Hi guys, well I'm back here with a pearl issue now. I had a 8830 and the track ball broke 5 times. What would happen is that it would wouldn't select when depressed, you couldn't hold shift and do multiple symbols like !!!!! you would need to hit shift, hit symbol, hit shift, hit symbol, etc.

It also would select some keys without me actually hitting any buttons, most commonly happening during txting; the phone automatically brings up the send icon and hits it.

Now I'm having the same problems with my 8130. I'm not sure what it could be. whipping the phone doesn't do anything either. All my third party apps are gone and it continues.

I treat it very nice as well, it goes in my jeans pocket, I also don't use it with greasy or oily fingers. I tried cleaning the track ball with rubbing alcohol too. Also depressing and scrolling to try to get rid of dirt or dust but it doesn't help.

It's supposidly not a common problem and my friend works for Verizon and he has never seen anything like it, although his brother happens to have a 8830 and he also has the same problems as me (he doesn't use third party apps).

Can anyone help me?

It sounds to me like you are getting moisture in the keypad and trackball contacts. Keeping it in your pocket all the time isn't the best place.

Pocket is not the best place although I do it too. Always make sure the trackball is against you leg and not facing out. When you leave against things it can trash the trackball, desk, etc. You can buy them now for less than 10 bucks if the issue is the trackball itself. I have replaced many!

I had the same problem for a couple of weeks with the trackball not selecting which was a pain in the rear. So last night I was tired of it and I stuck my fingernail into the side of the ring around the trackball and it popped out both the ring and the trackball. so I took a Qtip and and kinda cleaned around the area of dirt and dust, but that has nothing to to with the fix. The little metal piece where the trackball pushes to hit another contact on the phone needs a little attention. The bent the little metal just tad bit away from the trackball and then I took the qtip and removed the swab from it which left just the plastic part and while the phone is turned on that light on the phone is blinding you i hit the contact on the phone to see if it would select. and it did select. So i continued to hit it until it would select everytime i pushed down on it. then I replaced the trackball and then the silver ring. And Presto I can select again and hold the shift button while pushing in numbers and playing brickbreaker. Hope this helps. This all happened when I broke belt clip and started to put the phone in my pocket. So this phone and pockets dont mix.

What's the warranty on these pearl/curve trackballs? I am looking to buy a pearl or curve and will be daily/all day putting it in my jeans pocket along with car keys, pens, etc. Is the trackball that fragile? What else about the phone is fragile and breakable? How is the LCD cracking?

Wow that's super helpful, I'm glad I caught your post. I had the phone replaced already but if it happens again I'll be ready!

Thanks man, just did it and it seems to have worked.
Just a little nervous taking it apart but seems to be ok.
Thanks!

+1 - worked for me too.

BTW, pearl is always in my pocket but I have had numerous trackball issues, so holster or case is the way to go if you don't want issues.

I keep my phone in my pocket anytime I go somewhere, otherwise its out on the desk. I just take it apart and clean it once a week, no problems so far.