[unstopabl3]

I have had my blackberry pearl (8100) for over a year now and it ran just fine until recently. The select / trackball button started getting pressed automatically, selecting which ever menu / icon was highlighted.

I have tried resetting the phone, opening up the trackball compartment and cleaning it with alcohol swabs, re-installing to the latest OS after doing a "Clear Phone / Delete Everything Procedure" but still no fruit.

After this I experimented a couple of things with same results.

1) I took out the trackball making sure there is nothing on the select button sensor, still the phone keeps selecting and selecting and selecting ...

2) I've kept the trackball inside as it should be and it stopped selecting until I moved the ball up and down the same process began again.

Please provide your insight on this issue and how to fix it.

Thanks in advance!

[tozar]

I have similar problem.

My trackball wouldn't scroll down so I took it out and cleaned it up which fixed the scroll problem.

About a week later it started selecting whatever was highlighted, popping up the context menu, sending text messages, dialing, etc., basically whatever was within a 2 or 3 keystroke range for the trackball.

I ordered a new trackball to see if the this fixes the problem. They are under $10 shipped.

My 8100 is only a few months old so I hope it is not shot already. I replaced a 8100 already that got wet and had keypad problems ever since even after getting a new keypad.

I hope these 8100s are not made for show as I do really like the phone. It is just the right size for what I need.

-- Roy

[Thatzmister2u]

You will have to search for it. But there is a solution on trackball NOT selecting that I think will help you. It appears that you have the opposite issue (unless you have gotten moisture or liquid in the device). Under the trackball assembly (on the circuit board) there is a piece of film over the board (square and tilted so it looks like a diamond). Underneath is the actual contact that clicks and performs the "Enter function". It's very likely that yours has either bent or corroded in a fashion that it is stuck "in". find the instructions. Carefully peel the film back and clean the contact or bend it back out (It should resemble a round dinner plate upside down. If it's opposite and sticking up you have damage it by turning it inside out. Remove and pop the dent back out and replace). As I said there is a step by step with photos you should review but it's worth a shot.

Good Luck and report back!

E

[Raptor464]

Here, check out this: http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...ml#post1330107

[tozar]

Thanks for the explanation and link!

This did the trick. There must have been some dirt, lint, moisture or whatever under the trackball contact film. It now works again.

I'll have to get one of those leather cases for this 8100.

[Thatzmister2u]

Originally Posted by tozar

Thanks for the explanation and link!

This did the trick. There must have been some dirt, lint, moisture or whatever under the trackball contact film. It now works again.

I'll have to get one of those leather cases for this 8100.

Excellent! I love a happy ending!

[unstopabl3]

Thanks for the awesome post "Raptor464"! It helped me fix my phone!
And thanks for your help "Thatzmister2u".

I just have one problem though, I had removed the diamond shaped item and cleaned it, but now it won't stick back. How shall i go about sticking it back? I got it working by just putting it in place and adding on the trackball+ring. Although the diamond shaped item could still move around if shaken.

I want to know what you did to fix this "tozar".

Thanks in advance!