Here is a tip for owners of a Dell Axim X5 PocketPC. With time the screen alignment on your device may deteriorate. Especially if you are like me, and you usually carry it in your pocket without a case. Mine got so bad, that I could not operate the device properly. Taps in the middle of the screen were detected as bottom, and so I could not even reach the start menu to get to the screen alignment program.
The only thing I could do was to hard reset the machine, and then re-sync it, and re install all my programs. Unfortunately, reset did not seem to fix my problem. I was greeted by the familiar screen alignment exercise, which makes you tap on the target that appears in 4 corners of the display. Usually a single cycle is enough, but on some occasions you might need 2 or 3 runs to get straightened out.
If the PocketPC just keeps cycling, and never lets you get out of the alignment screen, here is what you do. If you are using a screen protector, take it off. Take a credit card, and run it around the edges of the display (see the picture). Try to get into the crack between the screen and the case and clean out all the dust in there. Chances are, the dirt that builds up in there is creating phantom pressure on the screen and throws off the alignment software. Finally, wipe the screen with a soft dry cloth. Turn it on, and try aligning the screen again.
This worked for me. Try it before you call tech support, decide to spend money on a display replacement, or throw the device out the window.
[tags]axim, dell axim x5, pocket pc, win ce, screen alignment[/tags]
Excellent suggestion worked for me. Was thinking of throwing away the Axim but the credit card trick fixed it. Let see how long does the fix last.
Thanks
Mine tends to loose screen sync quite often, but this is probably because I use a screen protector, and touch the screen with my fingers a lot (sometimes I’m to lazy to take out the stylus if I just want to use calclator or check my schedule.
Great’ Nice tutorial. works very well
Thank you very much.
I’m new at Blogs but I have a question unrelated to the screen alignment. Has anyone had a problem with the battery getting hot and the device freezing completely? I have had this problem and this time only a hard reset could correct it, albeit temporarily.
I would certainly appreciate help as I depend on my PDA.
David, how old is the battery? Have you tried replacing it?
Also, you may want to call Dell about this. Even if the device is out of warranty they may be able to give you some tips as to what might be wrong with it.
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