[shahar.dori]

help!

for some reason, my trackball won't respond to left.

should i try disassembling the device? clean it? and useful tips?

[MaxPayne79]

before u disassemble it try wetting a piece of paper-towel, then placing it between ur thumb and ur trackball and move ur thumb around as if u were scrolling left normally. The paper towel should move as well. Point is to get ur trackball damp or lightly wet so it can dissolve the crap that's built up on the little rollers that are inside the trackball assembly. Don't worry about applying more than normal pressure on the trackball when ur scrolling around with the paper towel, u wanna make sure u get as much off as possible. Make sure there is no dripping from the paper towel so u don't have water going into ur phone through the trackball assembly, and wash ur hands prior to this procedure so u don't transfer dirt and grease over to the trackball mechanics. This always works for me, hope it works for you. Good luck.

[Caledan]

The first time I had that happen was a month after I got it, I started freaking. A person where I work suggested removing the battery for 15 min. & the use a slightly damp cloth and do exactly as MaxPayne97 says. I worked like a champ. I now do that once a month just to keep it clean.

[Dubdub]

Do you carry the BB in your pocket?

The problem might be caused by dirt or lint under the ball. To solve, turn the device OFF.

Press the ball and roll in the direction that it doesn't work, in your case, to the left. Continuing to press, roll in all directions for at least a minute. Turn on the BB and see if it works.

You can also try pressing the ball and blowing some "canned" air all around it.

Finally, carry it in the case provided, not in your pocket.

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Guys, I think you've been lucky you didn't create more problems with the water. I advise you don't do that again no matter that it's worked before. There are other steps you can take, such as what Dubdub recommends.

[akosnitzky]

I always leave my BB in my pocket and havent learned the hard way yet although I agree its a bad idea. As mentioned above, water is your enemy. At times, a simple battery pull without doing anything else has solved the problem

[shahar.dori]

thank you all so much!! it's amazing to see the dedication of the bbb community. thanks again..

first of all, i do carry the device in my pocket. after months of managing with the case - even though it's cool and elegant, i find it more than a burden. but i might reconsider, after learning the hard way..

the paper towel cloth thing didn't do the trick. i also used air to try and remove the dirt. nothing... of course, this doesn't prove nothing.

i've also tried the 15 minutes battery pull with the cloth. nothing's changed..

so, i guess the next step is disassembling it, eh?

thanks again.

[kriswilliams03]

I had the same problem, except mine would not scroll up. I tried damp alcohol swabs to remove hand oils and also tried scrubbing around the trackball with a soft, dry toothbrush. I ended up having to take it in for an exchange while under warranty. The trackball is what makes me consider going to the 9700. That, and I like new toys. I have small hands and the Curve keyboard was perfect for me. Now with my middle-aged eyesight though, I might be better off sticking to the Bold.

[miamirulz29]

Have turned off the device and scroll in the direction it won't work as suggested above.

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted

Push down and roll.

That's what I've been doing. A few times I've been close to taking the trackball assy out to clean it, but then it frees up and starts rolling again. Sometimes I have to do it for many minutes, but it works.

[shahar.dori]

well, thanks again - but none of that worked...

i took it apart - using a youtube video, and used air brush to clean the trackball, and...

WORKS FINE!

one thing i've learned - i'm going to use the case again. no more dust for my BBB...

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted

Originally Posted by shahar.dori

well, thanks again - but none of that worked...

i took it apart - using a youtube video, and used air brush to clean the trackball, and...

WORKS FINE!

one thing i've learned - i'm going to use the case again. no more dust for my BBB...

I think that was the smart thing to do. In my mind, there are three solutions:

(a) push down and roll in the direction in which it is stuck

(b) take out and clean

(c) replace

As I say, I've yet to have to go to step (b). But more than a few here on the forum have gone all the way to (c).

[brenakie]

Thanks MaxPayne, worked like a charm!!!

[Klotar]

In the past, I've always been able to do the 'press down hard and roll' trick, combined with compressed air, etc. but finally neither of those would work.

My thumbs were actually SORE from trying to press and roll the trackball down all morning on the way to work. It just wasn't cutting it this time. I was debating on disassembly/replacement (which would be tough as it'd take weeks from order to arrival to get a trackball assembly).

Finally, while at work I tried one of those LCD monitor wipes on the trackball. Within 3 seconds, my trackball started working in all directions. I didn't even press down on the trackball at all. After the wet wipe, I switched to the dry wipe and it was literally as good as new.

[muskiemania]

i had a similar problem which never seemed to go away...i had, on multiple occasions pulled out the track ball and checked for dirt, but in addition to removing the trackball and cleaning the surfaces inside the blackberry, I ended up having to dismantle the trackball, clean each of the little rollers and then try and put it back together...not easy when you've got big hands...

the next time i have that problem, i'll just go on ebay and get a new trackball rather than trying to clean it myself.

[BlankBerry]

Originally Posted by shahar.dori

help!

for some reason, my trackball won't respond to left.

should i try disassembling the device? clean it? and useful tips?

Lick it for true it works

[lanvynguyen]

Thanks for the advice....hopes this works for me as well.

THE POINT still remains, why the hell do I have to do this in the first place?? BB can figure out how to send my messages from here to Cambodia no problem but it cant seem to figure out an effective way to keep me messaging?? How about allowing good old fahsion arrows as functional keys in case this does happen (as the trackball ALWAYS go wrong).

Damn, I miss the rolling wheel...brilliantly simple!