Upper half of the screen blank

tapf! · 05-07-2008, 09:38 AM

Hello,

I've got a big problem with my Reader. Yesterday while I was reading when changing from one page to the other the upper half of the screen tourned blank. Now it shows only some some light shadows.

I tried Softreset and Hardreset - none helped.

Anyone knows this problem? How can it be fixed?

Thanks in advance!

Greetings

Fabian

NatCh · 05-07-2008, 11:35 AM

I know you're not going to like this answer, but it looks like a display controller fault.

tapf! · 05-07-2008, 05:26 PM

Is the failing of the display controler a common problem?

My Reader is still unter warranty but I would some US residant to whom I could send the device and who then sends it to Sony. But the shipping would cost about 100 USD (2x32 EUR).

EDIT: I now saw in the "Similar Threads" some people complaining for the same problem with the Reader but also other devices. (I dont know why I didn't find those threads while searching before starting this thread)

Normally I now would buy a Reader model 505 - wich I was thinking about buying it (but I wanted to sell the 500, so the 505 woulfd cost only a few bucks more

) but now I'm afraid of buying another e-Ink device because I fear that it also breaks after some months.

The Reader costed me in the 10 months that I had it some 45 USD (30 EUR) per month - pricy thing...

Greetings,

Fabian

NatCh · 05-07-2008, 05:37 PM

It happens, but I wouldn't call it common. Considering that most of the ones we hear about here are folks who have wandered in because they've had a failure, the incidence must be pretty low because there aren't even all that many of them popping up here.

That's an impression rather than some sort of actual count, but it's a pretty informed one.

ndrake · 05-17-2008, 10:35 AM

My reader just did the same thing this morning. Any idea what it costs to get fixed (if it isn't covered under warranty)?

Nevermind. Just found another post in the forums saying Sony would charge $279. Maybe it is time to upgrade to the 505?

pilotbob · 05-17-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndrake

My reader just did the same thing this morning. Any idea what it costs to get fixed (if it isn't covered under warranty)?

Nevermind. Just found another post in the forums saying Sony would charge $279. Maybe it is time to upgrade to the 505?

Uh... yea.. considering you can buy a new one for less than $279.

BOb

suineg · 07-18-2008, 02:49 AM

Is it the controller or the screen?

I have one with a broken screen (physically) and if it's just a controller issue I wonder if I could find one of these for sale and just buy it and swap out the screen into mine.

05-07-2008, 09:38 AM	#1
tapf! Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Germany / Stuttgart Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Upper half of the screen blank Hello, I've got a big problem with my Reader. Yesterday while I was reading when changing from one page to the other the upper half of the screen tourned blank. Now it shows only some some light shadows. I tried Softreset and Hardreset - none helped. Anyone knows this problem? How can it be fixed? Thanks in advance! Greetings Fabian Attached Thumbnails

05-07-2008, 05:26 PM	#3
tapf! Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Germany / Stuttgart Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Is the failing of the display controler a common problem? My Reader is still unter warranty but I would some US residant to whom I could send the device and who then sends it to Sony. But the shipping would cost about 100 USD (2x32 EUR). EDIT: I now saw in the "Similar Threads" some people complaining for the same problem with the Reader but also other devices. (I dont know why I didn't find those threads while searching before starting this thread) Normally I now would buy a Reader model 505 - wich I was thinking about buying it (but I wanted to sell the 500, so the 505 woulfd cost only a few bucks more ) but now I'm afraid of buying another e-Ink device because I fear that it also breaks after some months. The Reader costed me in the 10 months that I had it some 45 USD (30 EUR) per month - pricy thing... Greetings, Fabian Last edited by tapf!; 05-07-2008 at 05:34 PM.

05-17-2008, 10:35 AM	#5
ndrake Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: PRS500	My reader just did the same thing this morning. Any idea what it costs to get fixed (if it isn't covered under warranty)? Nevermind. Just found another post in the forums saying Sony would charge $279. Maybe it is time to upgrade to the 505? Last edited by ndrake; 05-17-2008 at 10:36 AM. Reason: found related post

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05-07-2008, 11:35 AM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I know you're not going to like this answer, but it looks like a display controller fault.

05-07-2008, 05:37 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	It happens, but I wouldn't call it common. Considering that most of the ones we hear about here are folks who have wandered in because they've had a failure, the incidence must be pretty low because there aren't even all that many of them popping up here. That's an impression rather than some sort of actual count, but it's a pretty informed one.

07-18-2008, 02:49 AM	#7
suineg Member Posts: 18 Karma: 24 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Sony E-Reader	Is it the controller or the screen? I have one with a broken screen (physically) and if it's just a controller issue I wonder if I could find one of these for sale and just buy it and swap out the screen into mine.