faulty trackball help!
 

Hi there,
My wife has a blackberry 8900. The trackball doesn't seem to work in the direction left or right. Nor does it do anything, when you press it. However, it the direction up and down works perfectly fine.

Can anyone help and advise me what I should do to get this sorted? Does the trackball just need to be cleaned? Or does it need to be replaced?

Thanks in advance!
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Re: faulty trackball help!
 

Probably dirt or lint, especially if she doesn't use a case.

Turn the device off. Press and hold the ball then move in the direction that it doesn't work. Then while continuing to press, roll in all directions for at least 60 seconds.

Release and turn the device back on. Did that help? Might take a couple tries.

Another thing to try is a battery pull.

Re: faulty trackball help!
 

Hi there,
That's brilliant! Switched the device off and rolled the trackball in the direction it didn't work. I switched the device back on and hey presto! A big thanks.

Ta
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Re: faulty trackball help!
 

Hi there, its me again. Any ideas why the trackball doesn't work, when its pressed? All the directions now work.

Thanks.
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Re: faulty trackball help!
 

FYI so you'll know what to expect, those symptoms will recur, if you experience is anything like mine, and will become more frequent, and take longer and longer rolling the trackball like you did to fix it. I put up with it as long as I could, and eventually repalced the trackball assembly. Afterward I didn't know why I waited so long. So, be thinking about it, and don't keep putting up with it longer than you should. (Actually, your wife may say, "Honey, will you fix this thing this time?")

EDIT: I think what happens is partly what Dubdub says, dirt and crud build up in the assembly. But I think pieces parts in the assembly also just wear out.

Re: faulty trackball help!
 

Combination of dirt and wear and tear. However, lint and dirt is usually the cause. If it keeps happening, then you might look into replacing the part.

Re: faulty trackball help!
 

Hi there,
I think I'm better off just replacing the assembly. Can someone advise me what and how I can carry out the replacement. I've seen many trackballs on sale on ebay. Do I just replace the trackball? Do I need any cleaning fluid£ also do I need a special screw driver to get to the trackball? Thanks.
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Re: faulty trackball help!
 

It is a complete module, plus the decorative ring.

Do a search for 8900 trackball replacement. Likely you'll find several demonstration videos on youtube.

Also shop around for the trackball replacement. Buy a genuine RIM/BlackBerry part. Pay attention to what comes in the package. I think when I did it on an 8820 I bought the trackball module, a replacement ring, and the plastic tool to pop off the ring for 10+ USD.

No need to clean anything. Look at the directions you find when you search....I expect there is the retaining ring to pop off, and then the module will just drop out....that's the way it is on the 8820. The new module has to go in with the same orientation as the module you take out. Again, pay attention to the directions you find when you search. Don't go poking around inside. Just drop out the old module and drop in the new.

Re: faulty trackball help!
 

A big thanks, for all your help.

Ta
AP
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