Broken digitizer on Clie tj35 have a question

[clipperfixer]

I dropped and broke the digitizer on my tj35, so I guess i will join that club. I have done a search on ways to fix the digitizer. The best option seems to replace the whole screen out of another Clie. The sj22's sell for only a couple of dollars more than a digitizer from www.gohightech.com. The question is will a sj22 screen work on a tj35??? Are there any other models that sell for cheap on ebay that would work for this?
Thanks,
Ray

[cerberus]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Sony has pretty much taken away the ability to replace the screen on their newer model Clies. You might want to read about my exploits with a SJ33 I had a month or so ago. I tried to replace the screen (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84415) in it and it's nearly impossible. I would buy another one off eBay and save yourself the time, effort, and wasted money on trying to replace the screen yourself. :eek:

[clipperfixer]

Thanks for the heads up on their construction. I decided those units were tricky to take apart BUT if I could get it apart I would try to replace the digitizer. I mean the unit is useless the way it is. Anyway I got it apart without too much trouble, remove the digitizer and the decal for the buttons. Since I got it apart without damage to anything I purchased a digitizer from gethightech.com. It should be here today or tomorrow. I will post my results.
As far as the parts you have left over from the Sj33 you took apart, well if you don't want them I would be happy to have them.
Ray

[phlyphish]

I just bought an SJ20 off ebay just for the digitizer and put it on a TJ37. Total price, after shipping, was only $15.05.

The SJ20 is an older model that doesn't even have a color display but its digitizer, like the digitizer on all of the clie's in the T, SJ, and TJ line, is compatible with all the other clie's in those model lines. Works great. As I said, It was an older unit and the digitizer was a little scratched up in places and very noticeably worn in the graffiti area, but I put a Bosity screen protector on it and every scratch and mark disappeared. It looks just like new.

It can be a bit tricky to get the digitizer off from an existing unit, but it's certainly not impossible. Either that or I should change my handle to Mr. Impossible because I've done it several times. It's easier to get the digitizer out of the little metal frame it's in if you loosen up or remove the LCD from that frame first, since that allows for the metal frame to bend away from the digitizer. However, you do need to be very careful as the slightest bend or bind on the digitizer will crack it.

Of course, the other, easier but more expensive, option is to buy the digitizer from gethightech.com since it doesn't have to be removed from an existing unit.

[clipperfixer]

I got one from gethightech, it showed up tonight. I did not know what digitizers would work from other units. Anyway getting a used one off in one piece looks to be challenging. Anyway I got my broken off without much trouble. As far as gethightech goes if you buy there digitizers off their ebay store they are cheaper. Something like 36.00 and change after shipping. Cheaper than a used one (PDA that is). I have been using a reuseable or maybe washable would be a better term screen protector. I can't remember the name of it. They do hide a decent amount of scratching on a used screen. Anyway putting the new digitizer on is on the to do list for tomorrow. I will post results then.

[clipperfixer]

Well I managed to get the digitizer changed, with much hassle. Anyway the tj35 is back to normal now. I had the 4 conductor ribbon cable going to the screen break on me. Not from being pulled on, but it broke when I folded it back up when putting the screen back in the frame. It broke in the middle of the cable where there was lots of room to work so I jumpered the ribbon with 4 very small wires (Ok, I have a lot of patience and I am able to work on very small things.) and then taped the repair with mylar tape and Viola! It all works now. Although changing the digitizer is possible on these things you better have patience, and a steady hand. Oh and a very small tri wing screw driver :-)