim the screen lower than the stock dim setting (which is still pretty bright) will black out the screen and you can't get it back without some hassle.

Not on this one. User had it loaded with social networking, mapping, and a few game apps but they were all promptly removed when the screen was up for a minute. Then the facory reset should have cleared any lingering issues. No Root, - all stock.

 

[JaeKar99]

With it completely powered down, hold the down volume button, and then plug it into your computer with the USB cable. Does the screen show the gigantic caution symbol?

No luck. I did have Odin up and I noted that the phone was connecting but no image.

 

[Cory Streater]

I agree that you have a hardware issue.

 

[JaeKar99]

Thanks for the help and the direction!

 

[joe007]

I had the same issue with my first SCH-I500. I was trying different dimmer apps. Soon after no screen light when the OS loaded. I had it on POST and shutdown, just not when POST was done. Swapped within the first thirty days.

 

[JaeKar99]

After quite an extensive review with the Verizon 'Tech' the phone in question eventually agreed to have a hardware malfunction. Replacement phone arrived yesterday with a neat little red sticker on the face.... Certified Refurb... Opted to give it a try.

What a joke. Image rendering is horrid. Color is washed out, reds are the worst, blues are bright and clear.

This does not prohibit the user from using the phone as a phone. It just makes a likeable phone much less desireable due to the vendor.

With the amount of money that was provided to Verizon for purchase of this lot of business phones... this phone will be going back today.

Given Verizon exchanges a non-functional phone for a marginally functional phone is some of the worst business practice I have experienced thus far.

Sorry - Had to unload this somewhere.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Sorry to hear about your experience JaeKar99, this is precisely one of the reasons I am so skeptical about "Certified Like-New" devices. I think in cases like this you should be awarded a new device, but unfortunately I'm not a decision maker at Verizon, or any other carrier for that matter.

 

[JaeKar99]

Update: After a conversation with the Verizon Tech support person this morning; apparently there are No New Samsung Fascinate available for swap outs. The person was very accomodating to the request for a new phone. Apparently there are none in stock at this time.

 

[Snareman]

Did the user install any 3rd party screen brightness widgets by any chance? There's a few that, when trying to dim the screen lower than the stock dim setting (which is still pretty bright) will black out the screen and you can't get it back without some hassle.

This happened to me with Tasker. I hit the test button after having it set the brightness to 0 and the phone never worked again. Had to get a new one.

 

[Snareman]

Update: After a conversation with the Verizon Tech support person this morning; apparently there are No New Samsung Fascinate available for swap outs. The person was very accomodating to the request for a new phone. Apparently there are none in stock at this time.

So what are they going to do for you? Get you a new one eventually or are you permanently stuck with the washed out one?

 

[JaeKar99]

Well after a couple of pointed questions about quality product being provided for payment rendered... As soon as a new phone is available it will be shipped. I was also promised a call back regarding progress on finding a new phone before the end of this week.

Until then.. My employee is stuck with the washed out phone - OR - an old POS Storm I... She has chosen the washed out Fascinate.

Guess that establishes preferences Marginal Fascinate vs. Operational Storm I..

 

[Snareman]

Well after a couple of pointed questions about quality product being provided for payment rendered... As soon as a new phone is available it will be shipped. I was also promised a call back regarding progress on finding a new phone before the end of this week.

Until then.. My employee is stuck with the washed out phone - OR - an old POS Storm I... She has chosen the washed out Fascinate.

Guess that establishes preferences Marginal Fascinate vs. Operational Storm I..

Well, at least you are getting a new one after it all. Coming from my Blackberry, if I had the choice, I'd take the Fascinate with all of its functionality any day, washed temporary washed out screen or not. I had to go back to my BB for a day while my Fascinate was dead as I mentioned above and I wasn't happy.

 

[NovaSS369]

Lame that they would not allow you to got through a retailer of some sort to get a new one right away. But, that would be in a perfect world.