Author Topic: Screen Video Problem. Gemini useless piece now (Read 8187 times)

galodoido · « **on:** July 13, 2018, 06:40:12 am »

A problem with my gemini :

Please see photos and videos.

Sent an email to planet computers.
No answers yet.
Thank you all.

Message to Planet :

Hi Planet Support

Bought Gemini PDA . Arrived May 22, 2018 . Less than 2 months the problem appears ( yesterday night ) ( July 11, 2018 ) . Now , I have a useless piece. Please help me planet computers.

Problem is video . Please see photos and video in youtube.
The display is flickering.

I 've paid a value, shipping to UK. ( forward address ). Shipping cost to Brazil, Very high Customs duties.

My nickname is "galodoido " in OESF Forum Gemini Linux.

I'd really appreciate if Planet Computers can replace my Gemini. And send the new as "RMA ". I don't want to pay a very high Customs taxes again. And if it is possible send as fast as possible with a shipping method fast. And to my address in Brazil in this case. Or if it is not possible, please send it to my forward address in UK as did before. But please put a value in invoice like 90 GBP, so I will pay less taxes.

I can send to you my unit with defect. I don't know if I have to send the charger and cable also.
Please help me.
Less than 2 months and my unit is totally useless.
Please see the photos attached in this email and the videos link below:

https://youtu.be/-PRTJeKGK-M

https://youtu.be/Xc7Aelp4PbE

I"ve already reflashed my gemini, reflashed the NVRAM and the problem persists.
Please I need a free urgent exchange of my gemini.

Thank you so much

DJO · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2018, 12:40:10 pm »

Posting the same message in multiple groups will not help in the slightest, much the opposite in all probability.

Have you tried removing the covers and making sure all the cables are seated correctly yet?

Dixit · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2018, 02:41:32 pm »

Auch... that reminds me of the dreaded Psion 5mx cable problem !
The designers even copied that feature !

@ DJO: could you provide more detail ?
I wasn't aware that there are user servicable components under the hood of the Gemini.

DJO · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2018, 03:48:34 pm »

Quote from: Dixit

I wasn't aware that there are user servicable components under the hood of the Gemini.

There's a couple of ribbon cables connecting the 2 halves, I've not looked but it's a reasonable assumption that at least one end (and probably both) terminate in a connector so there's no harm in checking they are firmly seated before returning the item.

But..... Pretty much all the clever bits are in the screen module, all the cables should be carrying is keyboard, 2 x USB, audio stuff and the silver button so unless it's a power problem it's hard to see how it could be causing the problems shown above but when electronics go wrong, logic* is the first thing to go out the window.

* As in "reasonable expectations", not TTL or CMOS type logic although let me tell you about CMOS fault finding... <27 pages of boring anecdotes deleted>

Dixit · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2018, 03:54:20 pm »

Yes , that's indeed a difference when compared with the 5mx or the netBook. Those had their motherboard and the videocard in the 'keyboard' part, so if the flexicable went... that cut transmission to the screen.

Whereas a Gemini probably is more 'a phone with a keyboard attached to it'

Jeffers · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2018, 11:32:43 pm »

I read somewhere (I think it was the Medium article by Martin Riddiford) that they designed the Gemini to avoid the Psion screen cable problem. This is because there are no screen cables - the board is directly behind the screen. The connections are from the keyboard and battery.

galodoido · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2018, 07:12:17 am »

Thank all.
The screen suddenly works, but now the sim card stopped to work. Since the sim card slot is behind the screen , I think there is a complex problem . The shutdown in linux is too slow now . I've contacted Planet and no answers yet. I said that I will put my Gemini on trash ( useless piece , my gemini is not a trusted piece ). Unless they send me another piece ( RMA ) , so I will not pay Customs duties again, I told that it is not necessary to send me. I 've already wasted time reinstalling and reconfiguring and much money at Customs. One day before the problem occurs, I bought here in this forum a camera addon. I will pay customs duties again, Already bought and paid a screen protector. Customs duties again. And only to inform, customs duties here if sent by DHL, FEdex or UPs is 110% of ( price + shipping ). I've paid already the cost of 2.5 Gemini Pdas. I give up. Sorry.
Anyway, thank you to all people here.

Dixit · « **Reply #7 on:** July 14, 2018, 09:24:19 am »

You write about "the shutdown in Linux".

Was the screen bad in Linux as well ? Or only in Android (I am hoping that it has something to do with the software) ?

galodoido · « **Reply #8 on:** July 14, 2018, 10:09:18 am »

Quote from: Dixit

You write about "the shutdown in Linux".

Was the screen bad in Linux as well ? Or only in Android (I am hoping that it has something to do with the software) ?

The screen is now good in both linux and android. ( after I opened the back of my gemini and verify the battery and check conections near the side of earphone and usb port .
Please see photo. I did nothing . Only inspected parts . And after this , the screen is working perfectly. I don't understand since I've only opened this side part ( 3 screws ) and did nothing.
Major problem is that the sim card is not working. ( not detected ) . So the problem is some related, because the sim card slot is fitted behind the screen. Already tried TWRP and baseband zip solution provided here in other topic. But , the problem is that now I am not comfortable to use it and install and install , configure and reconfigure, and after this, another problem, like the shutdown in linux. Sometimes hangs. And also the sim card not detected. So, if Planet do not send me another, theres is no problem. I told him that I has a hammer to destroy the gemini . As I said I wasted a lot of time and money. But that is the life ... Thank you so much again.

DJO · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2018, 01:16:24 pm »

Have you tried a different SIM?

galodoido · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2018, 02:20:58 pm »

Quote from: DJO

Have you tried a different SIM?

Yes, 4 sims. All worked fine in other cell phones.
Thank you again.

galodoido · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2018, 02:59:52 pm »

Quote from: galodoido

Quote from: DJO
Have you tried a different SIM?

Yes, 4 sims. All worked fine in other cell phones.
Thank you again.

Hi,

I went try the last test after searching this oesf forum hardware . I really wanted my gemini working perfectly.
Tried to turn on the gemini and nothing. It is died definetely now.

Now , really a useless piece.
Nothing to do now .

?

Thank you.

qbiot · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2018, 01:58:04 pm »

Hi All,

I've been lurking here for quite some time. Too bad my first post's about malfunctioning Gemini.
Happened to me as well. I've already contacted PC and they're willing to investigate it once they get my device.

Check out attachments.

Dixit · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2018, 02:43:32 pm »

Aiii, aiii... from what batch was your Gemini and when did you receive it ?

galodoido · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2018, 02:47:05 pm »

Quote from: qbiot

Hi All,

I've been lurking here for quite some time. Too bad my first post's about malfunctioning Gemini.
Happened to me as well. I've already contacted PC and they're willing to investigate it once they get my device.

Check out attachments.

Good luck !
My gemini has died and I've donated it.
Please see : https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=35406

News:

Author Topic: Screen Video Problem. Gemini useless piece now (Read 8187 times)