Black shell for the Verizon 8830 - Page 4 - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

soulman978 · 12-05-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianr0131

I emailed CNN and Steve Chan responded with this:

"I noticed the same thing on my own 8800, how big is the gap? Do you have a
picture? I think it might be normal.

Steve Chan"

I replied:

"Steve,

Its a very small gap. I don't think a pic would help. You can slide the door off without pushing down on the silver part if you know what I mean. Its a tiny bit too short."

He did not respond to the last email. I do, however have an update. My usb port was loose and the charger was not constantly charging the phone so I called verizon and they said to bring it in for an exchange. So, I had to remove the black shell and re install the OEM silver shell. When I did this I paid special attention to the back panel and battery cover. The problem is not on the battery cover the problem is on the top part of the back cover. there is a small "latch" in the middle of the cutout where the silver "micro SD" recangle goes that is missing. It is present on the silver faceplate and missing on the black one.

All that being said, I think I'm the first official black shell back to silver warranty exchange thusfar. Those of you who were worried, relax and get the black faceplate. Even the battery door issue is pretty much no big deal. it won't fall off but it slides off kinda easily.

Did you ever get a reply regarding this issue? I have the same issue. I have had mine installed for about three weeks and it's the only thing I don't like about the black case.

Anyone else experience this?

sta1 · **Button under right side rail -** 12-05-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyticketguy

Manufactured a new piece ???

HOLY MacGyver !!!!!

AMAZING what you can do with an X-ACTO knife and a piece of plastic. Add a drop of superglue and PRESTO!!!

muck · 12-08-2007, 11:56 PM

thinking about changing the bottom cover, to an unbranded cover. what is the process that is involved?
do i have to disassemble all the way to the front cover? or does it just clip out like the curves?

piusg · 12-09-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjansen3

[size=1]Has anyone yet noticed if swapping the shells makes the phone more prone to gettint lint behind the screen? I feel like this phone is really good at not doing that, but I am wondering if tearing it open will change that

Not a speck since install in mid-October.

piusg · 12-09-2007, 02:36 AM

Holy cow yester18! Those are some AWESOME pictures! I ganked the one of the keyboard and am going to use it for my Avatar icon.

Did you take those yourself or did you also gank them from someone?

vZwire · 12-09-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piusg

Alright Penelope, you win.

Yeah, I suppose they'd scream "voided warranty" if you were stupid enough to bring the thing back to a Verizon store or send it back with the black case still on it. I have a hard time imagining anybody smart enough to work a BlackBerry being that ridiculously stupid. Anyone dumb enough to do that deserves to have their warranty voided.

Employees at two full-fledged Verizon company stores in South Florida--one in the Mall at Wellington Green, and one on Okeechobee Boulevard--told me that support for the 8830 was the exclusive purview of Verizon Wireless Technical support and no service for the 8830 was performed in any Verizon store anywhere, company or not.

Frankly, justajason, judging by your tone, typing, and lack of posts, I think you're full of it--and a troll. And your shift keys are sticking.

Now stop frightening the nice people and pissing on my parade.

You are absolutely right in every way. I work in VZW's corporate office. As long as you swap before anyone sees....you are golden. Unless you are a complete noob, and jack something up (noticeably), there is no way a customer service rep will notice you have opened the phone.

sta1 · **bottom cover -** 12-09-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muck

thinking about changing the bottom cover, to an unbranded cover. what is the process that is involved?
do i have to disassemble all the way to the front cover? or does it just clip out like the curves?

There are six pieces that comprise the outside of the BB8830, both the left and the right side rails. The battery cover, the top back piece , the keyboard, and the front of the unit. I'm not really sure what you mean by changing the bottom cover? On a verizon BB8830 below the keypad there is there logo???? If that is the part that you want to change then you will have to swap out the whole front. To see what I mean you can go to cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-88008830-black-faceplate-trackball-p-1805.html and see the part. Just be careful when pulling the rails off as the two sided tape on my unit was over the volume up button underneath the rail so when I removed rail it broke the button off.

soulman978 · 12-09-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sta1

There are six pieces that comprise the outside of the BB8830, both the left and the right side rails. The battery cover, the top back piece , the keyboard, and the front of the unit. I'm not really sure what you mean by changing the bottom cover? On a verizon BB8830 below the keypad there is there logo???? If that is the part that you want to change then you will have to swap out the whole front. To see what I mean you can go to cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-88008830-black-faceplate-trackball-p-1805.html and see the part. Just be careful when pulling the rails off as the two sided tape on my unit was over the volume up button underneath the rail so when I removed rail it broke the button off.

Not completely true. You can change just the piece where the brand is displayed at the bottom. You will need to completely diassemble. Once you have the front cover off, look down near the bottom and you will see 2 tabs that hold the branded piece on. It is a very delicate operation to remove it, but it can be done. I did it on mine to get the Orange branded cover on.

muck · 12-10-2007, 05:06 AM

thanks guys seems like a lot of work to debrand the bottom piece.

might have to stew over it a little bit longer

drewhazard · 12-11-2007, 10:34 AM

Has anyone noticed "light leak" around the black keyboard? When I look at the new part it seems to have a clear bezel around it... where the one from Verizon has a black bezel. The clear seems to be leaking light.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks! Happy Holidays!!!

sta1 · 12-11-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulman978

Not completely true. You can change just the piece where the brand is displayed at the bottom. You will need to completely diassemble. Once you have the front cover off, look down near the bottom and you will see 2 tabs that hold the branded piece on. It is a very delicate operation to remove it, but it can be done. I did it on mine to get the Orange branded cover on.

The only place where the Brand name was on my BB8830 was underneath the keyboard where the "Verizon" name was printed in red. I changed the front cover and now there is only the "Blackberry" name above LCD and "World Edition" below it.

sta1 · 12-11-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewhazard

Has anyone noticed "light leak" around the black keyboard? When I look at the new part it seems to have a clear bezel around it... where the one from Verizon has a black bezel. The clear seems to be leaking light.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks! Happy Holidays!!!

I have noticed a small light leak just above the keypad but below track ball but nothing noticed around black keypad after replacing. I will say that after replacing silver keypad for black I can now see the letters 100% better especially at night.

swantzilla · 12-13-2007, 11:22 AM

No Hi-Jack intended. The black case looks really sharp! I looked at the replacement pictures and was wondering if stratigically placing holes in the back would improve the ringtone volume level? Maybe adding a bezel like on the 7130.

tommyticketguy · 12-14-2007, 07:46 PM

Received my package from Hong Kong in 8 days. Installation was a snap !!! Took less than 15 minutes. The phone looks awesome in Black !! The feel of the keyboard is slightly different but I am sure I will get used to it in no time.

About the only complaint is that it seems a little dull and shows lots of smudges from fingerprints. Any suggestions on what to use to clean it up and bring the shine back ???

stevenmz · **OS:** 4.7.1.61

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyticketguy

Received my package from Hong Kong in 8 days. Installation was a snap !!! Took less than 15 minutes. The phone looks awesome in Black !! The feel of the keyboard is slightly different but I am sure I will get used to it in no time.

About the only complaint is that it seems a little dull and shows lots of smudges from fingerprints. Any suggestions on what to use to clean it up and bring the shine back ???

I dropped my 8830 and had it slide across the garage floor...ouch! I used KIT 'Scratch Out' purchased at the local WalMart. It got most of the minor scratches out and brought out a higher luster on the black case. Very nice. Also used it on the clear lens cover with no ill effects.

winklle · **black keypad -** 12-17-2007, 08:37 PM

Help! I desperately want to change over to the black housing but can only find a french or european keypad. I checked the links listed in earlier posts but they don't work anymore. Anyone know where to get a correct keypad? Thanks.

kramerica · 12-17-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winklle

Help! I desperately want to change over to the black housing but can only find a french or european keypad. I checked the links listed in earlier posts but they don't work anymore. Anyone know where to get a correct keypad? Thanks.

Yeah, kind of weird that it's not even listed as an out of stock item. Shoot them an email. They have been very responsive to my requests (within 24 hours). Here is the description even though I'm sure you probably already know what it is, but I pulled it from my order verbatim:

1 x BlackBerry 8800/8830 OEM black keyboard - US

Good luck!

winklle · 12-17-2007, 09:49 PM

Thanks, I emailed them but then my impatience kicked in. I did find it at another site cellulardr.com. Unfortunately it is $24.95 there. I did order the housing from cnn though. I am the least mechanical person in the world so hopefully I can do this. Thanks again for your help.

ootsk · 12-18-2007, 01:23 AM

I'm thinking of getting this also. If my "hangup" key is barely working...as in it works sometimes if I press really hard...will the new keyboard fix this problem?

kramerica · 12-18-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyticketguy

Received my package from Hong Kong in 8 days. Installation was a snap !!! Took less than 15 minutes. The phone looks awesome in Black !! The feel of the keyboard is slightly different but I am sure I will get used to it in no time.

About the only complaint is that it seems a little dull and shows lots of smudges from fingerprints. Any suggestions on what to use to clean it up and bring the shine back ???

I use Bestskinsever for protection. It comes in about 6 pieces (2 for the sides, 1 for the screen, 1 for the lower base under the keyboard, 1 for the battery cover and 1 covering the rest of the back). Easier to install than Invisible Shield IMHO and keep the smudging to almost a non issue, plus the protection is well worth it for $7 and you don't even really know its on.

mriff · **OS:** 4.7.1.40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ootsk

I'm thinking of getting this also. If my "hangup" key is barely working...as in it works sometimes if I press really hard...will the new keyboard fix this problem?

It's quite possible that changing the keyboard/shell would solve this issue.

asiedle · 12-18-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulman978

Not completely true. You can change just the piece where the brand is displayed at the bottom. You will need to completely diassemble. Once you have the front cover off, look down near the bottom and you will see 2 tabs that hold the branded piece on. It is a very delicate operation to remove it, but it can be done. I did it on mine to get the Orange branded cover on.

why on earth would you brand your VZW phone with an Orange logo?

That is strange my friend....

winklle · 12-18-2007, 10:38 PM

Okay all, ordered my black housing and keypad yesterday. Just to update everyone the keypad is apparently on manufacturer backorder with no release date. This came from both cnn and cellulardr.com. Now it is just a waiting game.

user242 · 01:24 AM

Hello, I didn't have a chance to read all the posts here but I'm looking for a U.S. ver. black keyboard and didn't see one on the "cnn.cn" site. Is there any other site where I can find a black keyboard to replace my crappy silver one on my 8830?

Thanks in advance!

(oops!!! Just noticed the post above mine!....lol..) I guess we will just have to be patient?....I hate waiting!

John Clark · **OS:** 4.6.1.250

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiedle

why on earth would you brand your VZW phone with an Orange logo?

That is strange my friend....

Another thread crap.

greggebhardt · 12-19-2007, 07:32 AM

Maybe it is time for ACTION!

mriff · **OS:** 4.7.1.40

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Clark

Another thread crap.

brianr0131 · 12-24-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulman978

Did you ever get a reply regarding this issue? I have the same issue. I have had mine installed for about three weeks and it's the only thing I don't like about the black case.

Anyone else experience this?

Hi Soulman978,

Sorry about the delay. Steve did replay again but he wasn't really understanding my problem. Not his fault, he did try.

Here's what you do:

Problem fixed. I had to slightly bend the two parts of the battery door on each side that stick out (black plastic parts) I did this by facing the silver part up and pushing the small clips one at a time into the corner of the table gently but hard enough to bend them a little bit.

Take the battery door off and look at it with the silver rectangle facing up. Near the right and left top edges there are 2 small "clips" one at each end. Those have to be bent very carefully up towards you. I hope that helps. Mine is perfect now.

yester18 · 12-25-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piusg

Holy cow yester18! Those are some AWESOME pictures! I ganked the one of the keyboard and am going to use it for my Avatar icon.

Did you take those yourself or did you also gank them from someone?

Hey bro sorry I missed your post. I am not with the 8830 anymore I am on the 8130 Pearl...

I did those pictures and mod myself...... I have sent off the parts and extra shell to someone else on one of the forums... Since I didn't need them any more.

Glad you like it. Hvae to take some picture of my pearl now

kjjb0204 · 12-28-2007, 11:54 PM

Just got a reply from Steve Chan regarding the US black keyboard for 8830. He says he's not expecting any until after the Chinese New Year (Feb. 7, 2008).

jdiggs · 01-03-2008, 02:17 PM

Since CNN won't have the US keyboards until after the Chinese New Year I found the entire kit on ebay from another Hong Kong seller. The one in the link below is for Bell. Yesterday their were Bell, Sprint and unbranded available.

here

The unbranded unit I order comes with a screw driver, but no mention is made of the pry tool. Could anyone suggest a alternate tool for the pry bar? Maybe a plastic putty knife?

kjjb0204 · 01-03-2008, 07:41 PM

Be careful on the unbranded ones for sale right now - the keyboards are not the US/English QWERTY style. Several of the letters on the left side are in different places. I'm only seeing the correct QWERTY keypad on the branded housings on ebay.

jdiggs · 01-03-2008, 09:42 PM

The picture on the ebay add had the correct keyboard, so we shall see. I almost ordered a Bell just to have something different.

x14 · 01-19-2008, 05:10 PM

Did my swap today. One good thing is the side panels no longer squeak.

Chiocciman · 09:48 PM

I just saw this post. Shall I assume that I should not order the kit before mid Feb for fear of geeting the wrong keyboard?

I wanted a black one when I get this one. I'm ready.

Chuck

...EDIT...
The site does not show the black US keypad so, that would make sense if they are out of stock due to Chinese New Year. I guess I wll wait until it shows up on the site????

bunangst · 01-19-2008, 10:31 PM

Got this message from Cellular Nation last week about ordering a black keyboard.

We are sold out of this part and have requested more. However, we are
unsure if Blackberry will produce them again as they may be getting ready to
produce the 8920 and the 9xxx series.

Steve Chan

Chiocciman · 01-19-2008, 11:39 PM

Thanks. Bad news. I bet they could sell a ton of them.

Chuck

Chiocciman · 01-25-2008, 11:40 PM

I guess I will bump this back up. I just sent them a note suggesting that they should try to press for more keyboards. The entire kit looks great but the keyboard is critical. You can not read the silver one in low light.

If anyone hears that they are available again, please post. Darn, I'm always about 2 days too late.

Thanks
Chuck

x14 · 01-26-2008, 01:40 PM

Got this from them yesterday.

"At the moment we do not know when the part will be back in stock since all
the factories in China are actually shutting down early for the Chinese New
Year holiday. If anything, it will be after February 11th before we receive
any news."

allen2oo3 · 10:47 PM

i have 2 extra keypads from cnn.cn (i ordered several to pick the one with the best "feel".) please do not pm me about them. i will post them in the for sale section of the forum soon. the first 2 to post in that thread can have one each.