iPhone screen not working, but phone works?

Dave · 29 Jun 2009 at 17:07

Hi all

The better half is having a problem with her iPhone - the screen on the phone doesn't work, (no functionality, no visuals) but the functionality of the phone itself is still in tact - she can still receive calls for example. Is this most likely to be a virus? I had a quick search on Google and on this forum, but most cases of broken screens are people dropping their iPhones! She says that the screen "broke" when she tried to log into IM - upon logging in the screen stopped working.

Can't take it back to the Apple Shop because she's in China, where there is no official Customer Services - if you guys could put forward some suggestions as to this then it'd be infinitely helpful. (only place to go there is 3rd-party shops) I'm fairly sure the phone is a 2nd gen, 8gb one. (not 100% as I don't own anything Apple myself!)

Thanks

MacRS4 · 29 Jun 2009 at 17:19

I take it you've tried a physical reboot? Mine does this now and again - seems to get all confused.

Hold down the on-off button, and the selection button on the front, for about 5 seconds or so. The phone will reset - you should see the Apple logo as if it were a fresh turn on.

Dave · 29 Jun 2009 at 18:25

No idea - phone isn't mine (nor is it my possession) so I can't try anything myself, just looking for suggestions really! I presume she has tried a physical reboot, it seems the obvious thing to do. Does it happen much with yours? My Creative Zen has frozen a couple of times (in the 3 years I've owned it) owing to it being "confused" - it's trying to pin down the exact thing that causes the confusion that's the problem!

Maccy · 29 Jun 2009 at 18:42

I'd try holding down the power button to get it off and back on for a start, failing that try MacRS4's suggestion.

Can't say it's ever happened to me though!

philjohn · 29 Jun 2009 at 20:39

Dave said:
No idea - phone isn't mine (nor is it my possession) so I can't try anything myself, just looking for suggestions really! I presume she has tried a physical reboot, it seems the obvious thing to do. Does it happen much with yours? My Creative Zen has frozen a couple of times (in the 3 years I've owned it) owing to it being "confused" - it's trying to pin down the exact thing that causes the confusion that's the problem!

it seems obvious to you, but would it to your girlfriend?

unknowndomain · 30 Jun 2009 at 10:29

Also no its not a virus, everything unexplained is not a virus.

Its likly a software issue or a loose connection as a result of dropping, regardless of what she says happened its likley it has been dropped in the past, causing a weak point and that has finally given.

Try software restore and if that doesnt work then take it to the apple store when she gets back to the country she bought the phone from

artaxerxes · 30 Jun 2009 at 16:15

Tell her to put the brightness back up!

Do a hard reboot - press the top button and the round button for 15 secs. Then restart... if problem persists take it to Apple.

You might be able to see what is on the screen if you hold it at the correct angle even if the backlight has died.