Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3

Prism flickers...

Recently, I just acquired a new Visor Prism. Seems like if I have the unit on for a certain period of time (i.e., reading a e-book), the screen flickers occassionally (not continuouse flickers; just once in a while). The battery level is well above 90% capacity. Is this normal? I have tried adjust it in different brightness, but same thing happens. Any idea?

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

Maybe an easy fix

Not sure what you mean by "flicker," but if your contrast is set wrong (not brightness) it can cause some annoying flicker.

Did you already download and install the Handspring Contrast Utility at:

http://support.handspring.com/esupp...sp?Type=Updates

This might help.

Kupe

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3

I have downloaded and install the Contrast Adjustment utility, and seems that it got nothing to do with this problem...

It's similar to a b/w palm pda (i.e., my old Palm IIIx), when you view it under certain fluorescent lighting condition and it flicker continuously like it is running on too low of a screen refresh rate. Only the Prism just flick once occassionally, and not continuously. I'm beginning to suspect that might be an indication of something drawing the battery power momentarily (I have got the Memplug SM adapter on it since day one of use). Maybe I should take it out for awhile just for trouble-shoot...

Last edited by waily on 07-25-2001 at 04:16 PM

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

Give it back

This doesn't sound like anything I've seen with my Prism and might indicate a more serious problem - time to take advantage of their trade-in policy.

Kupe

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Pullman, WA
Posts: 130

I know exactly what you're talking about, and wondered the same thing when I got my prism. It really annoyed me at first, but either it went away, or I got used to it.

__________________
IYYAYAS

AMMO - Providing the enemy the opportunity to die for his country.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Fremont, CA, USA
Posts: 11

I too have noticed the flicker that you mentioned on my Prism.

I've noticed that I tend to catch the the display flickering if I'm looking at another object and suddenly move my eyes and focus on the Prism display.

It sounds like a feature rather than a defect. Perhaps some people are more sensitive to it than others. In any case, it is not enough of a problem to drive me to return the unit.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

Mine has the flicker too. The patch did nothing for it. I just got
used to it and ignore it.

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Aloha State, Honolulu, HI
Posts: 35

Prism Flickers, a design flaw

The flicker that you all are noticing is the backlighting flashing on and off very quickly. It has nothing to do with resolution, etc. Handspring did release the contract utility, but you have to take note, that only cures the other problem(s). These problems included flickering due to different types of fluorescent lighting which made the entire constantly flicker at a given rate.

Now with our problem, the back light flickers every so many minutes. Most noticeable in the dark, and doesn't depend on software installed, application that is running, temperature, etc. This most likely is a design flaw as many others have this same problem in which the problem is never solved by Handspring.

You can read more about this ongoing problem on visorvillage's message board www.visorvillage.com

There are many people who are annoyed after countless exchanges with Handspring. These people contacted Handspring tech support and the support gurus new nothing about this problem(denial?).

Stan

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 49

I flaw in design.

Mine flickered too. It annoyed me. In fact I know what it is. I have a bad transformer. What has been happening is the screen would flicker like brightness up down up down. Then one day it went down and never came up. I took it apart and discovered that the transformer was opened up. (The glue had given way) My guess is that the component is set and glued shut. If the glue comes loose the coil wire comes loose inside the transformer. as the glue gives way your prism flickers. Hopefully I had a lemon. But it scary to hear others talking about it.

If you are interested the component is located on the main board (with the processor and memory) on the oppisite side of the screen power connector. It has seven solder points that I can see. The location is T1. The part number is T059 if anyone knows how to get this component please let me know. I have a dead Prism until then. (I had a memory upgrade that voided the warranty)

Thanks
OrionNE

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3

Oh, that's bad news to hear, cause I bought mine oversea, and has no local warranty... If what you said is the case, I can then open it up, and re-secure it with (hot) glue, and that should prevent it, right?

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Aloha State, Honolulu, HI
Posts: 35

Tony Rudenko? What do you think?

Have any of you contacted Tony, since he knows the insides of the Prism a lot more than we do.

If you do use hot glue, I don't think that'll work well, since the low temp heat will just melt it again. You may want to try 5-minute epoxy.

Stan

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 49

Yes, I sent a e-mail to Tony yesterday. I am hoping he will respond soon. Thanks for posting to contact him.

As for the glue. I am unsure if it would make things better or worse. I wish I would have caught the problem before the transformer opened up. I would have just wrapped a sturdy piece of tape around it and the board. If you look the location would work for that. But again Mine could have just been a lemon. Most likely it is not the cause for everyone's flicker. I am 100% sure it is what my problem was. As I had the unit apart I tapped on the transformer and the screen would work again. That is when I noticed the glue had come undone. and the more I messed with it the worse it got until it didn't work at all. SO BE CAREFUL!

OrionNE

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 15

How to fix the flickering

First set the date in your unit to 1/1/1904 (you can't go beyond that).
Adjust the contrast (by holding the power button and then moving the pointer). Even thought it says "brightness" it is "contrast" in this case. You'll be able to get rid of the flickering at about 30% of the bar graph. Don't forget to restore the today's date after you're done.
Tony

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Aloha State, Honolulu, HI
Posts: 35

Prism still flickering

My Visor Prism is still flickering even though I did the above fix.

First it seemed to have worked, but it doesn't

Stan

Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 10

still flickering?

Are people still having the random flicker problem or has Handsriping fix it. I got a new Prism from Staples a few weeks ago and it has the random screen flicker (and the paint is rubbing off a little.) Is it worth taking the unit back to staples or gettign a new one from Handspring? Or will I end up with the same problem? Has anyone solved this problem? (and please don't say to download the contrast app off handspring's website. It does not help.)

Thanks
GB

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

No change. I got one replaced in Sept or Oct and it has the flicker
problem. Contrast utility does not work unless you keep it at the
brightness that the utility sets, which is too bright for me. Don't
worry about it (you will get used to it) and have fun!

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com