old 8100 - in need of repairs, help?

[neema_m]

Hey everyone, I just got my hands on an old Blackberry 8100 (OS4.2.1.96)

Sadly, I'm almost certain that this phone won't be able to run 5, but while I was in high school this was my favorite phone and I recently just received one..for free.

The phone's trackball doesnt work(clicking the trackball scrolls up), and the volume up doesn't work either. I'm not really going to use the phone as cellular device, but I would rather just have it on my desk as a souvenir...in working condition as a backup.
So I've decided to buy a new housing for it, probably fixing the trackball problem, and then this is where I'm not sure. Would the new housing fix the volume bar problem also? Or would I have to actual replace parts on the phone?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[johnling]

If you are going to take it apart do so now and check a few of the water damage tags and make sure they are not red. Sounds like it may have water damage. Might want to make sure before you put a bunch of time and effort into it.

I keep my 8100 charged for a spare. Works good. Also, the Pearl isn't old. heheheh Something like my 72?? is old.

[neema_m]

trackball works great, but...
Regarding the volume...

Opened up the pearl, looked inside, and WOAH! what's this...?
picture one: http i54.tinypic-com/261i5nk-jpg

hmm, somethings missing...?

this little guy
picture two: http i55.tinypic-com/2nhm2vs-jpg

this is how its supposed to be...
picture three: http i56.tinypic-com/n4faqc-jpg
anyone recommend soldering? if so, how?

i'm a complete newb at soldering, but i still wanna take my chances at it if someone tells me exactly what to do.

(crackberry won't let me post links cause I dont have a lot of posts, so please replace the dashes with periods to view the pictures!)

[johnling]

Pic 1 - http://i54.tinypic.com/261i5nk-jpg
.
Pic 2 - http://i55.tinypic.com/2nhm2vs-jpg
.
Pic 3 http://i56.tinypic.com/n4faqc-jpg
.
OK - There are the pics.

At this point you could use a small soldering iron and put it back on. You have to do it quickly with battery temover of course. You cannot use excessive heat or it will damage surronding parts

My question is what kind of abuse caused it to come loose?

[IAmBBJosh]

Originally Posted by johnling

I keep my 8100 charged for a spare. Works good. Also, the Pearl isn't old. heheheh Something like my 72?? is old.

That's nothing, I have a 7100!

Did the Pearl turn on before you took it apart, OP? Just out of curiosity.

[neema_m]

You should've seen how this Pearl was BEFORE I got my hands on it. The bottom cover, the U cover or whatever was missing, the side rails are falling off, the back cover won't stay on, paint is chipped, and the trackball didn't work. The previous owner did all of this including the broken volume button

I actually soldered the part back on, it was my first time soldering and it works now! I was a bit scared when doing it though. But it shouldn't be too hard, this seems to be a common problem too.

The pearl would boot, but I reloaded a fresh install of OS 4.5 on there, and now it runs better.

Also ordered a new housing finally, so everything is coming together

[johnling]

Great! If all works except the track ball you should have a like new phone after that.

I might have to dig out my 7230 and see how it works.

Might be kool to start a working collection.