[Hobbesgsr]

I cracked open my Blackberry again to remove more dust that was appearing the in the exact same places (in between the front send, end and convenience key).


Anyways, I closely inspected the front cover gasket where the dust appeared to be coming from and found that it didn't touch the metal screen bezel in two places. You can see in this picture where it concaves back.
Pic1
Pic1 zoomed

The applied gasket simply follows the contour of the divots injection moulded/cast into the plastic of the front cover.
Pic2
Pic2 zoomed

You can see in greater detail how there are uneven impressions in two places of the front plastic case that prevent the gasket from making a complete seal against the screen.
Pic3

[delmarco]

how did you fix that?

[wirelessandy]

Hobbes,

I think I see what you're referring to. But could you possible annotate your photos with an arrow or a circle to show precisely where this is happening?

I bought a 7290 last weekend... and returned it immediately. I couldn't deal with the poor phone quality. The 8700 is my last hope for Blackberry-ness, assumming I can overcome my dust-a-phobia...

[dc/dc]

I've had my 8700c for almost 4 months now with no dust problems. I think it is hit or miss.

[Hobbesgsr]

Here you go. I hope these pics explain it more clearly.
I haven't tried pulling back the gasket to see the full size of the casting divot, but based on how far the gasket is deformed, it appears to almost extend to the edge of the gasket and be semi-circular in shape.


This simple illustration below the picture has the unit face-down.


The red circled area shows where the gasket deforms to a concave shape allowing a gap the the seal.


Has anyone else noticed if dust in their unit appears to be coming from the same area of the screen.

[Rubicant]

Why not just use a toothpick and slip some clear silicone into the gaps...level it off with the gasket and bam...no more dusting.

(the opinions expressed in this post do not necessiarialy constitute a good idea..)

[Fireproof]

Why not return it and get a new one? I seem to recall a couple posts about people getting replacement units for this issue...

[wirelessandy]

Perhaps it would be possible to try the same trick someone posted elsewhere about the Audiovox SMT 5600, which I referred to in the OP's previous posting.

It involves cutting double-stick tape and applying it to the foam-side of the gasket, creating a thicker seal:


(trim tape to size/length...)


(apply to gasket-side of phone)

Someone try this and see if it works....! The bonus of this method is if it doesn't work, you could apply another layer to make it thicker, or just remove it if you give up.

photos and description from http://www.digimission.com/?page_id=25

[Hobbesgsr]

I have read that a quite a few users with new replacement units have once again has dust get inside their 8700.The only fix I'm looking for is hoping that RIM remedied this problem with a better case molding that doesn't have these "divots", or have them use a better gasket.

I actually don't know for certain if this is the culprit in every 8700 that has experienced dust infiltration. I need some feedback if the symptoms are similar to what I have experienced.

Can anyone confirm that the front case has been redesigned in new units?

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by Fireproof

Why not return it and get a new one? I seem to recall a couple posts about people getting replacement units for this issue...

yeah, but almost everyone was back to square one and worse off:
not only did their replacements come from refurbished stock , They were back with dealing with dust within a week to a month on the replacement units.

If you read thru the dust thread...one guy replaced his unit 4 times...with cingular 2X and RIM 2x because of dust and other things.

I guess the 8700c is very high maintenance if it requires post-consumer dusting every week or so.
Is there a way to seal the gaps?

I'm thinking glue gun here....when i see those pics as a solution.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by Hobbesgsr

I have read that a quite a few users with new replacement units have once again has dust get inside their 8700.The only fix I'm looking for is hoping that RIM remedied this problem with a better case molding that doesn't have these "divots", or have them use a better gasket.

I actually don't know for certain if this is the culprit in every 8700 that has experienced dust infiltration. I need some feedback if the symptoms are similar to what I have experienced.

Can anyone confirm that the front case has been redesigned in new units?

Sorry Buddy,
They haven't someone just bought a unit last week and stated in the infamous dust thread that he got dust already.
Our only hope is that the 8700g is better designed...there is NO hope left for anything that says 8700c on it.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by wirelessandy

Perhaps it would be possible to try the same trick someone posted elsewhere about the Audiovox SMT 5600, which I referred to in the OP's previous posting.

It involves cutting double-stick tape and applying it to the foam-side of the gasket, creating a thicker seal:


(trim tape to size/length...)


(apply to gasket-side of phone)

Someone try this and see if it works....! The bonus of this method is if it doesn't work, you could apply another layer to make it thicker, or just remove it if you give up.

photos and description from http://www.digimission.com/?page_id=25

This actually looks like a grand idea!
I'll try it.

[Hobbesgsr]

Update: I checked 3 other 8700r's (updated design) based on the pattern of dust infiltration (between the send and end keys) and they had the same casting flaws.

[pspiegel]

Originally Posted by Hobbesgsr

Update: I checked 3 other 8700r's (updated design) based on the pattern of dust infiltration (between the send and end keys) and they had the same casting flaws.

Is this only for the 8700c/r or the g as well?

[atuarre]

Did someone write a guide about how to disassemble your Blackberry to clean the dust out? I looked on my screen just as I was reading a thread, and I see what appears to be a hair...it could be a spec of dust that looks like a hair, but the fact that I noticed it now, bothers me.

[GSR]

Does anyone know if the 8707's will have a similiar problem? A different thread advised to keep the blackberry in a holster if its in ur pocket.. does this help?

[jayshen]

anyone can spec out how to open the case and clean the dust out and apply the fix once for all? thanks...and my BB8700c has some dust now...from the convenience keys...I guess...

[ecidood]

Motorola Razrs have the same Flaw with the dust coming behind the Screen. I had three different razrs and all had dust within couple of months. Know few people with them that had dust, and some did not. I believe it is a hit or miss, and poor QA on Motorola side.

Currently use T-moible Samsung T809 and no dust behind screen at all (have it for 4 months already).

Looking to get a BlackBerry soon...

[alitavivi]

Originally Posted by pspiegel

Is this only for the 8700c/r or the g as well?

Yes, i have the 8700g and this is the seconf one. First the screen has a lot of dust in it and the thumb wheel is loose again, it seems.

[alitavivi]

I have bad news, this is my second 8700g model and it is also full f dust inside the casket, and the other bad news is that the thumb wheel is also lose after a month of using it, they have to do something abut it, even if you change it. For a new one, in a month you will be with the same problem.